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Monday May 3, 2004, 9h29
Not the jealous one, let us sing Latin
Europe
VIENNA (AFP) - In the tower of Babel of widened Europe
(20 official languages), an Austrian teacher proposes that the 25 are
linked to sing together the European Latin anthem "not to make the
jealous one". Its author Peter Roland, 62 years, prides himself on the
encouragements of the president of the European Commission Romano
Prodi and it will again make sing its new anthem at the time of a
concert of the ten entering on next 15 June in Vienna with the chorus
of Wiener Singverein.
Adopted in 1972, the official anthem of the European
Union (UE) is drawn from the 9th symphony of Beethoven who put in
music the German words of "the Ode at the Joy" of Friedrich Schiller.
By playing it a little everywhere, "I always noted that
people of various European nationalities would like to be able to sing
it together. The emotion of the music would be then even larger
", explains Mr. Roland.
Yes, but in which common language? "It can be
only in Latin, answers it. "Because if one chose another living
language, the inhabitants of the nations not speaking this language
would refuse by jealousy".
"For example, Lettons would like neither of Polish nor
of German and the French would hardly be delighted by a new conquest
of English. Moreover, it notes, the language of Virgile and
César "is distinguished", clear and precise in few words.
"Is Europa nunc unita and unita maneat/Una in
diversitate pacem mundi augeat": the first of the three stanzas
of the possible European anthem can be translated into French by
"Europe is plain from now on, that it keeps its unit/unit in
diversity, that it contributes to world peace".
The short text mentions then European values --
foi/fidelity, justice, freedom -- in a "great fatherland" and the
imposing task ("opus magnum") which opens to its citizens.
If Latin is today dead language -- except in the Vatican
or in recent film of Mel Gibson "the passion of Christ"… --,
the historians point out that it was used as language of communication
during centuries in all Europe, in particular at the university (from
where the name of the Latin Quarter in Paris), being even an official
language in Hungary until the 19th century.
The proposal of Mr. Roland does not have only partisans.
"It is a strictly personal initiative. The majority of
the young people ignore Latin and the language of communication, it is
of course English ", exclaims a European person in charge.
Speaking under cover of anonymity, it raises that the question
is not on the agenda in Brussels.
Admittedly, Robert Roland preaches for his parish:
he directs a family private college to Vienna where he has
taught Latin "for 50 years". But to promote its idea, it can
use the modern means: Internet sites, press campaign, support
in the Austrian offficiels mediums of which the very serious Company
for the European policy, and realization of CD with the 25 national
anthems of the UE and the "hymnus Europeae".
In foreword with this disc, Romano Prodi, the Italian
president of the European Commission, written (in French): "I
express my best wishes (…) so that this anthem sung in Latin becomes
désomais a expensive song with all the citizens of the UE beside the
national anthem of each one".
Here the words which it proposes and their translation
in French:
- In Latin:
Is Europa nunc unita
And unita maneat
Una in diversitate
Pacem mundi augeat
Semper regant in Europa
Fides and iustitia
And libertas populorum
In maiore patria
Cives, floreat Europa,
Opus magnum v ocat your
Stellae signed sunt in caelo
Aureae, quae iungant our.
2) In French:
Europe is plain from now on
That it keeps its unit
Unit in diversity
That it contributes to world peace
That faith (fides) and justice reign in
Europe
As well as the freedom of its people
In a widened fatherland
Citizens, who Europe thrives
A philosopher's stone awaits you
Stars gilded in firmament
Are the symbols which link us.
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