Rootline Navigation

Der Bundespräsident mit prominenten Unterstützern des "Life Ball 2012"

19.05.2012 | Reden

Heinz Fischer drückte Organisator Gery Keszler bei der "Aids Solidarity Gala" in der Wiener Hofburg seine Anerkennung aus, ebenso der ehemalige US-Präsident Bill Clinton und Schauspieler Sean Penn (Bild Mitte)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You have all come together here tonight to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Life Ball and to honor the activities of this organization.

I would like to express my solidarity with the basic objectives and main concerns of AIDS LIFE, the association behind the Life Ball. Since its inception, the main concerns have been the fight against HIV and AIDS, the fight against stigmatization and exclusion and the fight for social acceptance of people affected by this illness. You have fought with arguments, willpower, but most importantly with joy of life and relentless energy.

Since the beginning of the epidemic more than three decades ago, we all have come a long way medically, politically and most importantly – humanly.

The AIDS LIFE association with its annual fundraising event and one of the most well-known festivities of the year in Austria has over the last 20 years striven towards more acceptance of affected people and for awareness of the cause.

In Austria and the western world we have already reached a lot and we can be proud of that. We are also proud that Vienna turns into colorful platform of the most important international AIDS organizations once a year and thus sends a signal of tolerance and openness far beyond our borders.

The Life Ball has been following its objectives for two decades now. On your way to achieving your goals you have had many successes. You have rendered great services that I would like to acknowledge personally and that the Republic of Austria has also expressed on the highest political level by presenting Gery Keszler, founder of the Life Ball, with the Golden Medal of Honor of the Republic of Austria.

I am therefore delighted to have the patronage of the AIDS Solidarity Gala in Life Ball’s anniversary year and would like to wish AIDS LIFE and the Life Ball a successful night and wish all of you here present tonight to support the good cause a pleasant and joyful ball night.

 

 

Aktionen