IRAK DIE WIEGE DER ZIVILISATION

01/2015 

Das führende Magazin für das diplomatische Corps, internationale Organisationen und Wirtschaft 

The leading magazine for the diplomatic corps, international organizations and the economy 

www.cercle-diplomatique.com 

44 Jahre 

Gegründet 1971 

Neu ab 

2015! 

IRAK DIE WIEGE DER ZIVILISATION 

IRAQ THE CRADLE OF 

CIVILIZATION

EDITORIAL 

Ich steh 

auf Österreich. 

Ich sitz auf ADA. 

PHOTO: HARALD KLEMM 

Liebe Leserinnen, liebe Leser! | Dear Readers, 

Sie halten gerade die erste Ausgabe 

von Cercle Diplomatique 

in Händen, die wir gemeinsam 

mit unserem Team gestalten durften. 

Nach 18 Jahren erfolgreicher Herausgeberschaft 

haben Waltraud und 

Erik Steinböck die Agenden des 

Magazins vertrauensvoll in unsere 

Hände gelegt. Wir bedanken uns 

sehr herzlich für die reibungslose 

Übergabe und die laufende Unterstützung. 

Es freut uns ganz besonders, 

dass uns Waltraud Steinböck 

als Mit-Herausgeberin mit ihrer 

Expertise auch in Zukunft noch zur 

Seite stehen wird. 

Gemeinsam mit unserem Art 

Director Ralph Manfreda haben wir 

ein neues und modernes Erscheinungsbild 

entwickelt. Doch nicht 

nur optisch, sondern auch inhaltlich 

gibt es einige Veränderungen. Wie 

gehabt, bleiben unsere Kernkompetenzen 

Diplomatie, internationale 

Organisationen und Beziehungen 

sowie Wirtschaft. Neu dazugekommen 

sind die Ressorts „L’Autriche“ 

und „Savoir-vivre“. 

Cercle Diplomatique wird in Zukunft 

viermal pro Jahr erscheinen 

und Sie mit interessanten Geschichten 

aus aller Welt und aus Österreich 

begleiten. Neben der internationalen 

Community und dem diplomatischen 

Corps werden künftig noch 

stärker als bisher Multiplikatoren, 

Führungskräfte und Entscheidungsträger 

aus Wirtschaft, Tourismus 

und Kultur angesprochen. 

Wir freuen uns natürlich auch 

über Feedback per Post, E-Mail oder 

auch gerne persönlich. Abschließend 

bleibt nur noch eines zu sagen: 

Wir wünschen Ihnen viel Spaß beim 

Lesen! 

In your hands, you are holding 

the first edition of Cercle Diplomatique 

that we were able to 

produce together with our team. 

After 18 years of successful editorship, 

Waltraud and Erik Steinböck 

have entrusted the magazine’s agendas 

to our hands. We are grateful to 

them for the smooth handover process 

and for their continued support. 

We are particularly pleased that Waltraud 

Steinböck, with all her expertise, 

will be continuing to work with 

and contribute to us as co-editor for 

the future. 

In cooperation with our art director, 

Ralph Manfreda, we have developed 

a new, modern layout for the 

magazine. There have been a few 

changes, not just in terms of appearance 

but also in terms of content. 

Our core competencies remain, as 

ever, diplomacy, international organisations 

and relations, and the economy. 

New in the portfolio are the 

sections “L’Autriche” and “Savoir Vivre”. 

Cercle Diplomatique is published 

four times a year in the future and 

will accompany you with interesting 

stories from Austria and all over the 

world. In addition to the international 

community and the diplomatic 

corps more than ever multipliers, 

managers and decision makers from 

business, tourism and culture will be 

addressed in the future. 

Of course, we welcome all feedback 

via mail, e -mail or personally. 

Finally, there is only one thing left to 

say: We hope you enjoy reading ! 

Herzlichst | Warmest regards, 

Andrea Fürnweger 

Herausgeber | Publisher 

Mag. Alexander Bursky 

Herausgeber | Publisher 

www.ada.at 

facebook.com/ADA.Moebel 

Graz · Kasematten

ENTRÉE 

ES IST NICHT 

DIE LEISTUNG, 

SONDERN DIE 

FREUDE DARÜBER. 

