This year marks the centenary of the birth of Andrei Sakharov, Soviet physicist and political dissident. Known first as the father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb, Sakharov went on to lead an unrelenting fight against social injustice, advocated the release of dissidents in his country and become one of the regime’s most vocal critics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1975.

The Sakharov Prize

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded every year since 1988 to individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. Last year, the prize went to the democratic opposition in Belarus. Learn more about previous Sakharov Prize laureates.

Online exhibition

To find out more about the Sakharov Prize, have a look at the online exhibition on the European cultural heritage website europeana.eu.

The Conference aims to allow Europeans to share their ideas of Europe and formulate proposals for future EU policies.

The inaugural event was the focal point of Europe Day celebrations and followed the launch of the multilingual digital platform of the Conference in April that will collect all contributions and facilitate debate.

French President Emmanuel Macron, European Parliament President David Sassoli, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at the ceremony in the presence of Erasmus+ students and members of the Conference’s executive board.

More than 500 citizens attended remotely appearing on large screens in the chamber. Ministers, MEPs, members of national parliaments and other guests also joined the event remotely.

All Europeans invited to contribute

Speakers at the ceremony said that the start of the Conference presented an opportunity for people to get involved and shape the EU’s future.

“We are at a time when citizens want to take responsibility, they want to have a say in the policies that affect their daily life, their future, the future of the planet,” said European Parliament president David Sassoli. “It is time to open up to involve citizens more in public life, and that is the purpose of this Conference.”

“Our Union needs a breath of new democratic life and that’s the aim of the Conference on the Future of Europe that we are launching together today,” said French president Emmanuel Macron, opening the ceremony. “I hope that this Conference will see the return of great projects, great ambitions, great dreams.”

Speaking on behalf of the Council presidency, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa said: “This official launch of the Conference on the Future of Europe is a message of confidence in the future that we want to convey to all citizens of Europe.” He addressed all Europeans following the event saying: “This conference is open. It’s open, so that all of you can participate.”

The co-chairs of the executive board of the Conference, Guy Verhofstadt (Parliament), Ana Paula Zacarias (Council) and Dubravka Šuica (Commission) answered recorded questions.

Thomas Vinterberg’s Oscar winning Another Round, Collective by Alexander Nanau and Corpus Christi by Jan Komasa (nominated for Oscars in 2021 and 2020 respectively) are the three films shortlisted for the European Parliament and European Film Academy’s 2021 LUX Audience Award.

How to watch

You can watch all three films free during the LUX Audience week from 10 to 16 May online and subtitled into your language.

Catch the live debate with the three directors on Facebook on Friday 14 May from 5pm CET.

Competing films

Another Round by Danish director Thomas Vinterberg (original title Druk)

Have you heard of a Norwegian psychologist’s obscure theory that a small amount of alcohol in our blood opens our minds, increases creativity and keeps us happy? Four high school teachers experiment with it, but what first seems to offer a cure for a mid-life crisis goes off the rails. Vinterberg‘s movie is not only about drinking. It has a deeper message about how to face life’s highs and lows and be honest about them.

Another Round won the 2021 Oscar for best international feature. Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company is planning an English-language remake.

Collective by Romanian director Alexander Nanau (original title Colectiv)

This stirring documentary is titled after a nightclub in Bucharest where a fire killed 27 young people in 2015 and left 180 wounded. The documentary follows a team of journalists who investigate why 37 of the burn victims died in hospitals although their wounds were not life threatening. They uncover terrifying nepotism and corruption that cost lives, but also show that brave and determined people can reverse corrupt systems.

Collective was nominated for an Oscar in the best international feature and best documentary categories this year.

Corpus Christi by Polish director Jan Komasa (original title Boże Ciało)

The film is based partly on the real story of a young convict who experiences a spiritual transformation and wants to become a priest. By a twist of fate, he ends up taking responsibility for a parish in a remote Polish village. As the story evolves, he confronts a tragic secret that is devouring the community. Through the story of this charismatic preacher, Komasa reflects on what creates a community and what makes us susceptible to both fake and real leaders.

Corpus Cristi was nominated for an Oscar in the best international feature film category in 2020.

How to take part

This year the winner will be chosen by MEPs and audiences, each group accounting for 50% of the votes. Rate all three films from one to five stars on www.luxaward.eu by 23 May. You can change your rating and only your last vote will be counted. Vote to have the chance to attend the next European Film Awards ceremony in December 2021.

About the LUX Audience Award

The European Parliament launched the LUX Prize in 2007 with the aim of supporting the production and distribution of European films, stimulating reflection on current political and social issues and celebrating European culture.

This year, Parliament teamed up with the European Film Academy, the European Commission and Europa Cinemas network to bring the newly named LUX Audience Award to a wider audience.

All three finalists have been subtitled into the official EU languages. The winning film will also be adapted for the visually and audibly impaired.

Start the week by chatting with Katarina Barley and Othmar Karas, Parliament’s Vice-Presidents responsible for communication,  on Facebook and LinkedIn. You will be able to discover all about the Parliament and the Conference on the Future of Europe – an initiative to allow people to have their say on the future of the EU – throughout the week in interviews with executive board members, committee chairs and MEPs.

Check out the Europe Day portal to find out more about the Parliament, the European Commission and the other EU institutions, as well as all about the activities being organised across the EU and the world. Hover over a country on the portal’s interactive map to find out what is going on near you. Events include the annual Europe Day concert, which this year will be streamed live online from London This Sunday from 1pm CET.

Pay a virtual visit to the European Parliament, the Commission and the other EU institutions. The immersive space allows visitors to play online games, watch videos and test their knowledge of the EU in general, as well as on themes related to a green and digital Europe. With one click, users can take part in online debates on EU topics and explore online events.

Take a look at the multilingual Conference on the Future of Europe platform, where you can share your ideas on shaping the EU’s future.