Vienna International Guide - Austrian Lifestyle, Travel, Arts, Culture - Vindobona.org

IAEA Staff Association Ball 2018 Review: Colours of Africa

Recently, the IAEA Staff Association Ball 2018 took place in the halls of the Vienna Hofburg. Many international guests came together under the motto "Colors of Africa". A great multicultural ball with fantastic dancefloors from ballroom to latin to disco. A glittering and happy end to the 2018 ball season.

March 7, 2018

The New BMW X4 - The Dream of Every Diplomat

At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, which is currently taking place in Geneva, BMW presents the new BMW G02 X4, among others.

March 7, 2018 · Sponsored Content

Hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom to Shine in a New Design

Different cultures meet in Vienna. The result, which is a fascinating blend of art and architecture is supposed to be reflected in the hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom. The hotel with its 182 rooms and the hotel lobby is currently experiencing a facelift which will be completed soon. Since the beginning of the year the new general manager of Sofitel, Peter Katusak-Huzsvar, has been designing the impressive house in Vienna's Praterstrasse 1 as a lifestyle hotspot for both tourists and Viennese.

March 5, 2018 · Sponsored Content

Austrian Airlines to Hire 600 New Employees, to Fly to Tokyo and Cape Town

Close to 12.9 million passengers flew with Austria’s national carrier last year, comprising a rise of 12.8 percent compared to the previous year. In 2018 the airline plans the integration of another long-haul aircraft, a Boeing 777-200 jet, in its fleet. It is planned to hire 150 employees just to operate this one new aircraft. In total about 200 pilots, 300 flight attendants and 100 employees in the fields of aircraft maintenance and ground handling will be hired. The additional capacity will enable Austrian Airlines to expand its intercontinental route network to Japan and South Africa.

March 1, 2018

The Collection of a Billionaire - Heidi Horten Impresses with her Art Collection - WOW!

Heidi Goëss-Horten, a billionaire and with an estimated total net wealth of more than € 3.0 billion the fourth-richest person in Austria, presents a selection of her private art collection. With the exhibition "WOW! The Heidi Horten Collection" one of the most worthwhile art collections in Europe will be presented to the public for the first time. Curated by Agnes Husslein-Arco, the exhibition features 170 exhibits by 75 artists. To get a taste, take a look at our picture gallery!

February 21, 2018

Historical Connection Between Klosterneuburg Monastery and Croatia

The Croatian ambassador in Austria, DDr. Vesna Cvjetković, visited the monastery Klosterneuburg, where the close historical ties became visible.

February 15, 2018

Salzburger Festspiele Generates EUR 215 Million Added Value per Year

The president of the Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele), Helga Rabl-Stadler, presented a new study proving the financial significance of the event. According to the study the festival generates added value of EUR 215 million per year in the whole country.

August 22, 2016

Social Progress Index: Austria Ranked 13th

Austria has been ranked 13th by NGO Social Progress Imperative, in its Social Progress Index ranking. It precedes Japan and Germany and scored many points thanks to renewable energy projects. However, the state reveals shortages with respect to education, tolerance and equal opportunities. Nordic states, such as Finland, Canada and Denmark lead the index.

July 25, 2016

Most Expensive Expatriate Cities: Vienna Moves Up to 54th Place Overall in the Index

For the 22nd year running, global HR consulting firm Mercer has published its annual Cost of Living Ranking that lists the costliest and cheapest destinations for expatriates. Asia hosts five of the world’s 10 most expensive cities for expatriates. Hong Kong is once again the world’s most expensive city for expatriates. Vienna moves up to 54th place from 56th place overall in the index. 209 countries have been surveyed. See the full index below.

July 22, 2016

Chinese Activist Ai Weiwei Displays His Work in Vienna

The conceptual artist, documentary filmmaker and activist Ai Weiwei is one of the most well known artists of our time. The 21er Haus will present his work at the exhibition “Ai Weiwei. translocation – transformation” from 14 July to 20 November 2016.

June 30, 2016

International Cuisine and Music Film Festival at City Hall Square

From 14 July to 4 September, Vienna’s City Hall Square is a vibrant meeting place for night owls who enjoy combining culture with food. Delicious dishes and music films from opera to pop guarantee great summer evenings.

June 29, 2016

Summer in the City: Vienna Open-Air Cinemas

Every summer in Vienna, numerous open-air cinemas show films on a wide range of topics. Admission is free of charge at the Musical Film Festival at City Hall, the “Cinema under the Stars” on Karlsplatz and at the wandering "Volxkino". Original versions with English or German subtitles can often be seen.

