Network meeting in Gaal

Excellent alpine pasture enjoyment – and “Hans is watching”

Hostess Isabella Kaltenegger with LH Christopher Drexler and Finance Minister Magnus Brunner in front of a breathtaking backdrop and unimpressed cows(Bild: Christa Blümel)

A special kind of boost on the alpine pasture in Gaal: the "Almgenuss" is a mega network meeting.

Hans Seitinger, God rest his soul, was one of the founders of the "Almfrieden" up on the mountain pasture in Gaal seven years ago - and so at the current gathering, the popular provincial councillor was often remembered with suspiciously shining eyes: "He's looking down on us from above", hostess Isabella Kaltenegger was certain. "It fills me with sadness that Hans is no longer here," said former Governor Hermann Schützenhöfer.

From left: former Governor Hermann Schützenhöfer, Valentina and Josef Herk (WKO) and Spar boss Christoph Holzer celebrated the pleasure.(Bild: Christa Blümel)

But the "Almfrieden" was back this year, the clearly black-colored network meeting became an excellent "Almgenuss" with a focus on regional cuisine. And hostess Isabella Kaltenegger took this seriously. She served deer that she herself had shot in the woods, fish from clear streams, eggs from happy free-range chickens and cheese from equally happy cows.

Gerhard Christiner (CEO of Austrian Power Grid), Oliver Kröpfl (CEO of Steiermärkische Sparkasse), Achim Kaspar (CEO of Verbund -Gesellschaft, Isabella Kaltenegger with specialties.(Bild: Christa Blümel)

They watched the unusual alpine pasture drive with imperturbable calm and were not shaken by the celebrities as they ruminated. For the excellent sourdough bread, Kaltenegger's daughter Vicky even took to the oven herself - and turned night into day for the magnificent loaves. Star distiller Hans Reisetbauer arrived with schnapps, but Schützenhöfer could not be persuaded to have a "Buderl", i.e. a triple.

Maria Pein and Franz Titschenbacher (Chamber of Agriculture bosses) and LR Barbara Eibinger-Miedl (from left)(Bild: Thomas Mlakar)

Mama Kaltenegger: "Even in my youth, we celebrated legendary parties in the Rauchkuchl on our alpine pasture."(Bild: Thomas Mlakar)

(Bild: Thomas Mlakar)

High-profile guests from the world of politics, including LH Christopher Drexler - with Magnus Brunner and Martin Polaschek, two ministers - and Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, State Councillor for Tourism, enjoyed the alpine pastures. Plus guests from business, culture, medicine and the armed forces.

Wolfgang Köle (Medical Director LKH), military commander Heinz Zöllner, university professor Günther Laufer (cardiac surgery), psychiatrist Michael Lehofer (from left) in the legendary Rauchkuchl(Bild: Christa Blümel)

 And Franz Tonner, who came home "early" from his own 60th birthday party, met up with familiar faces from the farming community.