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Vienna International Guide to Lifestyle, Travel, Arts & Culture & More
Find additional ways to spend your time in Vienna: Local Austrian culture, international culture, style, books, fashion, arts, theaters, exhibitions, movies
Concordia Ball 2025: An Anniversary Celebration for Freedom of the Press and Waltz Tradition
On May 23, 2025, Vienna City Hall will again be transformed into a glittering ballroom when the 125th Concordia Ball takes place. Organized by the Concordia Press Club, this traditional ball is dedicated to freedom of the press and at the same time honors Vienna's musical heritage.
April 29, 2025
Vienna Election 2025: SPÖ Leads, FPÖ Surges, Coalitions Still Unclear
The results of Vienna’s 2025 municipal elections confirm major political shifts in Austria’s capital. While the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) maintained its leading position, the Freedom Party (FPÖ) posted historic gains. For expats and new residents of Vienna, the election reflects significant changes in the city’s political landscape that could influence future policies on housing, transport, and climate action.
April 28, 2025
Peter Edelmann Takes Over the Directorship of Klosterneuburg Opera with Puccini's “Tosca” as a Prelude
The renowned opera festival “operklosterneuburg” is entering a new era in 2025 with a breath of fresh air and great artistic ambition: the internationally renowned baritone and experienced opera director Peter Edelmann has been introduced as artistic director. His first season gets off to a spectacular start, with a new production of Giacomo Puccini's opera classic “Tosca”, which premieres on July 5, 2025, in the venerable imperial court of the Augustinian canons' monastery.
April 24, 2025 · Sponsored Content
Austrian Securities Ownership Reaches New Heights
A recent survey reveals a significant increase in the number of Austrians investing in securities, highlighting a shift towards private pension planning amid economic challenges.
April 9, 2025
Rediscovered Turner on Offer in Vienna for 38 Million Euros
A true treasure of art history is currently on sale at the Artziwna Gallery in Vienna: A rediscovered painting by the British Romantic painter William Turner is up for direct sale for a whopping 38 million euros.
March 31, 2025
Beware of Online Fraud when Buying Vignettes
Beware when buying highway vignettes online: Fraudsters shamelessly exploit the search for cheap offers. Drivers are increasingly falling for fraudulent websites when purchasing vignettes, sometimes losing huge sums of money in the process. ASFINAG is now issuing another urgent warning about fake stores and giving important tips on how to protect yourself from such scams.
March 26, 2025
Expressionism in a New Light: Schiele Meets Nosferatu at the Heidi Horten Collection
With the exhibition “Experiment Expressionism - Schiele meets Nosferatu”, the Heidi Horten Collection in Vienna is opening an impressive show that brings painting and film art into a fascinating dialog.
March 23, 2025
Glamor and Diplomacy at the Diplomatic Ball 2025 in Vienna
On April 12, 2025, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna will once again open its magnificent doors for the annual Diplomatic Ball. For the 30th time, the historic building will be the setting for a glittering evening where diplomats, students, and personalities from business and politics celebrate together. The ball is not only a social highlight, but also a stage for international networking - and all for a good cause.
March 20, 2025
Austrian Bishops' Conference Meets in Hungary for the First Time Without Cardinal Schönborn
For the first time in its history, the Austrian Bishops' Conference is holding its spring plenary meeting at the Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma in Hungary. Following the resignation of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, he will no longer be attending the meeting. He will be replaced by the Apostolic Administrator Josef Grünwidl.
March 14, 2025
New Exhibition at the Wien Museum: “Reality as an Attitude. Viennese Realism after 1950”
At a time when the art world was increasingly moving in abstract and avant-garde directions, an artistic movement emerged in Vienna that consciously opposed this development: Viennese Realism after 1950. The Wien Museum is now dedicating a comprehensive exhibition to this often overlooked but important art movement entitled “Reality as an attitude: Viennese Realism after 1950,” seen at Musa from March 20 to August 17, 2025.
March 10, 2025
Dorothy Khadem-Missagh: A Milestone for Women in the Conducting World
The Vienna Musikverein experienced a special event: the Lower Austrian pianist and conductor Dorothy Khadem-Missagh made her debut as a conductor in this renowned concert hall on the occasion of International Women's Day. Conducting the Beethoven Spring Festival Orchestra, which she founded, she presented a program that paid tribute to strong women in music history.
March 9, 2025
WIKAM 2025: A Celebration of Art in the Heart of Vienna
The Vienna International Art and Antiques Fair (WIKAM) will again open its doors at the historic Palais Ferstel from March 8 to 16, 2025. As one of Austria's most renowned art fairs, it offers art lovers and collectors an exquisite selection of works ranging from classical to modern art.
