Dates
On Tuesday, 28 October 2025, Villeroy & Boch, the world-renowned ceramics company founded in 1748, became the first private company to be included in the approximately 850 km long "VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA".
Representing the association "VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA e.V." were Dieter Quack, Jochen Kiefaber and Gerhard Laux, and representing Villeroy & Boch were Samir Jakob (Senior Manager Trade Marketing and Villeroy & Boch World) and Lisa Franken (Junior Marketing).
The European Route of Democracy connects Strasbourg (legislative), Luxembourg (judicial) and Brussels (executive), which are closely linked to the founding and development of the European Union. It leads through charming landscapes with a variety of sights and along the barely visible borders between France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.
A trip along the European Route helps to raise awareness of Europe and European history and culture.
The event also included a visit to the extraordinary Villeroy & Boch World in the Old Abbey in Mettlach – a brand experience centre in a historic factory building.
In varied room displays and interactive stations, visitors gain insights into the production processes, design and innovation history, the development of the company and an impressive exhibition of historical ceramics.
The exhibition was impressive. For our association, which has set itself the goal of bringing the historically grown democratic Europe to life at the open borders between the European capitals of Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels, it was once again confirmed that Villeroy & Boch, with its family and entrepreneurial roots in Germany, France and Luxembourg, is an ideal like-minded partner.
The unveiling of the route plaque will take place on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the historic salt spring house, Auf der Schmelz, in a small circle. The small reception in the salt spring house will be accompanied by the “Night of Angels,” a market with arts and crafts, culinary delights, and music around the salt houses.
Sulzbach/Saar will then become part of the "VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA – European Road of Democracy".
To make the "European Road of Democracy" visible, plaques will be installed at important locations along the route. A journey on the "VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA" helps to bring European values – human rights, democracy, cultural diversity, mutual understanding and cross-border exchange – to life and to strengthen awareness of Europe and European history and culture.
On Thursday, 23 October 2025, Gerhard Laux presented the cultural travel guide "Via Democratia Europa" - Discover what connects us", a fascinating cultural travel guide through eight European cities steeped in history, culture and democracy, from Strasbourg, Saarbrücken, Metz to Luxembourg, Trier, Aachen, Maastricht and Brussels.
The event was organised by EUROP'ageSaarLorLux.
Grenz-Echo-Verlag in Eupen
German edition: ISBN 978-3-86712-176-7
French edition: ISBN 978-3-86712-180-4
English edition: ISBN 978-3-86712-201-6
E-books (Kindle edition)
On 21 October, Mayor Sibylle Keupen and Gerhard Laux, Chairman of the Via Democratia Europa e.V. association, unveiled the plaque for the "European Road of Democracy" at the Charlemagne Centre on Katschhof in Aachen.
This makes Aachen an official part of the 850-kilometre-long "VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA".
"With Germany's first permanent citizens' assembly, Aachen is already a beacon of democracy," says Keupen. "Especially in times when political debates are often heated, we need places that remind us of the quality of our democracy and bring it to life." Laux adds: "Aachen, located in the border triangle, symbolises a united Europe – which is precisely why it is so great that the city is now part of the European route. The plaque will be a visible sign of our shared history and future."
This is also where the Route Charlemagne Aachen begins, a cultural route through the city. Dieter Quack and Jochen Kiefaber from the board were present, as were Winfried Brömmel, head of EUROPE DIRECT AACHEN, Dr Frank Pohle, head of the Centre Charlemagne, Joelle Ramekers, Aachen Community Foundation, and representatives from the press, including WDR.....
On 22 October, the association presented Winfried Brömmel, head of EUROPE DIRECT Aachen, with the European plaque for the Grashaus and the cultural travel guide "Entdecken, was verbindet" (Discover what connects us). EUROPE DIRECT Aachen and the association will work together to raise awareness of Europe and European history and culture.