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Freude auf jeder Strecke eindrucksvoll erfahren: Der neue BMW X6 – grenzenlos kraftvoll. Darüber hinaus Sinnbild für 

Ästhetik und Exklusivität. Doch was ist Kraft ohne Kontrolle? BMW xDrive, das intelligente Allradsystem, konzentriert 

Leistung dort, wo sie gebraucht wird: bis zu 100% auf Vorder- oder Hinterachse. Für Fahrfreude ohne Dynamikverlust. 

Von Beginn an ging es dabei nicht nur um das perfekte Auto. Vielmehr um ein Gefühl: Freude am Fahren. 

Freude am Fahren 

Symbolfoto 

PHOTO: PERTRAMER 

Grußworte 

Greetings 

Ich gratuliere zur Neugestaltung 

des Magazins Cercle 

Diplomatique. 

Ich finde die kreative Weiterentwicklung 

der traditionsreichen 

Publikation durch die neuen Verleger 

und Herausgeber Andrea 

Fürnweger und Mag. Alexander 

Bursky sehr gelungen. 

Die Einladung zu einer Grußbotschaft 

gibt mir auch die Gelegenheit, 

der bisherigen Herausgeberin, 

Frau KommR Prof. 

Waltraud Steinböck, sehr herzlich 

zu danken. Zwei Jahrzehnte lang 

hat sie in höchst engagierter Weise 

den Leserinnen und Lesern die 

Welt der Diplomatie innerhalb 

und außerhalb Österreichs nahe 

gebracht. Ihre Kompetenz und 

ihre große Auslandserfahrung haben 

Frau Prof. Steinböck die Anerkennung 

einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit 

eingebracht, weit über die 

Welt der internationalen Beziehungen 

und der Internationalen 

Organisationen hinaus. 

Gute Beziehungen zwischen 

Ländern und Nationen sind wichtiger 

denn je, um einander ohne 

Vorurteile oder historische Belastungen 

zu begegnen bzw. gemeinsam 

Probleme zu lösen. Österreich 

gilt diesbezüglich als offenes, 

sicheres und auch gastfreundliches 

Land, das seine globale Verantwortung 

durch gezielte Dialog- 

und Kooperationsbereitschaft 

stützt und fördert. 

Ich bin überzeugt davon, dass 

das nunmehr neu gestaltete Magazin 

Cercle Diplomatique wie 

gewohnt publizistische Brücken 

baut und dabei Menschen, Kulturen 

und Nationen miteinander im 

Sinne des Friedens und der 

Freundschaft verbindet. 

In diesem Sinn nochmals herzliche 

Gratulation und viel Erfolg 

für das neue Team! 

Congratulations on the reorganization 

of the magazine 

Cercle Diplomatique. 

I personally find the creative 

further development of this traditional 

publication by its new editors 

Andrea Fürnweger and Mag. 

Alexander Bursky very appealing. 

The invitation to send a greeting 

message also gives me the 

opportunity to thank Professor 

Waltraud Steinböck very cordially. 

For two decades she has 

brought the world of diplomacy 

in and outside Austria to the readers 

in a most dedicated manner. 

Her competence and vast foreign 

experience have gained Professor 

Steinböck great esteem within the 

general public, far beyond the 

world of international relations 

and international organizations. 

Good relations among countries 

and nations are more important 

than ever, in order to approach 

one another without 

prejudices or historical strains 

and find joint problem resolutions. 

In this respect Austria is 

known as an open, secure and 

hospitable country which recognizes 

and fosters its global responsibilities 

through targeted dialogue 

and cooperation. 

I am convinced that the newly 

designed magazine Cercle Diplomatique 

will continue to build 

journalistic bridges and thus unite 

people, cultures and nations in 

the sense of peace and friendship. 

In this sense, I congratulate 

the new team again and wish 

them great success for the future. 

