THE EUROPEAN IDENTITY Ignasi Vendrell | 1991
The symbols of identity are keeping alive the flame of the European soul. All countries have some lasting traditions, and customs are carried from generation to generation. Today, 12 different flags, 12 different anthems, 12 different emblems are blended with the new European symbols of identity.
The first symbol of Europe/s identity was a coin (250 B.C.) of the City of Tiro. The Roman empire, which spread from Hispania (Spain) on the west, to Dacia (Hungary) on the east, and from Hibernia (Ireland) on the north to Aegyptus (Egypt) on the south used currency minted with the silhouette of Europe on one side and the sphinx of the Roman emperor Valeriano I on the back.
Today, visual, acoustic and graphic European symbols are present everywhere. The golden twelve stars flag is inserted between the European country flags as a symbol of unity and integration. Also, the 4th movement of the 9th symphony of Ludwig Van Beethoven/s Ode to Joy is played in the official ceremonies as the European anthem. In addition, May 9th is celebrated as Day of Europe, remembering the founders of the European unity, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Schuman and the economist Jean Monnet.
To understand the history of the symbols of identity we must go to post World War II. In 1949, the European Council was founded by ten European countries to defend European parliamentary democracies and the human rights of their citizens, as well as to work toward European unity. In April, 1950, a report elaborated by the General Secretary of the European Council was considered in the Parliamentary Assembly, which assigned Robert Bichet to seek an emblem for Europe. In the race to find a badge, many elements were proposed as possible symbols of Europe.
One suggestion was a cross (Greek or Latin shape) as the symbol of Christian civilization. This badge was also used by soldiers for fighting in the Crusades (seventh century) and now is an element represented in the majority of European flags, including Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. This insignia was rejected by Turkey because, as a Muslim member country, it couldn/t accept a Christian symbol. Furthermore, socialist countries were opposed to the cross because they were atheists, as followers of Lenin/s and Stalin/s theories.
Other suggestions included:
- The symbol of the European Movement, the white E over a green background was used in the first meetings of the European Council. European Movement members called this symbol, "le calecon du Sandys sur un pre vert" (the breeches of sandy [founder of the European Movement] over a green field );
- Stars for representing each of the European state members;
- The emblem of Strasbourg as a city seat of the European Council;
- The sun as a symbol of unity and hope;
- The triangle as a symbol of culture;
- The Paneuropean movement/s symbol of the Conte Coudenhove-Kalergi represented by the blue flag with a gold circle surrounding a red cross inside;
- Eight interlaced gold rings over a blue background. This was also refused because it seemed too much like the Olympic rings and because a chain traditionally is a symbol of slavery.
After three years of arguing about heraldry, symbols, colors and vexillology, the Robert Bichet committee decided to identify Europe with the color blue. Also, Africa was identified as a black continent, Asia as a yellow, America as red, and Australia as green. Europe would be represented as the azure continent.
After deciding the color of the flag, two more projects were presented with a blue background to the European Council: - A design with a gold star in the middle of the blue flag proposed by Carl Raymond was also declined because it seemed too much like the flag of the Belgium Congo;
- Salvador de Madariaga/s project proposed one golden star for representing Strasbourg and a number of equal stars according to the capitals of the European states. In 1954, the "ad hoc" committee accepted Salvador de Madariaga/s idea but named a group to study the possible flag.
On December 8, 1955, the European Council definitively adopted the 12 golden stars, after 5 years of projects, meetings and arguments. Five days later, the President of the Council hoisted for the first time the European flag in the "Chateau de la Muette" in Strasbourg (France) in the presence of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, as members of the European Council . This was the birth of the European symbol of identity.
In 1986, the European Community adopted the same symbol as the European Council when the Commissary, Mr. Carlo Ripa di Meana, definitively hoisted the same flag for the seven European institutions.
Therefore, Europe has a new emblem with a heraldry and symbolic meaning. The European flag is made in the form of a rectangle in azure color with a circle integrated by 12 gold stars of five rays each. Over the blue sky of the Occident, the stars represent the countries of Europe in circular form as a symbol of unity. Also, an invariable number of 12 stars means perfection and fullness. For example, there are12 astrological signs, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 months.
