Press Release on H.I.H. Grand Duke George of Russia’s visit to Germany and participation in ceremonies marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig. October 17-20, 2013

On October 17–20, 2013, the Heir to the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. the Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia, paid an official visit to Germany.

His Imperial Highness was invited to travel to Germany by the Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony, Stanislaw Tillich, by the mayor of Leipzig, Burckhard Jung, and by the Chair of Media Foundation of Sparkasse Leipzig, Stephan Seeger, to represent the Russian Imperial House at the ceremonies marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig.

Grand Duke George of Russia arrived in Leipzig in the afternoon of October 17. He was met at the airport by members of the Chancellery of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, by representatives of the public, and by a personal assistant who accompanied him during his entire stay. That evening, His Imperial Highness took part in the formal reception for all honored guests attending the ceremonies in Leipzig. Afterward, Tsesarevich George of Russia was briefed on the events to take place during his visit by Iu. V. Myshonkov, an advisor to H.I.H.’s Chancellery, and by A. V. Golubev, who coordinated the Grand Duke’s itinerary in-country.

On October 18, Grand Duke George of Russia and other honored guests visited the Church of St. Nicholas and then the Church of St. Thomas, where the remains of the composer Johann Sebastian Bach are buried. Later, the participants in the ceremonies went to lunch at the famous “Auerbachs Keller” restaurant, where the blessing before the meal was offered by the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Germany, Archbishop Longin (Talypin) of Klin. After dinner, the Grand Duke and Archbishop Longin discussed the ceremonies about to take place in Leipzig and the details of the Grand Duke’s visit to the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Alexis Metropolitan of Moscow in Leipzig.

That afternoon, His Imperial Highness and other guests went to the memorial of the Battle of the Nations, where a commemoration ceremony took place honoring the Russian, Austrian, and Prussian soldiers who died in the battle against Napoleon’s armies. In total, the allied army at the battle consisted of 127,000 Russian troops (with 22,000 killed), 89,000 Austrian troops (with 12,000 killed), 72,000 Prussian troops (with 16,000 killed), and 18,000 Swedish troops (with 300 killed). A solemn speech was delivered to those gathered at the memorial by the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, Prince Karl Schwarzenberg—a descendant of Prince Karl-Philipp Schwarzenberg, the general of the allied armies, who was awarded the rare Imperial Order of St. George First Class, “for the defeat of Napoleon during the three-day battle near Leipzig on October 4, 6, and 7, 1813.”

At this ceremony at the memorial of the Battle of the Nations, members of the Russian delegation were presented to the Tsesarevich George of Russia, including A. N. Sheffer of the Russian Nobility Association, G. N. Grishin of the organization “For Faith and Fatherland,” V. I. Aliavdin of the Society of the Descendants of the War of 1812, and others. A banquet followed the conclusion of the ceremony.

That evening, a reception in honor of the Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia was hosted by the Russian-German Cultural and Business Society in the International Club in Leipzig. The welcoming address to the Grand Duke was offered by Kai-Uwe Döhler, the main organizer for the reception. A genuinely warm and friendly atmosphere pervaded the evening. Also present were the coordinator of His Imperial Highness’s visit on the part of the Russian-German Cultural and Business Society, A. V. Golubev and his wife; the chief of the Office in Her Imperial Highness’s Chancellery for relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, A. Iu. Korolev-Pereleshin and his wife and daughter; the advisor to Her Imperial Highness’s Chancellery for relations with cultural and educational institutions and organizations, Iu. V. Myshonkov; and other officials.

On the following day, October 19, the Grand Duke and other guests visited the town of Rötha near Leipzig, where the allies’ headquarters was located during the battle.

A service was held at the Church of St. George, officiated by Archbishop Longin of Klin. After the conclusion of the service, the Grand Duke and other guests inspected an honor guard made up of units from the allied countries, then followed the military band in procession to the location where the former castle stood that served as the allied headquarters during the battle. After a performance by the band, Grand Duke George of Russia and other guests honored the memory of the fallen soldiers and officers at a memorial plaque, which was strewn with the petals of flowers by children. Then Tsesarevich George of Russia took part in a formal ceremony of awarding battle streamers to regimental flags of the Russian army, who were represented by volunteers in period uniforms.

On this same day the Grand Duke met with the mayor of Leipzig, Burkhard Jung.

Immediately after the reception, the Grand Duke proceeded to the Church of St. Alexis Metropolitan of Moscow in Leipzig. His Imperial Highness was greeted there by the church’s rector, Archpriest Aleksei Tomiuk, the Russian Consul General in Leipzig, V. A. Logutov and his son, A. V. Logutov, members of H.I.H.’s Chancellery, members of the Russian delegation, and by a Cossack honor guard.