Heinz Fischer 

Bundespräsident 

Dr. Heinz Fischer 

Denn was zählt, ist nicht das Ziel, sondern der Weg dorthin. 

Weitere Informationen erhalten Sie unter www.bmw.at oder beim 

BMW Partner Service unter Tel. 0800/21 55 55 oder info@bmw.at. 

BMW X6: von 190 kW (258 PS) bis 423 kW (575 PS), Kraftstoffverbrauch gesamt 

von 6 l/100 km bis 11,1 l/100 km, CO 2 -Emission von 157 g/km bis 258 g/km. 

Cercle Diplomatique 1/2015 

5

ENTRÉE 

Foto: © SRS/Michael Rzepa 

Grußworte 

Greetings 

WKO-Präsident Dr. Christoph Leitl 

an „Cercle Diplomatique“ 

Wien, Februar 2015 

to „Cercle Diplomatique“ 

Vienna, February 2015 

450TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPANISH 

RIDING SCHOOL IN VIENNA SILVERCOIN 

BRING ON THE 

DANCING HORSES 

Cercle Diplomatique ist seit 

vielen Jahren ein treuer 

Begleiter und exzellenter 

Berichterstatter der österreichischen 

Unternehmen auf dem internationalen 

Parkett und mediales 

Bindeglied zur gobalen 

diplomatischen Gemeinschaft in 

Österreich. In diesem Zusammenhang 

möchte ich der bisherigen 

Herausgeberin, Frau KR Prof. 

Waltraud Steinböck, für ihr unermüdliches 

Engagement danken 

und wünsche ihr das Beste für 

ihren weiteren Weg. Es freut mich 

aber auch, dass Frau Prof. Steinböck 

in Zukunft dem Magazin als 

Mit-Herausgeberin mit ihrer Expertise 

mit Rat und Tat weiter zur 

Verfügung stehen wird. Den neuen 

Herausgebern wünsche ich 

denselben Erfolg, und ich warte 

schon mit Spannung auf die erste 

Ausgabe des neu ausgerichteten 

Magazins, dessen Fokussierung ja 

noch stärker auf wirtschaftliche 

Aspekte ausgerichtet sein wird. 

For many years now, Cercle 

Diplomatique has been 

both a loyal companion 

and an outstanding reporter for 

Austrian companies on the international 

stage, and an essential 

media link to the global diplomatic 

community in Austria. With 

this in mind, I would like to thank 

the publisher to date, KR Prof. 

Waltraud Steinböck, for her tireless 

commitment to the magazine, 

and wish her all the very best 

for the future. I am also extremely 

pleased that Prof. Steinböck will 

continue to support the magazine 

in the future with her advice and 

expertise, in her role as co-publisher. 

I would like to wish the 

magazine’s new publishers the 

same degree of success, and look 

forward with interest to reading 

the first issue of the realigned magazine, 

which will focus even 

more closely on economic perspectives. 

Herzlichst Ihr | Sincerely, 

Christoph Leitl 

PHOTO: WKO 

The world’s oldest and most famous equestrian academy celebrates its 450th anniversary in 2015. Considered an Intangible 

Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 2010, the Spanish Riding School in Vienna continues to delight both connoisseurs and 

newcomers to horsemanship almost half a millennium since its foundation in 1565. Minted in the school’s honor, this superb 

20 euro silver coin brilliantly echoes the elegance of the Spanish Riding School and will no doubt delight you, too. 

Available from all fine coin dealers and at www.austrian-mint.at. 

AUSTRIAN MINT – INVEST. COLLECT. GIVE. 

www.austrian-mint.at 


7

CONTENTS 

CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE – 

ECONOMIQUE et TOURISTIQUE 

Nr. 302 

Ausgabe | Issue 01/2015 

Coverstory 

IRAQ 

Seite | page 30 

Ein umfassendes Portrait über 

den Irak heute, seine glorreiche 

Vergangenheit, die Aussichten 

für die Zukunft und die 

Irakische Botschaft in 

Österreich. 