Every detail is cultivated in the process of the flag/s creation; every detail has a reason for being there in the geometrically exact place. For instance, the European flag is composed of a blue rectangle of which the longest part is 1 1/2 times the width. The center of the flag is where the diagonals cross. From the center take a ray 1/3 of the width and make an invisible circumference. All 12 stars are located in the circle. Each of the 5 stars arms are also located inside an invisible circle of which the ray is 1/18 the width. Moreover, the stars always expose one arm in the vertical direction.
Following are some of the recommendations for using the flag. The European flag must wave inside as well as outside public European community buildings, city halls, governments and communities. It is hoisted specially on the following two dates:
- March, 25th commemorating the signature of the Treaty of Rome (1957) - May, 9th, as a Day of Europe. (It is a holiday that commemorates the European Declaration of unity of Jean Monet and Robert Schuman [1950].)
Another important issue is how to place in a correct order the European flag inserted between Europeans banners. It is a regular rule used in diplomacy: every flag will be in alphabetical order of the states own official language. So, the order will be: European flag (Europe), Belgique (Belgium), Danmark (Denmark), Deutchsland (Germany), Ellas (Greece), Espana (Spain), France (France), Ireland (Ireland), Italia (Italy), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Nederland (Netherlands), Portugal (Portugal), and United Kingdom (United Kingdom.) For instance, as a curious anecdote; Denmark had a legal problem because, according to its laws, the national flag couldn/t legally wave inserted between other flags. For this reason, they decided to ammend the law before changing the background and the colors of the Danish flag.
A survey for testing the percent of recognition of the European symbols was published in Eurobarometre Magazine, in 1987. They asked, "One of the four flags is the European. Please, could you identify among these, which is the European Community banner? At first 1/3 part of the Europeans didn/t answer the question. From the other 2/3 part, 58% of the people answered and gave a right response. Another important result was that 77% of the Belges identified the flag, but in contrast only 31% of the British recognized it.
Every day, European citizens and their children are becoming more aware of their citizenship. Comparing different sources, we can understand that citizens from the majority of state members are in favor of European unity and few states do not feel really integrated. For instance, Eurobarometre Magazine analyzed the answer to the following question:"Do you think that being a citizen of Europe is a good thing or bad thing?" Seventy two percent of the population in Italy and 68% in Portugal answered "a good thing," compared with Denmark and United Kingdom where only 23% and 38%, respectively, think that being a citizen of the European Community is a "good thing." Similarly, according to Hewstone/ European Awareness book, Italians are impatient, and would like to see the process of integration accelerated, French citizens are strongly in favour, Germans can still be counted on for support, but British are unconvinced the European Community is the best means of bringing it about.
Although the EC is an Economic association, it is true that in the next century it will be a confederation of states. An anthem will be required as a national recognition. For this reason, they decided to adopt as the European Anthem the prelude of the 4th movement of the 9 Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven/s Ode to Joy .
In 1821, Beethoven signed a lease with the Philharmonic Society of London to compose a symphony and sold all rights to them. After receiving 50 sterling pounds, Beethoven did not fulfill the contract. Beethoven worked three years making a lot of changes in the musical score. At the beginning, the Choral movement wasn/t part of the first sketch because he planned a final instrumental movement. Only a flash of inspiration caused him to include the Ode to Joy , influenced by the German poet Friedrich Schiller.
In May 7, 1824, he did the premiere performance in Vienna where it was received with a resounding ovation. Actually soloists think that the 9th Symphony is one of the most difficult in vocal literature.
In 1972, the Ode to Joy , was accepted in the European Council and in 1986 it was definitively adopted by the European Community, where it is played as a song of happiness and hope. For instance, when President Reagan officially visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, he got up to the aeroport/s podium and after listening to the Star Spangled Banner, he heard "le Marseillaise", the French national anthem, and finally the Beethoven/s Ode to Joy . This demonstrates how difficult it is for France to concede sovereign power to the European institutions.
The Europe of 1993 will have free circulation of people, goods, capital, and services between European countries, but it will be under a common policy, common institutions, and with a common visual, acoustic and graphic identity. That means that every village, and each region will keep its particular symbols, its identity and all the traditions and customs. All Europeans will know what things make them different from others and what things characterize them for mutual respect. Therefore, respect for one/s own individual nationality and identity will contribute to creating a united Europe.
