Sponsored Content
Vienna International Guide - Austrian Lifestyle, Travel, Arts, Culture
Get updated news about developments in Vienna's inter-cultural environment: lifestyle, travel destinations, art exhibitions, restaurant- & event-suggestions
2 Million Participants at First Covid Mass Testing
The first mass testing in Austria is in the books. Over the last two weeks, about two million people have been to one of the many testing facilities in Austria in order to find out about their Covid-19 infection status. Only 4,200 have been tested positive which is only about 0.2 percent of the participants.
December 14, 2020
Share of E-Cars in New Registrations Exceeds 10 Percent
For the first time ever, electronic cars made up more than 10 percent of the new registrations of motor vehicles. Although the numbers of new registered vehicles is far lower compared to last year, the e-mobility sector has seen an obvious increase in numbers over the recent months.
December 11, 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
New European Climate Target: Kurz and Gewessler Delilghted
The European Council has agreed on a new climate target for 2030. The member states want to decrease annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent and also take other steps on their path to climate neutrality until 2050. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Minister Gewessler are pleased with the agreement.
December 11, 2020
European Council: Kurz Hopes for Rapid Approval of Vaccine
Prior to the European Council, Austria's Chancellor Kurz hopes for a rather fast approval process of a Covid-19 vaccine and is looking forward to a succession of close cooperation between the EU and the United States. Other relevant topics for the Council will be sanctions for Turkey, Brexit negotiations, EU climate targets, and the joint fight against terrorism.
December 10, 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
EU Ministers Issue Declaration on "Digital Government"
The EU Ministers responsible for Digitalization have agreed on a joint declaration that focuses on digital society and value-based digital government. Austria's Minister Schramböck sees Austria already on the right track with its various e-government tools and is delighted about the European plans.
December 9, 2020
Chancellor Kurz and Mayor Ludwig Promote Mass Testing
Participation in the Covid-19 mass tests is still possible and is further promoted by Chancellor Kurz and Mayor Ludwig. The two politicians had themselves tested at one of the three locations in Vienna and asked the Viennese population to take advantage of the opportunity the government provides.
December 7, 2020
Ryanair to Close its Base in Vienna
The low-cost airline Ryanair will be closing down its base in Vienna. According to a leaked internal report, the parent company of Austrian Laudamotion, will move the base of its three Boeing planes to a not yet disclosed European airport and close down the base on Vienna's airport.
December 4, 2020
Russia's and Austria's Health Minister Discuss Covid-19 Situation
Michail Muraschko, Russia's Minister for Health, and his Austrian counterpart, Rudolf Anschober, met virtually to discuss the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has had far-reaching effects on both countries. As a result of the meeting, the ministers agreed on the establishment of Covid-19 related working groups.
December 4, 2020
Edtstadler Welcomes European Democracy Action Plan
The European Commission has presented the European Democracy Action Plan with which the EU wants to promote basic human rights values and democracy worldwide. Austria's EU Minister Edtstadler welcomes this initiative and demands a clear focus on the digital area of the plan.
December 4, 2020
Austria Launches CoV Mass Testing: Vienna Tests at 3 Locations until December 13 - How does it work?
From today, December 4 to December 13, comprehensive corona mass tests will take place in Vienna. The free quick test can be taken at 3 locations. Anyway, the mass tests are generating great interest.
December 4, 2020
New EU Guidelines Relax Air Travelling
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) together with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have issued new guidelines for air travel, which should guide the member states in their respective decisions with regard to Covid-19 measures.
December 3, 2020
Europe-Wide Innovation Award Goes to Wiener Linien
The Europe-wide Innovation in Politics Award 2020 goes to the research project RemiHub, coordinated, among others, by Wiener Linien and the Vienna University of Technology. RemiHub focuses on the urban parcel delivery and was already tested for different delivery services in Vienna.
December 3, 2020
Vienna Ice Dream Will Start Ahead of Schedule
Although the famous Vienna Christmas Market on Rathausplatz has to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, the City of Vienna is able to antedate the Vienna Ice Dream, which will now start just in time for the Christmas festivities on December 24. Since ice skating counts as an outdoor sports, it is allowed under certain circumstances.
December 3, 2020
EU Multilateral Christmas Gala in Vienna
Vienna will be the host city of the EU Multilateral Christmas Gala taking place on December 19. The follow-up concert of the "TOGETHER as ONE" event in May will include a special and unique arrangement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony recorded live from the Schlosstheater Schönbrunn.
December 2, 2020
EU Ministers Discuss Reconstruction of Cultural Sector
The EU Ministers for Culture have come together virtually to discuss the reconstruction and the strengthening of the cultural sector. The current pandemic has shown how vulnerable this particular sector is and establishing proper measures in order to avoid similar downfalls in the future is the highest goal for the EU Ministers.
December 2, 2020
Update: Lockdown in Austria - What applies from Monday 7 December?
