05.02.2025

Roland Mack and Michael Mack accorded with the highest honours

On 28. January 2025 at the Élysée Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron named Europa-Park founder Roland Mack ‘Officer de la Légion d’Honneur’ and Michael Mack, Managing Partner of Europa-Park and CEO of MACK One, ‘Knight de la Légion d’Honneur’. Only very few Germans have achieved this honour as yet. The Legion of Honour is the highest French honour.

On 28. January 2025 at the Élysée Palace, French President Emmanuel Macron named Europa-Park founder Roland Mack ‘Officer de la Légion d’Honneur’ and Michael Mack, Managing Partner of Europa-Park and CEO of MACK One, ‘Knight de la Légion d’Honneur’. Only very few Germans have achieved this honour as yet. The Legion of Honour is the highest French honour. 

The French president thereby honours the exceptional commitment of Roland and Michael Mack to Franco-German friendship. In his statement he said that Roland and Michael Mack are “great friends to France” and that, for decades, the Mack family have made a very successful effort in mutual understanding between both peoples. Roland Mack, his family and the Europa-Park he founded are outstanding examples of visionary commitment in the field of Franco-German friendship. Europa-Park is one of the best theme parks in the world and built upon by Roland and Michael Mack as a truly Franco-German company. Around a quarter of its approximately 5,250 employees come from France. Over the past year, around 1.4 million French people have visited Germany’s largest theme park. In total, in Europa-Park’s nearly 50-year history, French visitors have numbered around 40 million . 

Per Roland Mack: “We understand the honours we’ve been conferred as both a responsibility and a motivation to speak up with all our might for the preservation and development of this fundamentally important partnership. It is our utmost concern to keep strengthening Franco-German friendship and the European idea through our work and take this into the future”. 

Michael Mack says: “The Franco-German friendship is fundamental to stability and trust. Europe needs a clear vision for tomorrow and our border region offers numerous opportunities to that end. My naming as ‘Knight of the Legion of Honour’ therefore fills me with pride and spurs me on to further strengthen collaboration across borders in the future”. 

Europa-Park owner Roland Mack has also been given the honour of “Ambassador of the Circus” by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. This special honour is accorded by the “World Circus Federation” and is the circus world’s highest accolade. The organisation, under the patronage of H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, advocates for the worldwide development, recognition and social significance of the circus. The distinction underlines the circus’ cultural, artistic and social significance. Its titleholder is named an ambassador for the art of the circus and is to broaden and strengthen awareness of the circus world and to develop its artistic and cultural value. The award was handed over during the “International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo”. This festival is one of the most important events in the circus world and also organised under Monégasque patronage. Through the title of “Ambassador of the Circus”, the circus as a form of art is also celebrated as a meaningful cultural legacy. 

“I see it as a great honour,” says Roland Mack. “For me, the circus is a place of dreams that preserves the magic of live experiences in an increasingly digital world. The circus has long been ingrained in our society as an important part of our cultural legacy. Traditional as well as modern forms of performance come together here. Without the circus, our world would be poorer. I’m very grateful for the honour, also seeing it as an impetus to advocate for the ideals of the circus. Not only is the circus an artistic discipline, but also an opportunity to develop skills such as teamwork, respect and creativity. Its close bond with the circus emphasises Monaco’s role as a centre for culture and a champion of a great many art forms”.

  • Rodolphe Delord, General Director of the ZooParc de Beauval, Emmanuel Macron, Roland Mack, Michael Mack

  • Copyright Photo: Laurent Blevennec / Présidence de la République France

  • H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Roland Mack, H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Copyright Photo: Manuel Vitali, Director Communications Monaco