VIENNA, Austria, Princess Sophia Wolkonsky, founder and CEO of Castillia, brought together members of royal families, international business leaders, technology executives and esports figures in Vienna from October 30 to November 1 for Castillia’s Heritage Gala 2026, an invitation-only celebration of cultural heritage, innovation and international connections.
Under her leadership, the three-day gathering connected guests from royalty, finance, entrepreneurship, technology, sports and culture across several of Vienna’s historic venues.
Among the attendees were Prince Omar bin Faisal of Jordan, President of the Jordan Esports Federation; Prince Gabriel of Nassau, a member of Luxembourg’s Grand Ducal family; Johann Strobl, former CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International; Vlad Marinescu, President of the International Esports Federation; and Alexandru Stan, CEO of The Next Web (TNW).
Founded and led by Princess Sophia Wolkonsky, Castillia focuses on historic properties, cultural heritage and curated experiences that connect tradition with contemporary international communities. The Vienna Heritage Gala reflected that vision, pairing formal celebrations with conversations about the future of cultural preservation.
The programme, themed The Enchanted Forest, included an opening reception, a Heritage Salon with panel discussions, a formal gala dinner and a farewell brunch. Its central milestone was the launch of AVOR, a new nonprofit cultural initiative.
Esports connects royalty, technology and international leadership
Esports was among the emerging industries attracting interest from participants at the Vienna gathering, although it was not the official focus of the gala.
Prince Omar bin Faisal has played an influential role in esports through his leadership in Jordan and involvement with international esports organizations. Vlad Marinescu, President of the International Esports Federation, also attended, bringing an international perspective on competitive gaming and its institutional development.
Filip Šoć, President of the Alliance of Electronic Sports of Montenegro and founder of Montenegro Future Festival, was also present. Prince Gabriel of Nassau also expressed interest in the sector.
International business leadership
The gathering also included Johann Strobl, former CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International, alongside entrepreneurs and leaders from other sectors. Their presence illustrated the event’s breadth beyond traditional cultural and royal circles.
AVOR launch: a Global Cultural Atlas
The inauguration of AVOR was a central moment of Castillia 2026. According to the official invitation, the international nonprofit initiative is developing a Global Cultural Atlas, with young people documenting the stories and places that shape cultural heritage.
The launch took place on October 30 at Vienna Private Members, Jockey Club, at Palais Esterházy. On October 31, the Heritage Salon was held at Park Hyatt Vienna, followed by the formal Heritage Gala at Palais Pallavicini. The programme concluded on November 1.
A meeting of heritage and modern leadership
The event was held under the patronage of figures including Prince Omar bin Faisal of Jordan, Princess Ratsimamanga Ralandison Fenosoa, Maharani Sahiba Nivritti Kumari Mewar of Udaipur, Duke Michael zu Mecklenburg and Prince Constantin Sturdza.
By bringing historic families, cultural leaders, business executives and figures from emerging industries into the same setting, Princess Sophia Wolkonsky’s Castillia offered a meeting point between the preservation of the past and the opportunities of the future.
Disclosure: TNW CEO Alexandru Stan attended Castillia 2026 as a guest. TNW received no payment for this article, and Castillia did not cover travel or accommodation for our attendance.