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Meeting of the heads of state of the German-speaking countries
Switzerland hosts the annual meeting of the German-speaking heads of state, for the first time since 2012. In the Engadine, Alain Berset and Muriel Zeender Berset receive Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, King Philippe of Belgium, Alexander Van der Bellen and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, with their spouses. At the dinner on 5 September, at the Hotel Waldhaus, he summons the illustrious guests of Sils, from Nietzsche to Walter Benjamin, and Tucholsky: “Hier gletschern die Gletscher.”
On 6 September, official talks on cultural participation, opened by a contribution from the philosopher Stefan Zweifel, then on international cooperation, pressure on institutions, Europe and migration. Alain Berset: the more diverse our societies are, the more culture is needed to reflect this complexity. At the press conference, he presents the Youth and Music programme: “Musizieren soll keine elitäre Angelegenheit sein.”
The meeting ends at the Julier Pass, in the Origen theatre tower. There he quotes Richard Strauss: “Es gibt nur ein Engadin auf der ganzen Welt.”
Wednesday 5 September 2018 — Sils Maria
- Welcome of the heads of state and group photo
- Gala dinner at the Hotel Waldhaus
Thursday 6 September 2018 — Sils Maria and Julier Pass
- Official talks: cultural participation
- Official talks: national and international affairs
- Press statement
- Visit to the Origen tower, Julier Pass, and cultural programme
Speeches on this site
- Discours de table à l’hôtel Waldhaus de Sils Maria (in German, French-language page)
- Allocution sur la participation culturelle à la rencontre des chefs d’Etat germanophones (in German, French-language page)
- Déclaration à la presse sur la rencontre des chefs d’Etat germanophones (in German, French-language page)
- Allocution de clôture à la tour Origen du col du Julier (in German, French-language page)
Sources