Accepting Charlemagne Prize, Duisenberg Praises Vision That Led to Currency's Creation

The euro, the currency that has brought 12 countries together in a monetary union this year, on Thursday won the International Charlemagne Prize that is awarded for contributions to European unity.

It was the first time in the 52-year history of the award that an object and not a person or group received the prize. Wim Duisenberg, the head of the European Central Bank, accepted the award on behalf of the millions of people who began spending the new currency on Jan. 1.

"The vision of a united Europe ... was born out of a longing for peace and prosperity on a continent that not only was torn apart all too often by internal conflicts but also pulled the rest of the world into two wars," Mr. Duisenberg said in his acceptance speech, made before about 1,000 guests gathered in the coronation room of the Aachen City Hall.

[EuroTracer's Comment: At the occasion of the prize award, the Suermondt Ludwig Museum in Aachen featured the exhibition "THE MAKING OF THE €URO" until 2002-05-12. At display were about 50 photos made by Claudio Hils in autumn 2001, documenting the production of euro notes and coins and the distribution ("frontloading") of the new currency across Europe. A small selection of the photos can be found at ECB's photo galery.
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