On Tuesday, 7 October 2025, Gerhard Laux, chairman of the association, presented the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’ route plaque to the mayor of Heinigen-lés-Bouzonville, Ms Lemarchand, in Leidingen at the border viewing window on the French side, where the plaque will be affixed.
To make the ‘European Road of Democracy’ visible, plaques are being installed at important locations along the route. A journey on the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’ helps to bring European values – human rights, democracy, cultural diversity, mutual understanding and cross-border exchange – to life and to strengthen awareness of Europe and European history and culture.
In the two-part village of Leidingen, the houses on one side of the street are in Germany, while those on the other side are in France. This is where Europe happens. Leidingen, a municipality of Heinigen-lés-Bouzonville, is now part of the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’.
In attendance were: Mr Trenz, Mayor of Wallerfangen, Heinz Rickert, Mayor of Ittersdorf, Ms Estelle Bohr, Moselle Departmental Councillor, Ms Frédérique Wehr, Vice-President in charge of tourism for the Bouzonvillois Tross Frontière community of municipalities, Deputy Mayor of Heining-Les-Bouzonville, Mr Roland Kedinger, members of the Heinigen-lés-Bouzonville Municipal Council, the press, etc.
Next to the border viewing window is the Church of St. Jeanne d'Arc, which was built in 1934-39 because of the Saar referendum for French-Leidingen, a rare type of modern church building.
2, 3 and 4 October – German Unity Day, public holiday: we were be present with the cultural guide ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA – Discover what unites us’ at the Saarbrücken city stand.
On Tuesday, 30 June 2025, Remich Mayor Jacques Sitz and Gerhard Laux, chairman of the association, unveiled the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’ route plaque in Remich/Luxemburg at the ‘Centre Visit Remich’ on the Moselle promenade. The mayor of Perl, Ralf Uhlenbruch, and the mayor of Stadtbredimus, Robi Beissel, were also present.
To make the ‘European Road of Democracy’ visible, plaques are being installed at important locations. The town of Remich stands for a united and democratic Europe and is now part of ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’.
Remich, the pearl of the Moselle, is a tourist destination in Luxembourg with a renowned promenade along the Moselle, pleasant terraces and boat trips. It is located in Luxembourg's Upper Moselle wine region and is surrounded by vineyards.
The sponsor of the campaign to attach the route plaques is Victors Residenz Hotel in Perl-Nennig.
Gerhard Laux, member of the steering committee; Hubert Bouring, mayor of Rémelfing; Jochen Kiefaber, member of the steering committee
On Friday, 19 September 2025, the municipality of Rémelfing officially joined the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’ network, which connects the three central locations of the EU: Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg, symbols of the separation of powers in democracy.
As part of the European Road to Democracy event organised during the farmers' market, two commemorative plaques were unveiled on the Square of German-French Friendship next to the town hall. Representatives of the cross-border four-community partnership between Sulzbach-Rémelfing and Dudweiler-Saint-Avold were in attendance.
The 850 km long ‘European Route of Democracy’ thus strengthens cross-border relations in Europe, particularly Franco-German relations. It passes through picturesque landscapes, rich in history and curiosities, with a special cross-border charm.
It invites visitors to deepen their knowledge of Europe and its history.
To make travelling along the route even more appealing, our association has published a cultural travel guide in German, French and English: *Via Democratia Europa – Discover what connects us.
The ceremony to affix the "VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA" route plaque at the "Place of the First European Union" meeting place at the St. Germanshof European Monument on the German-French border near Wissembourg took place on Saturday, 23 August 2025 at 2 p.m. At the beginning of the event, a peaceful demonstration of about 40 people arrived, calling for the maintenance of the free movement of persons within the European Union.
German customs house French customs house
Sandra Fischer-Junck, Mayor of Wissembourg, thanked the association, represented by its board members Dieter Quack, Jochen Kiefaber and Gerhard Laux, for its work in honouring symbolic places and events in the history of European integration. The Germanshof site is a European location ‘par excellence’, where 75 years ago young people from all over Europe tore down the border checkpoints to affirm their desire for Europe ‘here and now’. With today's unveiling of this plaque, the city of Wissembourg reaffirms its commitment to the fundamental values of European democracy: freedom, democracy, dialogue and peace.
