The end of the pandemic did not bring the much-anticipated recovery. Instead, the war in Ukraine has shattered expectations for a peaceful and prosperous future, marking a definitive end to the post-war order in Europe. In these times of fracture, we are reminded that history is not a linear path, but a recurring tide of challenge and resilience.
For our family, this truth is a lived inheritance. Since the 11th century, through the tumults of crusades, Reformation, wars, and the upheavals of the modern era, we have carried a tradition of sanctuary and stewardship. Our history has been marked by profound loss and quiet regeneration. The 20th century alone claimed seven of our own to revolution, war, and persecution—a pain etched into our memory, which forged our unwavering stand against totalitarianism and destructive nationalism.
The current calamity, which affects us all, resonates with these echoes of the past. To meet it, we draw strength from a simple, enduring principle: our shared humanity. We choose to open our hearts to all, but especially to those now displaced, lost, and alone—irrespective of origin, creed, or belief.
In sharing our story and the values we have cherished for generations, we hope you will find, as we do, a wellspring of quiet strength. It is a reminder that while empires and orders may fall, the duty to preserve, to welcome, and to endure is a legacy that can never be taken away.