Inauguration of the exhibition “Une Europe graphique” at Lycée Hubert-Clément

In the context of the European Erasmus+ program “Values-Identity-Culture“, Europe Direct University of Luxembourg (ED-UNILU), represented by Maria Eleni Nikoloudia, inaugurated the exhibition “Une Europe graphique” at Lycée Hubert Clement d’Esch-sur-Alzette on Monday 18 November 2024. This exhibition consists of 23 posters on the history of the European Union and it provides relevant information in French, German and English. It covers topics such as the Marshall plan financial aid package, Europe’s duty to protect its nations, European solidarity during the Cold War, but also Euro-skepticism. The exhibition “Une Europe Graphique” was jointly created by the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe and Europe Direct University of Luxembourg.

The inauguration of the exhibition took place in front of a young audience consisting of local and Italian high-school pupils. Present were also the school’s headmaster, Mr Jean Theis, and the History professor, Mr Francesco Palumbo. After a presentation of ED-UNILU’s scope, mission and activities, Maria Eleni Nikoloudia briefly explained to the pupils the topics covered in the exhibition, in order for them to have fruitful discussions afterwards. Pupils were then invited to share their views on the exhibition in groups and present a poster of their choice. The inauguration event was concluded with the distribution of multilingual publications on Europe by the Publications Office of the EU and available in the ED-UNILU document library and a group photo.

This exhibition will remain open until the end of the winter term (20 December 2024).

The European program “Values-Identity-Culture” is meant to encourage students to reflect critically on Europe’s past, present and future, as well as to weigh up the benefits and challenges of the European Union. Moreover, the project will enhance the pupils’ motivation to participate in the democratic processes that will shape the future of the European Union and their attachment to its fundamental values.

Abstract on the exhibition:

In 2022, the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, was approached by a private collector. The latter had a real passion for posters of all kinds and had spent his life collecting them, travelling the world to collect posters on a wide variety of themes, including… Europe! From Greece to Spain, from Finland to Malta, he had crossed the continent in search of posters that could be linked in one way or another to the European theme. A few months later, the Foundation acquired this treasure trove: 5,000 posters dating from the immediate post-war period to the present day. Some promote Europe, others advocate national sovereignty, but all bear witness to their time, to the issues of the day, and pass on an invaluable iconographic, social and political history. Through the documents in this exhibition, a highly graphic Europe emerges. Provocative, amusing or simply beautiful, these posters are designed to capture attention with a strong, immediately understandable message. Between solidarity and withdrawal, mockery and positive messages, marketing and propaganda, these documents remind us of the complexity of European issues. But, as the saying goes, ‘A good drawing is worth a thousand words’!