June 28, 2016

Europe's Biggest Free Open-Air Festival: The Danube Island Festival 2016

From 24 to 26 June, Vienna's Danube Island becomes a mega-party site for around three million visitors. About 1,500 artists offer a continuous program on around a dozen stages at the Danube Island Festival. There's entertainment on various themed islands to suit every age and taste, while numerous catering stands keep everyone well fed and watered.

June 16, 2016

Vienna's Glittering 2016 Summer Balls: The Concordia Ball and the Fête Impériale

Two glittering summer balls will be celebrated in Vienna: The Concordia Ball (June 17) in Vienna City Hall and the Fête Impériale (June 24) in the Spanish Imperial Riding School. The Concordia Ball has been one of Vienna's most sparkling and exclusive events for over 150 years. The Fête Impériale is famous for its opulent and imaginative decorations, and is held once again.

June 15, 2016

International Day of Yoga Celebrations in Vienna on 19th and 21st June

The United Nations General Assembly declared 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution adopted by the General Assembly invites everyone to observe that day as the International Day of Yoga. On occasion of the International Day of Yoga, the Embassy of India in Vienna is organizing the several events on 19th and 21st June, 2016.

June 15, 2016

Jazz Festival Brings Cyndi Lauper and Jamie Cullum to Vienna

The Vienna Jazz Festival, a fixed item in the annual festival series, offers more than the eponymous cool sound. Soul, funk, pop, electronic and ethnic sounds can also be enjoyed - and all in the best venues. From 28 June to 11 July, the Vienna Jazz Festival brings high-ranking stars such as Cyndi Lauper and Jamie Cullum to Vienna's stages.

June 14, 2016

IMD Competitiveness Ranking: Austria Edged Up to Rank 24

According to the latest issue of the competitiveness ranking established by Swiss research facility Instituts für Management-Entwicklung (IMD), Austria edged up from rank 26 to 24 y/y in 2015.

May 31, 2016

Music and Culture Festival Draws 30,000 Guests to the Vienna Danube Canal

The three-day music and culture festival will draw about 30,000 guests to the Danube Canal in Vienna again for the tenth time, from 27 to 29 May 2016. The watercourse running through the city center, which is normally a popular local recreation area, becomes the stage for numerous live concerts by mostly Austrian Indie bands on this weekend.

April 29, 2016

Vienna Culinary Festival at the Vienna Stadtpark

At the beginning of May, the Vienna Stadtpark will be turned into a place of epicurean delights: The "Genussfestival" will be a showcase for select culinary specialties from Austria.

April 28, 2016

Summer Night Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

At the Summer Night Concert on 26 May the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra plays open-air in Schönbrunn Palace park and to the familiar high standard. What is unusual is that they play this concert, held each year since 2004, with free admission: it is a way for the famous ensemble to give around 100,000 visitors and the global TV audience a special experience.

April 27, 2016

AUA Started Flights to Shanghai, Tokyo Will Be Removed

The initial Austrian Airlines flight to Shanghai took off from Vienna yesterday. AUA will terminate the connection to Tokyo as of September 4 and will rather bet again on Chinese destinations. The economic slowdown of the Japanese economy made the Vienna-Tokyo route unprofitable. Instead AUA starts with five weekly flights to Shanghai on a Boeing 777.

April 7, 2016

Air India to Fly Daily Between Vienna and New Delhi

India's national passenger carrier Air India launched direct non-stop flight operations between Vienna and Delhi, India.

March 31, 2016

Austrian Airlines to Offer Flights to Hong Kong Starting September 5, 2016

AUA Austrian Airlines has signed an agreement with Hong Kong authorities to ad Hong Kong International Airport to its portfolio of long-haul destinations. AUA will fly up to 5 times a week to Hong Kong as of September 5, 2016. The direct link to Vienna will also be the gateway to Eastern Europe for the Hongkongese as well as the South-Chinese business community.

March 9, 2016

250 Years of the Vienna Prater Amusement Park

2016 is a major anniversary year for the Prater: Emperor Joseph II. opened the former hunting grounds to the public 250 years ago. On the 7th of April 2016 the Vienna Prater amusement park (Wiener Prater) will be celebrating its 250th anniversary.

February 29, 2016

Quality of Living - Vienna is still the Number One

Vienna again tops the quality of living survey in 2016. The results of the Mercer study show, for the seventh time in a row, that Vienna's approach to quality of living is internationally acknowledged. Vienna is followed by Zurich (2), Auckland (3), and Munich (4).Vancouver (5) is North America’s highest ranking city, and Singapore is the highest ranking Asian city, holding 26th place. London ranks 39th.