March 6, 2025 · Sponsored Content
Austria's Real Estate Market Continues to Weaken: Hope for Recovery in 2025
Economic uncertainty, high interest rates, and strict lending guidelines also left their mark on the Austrian real estate market in 2024. While prices and transaction volumes fell in some federal states, Vienna recorded growth. Experts see opportunities for a recovery in the coming year.
March 5, 2025
Richard Cockett on Vienna as the Center of the “Scientific Worldview” - A Legacy in Danger?
Vienna was once a center of groundbreaking ideas. In his lecture at ISTA, Dr. Richard Cockett, historian, and economist-journalist, sheds light on how the city shaped science, philosophy, and art - and why its legacy is more important than ever today.
March 4, 2025
New General Manager at Park Hyatt Vienna: Bastian Baumann Takes Over the Luxury Hotel
The renowned Park Hyatt Vienna will have a new General Manager from the beginning of 2025: Styrian-born Bastian Baumann will take over the management of the luxury hotel, bringing with him an impressive international career. After several positions in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, he is now returning to Austria to lead the Hotel am Hof into the future with fresh ideas and a clear focus on the highest quality of service.
March 3, 2025
Glitter, Waltzes and Celebrities: The Vienna Opera Ball 2025 as a Social Highlight
The Vienna State Opera was again transformed into a magnificent ballroom and offered over 5,000 guests a glittering ball night that lasted until the early morning hours. This year, the Vienna Opera Ball 2025 was dedicated to the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss, the “Waltz King”, and offered a glamorous mix of top-class artistic performances, celebrity guests, and festive elegance.
February 28, 2025
Three Years of Resistance: Ukraine’s Call for Global Support in Vienna
As the world marks three years since the start of the large-scale conflict in Ukraine, discussions on global engagement and support remain highly relevant. The "March of Light 2025" in Vienna aims to acknowledge the ongoing situation and provide a platform for those who wish to express solidarity. This article explores the significance of the gathering, its symbolic aspects, and its broader implications for international cooperation and stability.
February 24, 2025
Equal Pay Day 2025: Highlighting the Ongoing Gender Pay Gap
Equal Pay Day is a significant reminder of the persistent income disparity between men and women. This symbolic day marks the point in the year until which women have effectively worked "for free" compared to their male counterparts, based on the gender pay gap.
February 13, 2025
Science Books of the Year: The Winners Announced
The results of Austria’s Science Book of the Year have been announced, recognizing works that present scientific topics in an accessible and engaging way for the general public. With over 8,000 votes cast, the awards reflect continued public interest in science communication and education.
February 11, 2025
Austria’s Population Approaches 9.2 Million, Growth Slows in 2024
Austria's population continues to grow, but at a noticeably slower pace than in recent years. While Vienna remains the primary driver of population growth, with the highest increase among all federal states, other regions like Burgenland experienced slight declines. The data also reveals a growing proportion of foreign nationals, now accounting for over 20% of Austria’s population.
February 11, 2025
PaN President Hermann Mückler Awarded Golden Medal of Honor for Services to the State of Vienna
Prof. Dr. Hermann Mückler, President of the umbrella organization of all Austrian-foreign societies (Partner aller Nationen, PaN), was awarded the Golden Medal of Honor for Services to the State of Vienna. The festive ceremony took place in the magnificent Coat of Arms Hall of Vienna City Hall. The award was presented by Member of Parliament Dr. Ewa Samel on behalf of the Governor of Vienna, Dr. Michael Ludwig.
February 10, 2025
Austria Opens New Cultural Forum in Sofia
The Austrian Cultural Forum was officially opened in Sofia. With the inauguration of this new center for art and culture, Austria is sending a further signal for bilateral exchange with Bulgaria and for its commitment to cultural diplomacy.
February 7, 2025
Austria's Federal President Van der Bellen Calls on Diplomacy for Unity
In his traditional speech at the New Year's reception for the diplomatic corps in Vienna's Hofburg, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen highlighted the challenges of the current global situation. He emphasized the need for closer international cooperation, warned against increasing disinformation, and called for greater efforts to combat the climate crisis.
February 5, 2025
Chinese New Year Celebrations Strengthen Chinese-Austrian Friendship
The Chinese New Year was celebrated in Vienna with festive events underscoring the close diplomatic and cultural ties between China and Austria. The celebrations attracted not only high-ranking political representatives but also numerous members of the Chinese community and interested Viennese.
February 5, 2025
Racetrack Magna Racino: A New Owner and an Uncertain Future
The Magna Racino in Ebreichsdorf (Baden district) has once again changed ownership. As confirmed by the town's mayor, Wolfgang Kocevar (SPÖ) the horse racing track now belongs to Irish billionaire Luke Comer. Comer purchased the property from the Lürßen Group, which had owned it since 2020. While the purchase price and the new owner's plans remain undisclosed, the public and local authorities are eagerly awaiting further developments in the coming months.
