Fernando Espinosa (Alumnus 1994)

I was always fascinated by Austria and its culture, particularly by the legacy of the legal philosopher Hans Kelsen (a lecturer himself at the Strobl Sommerhochschule), the work of Karl Popper, Wittgenstein and the Viennese “Fin de siècle”. That is why I applied to the 1994 course from which, I still have very fond memories. I vividly remember the lectures of Professor Dr. Karl Vocelka, Dr. Martina Sitt and the excursions to the Salzburg Festivals (we were lucky to attend the concerts of Alfred Brendel and Jewgenij Kissin). However, what I treasure the most are the live conversations that spontaneously developed among very diverse students during a time in which Europe was experiencing very profound political transformations and an ongoing war in Bosnia. We had participants of very young nations and even of the countries in conflict who shared the same classrooms and had similar dreams for a better future.

Eventually, my stay at the Sommerhochschule inspired me to apply to the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna and shaped my career as a diplomat. This year I took my family to Strobl for a summer holiday so I could share with my wife and my son the wonderful landscapes and memories.

I sincerely extend my best wishes to the Sommerhochschule for its first 60 years and do hope that in a time of major world challenges and transformations, this institution will continue being a wonderful bridge between cultures.

Ambassador Fernando Espinosa, Strobl Alumnus 1994
Geneva, Switzerland 2024