Austria 23 April: Cankova/Klöch - Graz

Welcome to Austria!

Good bye Slovenia, welcome to Austria! It was time so say farewell to Slovenia. Again a big Thank You for all the hospitality. We really enjoyed our stay!
The mayor of Cankova, our old friend, carried the torch to the border between Slovenia and Austria. The border is actually only a small bridge, but for seven years the two neighbouring communities meet there once a year to celebrate Peace and Harmony.

The passing of the torch from Slovenia to Austria. The two mayors are alrady good friends.

A plaque marks the dedication of the "Sri Chinmoy Peace Bridge" between Austria and Slovenia.

The first steps into Austria...

...and we reached Bad Gleichenberg.

Children from the primary school and "Neue Mittelschule" gathered on the square.

A musical welcome...

Peace can be felt in the heart...

The mayor welcomed the team and received the torch...

...all the kids passed the torch...

...another song...

Thank you Bad Gleichenberg for the warm welcome!

Feldbach was next. The children of the primary school lined up for high five...

Thank you for the nice meeting!

We left Feldbach and went straight on to Gleisdorf.

Another enthusiastic welcome!

Our presentation was warmly received...

The mayor received us with kind words...

The kids were eager to pass the torch...

...the stamps were highly appreciated...

Certificates for everybody!

Thank you Gleisdorf for the enthusiasm!

A short dynamic run accross the schoolyard...

...we reached Nestelbach...

Kids who attended the afternoon-school awaited us...

The mayor welcomed us...

Kids need to run! We ran 3-times around the sport field...

Thank you Nestelbach for the meeting!

What's going on here?

Our last meeting: Hart near Graz. A group of children welcomed us and carried the torch into the meeting...

The mayor received the runners...

...some family pictures...

The kids sang for us...

...and ran with us further until Graz...

Thank you Hart for the heartfelt meeting!

Reported by Dipavajan Renner
Photos by Dipavajan Renner, Irena Majerova
Torch carried by Adam Studenik (SK), Andrea Karl-Schurian (AT), Cindy Schmidt (DE), Claudia Tobias Rosales (GT), Dipavajan Renner (AT), Elisa Tobias Rosales (GT), Emanuel Tomas (HR), Gottfried Karl (AT), Irena Majerova (CZ), Josef Stockinger (AT), Mirsada Iljazovic (AT), Namitabha Arsic (RS), Rachel Pina (PT), Sandra Aurenhammer (AT), Smarana Puntigam (AT).
The torch has travelled 83.0 km from Cankova/Klöch to Graz.
Austria 23 April
Cankova/Klöch - Graz
United States 23 April
Washington D.C.