This was the title of this year’s major speech on the future of Europe by our Grand Master Karl von Habsburg, which is traditionally broadcast on 11 January, and which is also the general theme of the Order’s work for 2025.
Among the guests at the matinee were the sister of Archduke Karl, Walburga Habsburg Douglas, his daughter Gloria, the Chancellor of the Order of the Golden Fleece and Knight of Honour of our community Alexander Graf von Pachta-Reyhofen.
The Order of St. George was strongly represented both in the studio and among the online participants: Procurator Vinzenz Baron von Stimpfl-Abele, Chancellor Dr. Stefan Schermaier, Justitiar Mgr. Michael Heres, Vice-Chancellor Michael Blaha, MSc, Dean Dr. Peter Harold, the Capitulars Romano Bolković, MA, Dr. Manfred Hasenöhrl and OMR Prof. Dr. Günter Nebel, numerous Commanders and Vice-Commanders as well as the Knights of Honour Dr. Werner Fasslabend and Dr. Reinhart Waneck. Politicians also showed great interest, with MEP Lukas Mandl as well as the Members of Parliament Andreas Minnich and Dominik Oberhofer following the speeches.
As every year, the event was moderated by the President of the Dames of the Order of St. George, Baroness KommR Mag. Gabriela von Stimpfl-Abele, in her usual confident and charming manner. The guest speaker, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, spoke about Europe’s successes as well as the opportunities and challenges it faces.
In his eagerly awaited speech, Archduke Karl made a strong plea for the defence of the rule-based order, the rule of law, a regulatory policy in line with economic policy and a genuine European foreign and security policy.
After the event, the Order once again hosted a reception to mark the birthday of our Grand Master, bringing the matinee to a cosy and enjoyable ending.