Dr Elisabeth Heister, chairwoman of the Europa-Initiative St. Germanshof-Weiler association, recalled the history of this place in Europe. Just five years after the end of the Second World War and its horrors, 300 young people (French, English, Italian, German, Dutch, Belgian and Swiss) called for a united Europe, a Europe that would be built locally, after they had destroyed the customs barriers on both sides of the border.
Holger Zwick, mayor of the Dahner Felsenland municipality, emphasised the good cross-border cooperation and supported the initiative's spontaneous idea of creating a cross-border Via Democratia Europa cycle path with the St. Germanshof European monument.
Dieter Quack, Via Democratia Europa e.V., expressed his gratitude for the visibility of the" "Via Democratia Europa – European Road of Democracy" and once again emphasised the abolition of border controls.
Sandra Fischer-Junck, Dr Elisabeth Heiser and Gerhard Laux then affixed the "Via Democratia Europa" plaque to a temporary stele, which will later be replaced by a sandstone stele.
At the General Meeting on 8 August, Richard Stock was elected an honorary member of the association in recognition of his services in the context of the partnership with the Centre européen Robert Schuman (CERS).
Founding member Jo Leinen was elected to the board.
On Tuesday 15 July 2025 at 12:30 pm, the unveiling of the route plaque Europastraße in Saarbrücken took place in front of the town hall. It is part of the ‘Rathaus St.Johann’ sign at the entrance to the town hall. The Lord Mayor Mr Uwe Conradt, Christophe Steyer, International Relations, Jochen Kiefaber and Gerhard Laux were present at the invitation of the Board of Directors.
Saarbrücken is now part of the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA - European Route of Democracy’
On 10 July, at the invitation of Ms Ripa, Saarland Member of the European Parliament, Board members Jochen Kiefaber and Gerhard Laux visited the European Parliament. Together with Marc Angel, Member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg, they discussed the concept of a travelling exhibition on the ‘Via Democratia Europa - European Road to Democracy’ in Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels.
Prior to this, the English version of the cultural travel guide ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’ was presented to the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Dr Katarina Barley.
On the occasion of the 80th birthday of his friend Johannes Ludwig in Berlin, our board member Jochen Kiefaber met Mrs Merkel. She also received our cultural travel guide "VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA"
Marc Speicher, Lord Mayor of Saarlouis, and Gerhard Laux, Chairman of the ‘Via Demokratie Europa e.V.’ association, present the new European Route plaque in the town hall foyer.
This makes the ‘European City of Saarlouis’ part of the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA - European Route of Democracy’
Carsten Quirin Mayor, Jochen Kiefaber Chairman, Jo Leinen Chairman, Marc Speicher Lord Mayor, Gerald Purucker Alderman, Gerhard Laux Association Chairman with cultural guide
On Monday 30 June 2025 at 13:30, the unveiling of the European Route plaque in Saarlouis took place in the town hall foyer. Present from the city of Saarlouis were the Lord Mayor Marc Speicher, Mayor Carsten Quirin, Councillor Gerald Purucker, from the board Jochen Kiefaber, Jo Leinen and Gerhard Laux.
On this occasion, the chairman of the association presented a German and English version of the cultural travel guide ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA - Discover what connects’ to the Lord Mayor of Saarlouis, Marc Speicher.
The guide allows visitors to discover and experience the cultural diversity and beauty at the heart of Europe as well as the cities and places along the route that are closely linked to the creation of the European Union.
A trip on the ‘European Route of Democracy’ is intended to help bring European values - human rights, democracy, cultural diversity, mutual understanding - to life and improve awareness of Europe and European history.
