Michael Ludwig
International Startup Event "ViennaUP21" Starts April 27
The startup event "ViennaUP21" will take place from April 27 to May 12 in a purely digital format. Within the umbrella of ViennaUP21, 40 program partners will be hosting 100 events for interested people, institutions and organization from more than 45 countries. Registration is free.
April 23, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna and Lower Austria Extend Lockdown
Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig and the Governor of Lower Austria Johanna Mikl-Leitner have decided to extend the current lockdown until May 2. The ongoing shutdown in the two provinces would have lasted until April 18, but is now extended due to "the current situation being one that is too serious", according to Ludwig.
April 13, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Eastern Austria Extends Lockdown
Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland have decided to extended the current lockdown until April 18. After discussions with experts and Austria's government, an extension of initially planned "Easter rest" was announced, because of the critical situation in the intensive care units in eastern Austria.
April 7, 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
Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Adds Outdoor FFP2 Mask Obligation
In order to further break the ongoing Covid-19 wave in Vienna, the City Mayor Michael Ludwig has announced a outdoor FFP2 mask obligation for certain, usually frequently visited areas in the city center. These areas include the Donaukanal, Stephensplatz, Schwedenplatz, Karlsplatz and Maria-Theresien Platz.
April 1, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Will Extend Easter Lockdown
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig has announced an extension of the so-called "Easter rest" until April 11. Following the advice of many health experts and due to the critical situation on Vienna's intensive care units, the measures originally planned for April 1 to April 6 are now extended until April 11, with further extensions possible.
March 30, 2021
Vienna Introduces New Covid-19 Testing System
The City of Vienna has introduced the new testing system "Alles Gurgelt!". Every Viennese is eligible to pick up PCR tests at the 152 BIPA stores throughout Vienna, record herself or himself while conducting the test and drop off the tests at one of 620 REWE locations. The results of the test is available after 24 hours and works as "entry test" for body-related services.
March 29, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: New Restrictions for Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland
The Governors of Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland together with Austria's Health Minister have announced the expected new restrictions for eastern Austria. A so-called "Easter rest" will be implemented, meaning closing down retail and body-related services for the Easter holidays while also having an all-day curfew.
March 25, 2021
Vienna Mayor Ludwig: "There is no Way Around Common European Path"
At the 9th annual dialogue of EU capitals with the European Commission, Vienna Mayor Ludwig and many other mayors from European cities emphasized the need for a consistent and common European path with regard to fighting the ongoing pandemic. Ludwig stands behind the "solidarity-based EU vaccination strategy."
March 23, 2021
Vienna Still Attractive for International Companies
In 2020, Vienna has welcomed more than 200 new companies despite the difficulties resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Mayor Michael Ludwig interprets "the high level of interest" from foreign companies in Vienna as a result of Vienna being regarded as "stable and safe economic ground".
March 12, 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
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
Vienna Ice Dream Concludes Extraordinary Season
The 26th Vienna Ice Dream has closed its doors for this season. After 66 days of ice skating under special circumstances, the organizers are pleased about the results and are particularly delighted about the fact that there was not a single reported case of infection which happened on the venue.
March 1, 2021
Vienna's Mayor Unveils Memorial Stone for Vienna Terror Attack
Vienna's city government has unveiled a memorial stone for the victims of the Vienna Terror Attack on November 2, 2020. Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig emphasized that the memorial stone also represents a sign of togetherness of the Viennese people. He showed himself very pleased with the amount of solidarity the terror night brought about.
February 24, 2021
Vienna Opens First Covid-19 Vaccination Line
By Monday, January 18, 2021, about 11,000 physicians, paramedics and other people working in the medical sector, will be the first ones to receive the vaccines in the so-called vaccination lines set up by the City of Vienna. All Viennese residents can pre-register for a Covid-19 vaccination starting January 18, 2021.
January 15, 2021
Member of Expelled Ephrussi Family Receives Austrian Citizenship
Since September 1, 2020, about 950 persons from all over the world have obtained Austrian citizenship through a new regulative that allows descendants of victims of the Nazi regime to regain Austrian citizenship. Victor de Waal, a member of the famous and widespread Ephrussi family has now been informed by Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig about his successful application.
January 8, 2021
City of Vienna Supports Aid for Moria
The City of Vienna has agreed on supporting the refugees in Moria and Lesvos with financial aid. EUR 300,000 will be distributed among three non-governmental organizations, which will then provide immediate assistance for those, who currently live under extreme conditions in the refugee camps.
