Peace Road Arnoldstein (AUT) – (IT) – (SLO)

Carinthia, , June 9, 2018

By Alfred Waldmann countries. Then in a solemn moment importance of friendship and before the start of the biking Mr. reconciliation between the neighboring he event had been planned and Kessler received the Ambassador for countries. He was the second mayor on the route been decided about six Peace Award. When the content of the this day to receive the Ambassador for T month before the actual event document, explaining the core values Peace Award together with a gift when three members of the Universal of the Universal Peace Federation, was basket from Austria. He listened to the Peace Federation representing the three read out aloud. Mr. Kessler totally explanation of the award´s content in countries, Austria, and agreed with it and mentioned how English and in Italian and gave his met together in Celje (SLO). The precious this was for him, more farewell to everybody motto of this Peace Road was decided meaningful than any other gift since he as well: “Biking for Peace where our The second part of the tour led 18 km was celebrating his 40th marriage from Tarvisio to the famous tourist Great Grandfathers were fighting 100 anniversary on the very next day. He years ago”. Six weeks before the actual town Kranjska Gora at the foot of the also received a gift basket with Julian Alps in Slovenia. Again, a event concrete preparations got on the Austrian specialities. way. First the route, leading through challenging route since there are many the three countries, the so called Three The first, rather challenging stage of ascending passages in this section. The Countries Corner (Drei Länder Eck) the route led from Arnoldstein to scenery though is breathtaking. was selected. Flyers, a banner and Tarvisio, comprising a total of 14 km white T-Shirts were designed and with woods and hills leading on the printed. Then the mayors of the three former rail track built under the cities were contacted and visited. Two Austrian – Hungarian Monarchy over mayors immediately responded and 100 years ago. One and a half hour promised to receive the bikers. later the bikers arrived at the Piazza Unita in Tarvisio, where refreshments, On the day of the event 25 bikers and Again, the bikers went in different drinks and snacks were prepared for speeds. Some would take around one- supporters from three countries everybody. gathered in front of the Gemeindeamt and-a-half-hour time, others two hours Arnoldstein including one prominent and more to arrive at the final biker from , Dr. Marjan destination, the market place in Sturm, chairman of all affiliated Kranjska Gora Slovenian organizations in . The mayor of the town, Mr. Erich Kessler, came in time and greeted the At 12 o`clock sharp the mayor of the group. He outlined his deep desire for city, Renzo Zanetto, came to meet the friendship and communication whole group, accompanied by the two especially in this border region and Italian participants, Vittorio Juliano explained about various sisterhood and Roberto Tonna. In his welcome Mrs Klavdija Gomboc from the projects with the two neighboring remarks he explained about the Kranjska Gora tourist office officially welcomed the group since the mayor, At this point each biker received a Finally, all thanks must be expressed to Mr. Janez Horvath was having another participant certificate from Erna all those who made this project engagement on that day. She explained Kosmrlj, UPF Slovenia, who also gave possible through their efforts on that about different peace activities the the final remarks, concluding the Peace day and beforehand: to the participants community had been undertaking so Road. Musicians started to play, from Kärnten, Styria, Burgenland and far. Dr. Marjan Sturm also explained Slovenian, Austrian and Italian songs from Austria, to all the about the joined project “Building the were sung together creating a joyful, participating Slovenian friends and Peace Region Alps Adriatic”, inviting harmonious spirit on this beautiful day. families and to our Italian supporters. UPF to cooperate in future peace activities.