On 17 August 2025, delegations from various traditional units and associations, as well as friends of authentic tradition preservation, gathered in the park of Laxenburg Palace to commemorate the birthday of Blessed Emperor Karl I. So it was no surprise that the organisers were also delighted with the so-called ‘Kaiserwetter’.
The afternoon began with the entry of numerous traditional associations from all over Austria and the report to the Procurator of the Order of St. George, Baron Vinzenz von Stimpfl-Abele, who represented HIRH Karl von Habsburg, Grand Master of the Order, that day. This was followed by impressive drill demonstrations in the tradition of the Austrian Imperial and Royal Cavalry, which thrilled the audience. Then the initiator and main organiser, Colonel iTR Michael Islinger, welcomed the guests.
In his address, Baron Vinzenz von Stimpfl-Abele first conveyed the warm greetings of Archduke Karl, then addressed the significance of his grandfather, Emperor Karl I., and placed his legacy in relation to the current European and global political situation: ‘Emperor Karl knew that lasting peace can only be achieved if one does not humiliate the enemy too much. It was clear to him that after this terrible war, Europe would have to live together again as equals, and that peace without a humiliated side was a prerequisite for this. Subsequent developments after the First World War would quickly demonstrate how right he was. Unfortunately, however, politics to this day seems to have learned very little from history and from Emperor Karl. Just recently, at the so-called ‘Alaska Summit’ peace was negotiated without the attacked, the victim, even being at the table. Politicians bow and kowtow to aggressors and war criminals, thereby relativising or ignoring the fact that international law and human rights are being trampled underfoot. And Europe? Europe sits at the kids’ table, is nothing more than a bystander. There is still disagreement on important issues because many politicians are obviously thinking more about themselves than about their great responsibility.’
And he continued: ‘The son of the last emperor, Archduke Otto, always emphasised that history must be understood as a runway for the future. But that presupposes that one knows it, tries to understand it, and draws the right lessons from it. This applies above all to those who are dedicated to preserving traditions, especially all who proudly wear the emperor’s uniform. Because preserving traditions means also preserving peace! Preserving traditions is about preventing forgetting and living memory. With respect, but at the same time, always critically questioning. This applies to the big questions, for example, which ideals, but also which interpretations of history one follows, as well as in seemingly small, for example, with regard to the decision of who one accepts which award or which decoration from. Ultimately, living and passing on tradition means a great responsibility for each of the organisations gathered here today, but also for each individual – responsibility for our identity.’
Afterwards, Father Sebastian Hacker OSB, capitular of the Schottenstift, echoed the idea of the festive speaker that ‘preserving tradition means also preserving peace’ and in this spirit, everyone celebrated an atmospheric field prayer together.
It was an imperial birthday almost like in the emperor’s time, which everyone present enjoyed and took home lasting impressions.
