You just learned the significance of the official emblems adopted by the EU, such as its flag and motto. The official anthem of the European Union is yet another prominent feature that symbolises not just the EU but the whole of the European continent.
The origin of the iconic melody dates back to 1823. It is an extraction from the Ninth Symphony, a classical masterpiece composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven. The piece was born while Beethoven set music to Ode to Joy, a lyrical poem by Friedrich von Schiller written in 1785.
The poem is an expression of Schiller’s idealistic vision of the spirit of brotherhood among all human races and was best put to use by the magical music of Beethoven himself.
The Council of Europe was the first to adopt the musical rendering of the Ode as its anthem and was later followed by the European Union in 1985. The anthem is devoid of Schiller’s lyrics and best expresses the European ideals of freedom, solidarity, and peace through the universal language of music.
The EU anthem celebrates the values shared by each of its member countries and is played at official ceremonies and significant events involving the European Union.
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