European Anthem
12 January 1972
The Council of Europe chooses Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", the 4th movement of the composer's 9th symphony, as the European Anthem. The European Community adopt the same music as their own European Anthem in 1986.
Selected documents from the Council of Europe's Archives
22 January 1825
Note by Beethoven conferring rights for the 9th symphony (copy)
Beethoven's note [German and French only]
26 August 1949
Letter from Jehane-Louis Gaudet (singing teacher in Lyons) to Paul-Henri Spaak (Chairman of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe) proposing a song as the European Anthem, and enclosed dedication.
Jehane-Louis Gaudet's letter [French only]
Jehane-Louis Gaudet's dedication [French only]
7 September 1949
Paul-Henri Spaak's reply to Jehane-Louis Gaudet
Paul-Henri Spaak's Reply to Jehane-Louis Gaudet [French only]
14 October 1949
Letter from Carl Kahlfuss proposing music as the European Anthem
Carl Kahlfuss's letter [German and French only]
26 July 1950
Second letter from Carl Kahlfuss about the European Anthem
Carl Kahlfuss's second letter [French only]
14 October 1950
Third letter from Carl Kahlfuss about the European Anthem
Carol Kahlfuss's third letter [French only]
25 September 1951
Letter from Hans Horben proposing music as the European Anthem
Letter from Hans Horben [German only]
28 September 1951
Paul Levy's reply to Hans Horben
Paul Levy's reply [French only]
3 August 1955
Letter from Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi proposing Ludwig van Beethoven's Ode to Joy as the European Anthem
Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi's letter [French only]
More about Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi ...
5 September 1955
Paul Levy's reply to Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi
Paul Levy's letter [French only]
12 March 1962
Letter from Paul Levy to M. A. Molter regarding the European Anthem
Paul Levy's letter [French only]
3 April 1962
Letter from Paul Levy to Mr van Aken regarding the European Anthem
Paul Levy's letter [French only]
11 March 1971
Letter from Kjell T. Evers, President of the European Conference of Local Authorities - Plea for a European Anthem (contained in document AS/Loc(22)37)
30 April 1971
Item 4 of the report of the meeting of the Committee on Regional Planning and Local Authorities of the Consultative Assembly - Discussion regarding the European Anthem
10 June 1971
Assembly report and draft resolution on a European Anthem
8 July 1971
Assembly Resolution proposing Ode to Joy as the European Anthem
24 July 1971
The Secretary General asks the Austrian conductor Herbert von Karajan to write a musical arrangement
Secretary General's letter [German only]
12 August 1971
Reply to the Secretary General from Emil Jucker, on behalf of Herbert von Karajan
Emil Jucker's letter [German only]
22 November 1971
Letter from Kjell T. Evers, President of the European Conference of Local Authorities -
European Anthem to be launched on 5 May 1972
12 January 1972
Committee of Ministers' Decision - the Ode to Joy is adopted as the European Anthem
Committee of Ministers' decision
25 January 1972
Memorandum from H. Leleu to the Secretary General regarding copyright
Leleu's memorandum [French only]
28 January 1972
Memorandum from Roland Muller, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs, to the Secretary General regarding copyright
Roland Muller's memorandum [French only]
18 February 1972
Letter from Emil Jucker on behalf of Herbert von Karajan, regarding copyright
Emil Jucker's letter [German only]
2 March 1972
Memorandum from Maud de Boer to the Secretary General regarding Herbert von Karajan and copyright issues
de Boer's letter [French only]
8 March 1972
Memorandum containing minutes of the Directors' meeting. Contains a discussion about copyright issues
7-15 March 1972
The Ministers' Deputies ask the Secretariat to resolve copyright issues
Committee of Ministers' decision
11-19 April 1972
Meeting of the Ministers' Deputies - the Secretary General clarifies copyright questions
25 January 1973
Parliamentary Assembly question and reply on the use of the Anthem
30 September 1974
Memorandum from H. Golsong, Head of Legal Affairs, to Head of Private Office concerning copyright issues and Rhodesia
Memorandum from H. Golsong [French only]
30 January 1985
The Parliamentary Assembly proposes that a new anthem be found
Parliamentary Assembly document 5353
1986
The Ministers' Deputies authorise the European Community to use the European Anthem
Notes and Links
- The Anthem consists of music only. There is no accompanying text
- The Council of Europe does not possess a manuscript of the score of the Anthem
- Copyright for Beethoven’s music is held by Schott Musik
- The poem "An die Freude" (Ode to Joy) after which the music is named was composed by the German Poet Friedrich Schiller
- The original arrangement of the Anthem is by Herbert von Karajan
- LARCHER, Aloïs: Le Drapeau de l'Europe et l'Hymne Européen (Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 1995, pp, 12 - 15 [French only]
- Council of Europe's European Anthem web page
- European Union's European Anthem web page
- Schott Music