Fête de l'Europe with Macron: Appeal for a free Europe

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer have called for freedom and democracy in Europe in Dresden. "Europe was not born out of doubt and fear, Europe is the result of courage and confidence; and we must show this now," said Steinmeier on Monday at a "Fête de l'Europe" at the Frauenkirche during the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron. Thousands of young people had come to Neumarkt for the event, including young people from Poland, the Czech Republic and France.

He could not imagine a better advocate for Europe on stage than President Macron, "here in Dresden, in eastern Germany, in the middle of Europe", said Steinmeier. Generations had worked "to make this continent a continent of freedom and democracy, it is up to us to continue this work," he said, referring to the European Parliament elections on June 9. "We will defend free democracy in Germany, together and with each other. Europe lives when people want it and also when they go to the polls in two weeks' time."

Saxony's head of government, Kretschmer, greeted the young people in the center of the state capital with a challenge. "You are the generation that has to prove that you don't need terrible experiences to act for peace, to stand up for democracy and Europe, but know it, live it, shape it," he said. "Europe, that is our future." And it is a great promise of peace at home and prosperity. "But whether we keep it and achieve it is up to you, up to us."

Macron has been in Germany since Sunday at the invitation of the Federal President. Saxony wanted to send a "clear signal for understanding, tolerance and cohesion across all borders" with the sponsor-funded, admission-free festival. Musicians and bands such as DJ Bennett and Alle Farben, Elif, the Dresden rapper rémi.fr and singer Clueso played in bright sunshine.

In the Frauenkirche, Kretschmer presented the heads of state and their wives with two objects from the State Art Collections that bear witness to the historical connection between Saxony and France. They commemorated France's famous general and emperor Napoleon I, who made Saxony a kingdom in 1806. He is said to have worn his boots in a battle near Dresden on August 27, 1813, and his lock of hair was cut off on his deathbed on the island of St. Helena.