A comprehensive portrait of 

Iraq today, its glorious past, 

the prospects for the future 

and the Iraqi Embassy in 

Austria. 

12 

16 

30 

40 

44 

48 

52 

56 

60 

62 

66 

LE BULLETIN 

Die neuen Botschafter | The new Ambassadors 

Akkreditierungen durch Bundespräsident Fischer. Accreditations by Federal President Fischer. 

Offizielle Empfänge | Official Receptions 

Die großen Empfänge der letzten drei Monate. The great receptions of the past three months. 

LE MONDE 

Coverstory Irak | Cover story Iraq 

Die Wiege der Zivilisation. The cradle of civilization. 

Thailand 

Eines der touristisch attraktivsten Länder der Welt. A leading tourist destination. 

Lettland | Latvia 

EU-Ratspräsidentschaft. Presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

Essay 

200 Jahre Wiener Kongress. 200 years of the Congress of Vienna. 

Panama 

Botschafterin Gloria Young im Fokus. Ambassador Gloria Young in focus. 

Außenwirtschaft | Foreign Affairs 

Außenminister Kurz zum Thema Integration. Foreign Minister Kurz on the topic of integration. 

Vienna Economic Forum 

Das VEF und seine Rolle in Südosteuropa. The VEF and its role in Southeastern Europe. 

Bangladesch | Bangladesh 

Rückblick, Ausblick und die Situation heute. Look back, forecast and the situation today. 

News 

Neuigkeiten aus der ganzen Welt. Latest update from all over the world. 

106 

112 

118 

122 

124 

126 

128 

132 

134 

136 

140 

144 

146 

Lyoness Open 

Die europäische Golfelite trifft sich in Tulln. The European golf elite meets in Tulln. 

Uhren | Watches 

Die exklusivsten Neuheiten des Marktes. The most exclusive innovations of the market. 

Prag | Prague 

Ein Wochenende in der Goldenen Stadt. A weekend in the Golden City. 

Suite Dreams 

Die Präsidenten Suite des Hotel Sacher. The President Suite in the Hotel Sacher. 

Check in 

Die Vorzüge des Hotel Meliá Vienna. The amenities of the Hotel Meliá Vienna. 

Wellness Hotels 

Zufluchtsorte für Ihre kleine Auszeit. Hideaways for your timeout. 

Kreuzfahrten | Cruises 

Die Kreuzfahrertrends 2015. The cruising trends 2015. 

Motor 

Powerpakete mit Allround-Qualitäten. Power packages with all-round qualities. 

Lifestyle 

Die Trends für den kommenden Frühling. The trends for the spring season. 

Kunst | Arts 

Kulturelle Höhepunkte 2015. Cultural highlights 2015. 

Reise | Travel 

Top-Hotels und -Restaurants aus aller Welt. Top hotels and restaurants around the world. 

Buchempfehlungen | Must-reads 

Buchtipps aus und über Wien. Book tips from and about Vienna. 

Mein Wien | My Vienna 

Spaniens Botschafter Alberto Carnero. Spain‘s Ambassador Alberto Carnero. 

72 

76 

80 

82 

84 

90 

96 

100 

102 

L‘AUTRICHE 

Wirtschaft | Economic Affairs 

Wirtschaftsminister Mitterlehner über den Welthandel. Mitterlehner on world trade. 

Wien Tourismus | Vienna Tourist Board 

Das Geheimnis des Erfolgs der Stadt Wien. The secret of the success of the City of Vienna. 

Forschung & Entwicklung | Research & Development 

Internationale Spitzenforscher in Wien. International Elite Researchers in Vienna. 

Zukunftslabor| Future Lab 

Georg Kapsch‘s Visionen für Österreich. Georg Kapsch‘s visions for Austria. 

Wirtschaftsnews | Business news 

Neues aus der Welt der Wirtschaft. News from the world of business. 

SAVOIR VIVRE 

Wiener Ringstraße | Vienna‘s Ringstraße 

150-Jahr-Jubiläum. 150 year anniversary. 

