Aux sources de l’intégration européenne : l’Alsacien Curtius et la Luxembourgeoise Aline Mayrisch

Abstract

Alsace and Luxemburg have a lot in common. For instance, the Alsatian language and the Luxembourgian language are close to the German language, the inhabitants of these two regions, however, speak the French language fluently. Therefore, it is understandable that these two regions were sympathetic to one another. Ernst Robert Curtius, an Alsatian, was different from other German scholars in that he fostered friendship with the French writers around the “Nouvelle Revue Française”. It was Aline Mayrisch, who introduced Curtius to these writers, and her castle of Colpach in Luxemburg was meeting-place for European intellectuals. Without her, Curtius couldn’t have entertained the idea of Europe. In conclusion Curtius and Aline Mayrisch can be considered the models of EU citizens.