On January 28, 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. The Legion of Honour is the highest French honor.
The French president honors 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. 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 honors 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.”
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 honor is accorded by the “World Circus Federation” and is the circus world’s highest accolade. The organization, 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 organized 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.