Vienna International Culture Guide
Find the best cultural and inter-cultural activities in Vienna and Austria
Van der Bellen in Italy: "The Pandemic Can be Considered Overcome"
On his visit to Rome and the Vatican, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella are optimistic that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, can be considered overcome.
June 8, 2021
Vienna and Israel Deepen Friendship
The City of Vienna proofs once again that it cherishes its Jewish Community and its good relations with Israel. For this sake, Mayor Michael Ludwig and Ambassador Mordechal Rodgold came together to set an example for fa deepening friendship.
May 26, 2021
Vienna Embassies Show Solidarity on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
Several Vienna Embassies marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT 2021) by expressing solidarity in a common statement. The French Embassy in Vienna released a video drawing particular attention to sexual discrimination in sports.
May 18, 2021 · Updated: May 18, 2021; 22:55
Jewish Museum Vienna Opens "Yevgeny Khaldei. The Photographer of the Liberation"
In a new exhibition, the Jewish Museum Vienna highlights the photographs by Yevgeny Khaldei, a war photographer of the Soviet Union. One of Kahldei's most famous shots is the official liberation photo of Vienna from the Soviet point of view.
May 12, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: What Will the Rules Be for the New Normal as of May 19?
Today, the new rules for the planned opening from May 19 were presented. The curfew restriction will be dropped. There will be far-reaching relaxations in the areas of catering, hotels, closed sports venues, cultural facilities and recreational businesses. These will be accompanied by security measures such as access tests, hygiene and distance measures, capacity restrictions and mandatory registration of guests.
May 10, 2021
Vienna Also Opens on May 19.
Finally, Vienna has also officially confirmed that the long-awaited opening will take place on May 19. The planned relaxations also bring further steps towards normality in the retail sector. You can find out exactly what this means below.
May 6, 2021
Lockdown Ends: Austria to Open Up on May 19
The Austrian government has announced openings beginning May 19. Most establishments closed due to the Corona pandemic will be allowed to reopen. These include restaurants, cultural and event venues, lodging establishments, schools, gyms and sports facilities. The key points of the announced opening steps at a glance.
May 4, 2021
Lockdown Ends in Vienna and Lower Austria: What's Permitted Now
On Monday, the hard lockdown finally came to an end in Vienna and Lower Austria. With the end of the hard lockdown, stores and body-related service providers, museums, zoos and other leisure businesses are allowed to reopen. What residents of Vienna and Lower Austria are now allowed to do again, read below.
May 3, 2021
Austria's Museums Welcome Guests with Special Offer
Austria's Federal Museums are going strong into the summer. After various lockdowns in the recent months, the museums have announced to once again issue a Federal Museums Card campaign. More information about how it works and the prices can be found below.
May 3, 2021
Why Austria Is NOT One of the Best Countries in the World
Why a top "Quality of Life" rating is not enough to rank among the "best" countries in the world, and why expat destinations like Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia and even Switzerland are uncatchable ahead of Austria.
April 30, 2021
Austro-American Society Hosts the Night After the Oscars Night
Themed "After Oscar Night", the Austro-American Society (Österreichisch-Amerikanische Gesellschaft) extends an invitation to a discussion on the role of film, music and media as drivers of culture and society.
April 26, 2021
Viennese Theater Productions Premiere in Japan
The Viennese theater productions "Mozart!" and "Elisabeth" premiere in Japan despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The two musicals will be staged numerous times in various cities in Japan and show the interest of the Japanese population in Austrian theater productions.
April 22, 2021
Austria Implements Funding for Ethnic Group Media
After the increase of funding for ethnic groups in Austria in general about half a year ago, Susanne Raab, the Minister of the Chancellery responsible for ethnic group affairs, has now announced a separate budget for ethnic group media, which can be applied for in the near future.