Starting next Monday, the all-day exit restriction will be relaxed and rescheduled back to 8pm to 6am. Shops, all services providers and museums are allowed to open again. Kindergartens and compulsory schools will resume regular classes. Restaurants will remain closed. Delivery services, with the exception of the delivery or "pick-up" of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited. Cross-border arrivals from an area categorized as a risk area must be quarantined for ten days, after five days a PCR test may be performed. Outdoor sports, including skiing, will be allowed from 24 December. Restaurants, hotels and cultural institutions will not be allowed to reopen until 7 January.
December 2, 2020
Red Ribbon at Austrian Parliament Draws Attention to World AIDS Day
In order to draw attention to World AIDS Day on December 1, the Austrian Parliament has installed a Red Ribbon on Vienna's Hofburg. National Council President Sobotka points out the recent research, treatment and therapy successes and demands tolerance for and the inclusion of people infected with HIV.
December 1, 2020
Vienna Prepares for Mass Testing
The City of Vienna prepares to test its population for Covid-19. The responsible city departments, emergency organizations, and the Austrain Armed Forces have taken measures to provide test capacities for the period from December 4 to December 13. Within this period, every Viennese resident above the age of 10 is eligible for testing.
November 30, 2020
Schallenberg Honors Outstanding Intercultural Projects
Austria's Foreign Ministry honored international intercultural projects in the categories of sustainability, current events, innovation, media, and integration. The prizes went to organizations from France, Kosovo, Indonesia, Poland and Austria, which all played a significant role in impacting communities in the respective countries.
November 30, 2020
Vienna Symphony Orchestra Goes Living Room
Due to the second lockdown in Austria, the majority of public cultural life is at rest. However, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra will be providing some variety with its Living Room Concerts, which will be live-streamed for anyone interested. The concerts will take place every Friday until December 18.
November 27, 2020
Von der Leyen and Kurz: Light At the End of the Tunnel
After a virtual meeting between EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Austria's Chancellor Kurz both assured that there is a light at the end of the tunnel of the Covid-19 pandemic. The two politicians have discussed EU's vaccine strategy and other topics regarding the ongoing pandemic.
November 27, 2020
Austria's Top Managers Launch Economy4Future Initiative
Some of Austria's top managers have launched the economy4future initiative, which focuses on the fight against climate change. The campaign wants to promote dialogue between big companies and young people in order to better shape the economic future in harmony with the resources of the planet.
November 26, 2020
European Commission Approves Austrian Aid for Railroad Companies
The European Commission has granted Austria its planned subsidies for railroad companies to promote the shift from road transportation to rail road usage. Austria will increase its public aid to, on the one hand, relieve railroad companies of some financial burdens of the last months and to, on the other hand, continue the promotion of railroad rather than road transportation.
November 26, 2020
Leopold Museum Receives Historically Significant Klimt Painting
The Leopold Museum of Vienna received an art-historically significant painting by Gustav Klimt. A Viennese academic couple donated the painting, which is about EUR 475,000 worth, to the museum in order to make it permanently accessible to the public and to the visitors of the museum.
November 26, 2020
UN Campaign Orange the World: Parliament Shines in Orange
The UN campaign Orange the World is the reason for the Austrian Parliament shining in orange from November 25 to November 29. The Parliament is one of 130 buildings in Austria that want to draw attention to the fight against violence against women - the topic of the UN campaign.
November 25, 2020
Schallenberg: "Compliance With International Humanitarian Law Is a Duty"
Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg emphasizes that "compliance with international humanitarian law is a duty, not a freestyle" before the Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The UN Convention prohibits, among others, the use and production of cluster munitions.
November 25, 2020
Selmayr: Member States Need To Decide on Skiing at Christmas
The recent debate about skiing during the Christmas holidays will need to be regulated on a national level, according to the Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Austria, Martin Selmayr. Selmayr states that the EU has neither the obligation nor the expertise to impose any EU wide rules in this matter.
November 25, 2020
WKO: Thoughts About Opening Stores on Sundays
The President of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) has expressed his thoughts about a possible opening of stores on Sundays before Christmas. This would create the opportunity for companies to equalize customer flows which they have missed out on during the ongoing lockdown.
November 24, 2020
First Austrian Swedish Innovation Exchange Day
The Austrian and Swedish government have decided to hold their first ever Austrian Swedish Innovation Exchange Day, which will try to kick-off a lasting bilateral relationship with regard to innovation, business and industry. The event will be attended by Austrian and Swedish politicians as well as representatives of the economic sector.
November 23, 2020
Violence Protection Summit Welcomes International Guests
The Violence Protection Summit organized by Austria's Federal Chancellery and the Federal Ministry of the Interior will be supported by international participation. UN Special Rapporteur Dubravka Simonovic and EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli will be participating in the summit.
November 23, 2020
Increase in Funding for Carinthian Slovenes
In the year of the 100th anniversary of the Carinthian referendum, the National Council has decided to contribute another EUR 4 million to the support of the Slovenian ethnic group in Carinthia. Chancellery Minister Raab sees this "a clear signal of appreciation" for ethnic groups in Austria.
