European Cultural Initiative Founded under Habsburg Patronage

European Cultural Initiative Founded under Habsburg Patronage
Dresden, 7 March 2026

Under the patronage of Prince Leo von Hohenberg, great-grandson of the Austrian heir apparent Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este, founders from six European countries have established the "Support Association for the U-Turn for Europe Foundation" in Dresden. The association is currently undergoing registration proceedings with the Register of Associations and is intended to form the long-term foundation for a European cultural foundation.

Europe in a Crisis of Orientation – Culture as the Answer

Behind the founding stands a clear diagnosis: Europe finds itself not only in a political or economic crisis but above all in a cultural and intellectual crisis of orientation. The U-Turn for Europe initiative aims to counteract this, through the promotion of European culture, cultural education, and the preservation of the continent's historical and intellectual heritage.

"Political debates frequently remain superficial. Without awareness of Europe's cultural and moral foundations, any responsible shaping of our continent lacks the necessary depth," says Stefan Korte, initiator and association chairman.

Prominent Founders, European Foundation

That a project concerning Europe's cultural future must also rest on a genuine European foundation was a central concern for Korte from the outset. The seven founding members come from six different European countries – a deliberate signal.

Prince Leo von Hohenberg assumes not only the patronage but also the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees, which is to accompany the cultural and strategic orientation of the initiative. His willingness to participate lends the project a historical dimension: the House of Habsburg is historically closely linked to the political and cultural history of Central Europe.

General (ret.) Valdas Tutkus, former Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and one of the defining military figures of modern Lithuania, was elected deputy association chairman. Tutkus brings extensive international experience in security and strategic policy matters.

"Europe is more than a political or economic project. It is a historically evolved cultural space and we must engage with its intellectual foundations if we wish to speak seriously about its future," states Korte.

Cultural Re-rooting of Europe

In terms of content, U-Turn for Europe advocates for a cultural re-rooting of Europe. Central to this is the heritage of Christian Western civilisation, which has shaped fundamental European values such as human dignity, freedom, responsibility, and civic spirit over centuries and, in the initiators' conviction, must be brought back more strongly into public consciousness.

In addition to concrete cultural projects and educational initiatives, the initiative plans to establish a European think tank that will develop analyses, studies, and public debates on questions of European culture, identity, and geopolitical developments in the long term.

First Conference in Vienna in April

The initiative will set its first public signal on 11 and 12 April 2026: the first U-Turn for Europe Values Conference will take place in Vienna, to which prominent figures from culture, academia, and public life from across Europe are expected.

The association expressly understands itself as a non-partisan and charitable initiative with the aim of building a European network and initiating cultural projects and intellectual debates on Europe's future in the long term.

Further information: www.uturnforeurope.com
Press contact: Stefan Korte
+49 176 620 903 07
[email protected]