The association ‘Via Democratia Europa e.V.’, the municipalities of Malmedy and Waimes and the East Belgium Tourism Agency unveiled the route plaque on Thursday 19 June 2025 at 14:00 in Malmedy at the Malmundarium and around 15:30 in Waimes at the Signal de Botrange the route plaque European Route.
Two plaques have been placed on site to publicise the ‘European Route of Democracy’ and these important stops. This region symbolises a united and democratic Europe.
Travelling along the ‘European Route of Democracy’ should help to bring European values - human rights, democracy, cultural diversity, mutual understanding - to life and improve awareness of Europe and European history.
Both sides emphasised the demand to end stationary border controls at Europe's internal borders.
Along the ‘European Route of Democracy’ in particular, it is clear that stationary border controls are inefficient and excessively hinder cross-border contacts and economic relations.
Malmundarium Malmedy
Mathieu BRONLET, Alderman for Tourism and Town Twinning of the Municipality of Malmedy, Gerhard Laux Chairman of the Board of Directors
Waimes - Signal de Botrange
Eugène WANSART, Mayor of Waimes and Stany NOEL, Alderman for Tourism of the municipality of Waimes
Participation of the Board of Directors Dieter Quack and Joachim Kiefaber in the official celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement in the presence of His Highness the Grand Duke Henri.
The Board of Directors
Route plaque at the entrance of the European Museum
A cross-border initiative in 3 countries: Luxembourg, France and Germany
On 10 June 2025, board members Joachim Kiefaber and Dieter Quack, together with the mayor of Perl, Ralf Uhlenbruch, unveiled the European Route sign at Perl town hall. Located at the intersection of three countries, Perl symbolises a united and democratic Europe. Europe is growing together here. Mayor Ralf Uhlenbruch said: "I am very pleased that our three-country corner municipality is part of the “VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA”". The mayors of Schengen, Mr Michel Gloden, Apach, Mrs Villain, and Remich, Mr Jacques Sitz, were also present.
On 11 April 2025, many different organisations and institutions from civil society, administration, science, politics, business and education met in Saarbrücken for the first network meeting of the European Movement Saarland on the occasion of 40 years of the Schengen Agreement - Networking in the Greater Region. The meeting showed how great the need is for a common platform for exchange, cross-border cooperation and new ideas. The members of the association, Jochen Kiefaber, Gerhard Laux and Dieter Quack, were able to present the aims of the association and establish initial contacts with many institutions for future cooperation.
Picture credits: European Movement Saarland, photographer Florian Korb
On 27 March 2025, Gerhard Laux and Dieter Quack from the Board of Management presented the English version of the cultural travel guide to the President of the Saar Savings Banks Association, Ms Cornelia Hoffmann-Bethscheider
‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’. The Sparkassenverband Saar was one of the sponsors of the English edition.
At the meeting, activities to publicise the ‘Via Democratia Europa-European Route of Democracy’ were discussed, such as displaying the route plaque and announcements in the association's own newsletter.
The President of the Saar Savings Banks Association is also convinced that the aim of our association is more relevant than ever, namely to familiarise the citizens of Europe with its advantages and democratic values and to work together to strengthen our continent in the global competition between systems.
On 15 March 2025, SV Blau-Weiss Aasee in Münster hosted a beer tasting event called Via Democratia Europa.
"Experience, discover and taste Europe. Via Democratia Europa connects Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels. Not directly, but the route passes through towns and cities that are closely linked to the founding and development of the European Union, such as Saarbrücken, Metz, Schengen, Trier, Aachen and Maastricht. On this route, we stop at eight breweries, each of which we introduce with a beer. There are also photos and stories from the surrounding area. And of course, snacks are provided."
The event was sold out.
Björn Wagner became aware of the VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA travel guide through the Grenz-Echo publishing house. The idea for the beer tasting came about during weekend tours along the European Road of Democracy.
