In the magnificent ballroom of Grand Hotel Wien, SOCIETY publisher Gertrud Tauchhammer invited to Austria’s first major „BIMSTEC Tea Party & Get-together.“ Together with the Embassies of Bangladesh, represented by Chargé d’Affaires Md Tarazul Islam; India, represented by H.E. Shambhu Santha Kumaran; Myanmar, represented by H.E. Min Thein; Nepal, represented by H.E. Bharat Kumar Regmi; Sri Lanka, represented by H.E. Matota Rallage Kulatilaka Lenagala; and the association „Thai Smile Wien,“ a vibrant celebration was organized, offering numerous international guests from diplomacy, business, politics, culture, and more, a unique and colorful insight into the culture and traditions of the member countries of the „Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.“
Ernst-Peter Brezovszky, Chief of the UNESCO Unit at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, skillfully moderated the evening and, after welcoming the guests, handed over the microphone to the evening’s host, Gertrud Tauchhammer, who also welcomed the attendees and thanked the Embassies for the excellent collaboration. Following that, the Ambassador of India, H.E. Shambhu Santha Kumaran, delivered a speech on behalf of the BIMSTEC representatives, as India is currently holding the post of Secretary General. He emphasized the international importance of the BIMSTEC countries, home to a population of approximately 1.5 billion people. The Deputy Chief of Protocol, Christoph Meyenburg, then addressed the guests.
While the visitors had the opportunity to try the culinary delights and teas of the various countries, dancers and singers from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand provided the perfect finishing touch to the evening.