This year's Picnic was special for a combination of three anniversaries: the 40th anniversary of the Picnic, the 45th anniversary of the foundation of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft, and the 80th anniversary of the state of Burgenland. 

The very first Picnic was held in 1961, on the premises of Güssing castle, to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Burgenland. At the time nobody may have guessed that 40 years on there would still be an annual gathering of expatriate Burgenländers, but we are pleased to report that also in 2001 many an expatriate Burgenländer came to Moschendorf to meet up with friends and family and other expatriates as well. 

Apart from these three anniversaries, this year's Picnic was marked by three "firsts": (i) For the first time, we could welcome both the Governor and the Deputy Governor of Burgenland to the Picnic. Neither of them had incidentally been to the Picnic before as they are both fairly new in their office. (ii) Also for the first time the resident "Miss Burgenland" (Michaela Käfer from Oberwart) appeared together with her American counterpart, Susi Legath from the "Ersten Krankenunterstützungsverein New York." (iii) Last but not least and likewise a first, the President of the Burgenland Bunch, Gerald Berghold, attended the Picnic. 

At the day of the BG Picnic, there was also a gathering of expatriates in the U.S.A., in Northampton, PA, the partner city of Stegersbach. Burgenländers from South Africa and Switzerland had sent short welcome addresses. 

The representatives of the Burgenländer Vereine attending the picnic briefly addressed the visitors gathered in Moschendorf: Irene Dömötör from the Burgenländer-Club Toronto, Rudi Drauch and charming Susi Legath from the Erste Krankenunterstützungsverein in New York. Governor Niessl and Deputy Governor Steindl praised the Burgenländers abroad in their speeches. The Governor incidentally announced plans to visit the Burgenländer communities in Northern America next year.

A special highlight was the presentation of two awards to the praiseworthy, dedicated Gerald Berghold for the establishment of the Burgenland Bunch, which is reaching out to second and third-generation Burgenland-Americans. The Burgenland Bunch has built a bridge across generations and between the Burgenland in the Old country and the other Burgenland overseas. The Internet newsletter that Gerald Berghold publishes is a rich source of information about the Burgenland, and the members of the Burgenland Bunch are true friends of the Burgenland in America - a powerful and most valuable group of friends. 

In recognition of his achievements, Gerald Berghold was presented at the Picnic with an honorary membership of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft and with an honorary award of the state of Burgenland. Moved by this gesture, he expressed his thanks paraphrasing J.F. Kennedy: "Ich bin ein Burgenländer!" 

The gettogether continued with songs and dances and lasted well into the evening. Two days after the Picnic a Heuriger in Glasing brought together the staff of the Burgenländische Gemeinschaft with representatives of the Burgenländer-Vereine in America. In honor of the ruling American Miss Burgenland, a wine was baptized "Susi." A cheerful evening ended with the singing of old songs. 

In the past, most expatriates used to come and visit in the peak of summer, which gave them the chance to attend the BG Picnic. These days we have visitors throughout the year, which has given rise to a series of mini-picnics alongside the BG Picnic, the biggest and most important gettogether of expatriates. 

Please note that next year's gettogether of expatriate Burgenländers has been scheduled for 
July 14, 2002 (Sunday).