Sunday. This morning we enjoyed the Festliche Eröffnung, the Convocation of the AIMS program which is celebrating its 39th year in Graz. The Convocation took place in the Aula of the Karl-Franzens-Universität. There were the de rigeur speeches (mercifully short) by the Rector of the university, the Director of Aims, a Representative from the Styrian Assembly and an attaché from the American embassy. Between all that we heard the orchestra playing the first movement of Händel's "Watermusic", a Suite from "Daphnis and Chloe" by Ravel and, at the very end of the program, the "Donner and Blitzen Polka" of Johann Strauss. The chorus sang "Von hohem Dachstein", a Styrian folk-song, as well as the American and Austrian national anthems. It was a lovely program. Looming over the orchestra in imposing splendor is a statue of his Majesty Emperor Franz I. I assume they named the university after him. Some people are not content with just a plaque.
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