The royal heads of state from Belgium, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg (King Philippe of the Belgians, Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg) concluded their annual meeting of the German-speaking heads of state alongside leaders from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The year is the 15th annual meeting of such leaders with Swiss President Alain Berset hosting the event in Sils-Maria, Canton Graubünden, Switzerland.
The day began with official inter-delegation talks under the direction of President Berset. According to the Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg, “Culture as a factor of cohesion and social integration has been at the centre of discussions.”
The inter-delegation meeting on Thursday morning. © Cour grand-ducale/LUXPRESS
© Luxpress/Cour grand-ducale
Grand Duke Henri stressed that all forms of culture have to be closely associated with “openness, tolerance and dialogue between people.”
News information from each of the countries and from around the globe closed the morning gathering with the leaders of the German-speaking nations.
© Luxpress/Cour grand-ducale
© Cour grand-ducale/LUXPRESS
While their husbands met for inter-delegation talks, the wives of the heads of state also discussed cultural topics as they travelled to Nietzsche-Haus – the home of the famous German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. The sunny weather allowed them also to take a carriage ride through Fex Valley.
The afternoon saw the heads of state and their spouses visit the “Tour d’Origen” theatre – located 2,300 metres above sea level.
Countries represented at the gathering were Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. These countries all have German as an official language in their country. The President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen and his wife, Doris Schmidauer and the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender were also in attendance.
You can read about day one here.
