In Strasbourg, 1000 young people sing in choir to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the European Parliament

Seeing these 1,000 young people rehearsing for the first time all together, we say to ourselves that music is the only one that can create such unity so quickly between 12-year-old teenagers, from 27 countries and speaking 24 different languages.

A beautiful symbol to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, with a major concert taking place this Tuesday, May 30 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the hemicycle. Under the direction of choir master Luciano Bibiloni, artistic and musical director of the Opéra national du Rhin, these young choristers will interpret the famous european anthem, Ode to Joy by Beethoven but also a canon of Mozart, in the 24 languages ​​of the European Union. Two contemporary (and still living!) composers will also be honoured: the Argentinian Gerardo Di Giusto with Towards the future (excerpt from Humming-bird) and the Welshman Karl Jenkins with Adiemus.

This performance, which the young people have been preparing for a year, will be broadcast live on France 3 Grand Est from 2 p.m.

Report: France 3 Alsace – M. Heidmann / Y. Ledig / I. Hassid

A brief historical reminder: after the creation in 1952 by six states of the European Coal and Steel Community (CECA), a European Parliament was born five years later, during the Treaty of Rome of 25 March 1957. This Assembly European parliamentarian has an advisory role. Its first session took place in March 1958 in Strasbourg, but it was not until 1962 that it officially became the European Parliament.

Exchange program

The concert on May 30 is part of the project Ode to Joy, an exchange program between young Europeans over a period of two years. This year, 700 teenagers from 26 delegations are coming to Alsace to participate in a school exchange with 300 correspondents from Alsatian colleges. All come from different secondary and artistic establishments in the European Union. In 2024, it will be the turn of Alsatians to be welcomed in each of the 26 other countries.

Both cultural and civic, this project aims to make young people aware of democratic values ​​and openness to others. Through music and song, it is also a means of strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the members of the European Union.