April 20, 2021
International Romani Day: Austria Raises Awareness
On the occasion of the 50-year anniversary of the first meeting of the Romani Union, Austria's Parliament under the lead of National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka held a virtual event, which commemorated antiziganist acts in the past and highlighted the importance of inclusion and safeguarding the Romani population.
April 12, 2021
"Fixing the Future": Austria's Foreign Ministry Searches For Innovative Ideas
Together with the cultural broadcaster Ö1, Austria's Foreign Ministry and its network of Austrian representations abroad is searching for innovative ideas that could solve global problems. The possible admissions can relate to various contexts, among them are problems in technology, environment, business, and social issues.
April 9, 2021
Ladder to Heaven Shines on Top of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna
An art installation by Billi Thanner will shine from the top of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna starting on Easter Sunday. The "Ladder to Heaven" stands for "the ascent and descent between heaven and earth" and will shine every night until May 31.
April 2, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Lower Austria and Burgenland Extend Easter Lockdown
The "Easter rest" has now also been extended in the provinces Lower Austria and Burgenland until April 11. After Vienna, the two provinces have decided to prolong the lockdown until a week after Easter. The applicable rules for the eastern region of Austria include a 24 hour curfew, closure of the retail sector as well as closure of body-related services and cultural institutions.
April 1, 2021
Jewish Museum Vienna Acquires Hedy Lamarr Archive
The Jewish Museum Vienna has successfully acquired the estate of Vienna-born Hollywood actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr. The archive includes photographs, personal letters, documents and particularly valuable hand drawings of torpedo defense, which are considered as precursor to Bluetooth. The archive will be exhibited in a separate location in Vienna in the future.
March 22, 2021
Vorarlberg Eases Lockdown on March 15
The model region Vorarlberg will start the easing of its lockdown on March 15. Opening steps as announced by the Austrian Health Minister and Vorarlberg's Governor include the sectors of restaurants, youth sports, events and self-help groups. The whole project will be accompanied scientifically.
March 10, 2021
City of Vienna Will Offer 40-Day Long Festival
The City of Vienna has announced that it will organize the so-called "Kultursommer Wien", a cultural event that will comprise 1,000 performances on 40 different stages through 40 days. Mayor Michael Ludwig wants to "provide perspectives that are good for the heart, brain and soul" during the Covid-19 pandemic.
March 10, 2021
King Abdullah Center Will Officially Leave Vienna
The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) will officially leave Austria. After rumours of a possible reallocation, the Secretary General of KAICIID Faisal bin Muaammar has now announced that the Center is looking for a new location.
March 8, 2021
British Speaker of House of Commons Meets Sobotka
The Speaker of the House of Commons in the British Parliament, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, met virtually with his Austrian counterpart, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka, to discuss the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic as well as other issues. The two politicians exchanged views and ideas on parliamentary security and the fight against anti-Semitism.
March 3, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Slight Easing of Regulations
The Austrian government has announced some new regulations with regard to the Covid-19 situation in Austria. The province of Vorarlberg will be facing relaxations of the current regulations as early as March 15, while the rest of the country will need to wait until the end of March and April for the opening of gastronomy and the cultural sector.
March 2, 2021
Austria's Culture Sector Met With German Scientists to Discuss Opening Steps
Austria's State Secretary for the Arts and Culture Andrea Mayer and other representatives of the arts industry met with the authors of two German studies which concluded "that the risk of infection in the theater, cinema, opera or concert hall is a calculable one".
March 1, 2021
Jewish Museum Vienna Opens "Herzls Töchter - 100 years WIZO. Viennese Women for Israel"
In a new exhibition, the Jewish Museum Vienna highlights the past 100 years of the Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO) with particular spotlight on the movement in Vienna. Ambassador of Israel to Austria H.E. Mr. Mordechai D. Rodgold together with WIZO president Karin Maier-Winter, and Director of the Museum Danielle Spera.
