The commemorative ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the Council of Europe took place at the Palais des Congrès in Strasbourg on 1 October.

The ceremony was marked by speeches delivered by Council of Europe leaders and prominent European figures, including Mikhaïl Gorbachev, Former President of the USSR, and José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission. Video messages from former Czech President Vaclav Havel and the astronaut of the European Space Agency Frank De Winne were screened. The Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Marc Albrecht, interpreted the Symphony No. 3 in D minor of Gustav Mahler. 

The ceremony, attended by ambassadors from member states, members of the Parliamentary Assembly, City officials, as well as staff members, concluded with the preformance by Alexander Rybak, Winner of the 2009 Eurovision Song.

By associating the design of a postage stamp with the Council of Europe’s traditional stars on a blue background, the dual logo simultaneously underlines the richness of European diversity and the solid unity of shared aspirations. 

One Organisation – 60 years of consolidating human rights – 47 sovereign states. 

Like stamps, the Council of Europe has a message to convey. The message is universal, crosses borders and seas, and carries the spirit of democracy right into the homes of european citizens.