Forum Alpbach: Appeals for a united Europe on “Tyrol Day”
Alpbach/Austria – With the “Tyrol Day,” this year’s European Forum Alpbach (EFA) experienced its traditional kickoff on Sunday. In the speeches before the church in the village center, calls for a united Europe were at the forefront after the “State Reception.” Tyrol’s Governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) recalled the beginnings of the forum after the “destruction of World War II.” He criticized that “uniting and finding oneself” had become “too taken for granted.”
“We are no longer working on it,” Mattle lamented, calling for a rethink and “self-confidence” in Europe. He praised that the idea of the EU had been “kept alive” in Alpbach over the past decades – the forum is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Accordingly, he emphasized the “connecting function” of the event, which strengthens both the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino, around which everything revolves during the “Euregio Days,” and the EU.
Kompatscher: “We need this Europe”
South Tyrol’s Governor Arno Kompatscher (SVP) struck a similar chord. In light of the diverse challenges, Europe must stand together and “raise a (common, ed.) voice.” It is about more than just the economy, even if competitiveness is the focus during the Euregio Days, the governor stated. Rather, it is about shared “values,” Kompatscher reminded, recalling the lessons from the disasters of the 20th century. “We need this Europe,” he emphasized, pointing to the importance of peace, the rule of law, and democracy.
His Trentino counterpart Maurizio Fugatti (Lega) also referred in his brief speech to the “shared history” of the Euroregion Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino. He hoped that the joint work in the Euregio would be “an example for Europe.”
New EFA President Karas calls for “movement”
The new forum president Othmar Karas, former Vice President of the EU Parliament and former top politician of the ÖVP, expressed his “honor and joy” at the new task. Alpbach is a “place of responsibility and new beginnings.” “We must never stop breaking new ground,” Karas urged for ongoing “movement.” In the presence of former EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (EVP) – who stood on the village square alongside the Euregio governors – Karas identified a “special signal,” stating that the Euregio Days and the “Tyrol Day” had “gained in radiance.”
Tradition at the forum kickoff
Unlike in previous years, the “State Reception” in the small Unterland municipality did not feature perfect weather, but the early morning rain had at least dissipated before the start. Accordingly, the ceremonial kickoff and speeches took place again this year in the village square amidst the picturesque backdrop of the “Flower Village.”
Prior to that, a Holy Mass – celebrated by Ivo Muser, Bishop of the Diocese of Bolzano-Brixen – opened the festive day. Following that, as usual, there was a parade of marksmen with an honor salute, the march of the formations by the governors, and the “Schnapserl distribution” on the agenda. The local federal music band performed the Tyrolean national anthem “Zu Mantua in Banden” as well as the federal anthem and the European anthem.
Among the onlookers and honored guests, local political celebrities were once again well represented this year. For the federal government, Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) was present, along with Mattle’s deputy Josef Geisler (ÖVP) from the Tyrolean state government. Former EU Commissioner Franz Fischler and Tyrol’s former governor Günther Platter (both ÖVP) also did not miss the opportunity to visit.
More than 4,000 participants and much top politics expected
The European Forum Alpbach was founded in 1945 and has been held annually since then. This year, from August 16 to 29, several events are planned for the first time under the leadership of the new forum president Karas. The conference is themed “Recharge Europe.” Key content focuses mentioned in advance include “Security Union, Energy Union, and Capital Market Union.” The Euregio Days, which span four days for the first time with the “Tyrol Day” at the center, kick off the event. Their focus will be on competitiveness in a changing European present, as well as communities and concrete local solutions. Additionally, young people will discuss the future of the alpine living space in the “Euregio Academy.”
Overall, the organizers anticipated more than 4,000 participants in advance. The program is divided into five modules: the “Euregio Days” (August 16-19) focusing on global challenges from the perspective of the Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino, the “Seminar Days” (August 17-22), the “Lab Days” (August 21-23), the “Europe in the World Days” (August 23-26) with debates on Europe’s role in the global context, and the “Austria in Europe Days” (August 26-29) focusing on the role of EU member states in Europe.
Of course, Austrian top politics were also expected: Among others, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ), Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS), and European Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) would participate, each bringing one or more state guests to Alpbach, as Karas explained in a conversation with the APA. About three-quarters of the government is expected to be present. So far, state guests have included Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, the foreign ministers of the Czech Republic and Romania, Jan Lipavský and Emil Hurezeanu, and Hungarian European Minister János Bóka. (August 18, 2025)