The first symbol of Europe/s identity was a coin (250 B.C.) of the City of Tiro. The Roman empire, which spread from Hispania (Spain) on the west, to Dacia (Hungary) on the east, and from Hibernia (Ireland) on the north to Aegyptus (Egypt) on the south used currency minted with the silhouette of Europe on one side and the sphinx of the Roman emperor Valeriano I on the back.
Today, visual, acoustic and graphic European symbols are present everywhere. The golden twelve stars flag is inserted between the European country flags as a symbol of unity and integration. Also, the 4th movement of the 9th symphony of Ludwig Van Beethoven/s Ode to Joy is played in the official ceremonies as the European anthem. In addition, May 9th is celebrated as Day of Europe, remembering the founders of the European unity, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Schuman and the economist Jean Monnet.
To understand the history of the symbols of identity we must go to post World War II. In 1949, the European Council was founded by ten European countries to defend European parliamentary democracies and the human rights of their citizens, as well as to work toward European unity. In April, 1950, a report elaborated by the General Secretary of the European Council was considered in the Parliamentary Assembly, which assigned Robert Bichet to seek an emblem for Europe. In the race to find a badge, many elements were proposed as possible symbols of Europe.
One suggestion was a cross (Greek or Latin shape) as the symbol of Christian civilization. This badge was also used by soldiers for fighting in the Crusades (seventh century) and now is an element represented in the majority of European flags, including Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. This insignia was rejected by Turkey because, as a Muslim member country, it couldn/t accept a Christian symbol. Furthermore, socialist countries were opposed to the cross because they were atheists, as followers of Lenin/s and Stalin/s theories.
Other suggestions included:
- The symbol of the European Movement, the white E over a green background was used in the first meetings of the European Council. European Movement members called this symbol, "le calecon du Sandys sur un pre vert" (the breeches of sandy [founder of the European Movement] over a green field );
- Stars for representing each of the European state members;
- The emblem of Strasbourg as a city seat of the European Council;
- The sun as a symbol of unity and hope;
- The triangle as a symbol of culture;
- The Paneuropean movement/s symbol of the Conte Coudenhove-Kalergi represented by the blue flag with a gold circle surrounding a red cross inside;
- Eight interlaced gold rings over a blue background. This was also refused because it seemed too much like the Olympic rings and because a chain traditionally is a symbol of slavery.
After three years of arguing about heraldry, symbols, colors and vexillology, the Robert Bichet committee decided to identify Europe with the color blue. Also, Africa was identified as a black continent, Asia as a yellow, America as red, and Australia as green. Europe would be represented as the azure continent.
After deciding the color of the flag, two more projects were presented with a blue background to the European Council: - A design with a gold star in the middle of the blue flag proposed by Carl Raymond was also declined because it seemed too much like the flag of the Belgium Congo;
- Salvador de Madariaga/s project proposed one golden star for representing Strasbourg and a number of equal stars according to the capitals of the European states. In 1954, the "ad hoc" committee accepted Salvador de Madariaga/s idea but named a group to study the possible flag.
On December 8, 1955, the European Council definitively adopted the 12 golden stars, after 5 years of projects, meetings and arguments. Five days later, the President of the Council hoisted for the first time the European flag in the "Chateau de la Muette" in Strasbourg (France) in the presence of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, as members of the European Council . This was the birth of the European symbol of identity.
In 1986, the European Community adopted the same symbol as the European Council when the Commissary, Mr. Carlo Ripa di Meana, definitively hoisted the same flag for the seven European institutions.
Therefore, Europe has a new emblem with a heraldry and symbolic meaning. The European flag is made in the form of a rectangle in azure color with a circle integrated by 12 gold stars of five rays each. Over the blue sky of the Occident, the stars represent the countries of Europe in circular form as a symbol of unity. Also, an invariable number of 12 stars means perfection and fullness. For example, there are12 astrological signs, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 months.
