German President Addresses Carolinum on European Matters












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            * German President Addresses Carolinum on European Matters
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            A crowded room of academics, senators, rectors and guests welcomed his Excellency Joachim 

            of the Federal Republic of Germany for a speech on European Diversity and Wealth in relati
            Republic. Invited rectors and vice-rectors from distinguished Czech and Slovakian universi
            the front rows. Additional guests were present, such as Miroslava Němcová, Karel Schwarzen

            President of Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman.
            Conducted in German and Czech language, guests were supplied with translation headsets for
            participation and mutual understanding, thanks to an informed team of interpreters. After 

            welcoming procession accompanied by a traditional organ accompaniment, the speakers entere
            and were welcomed by the vice-rector Jan Royt. As a leading expert of Art History, Profess

            all distinguished guests and spectators, with a short explanation of the history of the ov
            tapestry in view above the speakers. The Rector of Charles University, Professor Tomáš Zim
            a brief history of Czech European unity and democracy, as well as complimenting the German

            a “patriot” of both Europe and Germany and an advocate of morality and modernity, the key 
            Czech-German relations. Gauck was offered an honourable award on behalf of the University,
            gold medal, for his promotion of democracy, freedom and human rights – accepted with a wid

            handshake and a round of rousing applause followed.
            Following this, Gauck took the centre stage, and expressed his delight to once again be at
            University, Prague. Admiring the natural beauty of the city surroundings, he stated that s

            Prague is and always has been beautiful, reminiscing over his visit just after the Velvet 
            1989. Comparing Prague at that point to the German Democratic Republic, he said that the b
            has been restored wonderfully since, complimenting the picturesque and historical setting 

            With twenty-five years since freedom, we must appreciate “something that cannot be taken f
            statement of gratitude and consciousness.
            Gauck then specified that Charles University hold the founding principles for the progress

            embodiment of Europe. In view, the backdrop displayed the flags of both Czech and European
            flags, testament to his statement of this embodiment at Charles University. He explained f
            historically, Charles University has held this European character, teaching nationals of B

            Bavaria and Saxony in its early years – in Latin language for the sake of widespread under
            of knowledge. This however was paused during the years of Nazism, in which the Czech part 
            University closed its doors for several years, however establishing afterwards the Europea

            Compliments were then given to a Czech Patriot, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first Democrat
            Czechoslovakia and a teacher at Charles University before this period, lauded for his beli
            European unity despite setbacks.

            Gauck said then that “Charles University also stands for Prague itself”, to address the ba
            both European and localised identity. Its mixed architecture uniquely reflects the diversi
            languages and nationalities, now unified as a symbol of a diverse centre of Europe. It was

            however, that the Jewish spirit was removed from this melting pot of cultures, with the le
            Kafka as marvellous reminder and representative of Czech-Jewish culture.
            President Gauck then stated his optimism of seeing younger generation tackling the past wi

            acceptance and revisionism, with Sudeten German and Czech relations being slowly rekindled
            courage to rebuild together and form rapprochement“’, through education, shared traditions
            diversity, he said was the key to this developing tranquillity. If Kafka experienced the u

            hold today, he would have felt inscrutable admiration for the future generations of his co
            democracy.
            Following an inspiring ovation of gratitude, Gauck‘s Czech counterpart Miloš Zeman made hi

            stated that he also agreed, that the basic European cultural value is diversity – differen
            pot, but more as an embodiment combination of mixed nationalities but a single European as
            He said that this symbolises the fascinating requirement of diversity to form a single ide

            quoted one of the world’s great statesmen, General Charles de Gaulle that ‘”France is coun
            cheeses”’ and that Europe holds a similar but even greater aspect of diversity, as well as
            the historical leader and the French passion for cheese. Thoroughly engaging events left t

            audience satisfied with the unity of the present, and projections for the future of Europe
            Sam Pepper is interested in meeting and discussing culture between people from other natio
            Erasmus study period in Prague. He also offers simple English lessons to other European st
            By initially learning meeting people of other European cultures at his home University at 
                                                                                                      
            attitudes, comparing similarities and differences in European politics, popular culture an
            relished the opportunity to write about subjects such as disparity in East Asia, European 
            in international affairs, but also it has shown him the value of being a European student