Wiener Sängerknaben | Vienna‘s Boys Choir 

Österreichs jüngste Botschafter. Austria‘s youngest ambassadors. 

Belvedere 

Wo der „Kuss“ zu Hause ist. The home of the „Kiss“. 

Spanische Hofreitschule | Spanish Riding School 

450 Jahre hohe Reitkunst. 450 Years of Consummate Horsemanship. 

150 

158 

3 

5 

8 

161 

LE RENDEZVOUS 

Veranstaltungen | Events 

Exklusive Veranstaltungen im Fokus. Exclusive events in focus. 

LE GUIDE 

Adressen | Addresses 

Nutzliche Adressen für die internationale Gesellschaft. 

Useful addresses for the international community. 

Editorial 

Entré 

Inhalt | Contents 

Impressum | Masthead 

COVERPHOTO: GETY IMAGES/ NICO TONDINI ; PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/ JANE SWEENEY 

2 Cercle Diplomatique 1/2015 


3

LE 

BULLETIN 

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für 48 oder 72 Stunden freie Fahrt 

mit U-Bahn, Tram &Bus und mehr als 

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Quelle: www.oeamtc.at, Stand 18.10.2012 

IN LE BULLETIN ERFAHREN 

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IN DEN VERGANGEN 

MONATEN STATTGEFUN- 

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LE BULLETIN TELLS YOU WHO 

THE NEWLY ACCREDITED 

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ARE AND WHICH OFFICIAL 

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LE BULLETIN CREDENTIALS 

Empfang der neuen Botschafter bei Bundespräsident Dr. Heinz Fischer 

Reception of the new Ambassadors with Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer 

H. E. 

Dr. Vasilka Poposka 

Trenevska 

Ambassador of the 

Republic of Macedonia 


Kingdom of Norway 


Kingdom of Thailand 

Credentials: 3rd of December 2014 Credentials: 3rd of December 2014 Credentials: 3rd of Decemeber 2014 

H. E. 

Bente 

Angell-Hansen 

H. E. 

Arthayudh 

Srisamoot 

H. E. H. E. H. E. 

Vu Viet Anh Md. Abu Zafar Dr. Janos Perenyi 

Ambassador of the Socialist 

Republic of Vietnam 

Ambassador of the People‘s 

Republic of Bangladesh 


Republic of Hungary 

Credentials: 3rd of Decemeber 2014 Credentials: 10th of December 2014 Credentials: 10th of December 2014 

Born on 22nd of June 1964 in Prilep, Republic of Macedonia 

Education 

1982-1986 – Faculty of Economics at the University St. 

Clement of Ohrid, Bitola 

1993 – Master of Economics at the Faculty of Economics at 

the University St. Clement of Ohrid, Bitola 

1995 – PhD in Statistics at the Faculty of Economics at the 

University St. Clement of Ohrid, Bitola 

Professional Career 

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic 

of Macedonia to the Republic of Austria (2014- ) 

Accompanied her husband, Ambassador Martin Trenevski, 

during his mandate as Head of Mission of the Republic of 

Macedonia to NATO in Brussels (2010-2014) 


during his mandate as Consul General in Toronto, Canada 

(2008-2010) 

Professor of Biostatistics at the Faculty of Veterinary 

Medicine at the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje 

(2005-2008) 


during his mandate as Ambassador in Sweden (2001-2005) 

Professor of Biostatistics at the Faculty of Veterinary 

Medicine at the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius”, Skopje 

(2000) 

Assistant Professor of Statistics at the Faculty of Economics 

at the University St. Clement of Ohrid, Bitola (1995-2000) 

Assistant Professor of Statistics at the Faculty of Economy at 

the University St. Clement of Ohrid, Bitola (1990-1993) 

Consultant at the National Bank of the Republic of 

Macedonia in Skopje (1987-1990) 

Born on 15th of December 1951 

Education 

1988: Leningrad State University, USSR. Degree in social 

sciences, University of Oslo. Programmes of study, 

concentrating on international politics; French, public law 


Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and Permanent 

Representative to the International Organisations in 

Vienna (2014- ) 

Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2011) 

Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent 

Mission of Norway in Geneva (2007-2011) 

Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary (2005-2007) 

Director General, Department of International Affairs, 

Office of the Prime Minister (2000-2005) 

Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1998-2000) 

Assistant Director General, Department of Natural 

Resources and Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs (1995) 

Assistant Director General, Department of External 

Economic Affairs I , Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1993) 

Head of Division, Department of External Economic Affairs 

I , Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1991) 

Head of Division, Department of Natural Resources and 

Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1990) 

Excecutive Officer, North-South Section, Department of 

Multilateral Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs (1986-1990) 

Attaché/Second Secretary, Norwegian Embassy in 

Canberra, Australia (1982-1985) 

Foreign Service Trainee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1979) 

Executive Officer, Ministry of Trade and Shipping 

(1978-1979) 

Research Fellow, Norwegian Institue of International 

Affairs (1976-1978) 

Born on 29th December 1962, married 

Education 

1983, Bachelor of Sciences (Government and Economics) 

Monmouth College, Illinois 

1984 Master of Arts (Economic Policy) University of 

Chicago, Illinois 


Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the 

Federal Republic of Austria, Slovak Republic and Republic 

of Slovenia (2014- ) 

Permanent Representative to the United Nations and 

International Agencies in Vienna (2014- ) 

Director-General, Department of ASEAN Affairs 

(2012-2014) 

Consul General, Consulate General, Vancouver (2010-2012) 

Deputy Director-General, ASEAN-Thailand (2007-2010) 

Director, Europe 1 Division (EC and Western Europe) 

(2005-2007) 

Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United 

Nations Office in Geneva (2002- 2004) 

First Secretary/Counsellor, Department of ASEAN-Affairs 

(1996-2001) 

First Secretary, Royal Thai Embassy, Manila (political/information/protocol) 

(1992-1996) 

Second Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, 

(1991-1992) 

Second Secretary, Department of Political Affairs (South 

Asia & Middle East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1990) 

Third Secretary, Department of ASEAN Affairs, Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs (1988-1989) 

Armed Forces Information Office, Supreme Command 

Headquarters (1985-1987) 

PHOTOS: JULIA WEICHSELBAUM/HBF, CARINA KARLOVITS/HBF, KONRAD KHITTL/HBF 

Born on 2nd of November 1963, in Ha Noi, married, 

three children 

Education 

Master of International Journalism, Moscow State Institute 

of International Relations – Soviet Union 

PhD in Economics, Research Institute of International Politics 

and Economics – Russian Federation Academy of Sciences 

Management Training, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of 

Politics and Public Administration 


Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the 

Republic of Austria (2014- ) 

Deputy Director General, Department of Europe, Ministry of 

Foreign Affairs (2009-2014) 

Counsellor, then Minister Counsellor – Deputy Chief of 

Mission, Embassy of Vietnam in Austria (2006-2009) 

Deputy Director General, National Border Committee, 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002-2006) 

Desk Officer, then Chief of the Office, Consular Department, 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1998-2002) 

Attaché, Embassy of Vietnam in the United States of 

America (1998-1998) 

Attaché, Embassy of Vietnam in the Russian Federation 

(1995-1997) 

Desk Officer, Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs (1993-1995) 

Officer, Vietnam Courier Newspaper, Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs (1988-1992) 

Born on 1st of March 1963, married, two daughters 

Education 

BSc Agriculture (Hons) Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture 

University in Dhaka, Bangladesh 

Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations from the 

International Institute of Public Administration (IIAP) in 

Paris, France 

MBA Preston University, USA (Karachi campus) 


Career Diplomat to the Bangladesh Civil Service (Foreign 

Affairs) (1991-2014) 

Consul General for Bangladesh in Dubai, UAE (2009-2013) 

Consul General for Bangladesh in the Pacific Coast of the 

USA (2007-2009) 

Counsellor and Acting Deputy High Commissioner in 

Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, Karachi 

(1997-2004) 

The Hague as Second and First Secretary as well as 

Alternate Representative to the Organization for the 

Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) (1997-1999) 