Every detail is cultivated in the process of the flag/s creation; every detail has a reason for being there in the geometrically exact place. For instance, the European flag is composed of a blue rectangle of which the longest part is 1 1/2 times the width. The center of the flag is where the diagonals cross. From the center take a ray 1/3 of the width and make an invisible circumference. All 12 stars are located in the circle. Each of the 5 stars arms are also located inside an invisible circle of which the ray is 1/18 the width. Moreover, the stars always expose one arm in the vertical direction.
Following are some of the recommendations for using the flag. The European flag must wave inside as well as outside public European community buildings, city halls, governments and communities. It is hoisted specially on the following two dates:
- March, 25th commemorating the signature of the Treaty of Rome (1957) - May, 9th, as a Day of Europe. (It is a holiday that commemorates the European Declaration of unity of Jean Monet and Robert Schuman [1950].)
Another important issue is how to place in a correct order the European flag inserted between Europeans banners. It is a regular rule used in diplomacy: every flag will be in alphabetical order of the states own official language. So, the order will be: European flag (Europe), Belgique (Belgium), Danmark (Denmark), Deutchsland (Germany), Ellas (Greece), Espana (Spain), France (France), Ireland (Ireland), Italia (Italy), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Nederland (Netherlands), Portugal (Portugal), and United Kingdom (United Kingdom.) For instance, as a curious anecdote; Denmark had a legal problem because, according to its laws, the national flag couldn/t legally wave inserted between other flags. For this reason, they decided to ammend the law before changing the background and the colors of the Danish flag.
A survey for testing the percent of recognition of the European symbols was published in Eurobarometre Magazine, in 1987. They asked, "One of the four flags is the European. Please, could you identify among these, which is the European Community banner? At first 1/3 part of the Europeans didn/t answer the question. From the other 2/3 part, 58% of the people answered and gave a right response. Another important result was that 77% of the Belges identified the flag, but in contrast only 31% of the British recognized it.
Every day, European citizens and their children are becoming more aware of their citizenship. Comparing different sources, we can understand that citizens from the majority of state members are in favor of European unity and few states do not feel really integrated. For instance, Eurobarometre Magazine analyzed the answer to the following question:"Do you think that being a citizen of Europe is a good thing or bad thing?" Seventy two percent of the population in Italy and 68% in Portugal answered "a good thing," compared with Denmark and United Kingdom where only 23% and 38%, respectively, think that being a citizen of the European Community is a "good thing." Similarly, according to Hewstone/ European Awareness book, Italians are impatient, and would like to see the process of integration accelerated, French citizens are strongly in favour, Germans can still be counted on for support, but British are unconvinced the European Community is the best means of bringing it about.
Although the EC is an Economic association, it is true that in the next century it will be a confederation of states. An anthem will be required as a national recognition. For this reason, they decided to adopt as the European Anthem the prelude of the 4th movement of the 9 Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven/s Ode to Joy .
In 1821, Beethoven signed a lease with the Philharmonic Society of London to compose a symphony and sold all rights to them. After receiving 50 sterling pounds, Beethoven did not fulfill the contract. Beethoven worked three years making a lot of changes in the musical score. At the beginning, the Choral movement wasn/t part of the first sketch because he planned a final instrumental movement. Only a flash of inspiration caused him to include the Ode to Joy , influenced by the German poet Friedrich Schiller.
In May 7, 1824, he did the premiere performance in Vienna where it was received with a resounding ovation. Actually soloists think that the 9th Symphony is one of the most difficult in vocal literature.
In 1972, the Ode to Joy , was accepted in the European Council and in 1986 it was definitively adopted by the European Community, where it is played as a song of happiness and hope. For instance, when President Reagan officially visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, he got up to the aeroport/s podium and after listening to the Star Spangled Banner, he heard "le Marseillaise", the French national anthem, and finally the Beethoven/s Ode to Joy . This demonstrates how difficult it is for France to concede sovereign power to the European institutions.
The Europe of 1993 will have free circulation of people, goods, capital, and services between European countries, but it will be under a common policy, common institutions, and with a common visual, acoustic and graphic identity. That means that every village, and each region will keep its particular symbols, its identity and all the traditions and customs. All Europeans will know what things make them different from others and what things characterize them for mutual respect. Therefore, respect for one/s own individual nationality and identity will contribute to creating a united Europe.