February 26, 2016

Starwood Sells Hotel Imperial Vienna for EUR 71 Million

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that it has closed on the sale of Hotel Imperial Vienna, a Luxury Collection Hotel, to Al Habtoor Investment - the investment arm of UAE conglomerate Al Habtoor Group for 71 million euros. As part of the transaction, all rooms and suites of the iconic hotel will be renovated over the next four years. Hotel Imperial will continue to operate as part of The Luxury Collection brand under a new long-term management agreement.

February 26, 2016

Austrian Culture - Vienna’s Easter Markets

Traditional Easter decorations and artfully decorated eggs, culinary treats and a program of music await you at Vienna’s Easter markets in March. There’s all sorts of entertainment for young visitors to the markets.

February 26, 2016

"Evita - Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" at the Ronacher

The new production of the classic musical Evita, which tells of the life of the Argentine national heroine, is set to cause a sensation at the Ronacher from 9 March 2016. The musical Evita by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber has been a cult show for years. It has been awarded more than 20 international prizes. The Hollywood film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas won an Oscar. Vincent Paterson, who created the choreography for the film, is now directing the new German-language production at the Ronacher in Vienna.

February 25, 2016

Exhibition: Chagall to Malevich - The Russian Avant-Gardes

The period from 1910 to 1920 was the heyday of the Russian avant-garde. Reason enough for the Albertina to dedicate an exhibition to Chagall, Malevich and Co.

February 15, 2016

Vienna Ice World - A Paradise for Skating Fans

The idyllically illuminated façade of City Hall forms the fairytale backdrop for Vienna Ice World. From 21 January to 6 March 2016, City Hall Square transforms into a giant ice rink and becomes a paradise for skating fans of every age.

December 23, 2015

What to Do in Vienna at New Year's Eve?

New Year’s Eve in Vienna without music and dancing? No way! Whether Musikverein, Konzerthaus, Theater an der Wien or Kammeroper: Musical delights will be everywhere guaranteed.

November 27, 2015

Viennese Christmas Markets with Design

If you’re looking for original Christmas gifts, then head for the Vienna design Christmas markets. Apart from the numerous Christmas markets offering classic handicrafts, Vienna also has a few markets where designers offer original and individual creations for sale.

November 26, 2015

Pink Christmas in Vienna - Rainbow Christmas Market

The second gay and lesbian Christmas market Pink Christmas in Vienna will be held in November and December 2015.

November 25, 2015

Celebrate New Years Eve 2015/16 in Vienna

At the change of year, the whole of Vienna is given over to partying and dancing. The New Year’s Eve Trail in the Old City is the highlight. A great ambience can be enjoyed as much at a gala dinner or festive ball as it can at a concert, the opera, in a hip club or a sophisticated bar. Superb exhibitions and a dazzling array of events, concerts, operas, operettas and the hit musicals "Mary Poppins" and "Mozart!" promise a New Year's Eve program brimming with excitement throughout the day and night.

October 26, 2015

Visit Vienna's 11 Most Traditional Christmas Markets

From mid-November to Christmas, Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into magical Christmas markets. The aroma of Christmas bakery items and hot punch creates a pre-Christmas atmosphere. At the traditional Vienna Magic of Advent, the Rathausplatz becomes a shining fairytale land. The 150 or so sales booths at the Christmas market offer Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, sweets and warming drinks.

October 26, 2015

Worlds of Romanticism at the Albertina

Romanticism was an attitude and an art genre that has lost of none of its fascination to this day. The Albertina is therefore showing important works from this time. Around 170 works from the Albertina's own collection as well as from the Graphic Collection of the Academy of Fine Arts and international loan pieces can be seen. The paintings of famous artists such as Caspar David Friedrich, Francisco de Goya, Moritz von Schwind, Joseph von Führich and Julius Schnorr give an excellent overview of this outstanding art epoch.

October 24, 2015

The Miss Earth Beauty Pageant is Coming to Vienna

Miss Earth, an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness is celebrating its 15th year in Vienna. Along with its rivals Miss Universe and Miss World, Miss Earth is one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world in terms of the number of national-level competitions to participate in the world finals and one of the most publicized beauty contests in the world. The reigning titleholders dedicate their year to promote specific projects and often address issues concerning the environment and other global issues. Climate Change will be the focus of Miss Earth for its Crystal Year celebration. Around 90 delegates from all over the world will be arriving on November 18, to start their activities and converge at the Marx Halle in Vienna on December 5, 2015 for the Coronation Night.

