Hundreds of police officers will be on duty today. Massive barriers were erected in the old town last night, the covers of all gullies were sealed days ago. And around the town hall, the canal system and all shafts and openings were examined by security officers for explosives. The airspace today is 30 miles around Aachen blocked.
Charlemagne Prize should stand for the defense of European values
It is important to the Charlemagne Prize Directorate that the award ceremony sends a strong signal of solidarity with Zelenskyi and the Ukrainian people Ukraine emanates, which attracts worldwide attention.
“If it were to happen that one day injustice could simply triumph over justice, then we would live in conditions that no one would want to have anymore. And the Ukrainians are defending our values,” said Jürgen Linden, the chairman of the Charlemagne Prize board, earlier this week, referring to Vladimir Putin’s bloody war against Ukraine and the numerous documented human rights violations by Russian troops: “Europe, the world is behind Ukraine and is showing solidarity with her.”
High-ranking guests from Germany and abroad
The importance of this Charlemagne Prize is also underlined by the fact that, in addition to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz will take part in the ceremony. All three will deliver speeches in honor of this year’s awardee.
Demonstrations on the sidelines of the Charlemagne Prize ceremony
On the occasion of the Charlemagne Prize, several meetings have also been registered. According to the police, more than 1,400 people will gather in Aachen at various rallies. Among other things, pro-Russian demonstrations but also peace campaigns for Ukraine have been registered. For example, the Association of Ukrainians in Aachen will take a train with 500 participants through the city center from midday. Afterwards there will be a rally in the Kurpark as a sign of solidarity with Ukraine, which is fighting for its existence.