February 24, 2021 · Updated: February 26, 2021; 20:45
WKO President Mahrer Demands Tourism Opening in March
At the so-called "opening summit" initiated by Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO), the president of the WKO Harald Mahrer and other representatives of the affected businesses demand to open up the tourism and leisure industry. The currently successful model of entry tests for body-related services could be expanded to these industries as well, Mahrer emphasized.
February 26, 2021
Edtstadler in Berlin: Demand for Unified European Approach Against Pandemic
Some of Germany's top politicians met with Austria's Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler in Berlin in order to discuss the joint fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and strategies against anti-Semitism. All the exchanges led to the conclusion that it is paramount to create unified approaches for testing and vaccines.
February 22, 2021
Swedish and Austrian Integration Minister Discuss Political Islam
The Swedish Minister of Justice and Integration Morgan Johansson and his Austrian counterpart Susanne Raab met virutally to discuss the topics of extremism and political Islam. After the terror attack in Vienna in November 2020, Austria's Integration Minister has met several responsible minister from other countries in order to exchange views on possible counter-measures.
February 17, 2021
WKO: Austria Needs to End Lockdown in March
After the recent announcement of Austria's federal government to have restaurants, hotels and the cultural sector closed until Easter, the heads of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) demand opening steps for March. They emphasize that all the current tools, such as mass testing, entry tests and stricter distance rules, would allow a safe gradual opening of the currently closed sectors.
February 16, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Hotels And Restaurants Closed Until Easter
After easing the latest lockdown for the retail sector and schools in Austria on February 8, the opening of restaurants and the cultural and tourism sector was heavily discussed. However, Austria's government has announced that hotels, restaurants, cultural establishments and recreational facilities will remain closed until further notice.
February 15, 2021
From Which Countries Do Most of the Foreigners in Vienna and Austria Come?
Vienna currently has 1.92 million inhabitants of whom 31.5% percent are foreign nationals. Austria-wide, there are 8,933,346 people of whom 17.1% are foreign nationals. Below you can see, among other data, the largest foreign nationalities.
February 14, 2021
Austrian Museums Highlight UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Austria's Ministry of Arts and Culture together with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Austria have presented the project "17 Museums x 17 SDGs - Sustainable Development Goals", which will focus on 17 Austrian museums each focusing on one of the SDGs developed by the United Nations.
February 11, 2021
Olga Neuwirth Receives Wolf Prize 2021
The Austrian composer Olga Neuwirth has received the Wolf Prize 2021 in Music. The composer can now compare herself with other laureates of the prize such as Paul McCartney, Placido Domingo, and Stevie Wonder. Andrea Mayer, Austria's State Secretary for the Arts and Culture, congratulates Neuwirth on the prize and on "being able to successfully assert herself in the male-dominated world of music."
February 10, 2021
Coronavirus in Austria: What Are the New Rules?
As of February 8, the Austrian COVID-19 measures have been relaxed again. The exit restrictions apply again only from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. However, there are still contact restrictions. Retailers, schools and museums are allowed to open again, although only under stricter conditions. Body-related service providers such as hairdressers are also allowed to offer their services again, but only on presentation of a negative PCR or antigen test result.
February 9, 2021
Legendary "Sound of Music" Star Plummer Is Dead
The Canadian-American actor Christopher Plummer is dead. He played Baron von Trapp in the film musical "The Sound of Music" in Salzburg alongside Julie Andrews. He died at the age of 91 surrounded by his family.
February 5, 2021
Edtstadler in Paris: Meetings with Secretaries of State and Chief Rabbi
In order to discuss Covid-19 coordination and the fight against terrorism and anti-Semitism, Austria's Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler has traveled to Paris, France and met with, among others, Secretary of State for Europe Clément Beaune and Chief Rabbi of France Haim Korsia.
February 2, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: New Rules Apply From February 8
Austria's federal government has announced a slight relaxation of the current lockdown. Shops and schools will reopen under certain requirements, but penalties for disregarding measures and and entry into Austria will be tightened. The aim of the government is to contain the current virus mutations from the UK and South Africa.
