On 11 December 2023, after the closing celebration, a conference entitled “Otto von Habsburg-Lorraine, man of law, man of rights” was held in the university’s former great lecture hall. It was organised and opened by Matthias Martin, Professor of Private Law, and Julien Lapointe, Professor of Legal History. The first lecture was given by Professor Jean El Gammal, a historian who recalled the events of the conclusion of the First World War, with particular emphasis on Central Europe and the Habsburg Empire.
The Deputy Director of our Foundation addressed the audience online. In his presentation, Gergely Fejérdy underlined that for Otto von Habsburg, the protection of the law and the correct interpretation of the spirit of the law were of particular importance. He illustrated this with numerous examples. Jean-Pierre Prudhon, the Honorary Consul of Hungary in Nancy, also spoke about the former Crown Prince and referred to the European commitment of the eponym of our Foundation. Lastly, Xavier Pécot of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lorraine talked about the moral greatness of Otto von Habsburg and how his example helps him in his daily work. He quoted a famous phrase of the last Austro-Hungarian monarch, uttered to his son before his death in 1922: “You can renounce everything, my son, but never Lorraine.” The occasion was well attended, proving that the local citizens reciprocated the adherence of the Habsburgs.
