As a border crosser between the world of the nobility and global politics, Karl von Habsburg remembers formative moments in his life. He tells of his childhood and youth, of animated conversations with Empress Zita and philosophizes about his political commitment, his work in the protection of cultural property, and goes into various things that are important to him in his life.
He gives insights into his private life and the turbulent everyday life of an imperial grandson and head of the Habsburg family in the 21st century.
A balance sheet, richly illustrated with exclusive snapshots and photos from the private family album of a great dynasty.
About the author: Christoph Matzl, born in Lower Austria, studied history and English at the University of Vienna. Since 1992 editor and since 2001 chief reporter of the „Kronen Zeitung“.
Hardcover with dust jacket, four colors throughout, numerous photos, 180 pages. Carl Ueberreuter Verlag.
With great sadness we received the news of the passing of our esteemed patron S.E. Max Turnauer. On November 7th, 2020, at the age of 90, a person who shaped beyond the borders of Austria was called home to eternity with the consolations of the Holy Church.
We lose in S.E. Max Turnauer a person who has been committed to Christian values and a pro-European attitude throughout his life. Right up until the end he was interested in the economic development of his company, family, friends and politics. S.E. Max Turnauer was also the ambassador of the Sovereign Knight of Malta in the Principality of Liechtenstein and its permanent observer at UNIDO, Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, Knight of Honor of the Order of St. George, Honorary Senator of IMATEC University, Honorary Citizen of the Heldenberg community and bearer of numerous domestic and international foreign decorations.
S.E. Max Turnauer, born on February 17, 1931, came from a Prague industrial family who, after being expelled and expropriated after World War II, were able to build one of the most important Austrian industrial enterprises. The industrial empire comprised around 40 plants at home and abroad, whose successor companies still occupy an important position in the Austrian industrial landscape. Until recently he was also Honorary President of Constantia Industries AG, which is owned by his son Stanislaus.
As a patron of the UEHMG, S.E. Max Turnauer made his Wetzdorf Castle available to the UEHMG for many years as the seat of the association – we look back with great gratitude on this opportunity of pride.
The UEHMG will keep an honorable memory of its deceased patron in gratitude and memory.
On November 7th, the Deutschmeisterbund under the leadership of its President Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Tarbuk held the commemoration of the dead 2020 in a small but dignified setting at the Deutschmeisterdenkmal – considering the current official Corona rules. The President of the UEWHG, Major General iTR Michael Blaha, took part in the wreath-laying ceremony on the Deutschmeisterplatz, as did representatives of the resident Deutschmeister clubs.
In view of the tragic attack in Vienna in the recent past, the speeches also commemorated these victims in particular, but also all those who died from the Deutschmeister environment. Major General iTR Michael Blaha pointed out the importance of maintaining tradition as a keeper of positive values of the past as a contribution to the creation of a secure present.
Military Dean Episcopal Vicar Colonel MMag. DDr. Alexander Wessely finally said a common prayer with all participants before the delegation made their way to the Central Cemetery to hold a memorial for deceased comrades there too.
On Sunday, October 25th, 2020, at the invitation of the church rector DDr. Reinhard Knittel of the St. Pölten Prandtauerkirche the deposit of a relic of the Blessed Emperor Karl I of Austria was held. The event was conducted in compliance with all applicable corona rules under the organizational leadership of Major General iTR Michael Blaha, MSc, President of the UEHMG, carried out on a smaller scale.
On part of the maintaining tradition The Radetzky Hussar Regiment No. 5 under the leadership of Colonel of Cavalry KR Ernst Kugler, the Radetzky Order under the leadership of Grand Master KR DKfm. Harry Tomek and the Order of St. George under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Dr. Peter Harold were represented.
HIRH Karl von Habsburg, as head of the House of Habsburg, personally attended the salemn mass which was conducted by the military bishop Dr. Werner Freistetter and carried the relic into the specially set up Kaiser Karl chapel.
With an atmospheric agape in the sacristy – unfortunately only on a very small scale due to the current Corona measures – the relic deposit came to a worthy end.
On 7th March 2020 the “Great Siberian
Ice March” took place. A daring marching group crossed the frozen Lake
Baikal in Siberia.
With more than 25 million years of age, Lake Baikal is the oldest and, at 1642 metres, the deepest lake on earth and the most important freshwater reservoir on earth. In terms of area, it is as large as Belgium, with a length of 673 km and a width of 82 km. Temperatures of around minus 40 °C cause the lake to freeze completely for several months. The 2 to 3 metre thick layer of ice not only supports normal road traffic, it is also navigable for heavy battle tanks.
On February 28th 1920, the last returnees of World War I crossed Lake Baikal by foot on their way to freedom. Among them were also many Czechs, who had been taken by the k.u.k. Army to Russia. For the 100th anniversary of this crossing, volunteers were searched who wanted to imitate this march across the lake.
On March 4th at 04:00 o’clock in the morning the plane of the Czech government took off from Prague, which carried 80 expedition members free of charge to Krasnoyarsk in Siberia. 8 hours of time change illustrate the distance travelled. After landing in Krasnoyarsk, the city was visited. During the next night, the Trans-Siberian Railway took the expedition to Tajset in an 8 hour journey.
On March 5, Tajset was visited and a wreath was laid on the site of the former gulag. During the second night in Siberia, the Trans-Siberian Railway covered the distance to Irkutsk in an 11-hour journey. Irkutsk is one of the most beautiful cities in Siberia, the city and some monuments could be visited. The evening of March 6th was spent by the expedition group on the banks of Lake Baikal. Preparations for the march the next day were made.
On March 7th the march across the frozen Lake Baikal started at 0400 o’clock in the morning. As the only Austrian in this memorable expedition the IR84 sent his First Sergeant. Good winter clothing was necessary for the march, the temperatures in Siberia are a little different than in Europe. To be able to cross the mirror-smooth ice spikes had to be mounted on the shoes.
Right at the start there was a storm with up to 120 km/h wind speeds, which made the temperature feel like minus 70°C. The snow came along horizontally, fallen objects disappeared in the darkness of the night even before they had fallen to the ground. However, the march was started, ski goggles protect the eyes from the storm.
After about an hour the storm stopped and the rest of the day was absolutely calm. A magnificent sunrise rewarded the brave marchers. Even in the Siberian ice desert, the sun can shine so strongly that uncovered skin can get sunburnt. The incomparable scenery of the frozen lake and the special nature of this adventure was the greatest reward for all march participants. Around midnight the marchers reached the southern shore of the largest lake on earth and looked forward to a few drinks in the hotel.
The last day of the expedition was spent in
Ulan- Ude, also in this town there are some sightseeings.
Back to Prague the government plane of the Czech Republic brought us again in a special flight. In Novosibirsk a stopover was necessary to refuel. After a flight of 10 hours the clocks were set back 2 hours, because we had flown through 8 time zones again. So we arrived 2 hours after our departure at the Mongolian border in Central Europe.
