Destination Vienna!
Many attendees of the 2015 Annual Conference of the International Bar Association (IBA) have said that given all that has occurred in Europe in the last year, the timing could not have been more strategic for a gathering of over 6, 000 legal professionals.
As David Rivkin affirmed in his speech, Vienna is also an outstanding place to celebrate the work of lawyers, as this year marks not only the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, but also the 200th anniversary of the Congress of Vienna. In perhaps the first Continent-wide congress of nations, historical figures like Metternich, Talleyrand, the Duke of Wellington and Czar Alexander I, came together to redefine borders, create new states and establish new systems in an attempt to forge a new peaceful balance of power in Europe. Since then, many major diplomatic successes have been achieved in Vienna. Among the important documents that have been negotiated in Vienna are the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. And in July this year, the Group of Six successfully negotiated an historic agreement with Iran to stop the development of nuclear weapons and avert a major new conflict in the Middle East.
As the IBA President rightly said, “None of these achievements could have been attained without the painstaking work of lawyers. And we are here this week to celebrate the work we all do as lawyers. Lawyers are central to virtually every aspect of society.”
Vienna is not only known for international negotiations, but also for music, culture and art. The city flawlessly merges the ancient with modern, a city packed with imperial history, exciting contemporary museums, lively nightlife and many quiet corners to explore (Hmmm…). Few cities can boast the imperial grandeur of Vienna.
With 27 castles and 150 palaces, examples of the city’s illustrious history can be found on virtually every street corner. Visitors to Vienna can walk in the footsteps of the Habsburgs, visit the splendid baroque Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces, or stroll along the magnificent Ring Boulevard and take a look at the heart of the former vast Habsburg empire, the Imperial Palace.
Known as the world’s music capital Vienna boasts an extraordinary musical past. No other city has been home to so many composers – Mozart, Mahler, Haydn, Beethoven and Johan Strauss all worked in the city. Now music is still a huge part of the city’s culture. Every night around 10,000 music fans are treated to live classical music, including performances at the State Opera House and the Golden Hall at the Musikverein, which are among the world’s leading venues.
Viennese cuisine is the only type of cooking in the world that is named after a city. The Viennese coffee house is known around the globe for its informal pleasantness.
Among the social events for conference attendees this week was, a Welcome Party at the Wiener Konzerthaus – one of the world’s most renowned and historic music venues; an IBA Bar breakfast hosted by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA); another breakfast hosted by the Law Society of Scotland; a visit and guided tour of the United Nations – put together by the from the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL); as well as a closing party and dinner at the Hofburg Palace, this Friday.
One of the highlights of these social activities however is the Law Rocks! Vienna – happening later tonight.
Law Rocks! is a series of ‘battle of the bands’ style rock concerts in which law professionals battle it out on stage for charity at legendary music venues around the world. Law Rocks! started in London six years ago, with the first IBA edition taking place in Boston in 2013. The net proceeds of the event will go to the IBA Human Rights Institute and a local charity.
Delegates have been urged to appreciate the exciting, passionate city with all the wonderful sights, food, wine and music it has to offer!
…This, we have been doing thus far!
THEODORA KIO-LAWSON