Assistant Post Master General in the Ministry of Post and 

Telecommunication, Bangladesh Civil Service (Foreign 

Affairs) (2009-1991) 

Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute 

under the Ministry of Agriculture ( 1987-1989) 

Born on 14th of September 1949, married, two children 

Education 

1979 Doctor of Philosophy, Uppsala University 

1972 Bachelor of Arts, Uppsala University, Faculty of 

Philosophy, History, English, French 


Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco (2011-2014) 

Counsellor at the Hungarian Embassy in Paris (2009-2011) 

National Coordinator for the Alliance of Civilizations in the 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary (2008-2009) 

Director General for lnternational Relations, Crans Montana 

Forum, Monaco (2005) 

Senior Advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary 

(2003-2005) 

Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the Council of 

Europe (2002-2003) 

Member of the Governing Board of the Council of Europe 

Development Bank (1993-2002) 

Ambassador, Permanent Representation of Hungary to the 

Council of Europe, (1998 - 2002) 

Chairman of the Ministers‘ Deputies during the Hungarian 

Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council 

of Europe (1998-1999) 

Project Manager of the Joint Programme of the Council of 

Europe and the European Commission for the development 

and capacity building of local self- government in 

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ukraine (1997-1998) 

Chairman of the Liaison Committee between the Council of 

Europe and OECD (1993-1996) 

Ambassador, Permanent Representation of Hungary to the 

Council of Europe (1992- 1996) 

Counsellor at the Embassy of Hungary in Vienna 

(1990-1992) 

Head of Department , Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary 

(1990) 



13

LE BULLETIN CREDENTIALS 

H. E. 

Gloria Young 


Republic of Panama 

H. E. 

Dr. Olexander 

Scherba 


Republic of Ukraine 

Credentials: 10th of December 2014 Credentials: 10th of December 2014 

Paul Cézanne, Montagne Sainte-Victoire, 1900–1902; Musée d’Orsay, Paris © RMN-Grand Palais (musée d’Orsay)/ Tony Querrec 

Born on 30th of December 1952, married, three children, 

three grandchildren 

Education 

2009: Master of Education Systems with specialization in 

Curriculum and Supervision, 1984-1985, ICASE, University 

of Panama 

1998: Social Aspects of Reproductive Health, El Colegio de 

México, Mexico 

1980: BA in Political Science and Public Administration, 

National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 

Mexico 


Executive Director of the Institute for the Consolidation of 

Democracy at the Panama Latina University (2011-2014) 

Executive Director of the Center for Gender Studies at the 

Panama Latina University (2009- ) 

University Professor at the Faculty of Law and Political 

Science at the Panama Latina University and Professor of 

Graduate Studies and Masters in Higher Teaching and 

others (2007- ) 

Foreign Service Trainee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1979) 

Executive Officer, Ministry of Trade and Shipping 

(1978-1979) 

Research Fellow, Norwegian Institute of International 

Affairs (1976-1978) 

Political positions 

National Coordinator, political training of the National 

Secretariat of Women of the Panamanian Party; Executive 

Secretary of Education of the Panamanian Party (at the 

current time) 

National Director of the Panamanian Party (2006-2010) 

Chief Opposition Party Caucus (2004-2003) 

Legislator of the Republic of Panama (2004-1994) 

Coordinator of the Expanded Government Legislative 

Caucus (2001-2000) 

President of the Political Party, Movimiento Papa Egoró, 

founded by Ruben Blades (1998-1995) 

Born on 22th of June 1970, in Kiew, married, two children 

Education 

Master of Linguistics, National Taras Shevchenko 

Kiev University 

Doctor of Political Science, Kiev Institute of 

International Relations 


Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the 

Ukraine in Austria (2014- ) 

Special Envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the 

Ukraine 

Participant of the crisis team “Crimea and East” 

(2014-2014) 

Advisor to the first Deputy Prime Minister of the Ukraine 

Participant in negotiations with the IMF and the EU 

(2013-2014) 

Special Envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the 

Ukraine (2010-2013) 

