Tex and photos: Juan David Latorre
On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Austria, Ambassador Enno Drofenik yesterday invited the Diplomatic Corps to a reception at his residence, which was attended by the Third Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge of the Government of Spain, Sara Aagesen.
“Today we celebrate October 26, 1955, and that is the date on which Austria regained its freedom after World War II and after ten years of occupation,” Austrian Ambassador Enno Drofenik began his speech.
“But the price of this freedom, at the request of the former Soviet Union, was neutral status. So this neutrality still remains in effect, but there are two important things. First, Austria is neutral, but at the same time it is a member of the European Union and shares the commitment to solidarity with all members. And second, he continued, Austria’s neutrality is strictly a military neutrality, but it is not a political neutrality. So, on the contrary, Austria clearly takes sides whenever it comes to maintaining the international legal order and in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and in the conflicts in the Middle East and Gaza. We advocate for a humanistic world order, a strong European Union, and a strong United Nations.”
Regarding relations between Austria and Spain, Ambassador Enno Drofenik noted that “our two countries not only share a common worldview, but also a deep sympathy based on a dynastic relationship of more than 200 years between Spain and the Habsburg Empire, traces of which can still be found everywhere, especially in the Austrian quarter of Madrid. And we are united by intense economic exchange, tourism, and close cultural cooperation, such as that between the Prado and its sister museum in Vienna, the Museum of Art History. We also celebrate our friendship with the Principality of Andorra,” the Austrian ambassador commented, “and not only our love for the mountains, but also our 30 years of diplomatic relations.” Ambassador Drofenik then introduced the musical trio composed of pianist Adrián Suciu, violinist Johanna Kaiser, and soprano Alexandra Barso, who together performed the anthems of Austria, Spain, and Europe. Worthy of note is the excellent performance by soprano Barso in the lyrical song Granada. The trio concluded the official part of the reception with a performance of the waltz The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss Jr.