December 16, 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
Ludwig Is Sworn In as New, Old Mayor of Vienna
Michael Ludwig was sworn in as mayor of Vienna by Federal President Van der Bellen. The President sees the coalition between Ludwig's Social Democratic Party (SPOE) and the New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS) as an interesting opportunity, since this constellation had not existed on a federal or state level before.
November 24, 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
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
75 Years of United Nations: UN Flags Illumination on Schwarzenbergplatz
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the Hochstrahlbrunnen on the Schwarzenbergplatz in Vienna will be illuminated with the flags of the UN's member countries. Director General of the United Nations Office in Vienna, Ghada Waly, and Mayor Michael Ludwig will start the illumination.
October 22, 2020
Vienna Election 2020: Social-Democrats Are Clear Winners
The current Mayor of Vienna and the leading candidate for this election, Michael Ludwig from the SPOE, has successfully defended the first place in Vienna. Compared to the last election, the Social-Democratic Party has increased its popularity in Vienna even further and will now start negotiations with the other parties to form the next government.
October 12, 2020
UNESCO Honors Vienna with "Smart City" Award
The city of Vienna was recognized by UNESCO fo its "innovative, intelligent, networked and explicitly sustainable" housing policy. Besides Vienna, other cities, such as Shenzhen (China), Dakar (Senegal) and Singarpore, have received other awards.
September 30, 2020
European Capital of Democracy Coming Soon
The newly formed initiative "European Capital of Democracy" will try to give civilization more access to democracy by supporting activities and events that aim to improve and strengthen democracy. The first capital will be selected next year.
September 21, 2020
Panel Discussion: The Legacy of Solidarność and Current Challenges in Europe
A panel discussion about "The legacy of of Solidarność and the current challenges facing Europe during Poland's chairmanship of the Visegrád Group" was held in Vienna. Diplomats, politicians, and journalists shared experiences.
September 10, 2020
Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig Met German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz
Mayor Michael Ludwig and German Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz met for a working meeting in Vienna. Discussions were held about economic relations and municipal topics such as affordable housing.
August 25, 2020
Vienna: 44 Hectares of Train Station Will Turn Into Housing for 16,000 People
By 2033, the City of Vienna together with Austrian Railways (ÖBB) will turn the train station at Nordwestbahnhof (20th district, Brigittenau) into living spaces that will comfort 16,000 people.
August 21, 2020
New Luxury Hotel To Come To Vienna: The Mandarin Oriental Vienna
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, a Southeast Asian hotel chain that operates luxury 5-star hotels, is establishing a hotel in Vienna and invests 100 million euros.
July 8, 2020
Life in Vienna Has Awakened again - The Giant Ferris Wheel Is Turning again
The Giant Ferris Wheel - a symbol for Vienna and tourism - has been turning without interruption since the end of the Second World War and had to be switched off for the first time in over 70 years due to the Corona pandemy. After 80 days, the wheel turns again.
May 31, 2020
City of Vienna Gives Away 40 Million Euros for Gastronomy Consumption
This is how the second wave of the coronavirus will be boosted. After two months of corona lockdown, the gastronomy industry is opening up again this Friday, May 15. In order to boost the new start of coffee houses, pubs and restaurants, the City of Vienna is "giving" the 950,000 Viennese households gastronomy vouchers worth 25 or 50 euros (depending on the size of the household). Mayor Michael Ludwig (of the Social Democratic Party of Austria) declared on Wednesday "Yes, we can afford it!
May 13, 2020
Central European University Decides in Favor of the Otto Wagner Site in Vienna
The CEU Executive Committee unanimously voted in favour of making the Otto Wagner Grounds at Steinhof, in Vienna's 14th district, the new home of the university from 2025.
March 31, 2020
Town Charter of Vindobona Discovered
A sensational accidental discovery in the form of a small piece of bronze with 41 letters confirms that Roman Vienna was granted a town charter about 1800 years ago. Therewith, this oldest municipal law of Vienna is approximately 1.000 years older than the previously known municipal law of the Middle Ages.
March 5, 2020
Vienna as a Centre of International Diplomacy - Mayor Ludwig Welcomes Ghada Waly
Mayor Michael Ludwig received the new Director General of the United Nations in Vienna, Ghada Waly, at the Vienna City Hall.
