European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the Karl Marx exhibition, at the Basilica of Constantine in Trier, Germany, on May 4, 2018. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Friday that Karl Marx was a forward-looking philosopher and his works changed the world, as Marx's hometown Trier is marking the thinker's 200th birthday. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

TRIER, Germany, May 4 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Friday that Karl Marx was a forward-looking philosopher and his works changed the world, as Marx's hometown Trier is marking the thinker's 200th birthday.

Karl Marx was a philosopher, who thought into the future had creative aspirations, said Juncker at Trier's historical Constantine Basilica, when delivering a speech for the opening ceremony of the Karl Marx exhibition held by the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate and Trier City.

Juncker added that his works, like the Das Kapital and the Communist Manifesto, had changed the world, and inspired the people widely.

Remembering and understanding could contribute to a future with more certainty. From Marx's ideas people learned freedom, emancipation and independence, according to Juncker.

Drawing on the philosopher's legacy, Juncker said the EU's instability could be addressed by focusing on social welfare, which had been a neglected part of European integration so far.

Karl Marx was born in Trier on May 5, 1818. In a bid to memorize the great thinker and one of the most famous figures in the history of the city, Trier and the Rhineland-Palatinate State are preparing a series of events, including exhibitions, concerts, book-reading events, symposiums and others.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition that Juncker attended Friday is themed Karl Marx 1818-1883, Life, Work and Time, which is the first big exhibition about Marx.