International diplomatic corps members gathered in Salzburg to explore the city's cultural potential and Salzburg Global’s mission
Governor's reception at the Chiemseehof
For the first time, Salzburg Global hosted ambassadors of 14 countries for a special Salzburg Day on Friday, April 5. Traveling from their embassies in Vienna, the ambassadors, along with the Salzburg Global team, gathered at the Salzburg governor's residence of Chiemseehof. They were warmly greeted by Dr. Wilfred Haslauer, who has been the governor of Salzburg State since 2013. After a brief tour around the historic building, the group heard from Martin Weiss, President and CEO of Salzburg Global, who highlighted the importance of Salzburg to the international community.
Indeed, as Dr. Wilfred Haslauer added in his welcoming speech, Salzburg’s rich history has defined its pivotal role as a global city and its influence in Austrian politics and economics. Ian Biggs, Ambassador of Australia, commented on how “a lot of fascinating people work in the industrial, commercial, cultural, and political context in Salzburg. This is a very prosperous, very well-governed, very well-serviced center for the higher points of human civilization.”
Insights into the Salzburg Festival and the Mozart Residence
Afterward, the group strolled through the Salzburg Old Town, ending at the Salzburg Festival Hall, a cultural landmark for the city and the country. Dr. Kristina Hammer, President of the Salzburg Festival, introduced the Salzburg Festival to the group proudly, calling it “the heart of the heart of Europe”.
The ambassadors enjoyed a tour of the three concert halls while learning about the Festival's history and modern significance. Susan Eckey, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, was amazed at how “the Festival manages to get into people’s hearts and emotions, bringing up the big issues of today through art”.
The final stop in the city center was the Mozart Residence, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born and lived during the 1770s. Studying the vast and impressive collections of family letters, music sheets, portraits, and instruments, the group understood how revered the child music prodigy continues to be in Salzburg.
Briefing and discussion at Schloss Leopoldskron
After the brief tour through the city center, Caroline Vermeulen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, reflected on how Salzburg Global could contribute to the diplomatic corps. “Having the combination of the more local setting in Salzburg, and seeing what makes Salzburg what it is, and also the more international setting where we can exchange ideas, is already a complement to our work in Vienna,” she explained.
In the evening, over 60 people gathered for a tour of Schloss Leopoldskron, the home of Salzburg Global. The day concluded with a panel discussion on this year’s Austrian “super-election year” featuring journalists Christian Ultsch from Die Presse, Thomas Seifert from European Voice, and Eva Linsinger from Profil.
Moderated by Martin Weiss, the panelists touched on key points concerning multiple upcoming elections in Austria and Europe. Attendees, including the ambassadors, general and honorary consuls, journalists, and other distinguished guests, raised questions on migration policy, energy security, and Austria’s status of neutrality.
After the discussion, diplomats reflected on the current state of international affairs and emphasized the need for more open dialogue spaces like those that Salzburg Global provides. “We face so many challenges, and to have this kind of forum where you can discuss, reflect, and seek solutions in an atmosphere of dialogue is beneficial. As an ambassador, today’s debate was beneficial for my role in observing the details of internal and external policy,” considered Czech Ambassador Jiří Šitler.
The gathering of international diplomatic corps members in Salzburg, alongside their exploration of the city's historical and cultural highlights, underscores the significance of dialogue and collaboration in addressing global challenges. As they departed from Schloss Leopoldskron, enriched by discussions on pressing issues, diplomats affirmed the vital role of platforms like Salzburg Global in fostering understanding and forging collective solutions.
