Dr. Heinz Fischer, Federal President of the Republic of Austria from 2004 to 2016, delivered the Annual Botstiber Lecture on June 2, 2017 in the packed Atrium of the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC. Dr. Fischer currently holds the chairmanship of the Advisory Council for the Commemorative Year 2018, which coordinates all official activities focusing on the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Austria in 1918, and the commemoration of the Events of 1938 (the annexation of Austria by Nazi-Germany and the Pogrom Night).
In an hour long free speech entitled "Austria 1918 - 2018," Dr. Fischer picked decisive dates in Austrian history over the last 100 years to offer his views and analysis in the matter, adding fitting personal anecdotes from his decades-long political career in the Austrian and European Social Democracy.
After an extended Q&A session, the evening concluded with a reception during which the audience was able to approach Dr. Fischer to discuss personal opinions and take selfies for the home album.
Dr. Fischer’s speaking tour to the U.S. was sponsored by the Botstiber Institute for Austrian-American Studies, a program of the Dietrich W. Botstiber Foundation. The institute promotes an understanding of the historic relationship between the United States and Austria, including Habsburg Austria, by awarding grants and fellowships, organizing lectures and conferences, and publishing the Journal of Austrian-American History.