November 20, 2020
October: Minus 84.5 Percent Overnight Stays in Vienna
The Covid-19 crisis has hit the hotel and tourism industry hard. Especially urban areas are affected which is also the reason for the drastic numbers of overnight stays in Vienna. Compared to 2019, the city recorded a minus of 84.5 percent in the month of October.
November 20, 2020
Austrian Government Plans Deficit of EUR 22.6 Billion
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, the Austrian government has agreed on a budget that plans with a deficit of EUR 22.6 billion for next year. Estimated lower revenues due to the weak economy on the one side face higher expenditures because of the subsidies for various businesses on the other.
November 20, 2020
COVID-19 Mass Testing in Austria: All Details
The 50 million Euro project of Austria's +240,000 mass tests will start after the lockdown on December 5. The mass tests will be started with the teachers, followed by the police officers and then the population, the government announced.
November 20, 2020
Nehammer: Strong Together in the Fight Against Anti-Semitism
The Jewish Religious Society and the Austrian Ministry of the Interior extended their funding contract for three more years. The President of the Society Deutsch and Interior Minister Nehammer signed the contract, which provides funding for Jewish facilities all over Austria.
November 19, 2020
The Netherlands Gift 10,000 Tulips to Vienna
After the terror attack in Vienna on November 2, the Dutch government represented by the Dutch Ambassador to Austria Gierveld gifted the City of Vienna 10,000 tulips which will be planted near the location of the attack and at other public gardens of Vienna.
November 19, 2020
International Mobility Days 2020 Held Virtually
The International Mobility Days of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce are held virtually. The mobility industry is one of the fastest evolving industries and the future of transportation, especially in growing cities, is a topic that has been dominating international entrepreneurial acton for years.
November 19, 2020
The Vienna Service Office - The Embassy of the City of Vienna inside the Vienna International Centre
The Vienna International Centre hosts a branch office of the City of Vienna, whose sole purpose is to offer the staff of the UN organizations and their relatives rapid and individual assistance with questions of daily life and to provide them with urgently needed information.
November 19, 2020
Over 100 COVID Deaths in Austria within 24 Hours for the First Time
For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been more than 100 deaths within one day in Austria. With almost 7100 new infections, the infection level remains too high. Meanwhile, the number of patients in hospitals continues to rise. 4,592 patients are hospitalized, 682 of them in intensive care. The total number of fatalities has risen to 2054. To date, 221,688 cases have been diagnosed, of which 2,054 have died and 142,738 have recovered.
November 18, 2020
#RedWednesday: Austrian Parliament Participates For First Time
The campaign #RedWednesday which is organized by the relief organization "Aid to the Church in Need" will be supported by the Austrian Parliament for the first time. The campaign is supported by many countries and raises awareness for persecuted and threatened Christians all around the world.
November 18, 2020
Vienna Migration Conference: The Effects of Covid-19
The Vienna Migration Conference is taking place from November 16 to November 19, 2020, and can be followed online. Due to Covid-19, this year's event is held solely online and, as a matter of fact, will also examine the effects of the current crisis on migration and migration policy.
November 18, 2020
City of Vienna And Global 2000: Clean Drinking Water for Children From Chernobyl
The City of Vienna together with the environmental protection organization Global 2000 will provide another 15 drinking water purification systems that will be installed in the eastern Ukraine. These installations will provide fresh drinking water for thousand of children and their families.
November 17, 2020
Lockdown: Public Church Services Suspended Until Further Notice
In addition to the measures put in place by the federal government, Austria's Minister of Cultural Affairs together with representatives of churches and religious communities have agreed to suspend all public church services until further notice. Places of worship will, however, stay open for personal prayers.
November 17, 2020
Austria's Second Hard Lockdown: So what applies now? - Live Updates
The new COVID-19- emergency measure regulation brings beyond the already existing measures intensified exit regulations and an extensive closing of business. The retail stores for basic supplies (food, pharmacies, post office, banks, etc.) will remain open. The Ordinance came into force on 17 November 2020 and is valid up to and including 6 December 2020.
November 16, 2020
New Viennese City Government Announced
The Social-Democratic Party (SPOE) under the lead of current and future Mayor Michael Ludwig and The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS) have finished their negotiations to present a new city government for Vienna. The cornerstones of the program include an emphasis on education, the fight against climate change and a good health care system.
November 16, 2020
Virtual Meeting Between Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria
The Czech and Slovak Foreign Ministers met with Austria's European Affiars Minister to discuss cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic and the joint fight against terrorism. Other topics on the agenda were the EU's migration policy, the current budget negotiations and the conference on the future of Europe.
November 16, 2020
WKO Heads: "Lockdown Hits Companies With Full Force"
The new lockdown will once again shut down Austria's economy in its entirety. The heads of the Austria Federal Chamber of Commerce (WKO) emphasize the importance of financial support for companies by the government and of a well functioning education for children despite school closings.
November 16, 2020
Fast News Search
This category only
