On Saturday, the Hans Ringier Foundation awarded the French Jean-Claude Trichet, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), the “European Prize for Political Culture”. The jury honored Mr. Trichet as a dedicated guardian of the European currency system and a great European. 

The former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder honored Jean-Claude Trichet with a laudatory speech. The 50,000 Euro prize, endowed by the Hans Ringier Foundation, was presented by Frank A. Meyer at the traditional “Dîner républicain” in the Castello del Sole in Ascona (Switzerland). 

Jury members were former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Publisher Michael Ringier, Swiss writer Adolf Muschg, the manager Utz Claassen and Jury President Frank A. Meyer. 

The “Dîner républicain” took place for the 35th time on invitation of the Swiss Journalist, Frank A. Meyer within the context of Locarno’s International Film Festival. Amongst others, guests attending the award ceremony were Swiss Federal Council representative Moritz Leuenberger, Jacques Barrot, member of the French Constitutional Council, the Swiss National Council President Pascale Bruderer and the theologian Hans Küng. 

The European prize was already awarded for the fifth time this year. The honor was awarded to WTO General Director Pascal Lamy in 2009, the philosopher Jürgen Habermas in 2008, Serbian President Boris Tadi? in 2007 and to Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker in 2006. 

Hans Ringier Foundation