SOCIETY 370 / 2016

DIPLOMATIE
WELCOME TO AUSTRIA
WELCOME
TO AUSTRIA
AND ITS
HISTORY
The first “Bienvenue Club”
was created in Brussels in 1957
for the benefit of foreign diplomatic
spouses who came to
the new “capital of Europe”.
The aim was to make them
feel welcome and to introduce
them to the history and culture
of their host country.
The idea caught on: Further
“Bienvenue” or “Welcome”
associations were founded
in Luxembourg, Paris, Rome,
Berne, Vienna, Berlin, Madrid,
Oslo, Geneva etc. All these
associations are sponsored
by their respective Foreign
Ministries.
“Welcome to Austria” was
founded in 1997 by the
then Secretary of State Dr.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
Both Benita Ferrero-Waldner
and co-founder Gabrielle
Schallenberg had admired
and enjoyed the institution
“Bienvenue en France” during
their stay in Paris. “Welcome
to Austria”, however, was
created in harmony with the
possibilities and conditions
found in our country and is
therefore a very individual and
unique institution.
The Association has proven
to be a good platform for
informal meetings and crosscultural
exchange between
our diplomatic guests and
Austrians, who have been
acting as coordinators, guides
and hostesses. Promoting
Austria’s rich heritage of culture
and history both past and
present. We have managed
to keep a high profile without
neglecting the fun element.
In 2007 “Welcome to Austria”
celebrated its 10th anniversary
with the then WA-President,
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr.
Ursula Plassnik. This coincided
with the 50th anniversary of
the foundation of the European
Union in Brussels in 1957.
In September 2017 “Welcome
to Austria” will be happy to
celebrate the 20th anniversary
of its existence. We are grateful
to all our charming and
enthusiastic members, who
have encouraged and inspired
us over the past 20 years.
Gabrielle Schallenberg
Honorary President
www.welcome-to-austria.org
WA review of 2016
Welcome to Austria has kept its member families busy
with exciting events – music, art and history.
Text: Welcome to Austria
Office and Board of Welcome to Austria, from left to right: Gerti Tauchhammer,
Elisabeth Wolff, E. Jungreithmaier, Anne Thun-Hohenstein, Gabrielle Schallenberg,
Angelika Saupe-Berchtold, Aglaë Hagg, Stefanie Winkelbauer, Ellen Spallinger
Member families Fragart and
Hamilton on an Austrian
model vintage steam train
Anne Skippers recording
her personal poem ready
for transmission
at ORF Funkhaus
Jeunes Familles: Vintage Steam Train ride
History and Civilization:
ORF-Funkhaus
nvited to the live show of ‘Good Morning’
at FM4, WA members visited the
I
ORF Funkhaus and registered their own
prepared poems and texts in the ‘Erlebnisstudio’.
WA-members of Jeunes familles are mounting
a famous 310.23 Steam lokomotive from 1934
Aglaë Hagg-Thun, 2nd Vice President of Welcome to Austria, started last year with programs for
families of diplomats especially. Feedback to date has been very positive after a ride on vintage
steam trains and a private family Heurigen invitation at the Danube after a visit to Carnuntum. Participants
enjoy the activities, meeting other families and gaining insights into what Austria has to offer
both children and parents.
Fotos: WA
70 | SOCIETY 2_2016