2023-11-12 14:08:40
LH Mikl-Leitner: “Volunteering is a great role model”
St. Pölten (OTS/NLK) – The fifth Lower Austrian Volunteer Fair will take place this Sunday in the country house and on the outdoor area. Organized by the “Kultur.Region.Niederösterreich”, over 50 organizations provide insights into their activities and invite those interested to get actively involved.
“Today is simply a beautiful day because it is dedicated to volunteer work. “Deliberately this weekend, shortly before November 15th, when we celebrate the state holiday,” said State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner at the opening ceremony in the state parliament hall. Because the patron saint, Saint Leopold, is a great role model and mentor when it comes to togetherness. “This is particularly needed in challenging times, when there is war in Ukraine and Israel, where there is a lot of aggressiveness at home. I think volunteering is a great role model because the volunteers show how we can support others,” the state governor expressed appreciation and respect and said: “The volunteers are the lifeline in our communities and a great role model. Because it’s not regarding the money for them, it’s a very satisfying and joyful story when you help others.”
“Volunteering has its value and makes our lives more beautiful and worth living. You can just feel that,” emphasized Mikl-Leitner and said that it was “a joy to walk through here today and see the key people responsible for the love and enthusiasm with which they work day following day.” She is proud that there are over 20,000 clubs in Lower Austria and almost every second person does volunteer work. “But we also feel that a lot of things are changing when it comes to volunteering. That’s why we have to act and react with our ‘Culture.Region Lower Austria’ and the ‘Volunteer Service’, which is regarding motivating people to continue to get involved and be there for others,” said the state governor.
Relief organization Lower Austria President Michaela Hinterholzer emphasized that “volunteering has always had a special significance at the relief organization. The aid organization was founded as a voluntary institution.” Over the past 45 years, it has developed further and today, in addition to a wide range of voluntary services, it also offers many full-time services. “Nevertheless, volunteering is very important,” for example with meals on wheels, visiting services or reading sponsorships for children. Museum Management Lower Austria managing director Ulrike Vitovec emphasized that “there are around 15,000 volunteers in the museum sector in Lower Austria who work in and around museums.” The repertoire ranges from exhibitions to guided tours, events and the maintenance of small and field monuments. People “across all generations are getting involved,” she said. Lower Austria Football Association President Johann Gartner added that not only club sports, but also school sports benefit from volunteer work. “The 500 football clubs in Lower Austria can only work because so many are committed to volunteer work,” he explained. At the same time, he thanked the relatives of the volunteers for the many private hardships that come with volunteer work.
In addition to representatives of the voluntary organizations, State Councilor Ludwig Schleritzko, State Councilor Susanne Rosenkranz, many members of the state parliament, state office director Werner Trock and representatives of the media and public life also took part in the opening ceremony. Daniela Faschingleitner enriched the opening musically with singing together. “Marty [PI]“, finalist in the songwriter competition sang his song “Red Moon”. The opening was moderated by Martin Lammerhuber, managing director of Kultur.Region.Niederösterreich.
After the Radio Niederösterreich Frühschoppen in the Ostarrichisaal, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner invited people to the open day in her office. Among other things, she referred to the crystal chandelier that still comes from Leopold Figl’s office, as well as two works of art that can be seen in her office: a work by the artist Hermann Nitsch and another by the Gugging Art Brut artist Heinrich Reisenbauer . She informed the visitors regarding her work as state governor and gave an overview of the St. Pölten government district. The youngest guests were finally allowed to sit in the governor’s office chair and take a souvenir photo.
Diocesan Bishop Alois Schwarz celebrated a Holy Mass in the country house chapel early in the morning. In addition to workshops with Lower Austria’s biggest influencer Marvin Hicks and lectures – including an interactive one with Philipp Jelinek, known from the daily TV exercise unit “Fit with Philipp” – the volunteer fair is rounded off by the “Open Doors” in the Lower Austria Museum, the state archive , the state library, the festival hall, in the State Parliament Forum and at ORF Lower Austria.
Questions & Contact:
Office of the Lower Austrian State Government
State Office Directorate/Public Relations
Philipp Hebenstreit
02742/9005-13632
presse@noel.gv.at
www.noe.gv.at/presse
1699819513
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