"I must admit that I was thrilled by the book. It brings Europe to life and makes it tangible. Concise, succinct information that encourages further research and arouses curiosity. This allowed me to experience some facets of European history in a new/different way or to learn about them for the first time. And this also applies to the breweries: some consciously choose regional ingredients and beer styles, while others work across borders, sometimes at different locations or together with brewers from other countries. They meet, exchange ideas, come up with new ideas and learn about other traditions."
On 13.1.2025 our honorary member Gerhard Bungert passed away.
The Via Democratia Europa e.V. association is grateful to the deceased for his idea of the ‘European Route of Democracy’ for our travel route guide VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA. We will honour his memory.
The chairman of the Via Democratia Europa e.V. Gerhard Laux e.V. presented the freshly printed English version of the cultural travel guide ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’ to the Lord Mayor of Saarbrücken Uwe Conradt in Saarbrücken's St. Johann Town Hall on 20 November.
Saarbrücken, the capital city on the border, is part of a cultural travel guide covering eight European cities along the barely visible borders between France, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.
On 20 November, the board members of the association VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA e.V. Dieter Quack, Joachim Kiefaber and Gerhard Laux presented the mayor of Schengen Michel Gloden with the first English version of the cultural travel guide ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’, hot off the press, following a meeting of the Board of Aldermen in the town hall in Remerschen. Mr Gloden's article ‘The Schengen Spirit: Beyond the Borders’ is published under the Schengen chapter.
The Saarbrücken-based association and Mayor Michel Gloden took this opportunity to reiterate their call for an end to stationary controls at the European Union's internal borders. The disadvantages of this false symbolic policy were particularly evident in the border triangle between Luxembourg, Germany and France. ‘Nationwide stationary border controls contradict the basic idea of a united and democratic Europe, as laid down in the European treaties and the historic Schengen Agreement,’ said the association and Mayor Gloden. There is currently no extreme exceptional situation that could justify this serious step backwards from the idea of a united Europe. In addition, stationary border controls have proven to be less successful than changing search measures in the border area.
Our founding member Hajo Hoffmann passed away on 31 July 2024.
The deceased had a decisive influence on our association Via Democratia Europa e.V. with his great experience and his extraordinary commitment to a democratic Europe and cross-border cooperation. We will honour his memory with deep gratitude.
The unveiling of the Via Democratia Europa route plaque in the border village of Leidingen/Leiding and Ittersdorf took place on 3 July 2024.
Together with the mayor of Wallerfangen Mr Trenz, the mayor of Heinigen-lés-Bouzonville on the French side Mrs Lemarchand, the mayor of Leidingen on the German side Mr Schmitt and the mayor of Ittersdorf Mr Rickert, the route plaque was unveiled at 14:00 at the border view window in Leidingen on the German side, then at the Europahaus in Leidingen, then at the village square and community centre in Ittersdorf.
It was agreed with the mayor, Mrs Lemarchand, that a route plaque would also be affixed to the border window on the French side.
Dieter Quack and Gerhard Laux from the board were present.
In the two-part village of Leidingen, the houses on one side of the street are in Germany, while those on the other side are in France. This is where Europe happens.
On 23/24/25 April 2024, Board members Joachim Kiefaber, Dieter Quack and Gerhard Laux went on a presentation tour along the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA - European Route of Democracy’ in Brussels, Maastricht and Eupen in the northern part of the route.
Meetings were held with Visit Brussels Patrick Strulens, the Saarland Representation Christoph Rot, Grand EST Mrs Eichinger, the former ambassador Rolf Timans and the Grenz-Echo-Verlag publishing house Mrs Schulzen.
Future co-operation will be intensified in the areas of sales/marketing of the cultural travel guide, displaying the route plaque at prominent locations, articles in our own newsletter or local press as well as contacting European institutions.
The route plaque was unveiled at the Grenz-Echo publishing house in Eupen.
