Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi (1894-1972)

His book-manifesto, Paneuropa, was published in 1923. He advocated a union of European states, which presupposes a Franco-German reconciliation, its purpose is certainly, as Briand, prevent any repetition of the disaster 14-18 but to allow "Europe to ensure its independence from the non-European world powers are growing”. The book has been a great success very quickly.

His ideas very directly inspired Aristide Briand, even if it has a political rather than economic vision of the future United States of Europe.

In October 1926, the first Congress of the Pan-European Union meeting in Vienna more 2000 participants from 24 country, voting statutes and elect Coudenhove movement to the presidency of the Central Council (Briand and the Honorary President).

At this congress is played the’Ode to Joy drawn from the Ninth Symphony by Beethoven Coudenhove proposes to adopt as the European anthem. He also proposed the establishment of a “Europe Day” and a single currency.

Europe awakens !

Coudenhove and 1940 spreads, as Alexis Leger, exiled to New York where he remained until 1944. Postwar, he resumed his struggle to overcome its pan-European project, multiplying publications and initiatives.

Saint-John Perse Foundation maintains one of the first copies of the magazine Paneurope, No. 8-10 from 1929, For Pan-European conference.

It also keeps 13 personal letters Coudenhove-Kalergi Alexis Léger (years 1942-1960) where it is essentially about the future of Europe and pan-European conference (which the diplomat is repeatedly called).

Coudenhove-Kalergi spoke just after Alexis Leger at the International commemoration organized 1942 in New York to mark the 80th anniversary of the birth of Aristide Briand. Their speeches, and that of some other speakers, were immediately published, English, New York.