On November 30th 2025 the Universal Peace
Federation (UPF) Austria invited to an event under the theme "200 Years
of Brazil-Austria Diplomatic Relations - New Challenges and Opportunities"
which was organized in partnership with the initiative "Austria-Brazil
Bilateral Forum in Movement" by ABRASA - Casa do Brasil
na Austria, a Brazilian and Afro-Brazilian Cultural
Bridge to Austria fostering education, cultural activities and social
integration.
After a welcome message by Mr. Peter Haider,
president of UPF Austria, H.E. Eduardo Paes Saboia,
Ambassador of Brazil to Austria gave an opening message on 200 years of
Brazil–Austria diplomatic relations followed by a statement by H.E. Dr. Stefan
Scholz, who has served as the Austrian ambassador to Brazil until a few months
ago.
A brief performance by the Brazilian flutist
James Strauss, speaking first about Sigismund von Neukomm and his musical
diplomacy and then playing a piece of his music, highlighted art as a vehicle
for integration and dialogue between Brazil and Austria, reinforcing culture as
a central pillar of bilateral relations.
Mr. Luis Roberto Malheiros, vice President of
the ABRASA Institute introduced “ABRASA 20+ Years: Living Culture as a Vehicle
for Integrating Bilateral Relations”. Then Dr. Uwe Christian Plachetka, an Austrian historian and anthropologist spoke
on the topic “Not just friendly nations, but sister nations! – Brazil as a
protagonist in Austria’s liberation in 1955” discussing on how culture,
historical memory, and the shared capital of a long relationship between Brazil
and Austria sustain long-lasting alliances, strengthens trust, mutual
recognition, and cooperation.
Ms. Maria Umbelino,
CEO of Brasil Mata Viva elaborated on “Environmental
preservation through sustainable practices, ESG (Environmental,
Social, and Governance), and SDGs” reflecting on
Brazil as a biodiversity powerhouse and strategic actor within Mercosur,
highlighting Bahia as a key territory for a just ecological transformation
anchored in sustainability, innovation, and practices aligned with ESG and SDGs
as solutions for climate preservation.
The cutting of the birthday cake for 20+ years
of ABRASA was led by it’s President Ms. Queila Rosa Panstingl.
A buffet with a taste of traditional Brazilian food concluded the evening.
Peter Haider
Photo
report by Society magazine
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