October 9, 2015

Viennale: Austria’s Most Popular Film Festival

Austria’s biggest film festival once again offers film highlights from around the world from 22 October to 5 November. This year, the major retrospective deals with animals in film. Films to be screened include the classic "The Birds" with Tippi Hedren, who will be coming to the Viennale as special guest.

October 2, 2015

The Orient Begins in Vienna: Salam.Orient

The Orient begins in Vienna when the cosmopolitan festival Salam.Orient highlights artists from the Middle East, Africa and Asia for the eleventh time. This year, the topic of crossing borders plays a big role in terms of national borders, cultures, languages and styles of play. Musicians cross borders, they break taboos, mix sounds without inhibition and in doing so develop new perspectives.

October 1, 2015

Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka and the Women

An exhibition at the Lower Belvedere shows how the three superstars of art - Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka - deal with the female gender.

September 29, 2015

Vienna Jazz Floor - 100 Concerts in a Single Month

Jazz and blues thrive brilliantly in the world's capital city of music and there are so many small clubs with exquisite acts. Once a year, the scene celebrates the "Vienna Jazzfloor" festival, to which it invites internationally renowned jazz players to perform in nine of the city's clubs, including Jazzland, Davis, and Miles Smiles.

September 29, 2015

A Rush of Color - Masterpieces of German Expressionism

For its large-scale exhibition in the autumn of 2015, the Leopold Museum will present outstanding masterpieces of German Expressionism from the collection of the Osthaus Museum in Hagen. Works by representatives of the artists’ association “Die Brücke”, including Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Otto Mueller and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, by exponents of the “Blaue Reiter” movement, such as Alexey von Jawlensky, Franz Marc and others, as well as numerous works by Christian Rohlfs illustrate the German avant-garde’s departure into Modernism.

September 28, 2015

Edvard Munch. Love, Death, and Loneliness

The Albertina in Vienna presents the printed graphic work of the famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch until January 2016.

September 25, 2015

Premiere of "Mozart - The Musical"

Mozart was a rock star during the Rococo period. The musical of the same name, written by the successful duo Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay, examines the world-famous musician and historical figure, who was also a legend of classical music. Tonight we will see the premiere of the globally successful musical Mozart. Amongst the stars of the show on stage at the Raimund Theater Vienna: Oedo Kuipers, Thomas Borchert and Barbara Obermeier.

September 24, 2015

Fifth Wiener Wiesn Festival Opens It’s Tents Today

On the Kaiserwiese in the Prater the Wiener Wiesn Festival opens it’s tents today for the fifth time. Austrian beer, local food, all sorts of music and traditional outfits ensure a great atmosphere.

September 7, 2015 · Updated: September 24, 2015; 11:00

Expat Families: Austria is Most Popular Country

Not only the Nordic Countries are popular with expat families. Austria, Israel and New Zealand are also among the preferred destinations for families. According to the Family Life Index 2015 by InterNations, Austria is the most popular country among expat families. While Finland and Sweden, ranking second and third, impress with the cost and availability of childcare and education, Israel and New Zealand in 4th and 5th place respectively, rank especially high when it comes to the general well-being of expat families.

September 22, 2015

Vienna as a Congress City Takes Second Place Worldwide

Austria's capital city, Vienna, has once again confirmed its standing as one of the world's most popular congress cities in 2014. In the 2014 ranking of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Vienna took second place with 202 international congresses, thereby climbing one place against 2013. Paris (with 214) was at the top of the ranking.

September 11, 2015

Austrian Airlines Returns to Shanghai

The return to Shanghai highlights the continued importance of the Chinese market to Austrian Airlines and the high value attached to its outbound market in particular. Austrian Airlines had already included Shanghai in its flight schedule starting on April 28, 2004. However, flight service was terminated in January 2007 as part of the redimensioning of the airline’s long-haul fleet and the related decommissioning of all its Airbus A330 and A340 long-haul aircraft.

September 10, 2015

It’s all about Fashion during Vienna's Fashion Week

Until September 13th it’s all about fashion in Vienna’s Museums-Quartier. About 70 designers show their collections: at fashion shows and in the adjacent sales area in Quartier21, which invites visitors to go shopping. This year marks the seventh edition of the MQ Vienna Fashion Week. Last year, over 10,000 visitors came to the fashion event.

September 8, 2015

Expat Insider: The Hard-Working Austrian Expat

After sharing a detailed picture of life in Austria for the international expat, InterNations shares with you a picture of life abroad for the Austrian expat. It revolves around work, but getting to know new friends through work and a relatively high income sweeten the deal.

August 27, 2015