The European community of historic guilds has accepted the President of the State Parliament, André Kuper, into its Knighthood of Holy Sebastian in Europe. In Rome, he was knighted by Grand Master S.k.u.k.H. Archduke of Habsburg-Lorraine during a service celebrated by the Archbishop of Berlin, Dr Heiner Koch. The President of the State Parliament received the insignia of an officer. The Knighthood accepts committed shooters who, on the basis of Christian values, are particularly committed to Europe and democracy. Its approximately 900 members, 500 of whom are in Germany, include representatives of the Church, statesmen, politicians and people who volunteer for Europe. Based on the tradition of marksmanship, the Knighthood is committed to European unity, cross-border understanding and humanity. It comprises ten nations: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Austria, Croatia and Germany. André Kuper: “Shooters shape our culture in North Rhine-Westphalia and the regions of Europe. They preserve history and traditions and hold communities together across generations. Promoting unity in diversity is our task in Europe, together with our commitment to peace, freedom and democracy. The Sebastianus Knighthood carries traditional values into the modern age and is committed to democratic coexistence and voluntary work.” Last year, the Community of European Shooters awarded André Kuper the Golden Cross of Merit, the association’s highest honour, in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament for his services to shooting and voluntary work. He has been a member of the St. Hubertus Schützengilde Rietberg for more than 40 years and, as mayor of the town of Rietberg, organised the former Federal Queen’s Day with his local marksmen. As President of the State Parliament, he represented the state at several European marksmen’s meetings and not only has an open ear for all concerns, but also actively works to find solutions. Last year, André Kuper welcomed more than 1,000 shooters to the state parliament to honour their voluntary work for customs and social cohesion. Horst Thoren, Vice President of the EGS and Subprior of the Knighthood, emphasises: ‘Our community is committed to peace and freedom. The knightly virtues are our mission and obligation to strengthen democracy and promote cohesion.’ General Secretary Peter-Olaf Hoffmann, Chancellor of the Knighthood, joins Subprior Horst Thoren in praising the new officer André Kuper ‘as a committed European who lives his faith by serving the community’.