From May 26 to June 3, 2017, the Governor of the State of Burgenland Hans Niessl undertook an official visit to Canada and the U.S. in order to honor people from Burgenland and their descendants who emigrated to North America. Governor Niessl was accompanied by State Minister for the Environment Astrid Eisenkopf and State Minister for Economy and Tourism Alexander Petschnig.
On the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the Burgenlander Club in Toronto, distinguished Burgenlanders received special awards from the Governor for their hard work and efforts to promote and continue the Burgenland heritage and culture abroad. The delegation also visited Chicago, Allentown PA, and New York City, where they celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Coplay Saengerbund and the 25th Anniversary of the Hianzenchor.
They were joined by the Ambassador to the U.S. Wolfgang Waldner in Allentown, PA, by Consul General Georg Heindl in New York City, and by Ambassador Stefan Pehringer in Canada for a series of meetings and site visits.
State Minister Astrid Eisenkopf, Governor Hans Niessl, and State Minister Alexander Petschnig in New York © Bgld. Landesmedienservice
Governor Hans Niessl, Ambassador Stefan Pehringer, Gabriele Grof, Eva Hergovich, Trade Commissioner Christian Lassnig © Bgld. Landesmedienservice
General Consul Georg Heindl, State Minister Astrid Eisenkopf, Peter Drauch, Governor Hans Niessl, State Minister Alexander Petschnig © Bgld. Landesmedienservice
Governor Hans Niessl and Delegation from Burgenland with the Coplay Saengerbund and Hianzenchor © Bgld. Landesmedienservice