Dear friends,
2024 - what a year! Disruptions in the global security situation have had a decisive impact on the past year: The war in Ukraine, the ongoing conflicts and wars in the Middle East and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria have shaken the international order. Shocking events took place last weekend in Magdeburg in the centre of Germany: an attack on a Christmas market, several people injured, several people killed - including a small child. There are no words. Against this backdrop, the question of helpful and unadulterated orientation is of crucial importance. Orientation requires reflection, requires alignment with the foundations of our values. Values that support, protect, stabilise and hold us together.
Our Europeade family demonstrated this cohesion very clearly this year in Nuoro, Sardinia, despite all the difficulties. We are not fazed by problems, but solve them together. Our friendship grew even stronger. On 28 July, at the closing event, I asked for support in finding a city that would like to host the Europeade in 2025. The response was overwhelming. Many friends have started the search and are still endeavouring to do so today. At the moment, I still have hopes of organising a Europeade in 2025, but this will not be decided until January. Even if the probability of a Europeade in the summer of 2025 is already zero for many, I don't want to give up hope just yet. Even if we may not see each other in 2025, let us not let up in our friendship for a peaceful Europe. We will stay in touch! As a Europeade family, we give friendship in diversity.
A special sense of gratitude fills me when I look at the path to the manger and the Christmas thoughts that precede it for us Christians. That is why, despite all the crises and challenges of this time, nevertheless God with the birth of Jesus Christ remains the most striking fact. Better: the anchor in this time! A significant change in our perspective moves our gratitude. For me, gratitude is the soul's vigilance against the power of destruction. This perspective drives me to celebrate Christmas as a festival of hope, peace, joy and a time of reflection that brings me into balance. With this in mind, I wish you a pleasant festive season with all the people who are dear and precious to you. For the turn of the year 2025, I hope that the peace and joy of Christmas will accompany us all in the coming year. I wish everyone good health, only good experiences and God's rich blessing.
We thank you for the good and successful cooperation, for your trust and loyalty.
For the International Europeade Committee
Rüdiger Heß
Antwerpen, Dezember 2024