Charlemagne 814 – 2014. Power, Art and Treasures is the name of the large medieval historical exhibition in Aachen this year.
Karl der Grosse – Charlemagne – Carolus Magnus – Carlomagno. At the dedicated website, all these names flitter along in the top-banner, signaling the massive international support behind this major exhibition in Aachen this summer, celebrating the 1200 year anniversary of the death of the emperor. Opening this summer on the 20th of June in the presence of the German, the French and the Italian presidents, it is guaranteed a splash of international media attention following the election to the European Parliament in May.
The content and form of the exhibition has been planned by a group of German scholars, who have met at least 13 times the last three years to discuss how to present the enigmatic personality of Charlemagne as well as his legacy. Was he really “father of Europe”? Or is that primarily the way in which politicians in the 20th century liked to “use” him? Was he governing a very diverse empire characterized by “unity in diversity” – or is that just a latter-day spin designed to frame the fact, that Europe barely hangs together politically, while divided by linguistic and cultural traditions. One important key to understanding this might be the push from European Social democrats to push Martin Schulz, present European Parliament President, into a future role as president for the European commission. Martin Schulz is both the former owner of a bookshop in the region of Aachen as well as one of the active members planning the exhibition and the festivities.
According to the scientific backing group Charlemagne worked to overcome the diversity in his empire by instituting a renaissance inspired by the Roman legacy and characterized by his building projects and promotions of art, his renovation of literacy and law as well as his endeavor to streamline liturgy and church-administration. Central to and a symbol of this was Aachen and the court he gathered around him there.
The exhibition is located in three venues and is part of year-long celebrations of the “Karlsjahr 2014”
Karl der Grosse 2014
Aachen
20.06.2014 – 21.09.2014
SOURCE:
Report from the Scientific Group