Now, what are the Grandhouse Club’s objectives? Very simply: monthly lunches, where we can relax, make friends and learn something. Most of us live under some degree of stress: too many e-mails, too many deadlines, too many working hours. Therefore weekends and holidays are sacrosanct. But our daily work needs also periods of rest. May these monthly lunches help fulfill such a need!

This Club is not based on nationality, on religion, on business sectors, on gender, on charity, wealth or age. We welcome members, who have an impeccable reputation and who appreciate a relaxed lunch where something could be learned. Nothing fancy as of now, but of course one never knows what the future will bring.

Why the name „Grandhouse”? Let me give you a personal and a more objective reason. Personal one is the following. I lived for nearly 20 years in Asia, where I had two small companies, one in Singapore and one in Hong Kong; they were called Grandhouse and they brought me lots of luck. But the notion of luck entails more in Asia than it does in the West. In Asia, „luck” is considered to be partly created by those, who were lucky. And I think that we members of this Club will make Grandhouse a lucky organisation.

The more objective reason is this. In my view, the world is a Grand House, but often misused by the human inhabitants. In a smaller context, I consider Hungary a beautiful country (and during my 6.000 km biking tour, I have seen much of it); politics may spoil it partly, but the country is magnificant, a true Grand House. Even smaller, take all these beautiful buildings in Budapest and other cities in Hungary; outside and inside you see the glorious past and wish part of that to come back. This Duna Palota is a good example of these buildings. And..... in an abstract way, our Club will also be a Grand House, constructed by the members for their own pleasure and learning.

In Hungary we like symbolism and Coats of Arms. Therefore I asked an old Dutch friend of my own young age, if he could help: Ferenc Postma (yes, Ferenc, because his Mother was Hungarian), professor Theology and Classicist. His response was: „Gaudete et Discite” – or in English: Enjoy and Learn. May I therefore suggest that we stand up few seconds, raise our glasses to wish each other „Gaudete et Discite”.

Date of Speech: 10 April 2012

By: Dr. Albert Royaards