ABS News December 2024

Editorial
Presidential Message
Looking Back: November 2024
Final ABS Event 2024
ABS Blog: Labour In Downing Street
Shopping Tip: House of Scotland
The Last Page

Dear Members and Friends of the ABS,

Just a few more weeks, and we will experience an annual ritual once again: our fingers tap too quickly, our hands guide the fountain pen in the usual way – and suddenly, the date "2024" is printed or written, even though 2025 has already begun. It takes a few weeks for each of us to adjust to the new year. And just when we feel we have settled into it, the year is already over. Some claim that the older we get, the faster time seems to pass.

But time itself does not pass – humanity invented time to measure how we pass through it. As the year draws to a close, it is a fitting moment to reflect: What will endure from our efforts and activities this year into the future?

As ABS Board members, we have the great privilege of knowing that our endeavors have created many fond memories for you – from the enjoyment of high-quality ABS Events to the knowledge gained from distinguished speakers, insightful ABS Policy Papers, and engaging ABS Blog topics. Moreover, we have nurtured friendships that continue to thrive, many of which were formed through the ABS and are strengthened by our shared interests.

All of you, our esteemed ABS Members, bring joy and enrichment to our lives through your enthusiastic participation in events and the positive feedback you provide about all of your services. For this, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. We hope you will enjoy the final month of 2024 in a meaningful and delightful way.

Warm regards,

Yours Jochen Ressel,

ABS Secretary General & ABS News Editor-in-Chief

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

“Burn old logs. Drink old wine. Read old books. Keep old friends.”

Alfonso X of Spain, known as “The Wise”, lived by this maxim, or so Nassim Nicholas Taleb - renowned financial mathematician, philosopher, and prolific author from Lebanon - quotes in his most recent yet already “old” book from 2018, "Skin in the Game" (German title: "Das Risiko und sein Preis").

I have gleaned much wisdom and many insightful observations from this “old” work. One analysis in particular captured my imagination: the answer to one of the age-old fundamental questions. Who judges the experts? Who watches the watchers? Who holds the judges accountable? Who evaluates financial success? Who confers fame and honour?

The answer is: time and survival. Things that have endured for a long time signal to us, retrospectively, that they possess a certain robustness and formula for success. Over the long term, reality reveals the true nature of success and failure, fame and recognition, right and wrong. It is possible for things to endure for a while without an apparent reason, but time always serves as the ultimate corrective. What lasts is usually good.

This brings me full circle to the ABS, which is now in its 15th year. Time and survival will ultimately judge the success and usefulness of our honourable society. We gladly subject ourselves to this inherently objective assessment.

Returning briefly to Alfonso X of Spain and his quoted maxim, I suspect - though I cannot say for certain - that the four activities are not meant to be understood as equal but rather as rising in priority. At least, that is the interpretation I take away for myself.

Best wishes,

Prof KR Dr Kurt Tiroch
ABS President

LOOKING BACK: NOVEMBER 2024

Fashion Month November

November 2024 turned into a themed month focused on fashion and style – not by design but serendipitously. Check out the ABS Event reports and photos from 'ABS Fashion Month November 2024' at the following links:

FINAL ABS EVENT 2024

It's Coming To The End Of The Year

This year has flown by, but it has been brimming with high-quality ABS Events. By the end of the year, we will have hosted 28 events, including a 10-day ABS Members' trip to Costa Rica (December 4–12, 2024). Do you know of any other society offering such a comprehensive program for its members? We believe it would be hard – if not impossible – to find one!

To close the ABS Event year in style, we invite you to:

Labour In Downing Street

In our last issue of ABS News, we shared an essay on Sir Keir Starmer’s first 100 days as Prime Minister. To complement this, Prof. Melanie Sully, political scientist and ABS Board member, has recently published an insightful ABS Blog article titled Labour in Downing Street. You can read it here:

House of Scotland, Seilergasse 12, Vienna

For those who value quality, style, and functionality, this is the address for you. Since 1987, we have been offering an array of unique tweeds and wool knitwear from Scotland, Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Peter Bichler, Justin Dolan (Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland), Ines Bogensperger and the team from Jack Murphy Ireland.

As wool specialists, particularly when it comes to Harris Tweed, we run a shop in the centre of Vienna during autumn and winter. Hence, we are there for you as our customers when you need us. This season, find us at Seilergasse 12 – ready to meet your needs.

House of Scotland is closely associated with its founder Peter Bichler. It is thanks to his love and very close personal connection to Scotland that he launched House of Scotland. He also shares his great enthusiasm for historical textiles and textile art with Ines Bogensperger. Her background is in textile archaeology and textile history. As a long-standing employee, Ines is now at the forefront, sharing her passion with you with great joy and knowledge

We look forward to welcoming you and inspiring you!