January 16, 2025
Vienna's Club Scene Between Crisis and Innovation: Saving the Capital's Nightlife from Dying Clubs
Vienna's club scene is coming under increasing pressure: rising prices, new nightlife habits, and the densification of urban space are creating an uncertain future. At the same time, local players are focusing on creative approaches to preserve the diversity of nightlife culture and offer clubs a future. A detailed look at the current challenges and planned measures shows how fragile and at the same time adaptable Vienna's nightlife is.
January 7, 2025
Polish Minister Katarzyna Kotula Visits Austria: Joint Impulses for European Equality Policy
The Polish Minister for Gender Equality, Katarzyna Kotula, visited Austria. The focus of her visit was a meeting with the Austrian Federal Minister for Women, Family, Youth and Integration, Susanne Raab. The talks focused on gender equality policies in Europe, particularly in Poland and Austria, as well as on anti-discrimination laws in both countries. The plans of the Polish EU Council Presidency, which Poland will assume from January 2025, were also discussed.
December 11, 2024
Jewish Museum Vienna Kicks Off Anniversary Year with Gala in New York
A special gala dinner was held in the elegant rooms of Christie's New York to mark the start of the 130th anniversary year of the Jewish Museum Vienna. This exclusive event brought together important personalities from the worlds of culture, business, and diplomacy and paid tribute to the historical significance of the world's first Jewish museum, which opened in Vienna in 1895.
December 3, 2024
Viennese Sausage Stand Becomes UNESCO Cultural Heritage: A Tribute to the Viennese Way of Life
The Viennese sausage stand culture has been officially added to UNESCO's national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. With this recognition, the sausage stand joins the prestigious list of Austrian traditions and is now on par with Vienna's coffee house and wine tavern culture. The decision underlines the cultural and social significance of this institution, which goes far beyond its culinary role.
November 27, 2024
Concert Night at the Austrian Foreign Ministry: Music as a Bridge between Cultures
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg hosted a special concert evening at the Palais Niederösterreich under the motto “The unifying power of music”. For the second time, this event, organized by the Foreign Ministry's “Dialogue of Cultures” task force, was an impressive example of how art and music can build bridges and promote dialogue.
November 26, 2024
Austria's Commitment to Freedom of Religion and Belief: From Red Wednesday to International Alliances
On “Red Wednesday”, a campaign by the international Catholic aid organization Aid to the Church in Need, the focus is on the fate of millions of persecuted, oppressed, and threatened Christians. Numerous buildings around the world, including in Austria, will be illuminated in red to commemorate the victims of persecution and violence. The Austrian Foreign Ministry has actively supported this campaign for years and is committed to freedom of religion and belief as well as the protection of religious minorities - at national and international levels.
November 24, 2024
Vienna Stars as European Capital of Democracy 2024/25
Vienna was officially named the European Capital of Democracy 2024/25. The Year of Democracy, in which the city will implement a diverse program to promote democratic participation and co-determination, began at a festive event. Vienna is the second city after Barcelona to hold this title.
November 20, 2024
Celebrities and Journalists from Austria, Europe and America Leave X
The once important platform Twitter, now known as X, is experiencing a massive decline in prominent users. While international personalities such as Stephen King or media outlets such as the British Guardian have announced their departure, the exodus is also becoming visible in Austria. Numerous opinion leaders and journalists have closed their accounts under the hashtag #eXit.
November 17, 2024
Vienna's MA 35: Progress at the Dreaded Office, but Challenges Remain
Vienna's MA 35, responsible for immigration and citizenship, has long been regarded as a symbol of inefficient administration and endless waiting times. The City of Vienna wants to counteract this image with a comprehensive reform process. Initial successes have been achieved, but not all problems have been solved.
November 13, 2024
Austria's Wooden Ribbon: A Symbol of Innovation for the Expo 2025
Austria is preparing for Expo 2025 in Osaka and recently presented the centerpiece of its pavilion in Lower Austria: a spiral-shaped wooden loop that symbolizes the motto “Composing the Future”. This impressive sculpture stands for Austrian craftsmanship and the strong connection to Japan, which is to be further strengthened by the Expo.
October 31, 2024
Austrian Airlines Extends Flight Suspension to Tehran and Tel Aviv
Due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Austrian Airlines (AUA) has decided to suspend flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv until at least the end of October.
October 15, 2024
Music Giants Rock the Cineplexx Cinemas: A Trend Excites Austria
Concert films and music biographies bring the biggest stars to the big screen, creating a very special cinematic experience. Among others, Coldplay's “Moon Music” and Whitney Houston's “Durban Concert” celebrated great success. These films not only offer high-resolution picture and sound quality but also allow fans to experience their favorite artists' concerts together without the inconvenience of a live event.
