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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn 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: \u2018Emperor 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 \u2018Alaska Summit\u2019 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\u2019 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.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And he continued: \u2018The 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\u2019s 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 \u2013 responsibility for our identity.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n