On 12 April 2024 at 12:30 pm, the route plaque was unveiled on the perimeter wall of the Saint Quentin church (where Robert Schuman's grave is located) in Scy-Chazelles. In attendance were young people from the Lycée Faber in Metz, young people from Aachen, the press, representatives of Via Democratia Europa e.V. (Marlies Berner, Joachim Kiefaber, Dieter Quack and Gerhard Laux) and the CERS partner. The Centre européen Robert Schuman supports us within the framework of a partnership-based collaboration.
After a welcome by Richard Stock (Director General of the Centre européen Robert Schuman) and a speech by Joachim Kiefaber, Gerhard Laux and Richard Stock unveiled the route plaque next to the plaques of the EU member states. In the background is the monument to the four founding fathers of the European Union: Alcide De Gasperi, Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman and Konrad Adenauer. Opposite are the Robert Schuman Museum, the Robert Schuman House and the Europaplatz.
The Leipzig Book Fair took place from 21 to 24 March. We were present with the cultural travel guide ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA - Discover what connects’ through our publishing house (Grenz-Echo-Verlag) at the Saarland joint stand.
On 28 February 2024, Maria Elisabeth Berner, Joachim Kiefaber and Gerhard Laux from the Board of Directors presented the cultural travel guide ‘Via Democratia Europa’ to the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Dr Katarina BARLEY. This took place at the Saarland Democracy Foundation in Saarbrücken Europaallee 18.
This took place in the presence of the Lord Mayor of the state capital Saarbrücken, Mr Uwe Conradt, on Monday, 6 November 2023 at 5 pm at Neffstraße 3 Association headquarters in Saarbrücken.
The installation of the route plaque makes the ‘European Route of Democracy’ visible along the borders of the five founding states of France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium.
The CENTRE EUROPEEN SCHENGEN ASBL and the VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA e.V. jointly invited to celebrate the unveiling of the route plaque with the official emblem.
This took place in the presence of the Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Tourism of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mr Lex Delles, and the Mayor of Schengen, Michel Gloden, on Saturday 23 September 2023 at 10.30 am at the Musée Européen Schengen, Rue Robert Goebbels.
On 23 September, a plaque was unveiled in the entrance area of Victor's Residenz Schloss Berg in Perl-Nennig in the presence of 3-star chef Christian Bau and the management Andreas Apel and Katrin Stegmaier. Dieter Quack, Gerhard Laux and Joachim Kiefaber from the Management Board were present.
On 22 September 2023, the board members Joachim Kiefaber and Gerhard Laux unveiled the route plaque together with the manager of the legendary restaurant on the German-French border in Speichern, Jörg Walter.
From the board Mr Kiefaber and managing director Grenz-Echo-Verlag, production Mrs Schulzen with the route plaque at the entrance of GEV in Eupen.
On 18 May 2023 the handover of the cultural travel guide ‘Via Democratia Europa’ took place in the Kreissparkasse Saarlouis (sponsor).Present were Walter Hoffman (guest), Dieter Quack and Gerhard Laux (board members) and the chairman of the board Horst Herrmann.
On 9 May, the ‘VIA DEMOCRATIA EUROPA’ travel guide was handed over to Reinhold Jost, Saarland's Minister of the Interior, Building and Sport, and the French Consul General in Saarland, Sébastien Girard, during Saarland's central celebration of Europe Day 2023 as part of a civic festival at the Europe Monument in Berus. The event was co-organised by the Europa-Denkmal-Verein.
On 4 May 2023, Maria Elisabeth Berner, Joachim Kiefaber and Gerhard Laux from the Board of Directors presented the cultural travel guide ‘Via Democratia Europa’ to Anke Rehlinger, Minister President of Saarland, at the State Chancellery.
With the travel guide ‘VIA DEMOCRAŢIA EUROPA’ you can discover and experience the cultural diversity and beauty in the heart of Europe and the cities and places that are closely linked to the creation of the European Union. It combines travel information, cultural impressions and the historical context of the European Union.
A unique connection between the European cities of Strasbourg, Saarbrücken, Metz, Luxembourg, Trier, Aachen, Maastricht and Brussels along the European separation of powers.
