Anthem of Europe

The Anthem of Europe, widely known as the European Anthem, is an instrumental adaptation of the prelude from the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, composed in 1823. The melody was originally set to Friedrich Schiller’s 1785 poem Ode to Joy, a work celebrating human unity and fraternity. Adopted by the Council of Europe in 1972 and by the European Union in 1985, the anthem symbolises shared European ideals, particularly freedom, peace and solidarity.

Historical Background

Schiller’s Ode to Joy inspired Beethoven’s setting in the choral finale of his Ninth Symphony. Although Schiller later criticised aspects of the poem, its message endured. During the twentieth century, the idea of using Beethoven’s music as a European anthem gained momentum. In 1971 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe endorsed the proposal, viewing Beethoven as a natural emblem of European cultural identity.
On 19 January 1972 the Committee of Ministers formally declared the prelude to Ode to Joy the European Anthem. To standardise its use, conductor Herbert von Karajan was commissioned to create three official arrangements—for piano, winds and orchestra—and he recorded the version used at official functions. Karajan adopted a slower, ceremonial tempo than Beethoven’s own indications, giving the anthem a dignified character.
It was launched widely across Europe in 1972 on Europe Day. Later, in 1985, the leaders of the European Community accepted it as the Community’s official anthem, a role it retained when the European Union succeeded the Community in 1993. Although an effort was made to embed the anthem formally into the treaty framework of the proposed European Constitution, the eventual Treaty of Lisbon did not include European symbols. Several member states nonetheless affirmed the anthem’s symbolic status, and the European Parliament committed to using it more frequently during official events.

Usage and Ceremonial Role

The anthem serves dual functions. Within the Council of Europe it represents the continent as a whole, while within the European Union it symbolises the Union and its people. It is performed at events such as Europe Day ceremonies, treaty signings and formal parliamentary sittings. From 2008 the European Parliament incorporated the anthem into the opening of each new parliamentary term and other official sessions.
Broadcast traditions have also developed. Since 2006 a German public radio station has played the European and German national anthems shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve, using special recordings noted for their reflective tone.
The anthem has accompanied major diplomatic occasions. At the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007 representatives of all member states stood as it was performed. In 2018 it was presented alongside Japan’s national anthem during the signing of the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.
The music has also been used in symbolic gestures. Kosovo temporarily employed the European anthem in 2008 before adopting its own, honouring the Union’s role during its independence process. In 2017 members of the Scottish National Party whistled and sang the tune in the UK House of Commons to protest the country’s departure from the EU. In 2023 it was performed following Ukraine’s national anthem during an official visit by the Ukrainian president to the European Parliament.
Beyond politics, the melody appears in sporting and cultural contexts. It served as the theme for the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying rounds and the 2018 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. It was also featured in a specially orchestrated version to celebrate the 5000th grant awarded by the European Research Council in 2015.

Symbolism and Meaning

The European anthem is not intended to replace national anthems but rather to complement them by expressing shared values. Its instrumental nature avoids linguistic preference and allows the music itself to convey the ideals of unity, dignity and cooperation. Beethoven’s theme, with its association with joy, humanity and harmony, encapsulates aspirations for a peaceful and united Europe. Through its adoption by both the Council of Europe and the European Union, the anthem stands as a cultural and political emblem of Europe’s ongoing commitment to solidarity among its diverse nations.