24th Traditional Garden Party of Vienna Economic Forum

With great warmth, Prof. Mag. Gertrud Tauchhammer, Editor-in-Chief of Diplomatic Society Magazine, longstanding media partner and Honorary Member of Vienna Economic Forum, welcomed the numerous guests in attendance. As an engaged host, she underlined the special atmosphere of this traditional evening, held for the third time in the Paradiesgarten of Villa Flora, setting the tone for a festive summer evening full of exchange and togetherness.

The President of Vienna Economic Forum, Amb. Dr. Emil Brix, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, emphasized in his address the relevance of academic, economic, and political cooperation. In times of major challenges, it is more important than ever to focus on international connectivity and mutual support, especially in the academic and economic fields.

In her ceremonial greeting, VEF Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva recalled that the Garden Party marked the origin of the very idea from which Vienna Economic Forum emerged. The first garden event of this format took place already in 2002 in the garden of the residence of the then Ambassador of Bulgaria to Austria, Dr. Elena Kirtcheva. The anticipation is therefore all the greater as the 25th anniversary of this beloved event is expected to return to its original location.

Looking toward the present, the Secretary General praised the role of Vienna Economic Forum as a symbol of trust and regional cooperation: “Today we live in a restless and turbulent time – in our VEF region, in Europe, and around the world.” It is all the more important, she stressed, not only to uphold common values and continue dialogue, but also to consciously celebrate “the joy of togetherness, the sense of unity, and the shared commitment to a peaceful and European future.”

A special highlight of the evening followed: the official announcement of the establishment of the League of Universities from the Region of the Vienna Economic Forum – From the Adriatic to the Black Sea. The Secretary General emphasized that this new initiative aims to deepen academic cooperation within the VEF region. The founding universities of the League of Universities, all longstanding strategic partners of VEF, are:

• Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria

• University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria

• University of Prishtina, Kosovo

• Moldova State University, Chișinău, Moldova

• Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia

• IEDC-Bled School of Management, Bled, Slovenia

For an official welcome to the League of Universities, the following university representatives were invited: Prof. Dr. Vasilka Poposka Trenevska, Senator at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Honorary Member of VEF, Dr. Vladimir Dolghi, Vice-Rector for Financial and Economic Affairs and International Relations, Moldova State University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Dean of the Faculty of International Economics and Politics, University of National and World Economy, Sofia

As underlined by Dr. Kirtcheva, the founding initiative remains open to further universities from the region.

The present Ambassadors, members of the Ambassadors Committee of Vienna Economic Forum, diplomats – representatives of VEF member countries and of the entire diplomatic corps – were invited to participate in the traditional family photo:
H.E. Prof. Fate Velaj, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Republic of Austria;
H.E. Siniša Bencun, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Austria;
H.E. Desislava Naydenova-Gospodinova, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Austria;
H.E. Stanica Anđić, Ambassador of Montenegro to the Republic of Austria;
Mr. Albinot Bimbashi, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Kosovo;
Ms. Hilda Kolevska, Minister Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia, representing H.E. Osvit Rosoklija;
Dr. Adi-Cristina Mitea, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Minister Counselor, Embassy of Romania;
Ms. Saša Bürgermeister, Consul, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, representing H.E. Aleksander Geržina.

Following the official programme, the over 300 participants experienced a vibrant cultural evening programme that powerfully showcased the cultural richness and joie de vivre of the member countries.

The culinary diversity of the region was once again celebrated through traditional specialties of the VEF member states – a true journey of taste through Southeastern Europe. Once again, the embassies made great efforts to present their guests with culinary variety and musical traditions.

The musical-cultural programme opened with the Vienna Balkan Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Nikola Zarić, delivering an expressive performance of Bosnian folk music. This was followed by guitar melodies from Albania performed by Mr. Xhelal Memeti and an energetic beatbox act by the Romanian artist Mr. Max Tudor Donose, known as Cäspian. Another highlight was the Bulgarian folklore ensemble “Kitka,” which delighted the audience with traditional songs and the lively dance “Pirinski Ritmi.”

With this 24th Traditional Garden Party, Vienna Economic Forum once again affirmed its role as a significant platform for dialogue, economic development, and cultural understanding in Europe.

The Garden Party has long been established as the third main pillar of VEF activities, alongside the annual Vienna Economic Forum in November in Vienna and the Vienna Economic Talks, which take place regularly in the member states – most recently in Chișinău, Moldova.

Photo credit: Diplomatic Society / Pobaschnig / Karakan