HSH Prince Leopold 13th Duke of Arenberg

13.08.2024

BY ALAN NAZAR IPEKIAN

IN NATURE
In nature, I cannot fail to notice that young animals learn from their parents, be it in this region, on this continent or, for that matter, any. Unlike all creatures great and small, we humans, in the roaring twenties of our own century, seem intent on eschewing the wisdom of the past and charting – whilst blindfolded – a course into the unknown future without guidance. This rudderless approach, doomed to failure, echoes the teachings of George Santayana (1863–1952): Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

The Arenberg Foundation exists in part to combat this misguided head in the sand modus operandi. One aim of this Foundation through its modest endeavours – amongst them prizes – remains to educate in making its vast archives available, and publish to disseminate knowledge; the three volumes listed in the brief bibliography at the end of this article are but a sample.

“Europe of the people” can indeed flourish, and the Arenberg Foundation aims to act as a humble catalyst. That's why it's headquartered near the capital of Europe, Brussels. Motivating the citizenry to get involved, and do their civic duty is at the root of a strong, working democracy. To further encourage independent thinkers, the Foundation makes its holdings available to scholars conducting research whilst emphasising what all Europeans have in common by bringing them together: for example, at classic car rallies, visits to historic properties, conferences, and symposia. To paraphrase the American and British poet T.S. Eliot (1888–1965): to make an end is to make a beginning.

IN THIS POSTMODERN ERA
In this postmodern era we’ve witnessed the failure of the social net in the western world. Moreover, with life expectancy now at almost a hundred coupled with a near nil birth rate, there are no young to provide for the old. In lieu of governments, the individual, having turned his back on both his family as well as the Church, has no other recourse but to beg forgiveness, and hope for a handout.

IN SUMMER
In summer, I hike from Lake Lauenen via the Geltenschuss to the Geltenhütte, and from there to the col du Brochet that marks the border between the Bernese Oberland and Canton Valais: truly spectacular on snow, and sometimes on ice.

IN THE SAANENLAND
In the Saanenland my wife, two sons, daughter, and I remain drawn to both the beautiful landscape as well as the traditional chalet architecture. Having first visited the region as a young boy in 1960, I feel myself truly privileged to enjoy a breathtaking panorama: Wildhorn, Geltenhorn, and Spitzhorn.

As a family, we prefer spring and autumn – nature is at her best, and it’s quieter – admire the way the Saanenland is managed – clean, safe, and efficient – as well as how the local population gets involved in civic activities: the very best guarantee of a vibrant local community.

HSH PRINCE LEOPOLD 13TH DUKE OF ARENBERG

holds a degree in Law from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium and an MBA from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. After a variety of roles in financial institutions on both sides of the Atlantic, The Sovereign Order of Malta appointed him First Secretary in Tchad and thereafter Ambassador in Portugal at its Embassies with no salary but nevertheless responsible for all expenses thereof. In 2010, he founded and remains CEO of the Arenberg Foundation, headquartered in Belgium, which continues to promote History and Culture in Europe. This truly multilingual husband and father of three spends part of the year in the Saanenland and is resident in Switzerland like all the Dukes of Arenberg before him since the dawn of the twentieth century.