February 2, 2021
EU Future Conference: Edtstadler Demands Action
At an an informal video conference of the EU's Ministers for European Affairs, Austria's responsible Minister, Karoline Edtstadler, once again demanded an early start of the EU Future Conference. Although the Covid-19 pandemic might have shown some strengths and weaknesses of the current EU, Edtstadler demands a clear path into the future of the Union.
January 25, 2021
Speaker of Israeli Parliament Met Sobotka
Israel's Speaker of Parliament, Yariv Levin, and Austria's National Council President, Wolfgang Sobotka, met virtually to discuss current issues. The agenda of the meeting comprised the fight against Covid-19 in all its facets, the work of parliaments in times of the pandemic and security issues in the parliamentary operations.
January 22, 2021
Kunsthistorisches Museum of Vienna Offers 3D Exhibition
The Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) in Vienna offers visitors a virtual tour on its collection of the famous Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The KHM has the world's largest collection of the Belgian's pieces and will be displaying the twelve works with additional information in six different languages online.
January 15, 2021
Brexit Has Lasting Impact on Erasmus
The Brexit has a huge impact on the European economy and its people. One of the most discussed effects among the younger population is the end of the United Kingdom's participation in the Erasmus+ program. Thousands of European and British students are affected and will now need to seek other opportunities to further their studies abroad.
January 13, 2021
Austro-American Society Celebrates 75th Anniversary
The Austro-American Society (ÖAG) celebrated it 75th anniversary on January 6, 2021. The Austrian Ambassador to the USA, Martin Weiss, the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, and the heads of the ÖAG used this occasion to underline the goals of the society's. These comprise the strengthening of the Austro-American relations in the aspects of social, economic, cultural and public life.
January 7, 2021
New Year's Concert Will Take Place Without Live Audience
This year's New Year's Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will take place without audience. Due to current Covid-19 measures and the ongoing third lockdown in Austria, the organizers have come up with a solution that will make it possible to at least pay tribute to the orchestra by generating and streaming applause from the listeners at home to the Golden Hall in Vienna.
December 28, 2020
New Lockdown: No Public Church Services After December 27
Also during the upcoming lockdown, Austria's Minister of Cultural Affairs together with representatives of churches and religious communities have agreed to suspend all public church services until January 17. Places of worship will, however, stay open for personal prayers.
December 22, 2020
How to Celebrate Christmas During Covid-19
This year's Christmas festivities are likely to be very different than the ones of previous years. In order to celebrate a save, but nevertheless festive, Christmas this year, the following hints might help.
December 22, 2020
Sobotka Supports North Macedonia's Path to EU
Talat Xhaferi, President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, met virtually with his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka to discuss the accession negotiation of North Macedonia with the EU, the terrorist attack in Vienna and the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic in both countries.
December 2, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55
65th Anniversary of Austria's UN Membership
On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Austria's UN membership, Foreign Minister Schallenberg underlines the importance of the cooperation between the member countries, especially in times like these. He stresses that Austria will continue to do everything in its power to maintain and enhance the functioning international cooperation.
December 15, 2020
New Music Director for Volksoper
The Volksoper Wien will have a new music director as of September 2022. Together with the recently announced new opera director Lotte de Beer, Omer Meir Wellber wants to "make the Volksoper one of the most exciting European music theaters". Both De Beer and Wellber bring a lot of experience to their new jobs in Vienna.
December 11, 2020
Exhibition "25 Years of Austria in the EU - Growing in EUrope"
Since this year marked the 25th anniversary of Austria as a member country of the EU, the House of the EU in Vienna will display an appropriate exhibition in its windows until January 7, 2020. This exhibition can also be viewed virtually through a 3D tour, in case a visit to the EU House will not work out.
December 10, 2020
International Visitor Leadership Program Celebrates 80th Anniversary
The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program, celebrates its 80th anniversary. The program has opened doors for more than 225,000 participants from all over the globe and has connected current and emerging leaders to US culture and society.
December 9, 2020
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