Posted on 05 April 2013
A hundred years ago, in July 1913, Christian Calmes was born. On the occasion of this anniversary, the Historical Archives of the European Union (HAEU) highlights this personality that marked the beginnings of the European integration. For this purpose, a short audio extract from an interview he gave to the Historical Archives in October 1991 has been put online. It illustrates how Christian Calmes was called to take part in a key moment of developing a united Europe.
Let us look back at his biography. Citizen of Luxemburg, Christian Calmes was born in Oberursel near Frankfurt in Germany where his father taught Economics at the University. Back to the Grand Duchy, he graduated in Law but thereafter only briefly worked as advocate before joining the Résistance against the German Occupation. For his activities he was imprisoned from October 1943 to March 1945 in his country, then across the Rhine.
After the end of the war, he temporarily resumed his work as advocate and in 1947 started a brilliant diplomatic career becoming a Counsellor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Joseph Bech. Following his participation in the negotiations about the European Coal and Steel Community, he was designated Secretary of the Council of Ministers of the new institution and carried out this function from 1952 to 1973. In this context, he was also present in Messina during the drafting of the future Treaties of Rome.
Chamberlain to the Grand Duke from 1973 to 1980, then Marshal of the Court from 1981 to 1985, Christian Calmes was also author of many books on the history of Luxemburg. He received several awards for his various activities. He died in Grasse, France, in July 1995.
In the interview testimony, Christina Calmes refers specifically to the negotiations of the first European treaties and to the Empty Chair Crisis in 1965.
Integral transcript of the interview
Transcripts of the 373 interviews of the European Oral History Programme