February 6, 2020
Wiener Eistraum: 25 Years of Ice Skating at the Rathausplatz
One of the highlights among Vienna's events looks back on a proud quarter of a century and is also equipped for a long future. The "Vienna Ice Dream" has been dressed up for its 25th birthday - City Hall Square, 9,000 m² of ice rink and the worldwide unique "Sky Rink" ice terrace sparkled and shone with a glittering glow on the opening evening.
January 23, 2020
Ludwig van Beethoven, the Immigrant, Turns 250
In 2020, the City of Vienna will celebrate the 250th birthday of a Viennese by choice, Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born in Bonn on 17 December 1770.
December 16, 2019
Viennese Honour for George Soros the Donor of the Central European University
The investor, philanthropist and sponsor of the CEU Central European University, George Soros, has been awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Province of Vienna.
November 19, 2019
Strategic Objectives of the Vienna Visitor Economy Strategy 2025: Premium, Cosmopolitan, Digital
Vienna is already setting international standards in the holistic analysis of data for the development of destinations. The achievement of the goals of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2025 can be measured by six target indicators, which reflect the effects on turnover and added value as well as the satisfaction of residents and guests and ecological developments.
October 22, 2019
A New Age for Vienna Tourism
Following the tourism concepts of previous years, the City of Vienna, under the auspices of the Vienna Tourist Board, is for the first time presenting its "Visitor Economy Strategy" until 2025.
October 22, 2019
Belgrade and Vienna Sign Cooperation Agreement
Not only the Danube connects Vienna with the Serbian capital Belgrade, but now also a new city cooperation agreement with a focus on urban development, affordable housing, smart city, digitisation, open government and culture.
October 21, 2019
City of Vienna Positions Itself at UNIDO Silk Road Conference
At the recent two-day international silk road conference hosted by UNIDO, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by location lawyer Alexander Biach, took a stand and presented the opportunities and advantages of the Vienna region and the possibilities of a connection to the new Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative).
September 24, 2019
Oh Vienna: Austria's Capital Remains the World’s Most Liveable City
Vienna has successfully defended its leading position in the Economist ranking of the most liveable cities in the world. On the index Vienna scores a near-perfect 99.1 out of 100, putting it just ahead of Melbourne.
September 5, 2019
What Does Vienna Have in Common with the New Silk Road?
In order to ensure sustainable development, the cities along the New Silk Road also have to face major infrastructural and social challenges, as well as climate-ecological challenges. More than 1000 participants from more than 178 cities are expected in September in the Vienna International Center for UNIDO's Bridge for Cities Conference as part of the Belt & Road Initiative.
August 12, 2019
Marathon Under Two Hours - World Record Holder Kipchoge Wants to Break Barrier in Vienna
The marathon Olympic champion and world record holder, the Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, wants to run the marathon in less than 2 hours in Vienna in October, thus cutting his current record of 2:01:39 hours by an impossible 2 minutes.
June 27, 2019
Cooperation of the Metropolises Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich
The three German-speaking cities of Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich want to cooperate more closely in their sustainable development within the framework of a city trialogue in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
June 12, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - The Tireless Commitment of António Guterres
UN Secretary General António Guterres completed a busy programme when he came to Vienna for the 40th anniversary celebrations and the R20 Austria World Summit. The VIC Vienna International Centre is the place where, with the help of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the 193 member states, 15 Vienna-based UN organisations and more than 5000 people from 125 countries from around the world are bound together.
May 31, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - Guterres, Kneissl and Ludwig at Ceremony
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO-City), UN Secretary General António Guterres, former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig attended a ceremony at the Vienna headquarters of the United Nations.
May 30, 2019
Farewell to Formula 1 Legend Niki Lauda
The international sports world and everyone who knew him bid farewell to Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda. Many celebrities were present at the funerals in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, along with his family, friends and companions. During the requiem, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen said that we were standing at the coffin of a great Austrian.
May 30, 2019
Vienna Chamber of Commerce Opened New Headquarters
The Vienna Chamber of Commerce, a branch of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, has recently moved into a new ten-storey building near the Vienna Prater, the so-called "Haus der Wiener Wirtschaft". In this building, ten locations from five districts were combined and now all services can be found under one roof.
May 20, 2019
Rotes Wien 1919-2019: 100 Years of Socialist Avant-Garde and Quality of Life
The socialist and later social democratic Vienna celebrates its success story in the form of a series of events, exhibitions and specials. The city administration sees the period of the "Red Vienna" (from 1918 to 1934) as a founding myth that continues to have an impact to this day and shapes the DNA of the city, and is comparable to New York City as a melting pot and Ellis Island.
April 4, 2019
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