Useful info & things to know
about marksmanship and Europe
‘Ode to Joy’ (Ode an die Freude) by Friedrich Schiller
The ‘Ode to Joy’ (Ode an die Freude) is a poem written in 1785 by Friedrich Schiller, which describes with great pathos the classical ideal of a society of equal people bound together by the bonds of joy and friendship. The ‘Ode to Joy’ is a manifesto for freedom and brotherhood.
‘European Anthem’ Beethoven's 9th Symphony
Beethoven incorporated a few verses from Schiller’s poem ‘Ode to Joy’ into the finale of his 9th Symphony.
Beethoven’s version has been the anthem of the Council of Europe since 1972 and became the anthem of the modern EU in 1985.
The EU officially justified its decision as follows: The anthem is an expression of the values of ‘freedom, peace and solidarity, which all members share, as well as an expression of the unity of Europe in diversity’. In order not to favour any language, the EU commissioned Herbert von Karajan to compose three instrumental versions. The EU anthem is played without vocals.
Text of the European anthem
Joy, beautiful spark of divinity, daughter of Elysium,
We enter, intoxicated with fire, heavenly beings, your sanctuary.
Your magic binds together what fashion has strictly divided,
All people become brothers, where your gentle wings dwell.
Whoever has succeeded in the great feat of being a friend to a friend,
who has won a lovely wife, let him join in our jubilation!
Yes – whoever can call himself a soul
on this earth!
And whoever has never been able to do so, let him steal away from this covenant in tears.
Yes – whoever can call himself a soul
on this earth! And whoever has never been able to do so, let him steal away from this covenant in tears.
Joy, beautiful spark of the gods, daughter of Elysium,
We enter, drunk with fire, heavenly ones, your sanctuary.
Your magic binds together what fashion has strictly divided, All men become brothers,
Where your gentle wings dwell.
Your magic binds together what fashion has divided, All people become brothers,
Where your gentle wings dwell.
The European anthem (YouTube)
Europe is a woman
Europe is symbolised by a woman sitting on a bull (statue in the Europapark in Strasbourg).
The motif has its origins in Greek mythology and the legend of Princess Europa, who was abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull. He swam with her to a continent that was named after her. The goddess Venus promised Europa that the continent to which she was taken would bear her name forever.
As a continent, Europe has a land mass of over 10 million square kilometres. Over 751 million Europeans from 47 different countries live here. Only 44 of the 47 countries belong entirely to the continent. The other three are only partially considered European (Turkey belongs only 3% to Europe, Kazakhstan 5.4% and Russia 23.16%. The rest of these three countries belong to Asia).
Europe becomes Queen of Crete.
The myth can be interpreted to mean that ideas, knowledge and writing came to Europe, laying the foundation for the emergence of European (high) cultures.
Among other things, her head can be seen in the watermark of the 2013 euro banknotes.
She is depicted sitting on a bull on the Greek 2-euro coin from 2002.
Europe, the continent
As a continent, Europe has a land mass of over 10 million square kilometres (km²).
It is home to over 751 million Europeans from 47 different countries.
Only 44 of the 47 countries belong entirely to the continent. The other three are only partially considered European (Turkey is only 3% European, Kazakhstan 5.4% and Russia 23.16%. The rest of these three countries belong to Asia).
- The largest country in Europe is Russia. With its 17 million square kilometres, it is 47 times the size of Germany. Russia’s capital, Moscow, is also the largest European city.
- Vatican City, on the other hand, is the smallest country, covering only 0.44 square kilometres. It is located entirely within Italy and is famous for being the seat of the Catholic Church and the Pope.
- The longest river in Europe is the Volga. It is 3,530 kilometres long and flows through the European part of Russia. The Volga is also the river with the highest water volume in Europe.
European Union
500 million Europeans from 27 member states currently make up the European Union (EU).
1950 is considered the birth year of the EU.
The EU laid the foundation for a peaceful process of economic and political rapprochement among neighbouring European countries. The founding members of the EU include countries such as Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
The objectives of the EU are set out in Article 3 of the Treaty of Lisbon.
The EU is based on the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty of Lisbon and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
The values on which the European Union is founded are respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
- Human dignity
- Freedom
- Democracy
- Equality
- Rule of law
- Human rights
European idea / concept
The idea of a European confederation is much older than the European Union (EU).
As early as 1712, Abbé de Saint-Pierre published it as a plan for a lasting, eternal alliance with the aim of maintaining uninterrupted peace in Europe.
The idea of European integration, of a united Europe, is therefore older than the world wars and older than the industrial revolution.
The objectives of the EU are set out in Article 3 of the Treaty of Lisbon.
The EU is founded on the values set out in Article 2 of the Treaty of Lisbon and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
In 2012, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to promote peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
The EU as a confederation of states designed to enable a civil, united and unified Europe to live in peace and freedom.
Christian values and principles
When we at EGS talk about a Christian attitude, we mean tolerance, trust, honesty, esteem and respect for people and creation.
These values are essential in a community and in our dealings with one another. Medieval shooting guilds are considered the oldest social network, whose main tasks were to defend their place of residence and economic livelihood, to protect and help families as a community based on solidarity, and to preserve values and civil rights. Such social ideas are still present in the statutes of almost every shooting club today.
The proximity and connection to the church is deeply and long associated with the shooting tradition.
The EGS is committed to its Christian traditions and roots and maintains peaceful coexistence with people from other cultures. With this Christian self-image, the EGS supports the European unification process and is committed to the European idea and international understanding.
The EGS is the founder of the ‘Knighthood of Holy Sebastian in Europe’, whose primary task is to preserve, strengthen and shape the Christian element of the shooting tradition.
The ‘Knights of Holy Sebastian in Europe’ see themselves as a Christian community within the EGS.
EGS
Within the scope of its specific activities promoting shooting customs and traditions, the EGS fosters the community of European nations (especially within the EU) and, in keeping with its Christian identity, supports the process of European unification.
Through the diversity and variety of its members and by preserving different traditions, the EGS not only embodies the European idea, but also promotes it through its joint commitment to a united, Christian Europe. The EGS lives and realises the idea of unity among the peoples of Europe through brotherly cooperation (community) and thus promotes European unity and peaceful coexistence in Europe.
The joint commitment to a united, Christian Europe under the guiding principle
PRO DEO – PRO EUROPAE CHRISTIANAE UNITATE – PRO VITA
For God – For a united, Christian Europe
– For life
is the highest motto of this great shooting organisation in Europe.