International Meeting 2023 at castle Weinberg in Austria

*** text by Heidi and Lorenz, translation by Doro ***

Finally, after all the restrictions caused by Covid, an international Servas Meeting was possible in Austria. A brilliant predominantly female team (with expert male helpers) organized the „Alpe-Adria-Meeting“ for Oct.6-8, 2023, in the beautiful Mühlviertel region of Upper Austria.

The programme was centered on the pretty town of Kefermarkt and nearby Weinberg Castle, which boasts a beautiful church with a gothic altar; most of the participants enjoyed their accommodation within the castle’s medieval walls. During the day we reconnected with old friends and made new ones, while we explored the surroundings, for example the historic town of Freistadt and the quaint village of Ottenschlag. In the evenings we were entertained with Upper Austrian food as well as music and dance – and until October 7 there was a lot of laughing and fun.

 The participants came from a diversity of countries – from all over Europe, from Turkey and even from Taiwan, India, Canada, as well as a large group from Israel. At the beginning there were many different discussions, but when we learned about the Hamas attack on Israel, there was only one topic: War and Peace.

As if the organizers had had a premonition of the terrible events, the visit of the city of Linz included a short prayer service on the Human Rights Square in front of the Town Hall, with singing and Hebrew texts about peace, a guided tour of historical places in the city, an organ concert in the Basilica (specially arranged for the Servas group), as well as a visit of the Synagogue.

In spite of the dramatic events that saddened everyone it was wonderful, like in all our international meetings, to meet or meet again so many different people from different countries.
Unfortunately Servas activities cannot influence big world politics; after the Hamas attack the war in Gaza started, and the conflict burns on and on – but we must not stop believing in „Peace through Friendship“!