It all began here: Debrecen-Sopron-Berlin

Photo: Lecture by Otto von Habsburg in Debrecen in 1989

The significance of the Pan-European Picnic and its exceptional symbolism are unquestionable in the historical developments that lead to the change of regime and to the reunification of our continent, which had been divided by the Cold War. The events near Sopron had an impact on Hungarian-German relations that resonates to this day. Nevertheless, without the meeting in Debrecen, which marked the beginning of the initiative, the Pan-European Picnic would not have taken place. The Hungarian-German Institute for European Cooperation and the Otto von Habsburg Foundation cordially invite you to their international conference commemorating this key moment in history and recalling Otto von Habsburg’s lecture in Debrecen 35 years ago.

Programme

16.30 Registration

17.00 Ceremonial opening

Bence BAUER, Director of the Hungarian-German Institute for European Cooperation of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium 

17.05 Welcome address

László PAPP, Mayor of Debrecen

17.10 Opening lecture

Gábor TURI, former Deputy Mayor of Debrecen

17.30 Lecture – The unique role of Otto von Habsburg

 Gergely PRŐHLE, Director of the Otto von Habsburg Foundation

17.45 Lecture – German “Welcoming”

Hans KAISER, former Minister of the Free State of Thuringia

18.00 Roundtable discussion

Mária FILEP, chief organiser of the Pan-European Picnic

Gábor TURI, former Deputy Mayor of Debrecen

Lukács SZABÓ, chief organiser of the Pan-European Picnic

Moderated by: Bence BAUER, Director of the Hungarian-German Institute for European Cooperation of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium

18.45 Closing remarks

Christiana MARKERT, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Budapest

The event will be held in Hungarian and German, with simultaneous interpretation.

We look forward to welcoming you!