October 15, 2024
Vienna: The Best City Destination in Europe for Americans
Vienna has once again proven that it is undisputed as a world-class travel destination. Readers of the renowned luxury and lifestyle magazine “Condé Nast Traveler” voted the Austrian capital the best European travel destination in this year's “Readers' Choice Awards” 2024.
October 5, 2024
Global Peace Photo Award 2024: “Dreams of Childhood” Honored as Peace Photo of the Year
The Global Peace Photo Award ceremony took place in the Austrian Parliament. The peace photo of the year 2024, “Dreams of Childhood”, by photographer and multimedia artist Elisa Iannacone from the UK, was honored.
September 24, 2024
Record Rainfalls Caused Flood Disaster in Austria
Over the past few days, Austria has experienced extreme rainfall that has broken numerous rainfall records and led to widespread flooding. The federal states of Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Vienna were particularly affected, with many weather stations recording several hundred millimeters of rain in just a few days.
September 17, 2024
Subway Lines in Vienna Back in Operation after Flooding - Delays with U6
Following the massive flooding and flood protection measures in Vienna, subway services are slowly returning to normal. From Wednesday morning, September 18, 2024, the U2, U3, and U4 lines will be fully operational again. However, there are still restrictions on the U6, as the line between Längenfeldgasse and Niederhofstraße is impaired due to water ingress.
September 17, 2024
Arab Diplomats Visit Burgenland to Promote Renewable Energies
In a major initiative to strengthen bilateral relations between Austria and the Arab world, the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) together with Energie Burgenland welcomed a high-ranking delegation of Arab ambassadors and diplomats to Burgenland. The focus of the event was on progress in the field of renewable energies and sustainable development.
September 15, 2024
Controversy Over "Mosque Education 2.0": IGGÖ Criticizes the Lack of Recognition for their Reform Efforts
The Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) has expressed strong criticism of the recent public discourse surrounding the "Mosque Education 2.0" initiative announced by the Minister of Integration, Susanne Raab.
August 28, 2024
IGGÖ President Vural Makes Clear Position Against Extremism
In a powerful speech, Ümit Vural, President of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ), called for a joint effort to combat extremism and strengthen social cohesion. In view of the increasing challenges posed by terrorist attacks, geopolitical conflicts and heated security debates in the run-up to the upcoming elections, Vural emphasized the responsibility and long-standing role of the IGGÖ as a state-recognized religious community in Austria.
August 27, 2024
Lithuanian Asmik Grigorian to be Awarded the “Grand Jury Prize” of the Austrian Music Theater Award
The Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian, one of the most outstanding personalities on the international opera scene, will receive the “Grand Jury Prize” of the Austrian Music Theater Award on September 1, 2024, at the Vienna Volksoper. This award, considered one of the most important honors in the field of opera in Austria, recognizes Grigorian's exceptional artistic achievements and her lasting influence on music theater.
August 25, 2024
Austria's Olympic Splendor in Paris 2024: A Balance Between Tradition and Surprises
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are history, and Austria can look back proudly on its sporting achievements. On Tuesday, the successful Olympic athletes were honored in the Vienna Hofburg by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
August 18, 2024
Richard "Mörtel" Lugner: Vienna Mourns the Loss of a Dazzling Entrepreneur and Society Star
Richard Lugner, known as "Mörtel", has died at the age of 91 in his villa in Döbling. As one of Austria's best-known entrepreneurs, Lugner shaped the cityscape of Vienna and the Austrian commercial landscape for decades.
August 12, 2024
Winners of the Austrian Art Prize 2024 Revealed
Andrea Mayer, State Secretary for Art and Culture, today announced the winners of the Austrian Art Prize and the Hans Hollein Art Prize for Architecture 2024. The awards, endowed with 20,000 euros each, honor outstanding personalities in the Austrian art and culture scene.
August 5, 2024
AIRPOWER24: Europe's Largest Airshow Takes Off in Zeltweg
On September 6 and 7, 2024, AIRPOWER24, Europe's largest airshow, will take place at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg, Styria. The event is accompanied by an extensive program and offers numerous highlights for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.
August 4, 2024
New Silent Villas at Therme Laa: Luxury in the Weinviertel Region
Therme Laa an der Thaya, a well-known recreational destination in Lower Austria, reached a new milestone. With the ceremonial opening of the ten new “Silent Villas”, the thermal spa is expanding its offer with an exclusive retreat for adults. The ceremony was attended by numerous representatives from tourism, business, and politics, including Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who emphasized the importance of this expansion for the region.
July 31, 2024
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