On the occasion of the Austrian Skål Day 2025, held at the elegant Hotel Sailer in Innsbruck, members and friends of Skål International gathered to celebrate a remarkable moment in the history of Austrian and European Skål: the conferring of the Skål Tourism Quality Award 2025 to Professor Mario Rehulka, Honorary President of Skål International Club Vienna & Austria and Membre d’Honneur.
The gala event was marked by heartfelt speeches, international participation, and a unique Tyrolean cultural touch that made the evening both festive and profound.
Honoring a Life Dedicated to Skål Values
Dr. Franz Heffeter, President of Skål International Europe, delivered a moving laudatio, emphasizing Professor Rehulka’s decades-long contribution to the Skål community. He particularly highlighted his continuous commitment to bringing to life the core Skål values of Friendship and Doing Business Among Friends, values that Prof. Rehulka embodied throughout his distinguished career.
Adding a personal and memorable note, Birger Bäckmann, former World President of Skål International, presented a symbolic gift to Professor Rehulka: a shot glass with three cups—a keepsake recalling their first encounter at a Skål World Congress in Finland many years ago.
A Celebration of Community and Culture
The formal presentation of the award included the handing over of a special honorary Skål certificate and a sculpture, jointly presented by Sylvia Liebisch, President of Skål International Austria, and Dr. Franz Heffeter.
To crown the evening, the festive atmosphere was enhanced by a performance from the “Sistinger Plattler”, a traditional Tyrolean artist group, invited by Klaus Cincelli, President of Skål International Tyrol. Their dynamic and culturally rich program added a distinctly local flavor, connecting Austrian heritage with the international spirit of Skål.
A Night to Remember
The Austrian Skål Day 2025 will be remembered not only for the honor bestowed upon one of Skål’s most respected figures, but also for the warmth, unity, and cultural pride it showcased. It was a true celebration of the values that bind the global Skål community and a fitting tribute to Prof. Mario Rehulka, whose legacy continues to inspire across borders.
