Princely Houses | Bearers of Culture: Value, History, Communique Leipzig

Group photo of the representatives of the princely houses in front of the Villa Ida, the seat of the Foundation of the Sparkasse LeipzigPhoto:Oliver Colin

Communiqué Leipzig: Princely Houses | Cultural bearers in dialogue today

Leipzig, new thought processes are initiated by the Communiqué of the Princely Houses. Combined with historical responsibility, it points the way to the future.

Final Communiqué of the European princely houses at the commemorative meetings in Leipzig from October 17th till 19th, 2013

"200 years after the Battle of the Nations, we have gathered in Leipzig to respectfully remember the many victims of the biggest open battle in human history until that point. We recall, as a warning, the dead and the wounded, the soldiers killed in action of all nations and countries and the civil society that suffered from war and devastation.
We must get to know this historic place of action of our forefathers. The Princely Houses of Europe, the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, the mediatization following the Principal Decree of the Imperial Deputation and the Battle of the Nations are concepts of a seemingly bygone era that nevertheless have influenced  the people in Europe until today. This historical consciousness is the basis of our commitment and duty to preserve family traditions, cultural treasures and Christian values and to pass them on to future generations.

We have come to Leipzig looking for history and encountered European present and future – in a city of freedom where innumerable nations reflect on the historic event in peace and dignity and literally "united in diversity"! We are grateful that after 23 years of democracy in Saxony a new understanding of our shared past was created over decades of state-directed interpretation of history.

We have experienced in Leipzig, how the battles of our ancestors found fulfillment by putting an end to hostilities. We wish that the decision makers in politics and society, in business and in the media would follow the citizens and guests of Leipzig, and use their energy to strengthen the foundations of Europe in the common cause of peace."

Leipzig, October 19th, 2013 / July 8th, 2014

Georg, Archduke of Austria
Franz Friedrich, Prince of Prussia
Georgi Mikhailovich, Grand Duke of Russia
Heinrich, Prince of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg
Michael-Benedikt, Prince of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Alexander, Prince of Saxony
Heinrich XIV., Prince of Reuss
Alexander, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe
Dr. Georg, Prince of Lippe-Weißenfeld
Rudolf, Duke of Croy
Alexander, Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn
Maximilian, Count of Solms-Laubach
Nicolaus, Duke of Leuchtenberg de Beauharnais
Nikolaus, Prince Blücher von Wahlstatt
Lukas, Count Blücher von Wahlstatt
Pierre, Count of Bennigsen
Heinrich, Baron of Friesen

Printing version: Communiqué in wording

The memorial of the European royal houses cast in bronze

Leipzig, July 8th, 2014: a commemorative plaque with the text of the Leipzig communiqué of the princely houses in bronze was installed in the front of the main building of the Sparkasse Foundation, Leipzig.

Photo:Olivier ColinGrand Duke George Mikhailovitch of Russia (left) and Prince Franz Friedrich of Prussia unveil the commemorative plaque at the Villa Ida in Leipzig

Due to the simultaneous historical and present meanings of the Communiqué, the Sparkasse Foundation has decided to permanently record the statement of the European royal houses for the public.

At the unveiling of the commemorative plaque many of the signatories of the European princely houses were present, among them Grand Duke George Mikhailovitch of Russia; Prince Franz Friedrich of Prussia; Prince Heinrich of Hanover; Princess Maria Josefa of Saxony; representing the Saxon royal house and her nephew Alexander, & Prince Michael-Benedikt of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Beyond this, many representatives from politics, industry, church and members of the Diplomatic Corps were present at the unveiling.