The 21st Traditional Garden Party of Vienna Economic Forum took place on 10 June 2022 in the Paradise-Garden of Villa Flora.
The mixture of guests from all countries of the VEF region, from Europe and world-wide was warmly welcomed by the hostess, Prof. Mag. Tauchhammer, Publisher of Society Magazine, long-standing VEF – Media Partner and VEF honorary member.
In her emotional opening speech, the Secretary General, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva especially thanked the Ambassadors and Charges d’affaires of the Embassies of the VEF countries and emphasized: “All of you, Excellencies, accredited in Austria, have a highly responsible mission at this specific time: to not only represent your own country, but to act much more in a regional and European dimension, to think of a common European future, to do everything in our power to ensure the prosperity and well-being of one’s own country as part of the entire region and the whole of Europe!”
Furthermore, the Secretary General and VEF founder Dr. Elena Kirtcheva paraphrased the world-famous words of former US President Kennedy from 1961: “In deep conviction that the VEF mission obliges us all, we do not ask what Austria and Vienna can do for Vienna Economic Forum and the VEF member countries, we want to do more and more for the state of Austria and the city of Vienna! In order to fulfil this mission, and to position our VEF region, the region “From the Adriatic Sea to the Black Sea” – from Vienna – even better on the European and world map, to not only to make this region more visible, but in order to support its native role in the enforcement of the economic, European and universal human values, we want to transform Vienna Economic Forum into a real international organization based in Vienna. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!” emphasized the Secretary General.
The hostess, Prof. Mag. Tauchhammer, invited the present Ambassadors, members of the Ambassadors Committee of Vienna Economic Forum, the Chargés d’affaires and Diplomats of the Embassies, the Members of the VEF Board and the Members of the VEF honorary committee to the traditional Family photo:
Embassies:
- H.E. Mr. Kemal KOZARIĆ – Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Charge d‘Affaires a.i. Ms. Victoria Scolnic – Moldova
- Charge d‘Affaires a.i. Ms. Marija Lakic Barfus – Montenegro
- H.E. Mr. Osvit ROSOKLIJA – North Macedonia
- H.E. Mr. Emilian HUREZEANU –Romania
- Mr. Mag. Matjaz MARKO, Gesandter / Wirtschaftsrat- Slovenia
- Mr. Alattin Temur, First Counselor- Türkiye
Members of the VEF Board:
– Mag. Peter Höfinger – Member of the Board Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) and VEF – Vice President
– Mr. Wilbert Verheijen- Managing Director, Canon CEE GmbH
– Mr. Emmanuel Forest- Former CEO, BOUYGUES EUROPE SA; Brussels
Member of the Honorary Committee of Vienna Economic Forum:
Dr. Franz Kosyna
Amb. Prof. Dr. Vasilka Poposka Trenevska
Dr. Ernst Huber
Mr. Ludwig Nießen
The VEF Board member Emmanuel Forest that flew from Paris especially for this occasion, in the honour of the VEF Member country Ukraine sang two ukranian songs.
The many guests were indulged by the Embassies with country-specific and traditional culinary delicacies.
The diverse artistic program, with performances from Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova and North Macedonia, was enjoyed by the guests very much – the folk dances of the region encouraged many to dance along.
The good mood, the culinary delicacies, the musical entertainment and the unique atmosphere of the paradise-garden of the Villa Flora have, especially in the difficult time of a war on the old continent in the 21st century, again proven how much the people of the region from the Adriatic to the Black Sea have in common and how much everyone appreciates universal human values.