Grand Duke George of Russia and the Consul General of Russia in Leipzig, V. A. Logutov, laid flowers at the monument to all the Consuls of the Russian Empire, a monument that was solemnly dedicated on October 18, 2013, on the initiative of the Russian Consulate. Then the group proceeded to the upper chapel in the church, where a moleben service was performed for the health of the Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, and her heir, H.I.H. Tsesarevich and Grand Duke George of Russia. The rector of the Church of St. Alexis, Archpriest Aleksei Tomiuk, extended a warm greeting to the Tsesarevich, and noted the interesting fact that the dedication of this church, which took place in 1913, was attended by Grand Duke George’s great-grandfather, Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, who subsequently became the first to be the Head of the Russian Imperial House in exile. In the crypt of the church’s lower chapel, Grand Duke George of Russia placed a wreath to honor the memory of Russian soldiers who had fallen in battle, and then inscribed a note in the guest book.

That evening, His Imperial Highness attended a gala banquet at the Media Campus Villa Ida. The banquet began with a military ceremony by the German Bundeswehr and by a show of military honors to the assembled guests. A military band in Leipzig performed famous military marches from various countries. A welcoming address was given by Colonel Stephan Seeger, the main organizer of all the events related to this anniversary and the Chair of Media Foundation of Sparkasse Leipzig. Then, according to proper protocol, Grand Duke George of Russia presented a flag ribbon to A. V. Golubev, the coordinator for the Russian-German Cultural and Business Society of the events held during these anniversary ceremonies.

During the banquet, several of those present stood to give their formal remarks on this occasion, including the Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony, Stanislaw Tillich, H.I.H. Archduke Georg of Austria, and H.I.H. Grand Duke George of Russia. During his speech, Grand Duke George of Russia spoke about the values of freedom, friendship, and peace among nations, and his remarks were repeatedly interrupted by applause.

On October 20, His Imperial Highness attended a large-scale reenactment of the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig. Later that same day, H.I.H. the Heir, Tsesarevich, and Grand Duke George of Russia departed Leipzig for Brussels.

Appendix

I

 2013-10-19 Speech of H.I.H. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have gathered here to honor the memory of the soldiers, officers, and generals of the allied armies, who fought at the Battle of the Nations here in Leipzig for the independence of their countries, for the freedom of Europe, and for traditional European values.

Two hundred years ago, the allied armies of Russia, Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, and a number of German states, put an end to the French wars of conquest. Thanks to the victory won here by these allies, the balance of power was restored in Europe. But in praising the victors, we should not forget the courage of the French soldiers. Napoleon Bonaparte’s aggressive wars brought suffering to many nations, including France itself, but the valor and devotion to duty of the soldiers of the French army are nonetheless worthy of our respect.

Even as we commemorate the Battle of the Nations and other glorious battles, even as we praise the feats of our ancestors, we must also do everything in our power to assure that the alliances among states and nations today and in the future serves only the cause of peace. The recent success of Russian diplomacy in resolving the Syrian problem persuasively demonstrates that any dispute can be resolved through negotiations and we need not resort to violence and war.

One hundred years ago, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Nations, the Russian delegation was led by my great-grandfather, Grand Duke Kirill of Russia. I am very pleased that, a century later, the honor has fallen upon me to pay tribute in person to the heroes of the Battle of the Nations on behalf of the Russian Imperial House. I express my gratitude, and that of my mother, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, to all the organizers of this celebration and to all its participants.

Thank you very much!

II

Commemorative meeting of the Princely Houses

from 17-19 October 2013

Communiqué of the Princely Houses

Two hundred years after the Battle of the Nations we have gathered in Leipzig to respectfully remember the vast amount of victims of the biggest open battle in human history until then. We recall 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 as a warning sign.

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 has a strong effect on 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 presence and future – in a city of freedom where innumerable nations reflect the historic event in peace and dignity and literally «united in persity»! We are grateful that 23 years of democracy in Saxony have helped to overcome the absence of history after years of dictatorship in this part of our home country.

In Leipzig we have experienced how enmity disappears and therefore bring the battles of our forefathers to fulfillment. We wish that decision makers in politics and society, in business and media will follow the example of Leipzig´s citizens and guests and focus their actions on bringing peace to the environment of our common house of Europe and strengthening its foundations.

Leipzig, 19 October 2013

Signed:

Georg, Archduke of Austria

Georgi, Grand Duke of Russia

Heinrich, Prince of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg

Alexander, Prince of Saxony

Michael, Prince of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach

Rudolf, Duke of Croy

Dr. Georg, Prince of Lippe-Weißenfeld

Heinrich XIV., Prince of Reuss

Alexander, Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn

Alexander, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe

Maximilian, Count of Solms-Laubach

Nicolaus, Duke of Leuchtenberg de Beauharnais

Nikolaus, Duke Blücher von Wahlstatt

Lukas, Duke Blücher von Wahlstatt

Pierre, Duke of Bennigsen

Heinrich, Baron of Friesen

October 3, 1913. Grand Duke Kirill of Russia at the Centennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations
October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations
October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations
October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations
October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations	October 19, 2013. Grand Duke George of Russia at the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations
October 19, 2013. The Communiqu? issued by the Members of the Royal Houses gathered for the Bicentennial Celebrations of the Battle of the Nations