Realistic encouragement in times of war: Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) mentioned the problems and possible solutions at the opening of the Salzburg Festival.
The number one whispering topic for the opening of the Salzburg Festival on Tuesday: Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), who this year stayed away from the strongly political state act. Salzburg’s main concern is Tuesday morning: the demonstrations announced by the Identitarians. But then it was just a bunch of people with whistles and confused slogans on posters.
Van der Bellen: ‘Our future must look different’
Most important were the speeches, which always play a special role at the Salzburg Festival: In view of the war in Europe, Federal President Van der Bellen’s message was soberingly clear: “Our future will be different from what most of us had hoped for.” “It doesn’t just have to look different, it has to look different. There is no going back to the good old days.”
Van der Bellen outlined three possible scenarios for the near future: “Putin has changed his mind and realizes that he must end the war and move closer to Europe.” A rather improbable fantasy, as the Federal President immediately said.
The second possibility: Europe gives in, ends sanctions, the oligarchs get their money back, the Europeans get petrol again. Not good either. “We would pay an even higher price in the future,” says Van der Bellen.
Haslauer: ‘We will not give in’
“The realistic scenario is that things will continue like this and could even get worse,” the Federal President said. Putin will continue the war and cut off the gas supply further and possibly even stop it altogether. Van der Bellen: “We have to prepare for that now.” He is convinced that Austria and Europe will overcome the crisis. The EU must stick together and not give in to Putin. Otherwise, our lives would depend on a dictator’s good mood, the Federal President warned.
Salzburg Governor Haslauer, who dedicated the festival to the victims of the war in Ukraine, said: “We will not give up and will not give up to stand up for peace in freedom and dignity.” They defy the revolutions of history. Haslauer: “Despite all the dismay: art must not capitulate before the war.”
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens), who returned to Vienna immediately after the opening, was more practical about discussing speed limits and turning off the lights in public buildings at night.
Source: Krone
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