Advisor to the presidential candidate, MP Arseniy 

Yatsenyuk (2009-2010) 

Employee in the EU Department in the Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs in the Ukraine (2008-2009) 

Counsellor of the Embassy of the Ukraine in Washington 

Responsible for relations with the congress and Jewish 

organizations (2004-2008) 

First Secretary, the Deputy Director of the Minister’s Office, 

the Foreign Minister speechwriter Anatolii Zlenko 

(2000-2003) 

Attaché, the third secretary of the Embassy of the Ukraine 

in BR (1996-2000) 

PHOTOS: JULIA WEICHSELBAUM/HBF, CARINA KARLOVITS/HBF 

MUST SEE 

UNTIL MAY 3, 2015 

Archives of the Dream 

from the Musée d’Orsay 

Albertinaplatz 1, 1010 Vienna 

Daily 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesday 10 am to 9 pm 

www.albertina.at 

14 00 Cercle Diplomatique 1/2015

LE BULLETIN REVIEW 

Official receptions 

December 10, 2014 

Qatar 

National Day reception of Qatar at the Hotel Intercontinental. 


Romania 

National Day reception of Romania at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace. 

Ambassador 

Silvia Davidoiu 

Ambassador Ali 

Al-Mansouri 


Kenya 

Reception on the occasion of Kenya‘s Independence Day. 

PHOTOS: CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE 

Ambassador Michael A. O. Oyugi and wife 

16 Cercle Diplomatique 1/2015



Kazakhstan 

23rd Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan at The Ritz-Carlton Vienna. 

January 19, 2015 

Armenia 

On the occassion of the signing of the cultural agreement between Armenia 

and Austria Arman Kirakossian, Ambassador of Armenia, held a reception at 

the Armenian Cultural Center. 

Ambassador Kairat 

Sarybay and his wife Leila 

Makhat-Sarybay 


Governor‘s Conference 

Ceremony at the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna as part of the handing over of the presidency of the 

Governors‘ Conference from Vienna to Lower Austria. 

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Governor of 

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Erwin Pröll 

PHOTOS: CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE 

Ambassador 

Arman 

Kirakossian 



19



India 

65th anniversary of the Republic of India at the Hotel Bristol, Vienna. 


Latvia 

To mark the beginning of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union the Latvian Embassy invited to 

a concert of classical music performed by Latvian musicians at the Vienna City Hall, followed by a reception. 

Ambassador Edgars 

Skuja (on the right) 

February 4, 2015 

Sri Lanka 

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka hosted a reception in honor of the 67th National Day of Sri Lanka. 

Ambassador 

Abdul Azeez 

Aliyar Lebbe 

Ambassador 

Rajiva Misra 

PH"OTOS: CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE/ HARALD KLEMM, PARLAMENTSDIREKTION / BKA / GEORG STEFANIK, BOTSCHAFT SRI LANKA 


Peace Brunch Stift Melk 

On the occasion of the World Interfaith Harmony Week of the United Nations Abbot Georg Wilfinger and Jordan’s 

Ambassador Hussam Al Husseini invited to an interreligious dialogue at Stift Melk. 




Iran 

On the occasion of the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran the Iranian Embassy invited to a reception. 


Kuwait 

On the occassion of the 54th anniversary of independence and the 24th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait and 

to commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations with Austria the Ambassador of Kuwait Sadiq M. Marafi held a 

reception at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna. 

Ambassador 

Hassan Tajik (on 

the left) 


First Foreign Economic Policy Reception 

Viceminister Bernadette Marianne Gierlinger invited to the 1st Foreign Economic Policy Reception at the Federal Ministry of 

Science, Research and the Economy. Countless ambassadors accepted the invitation. 

Ambassador 

S.E. Sadiq M. 

Marafi and his 

wife 

Viceminister 

Bernadette 

Marianne 

Gierlinger 

PHOTOS: CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE/ HARALD KLEMM 


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23



Russia 

To honor the fallen soldiers of the Red Army on the “Defender of the Fatherland Day” the Ambassador of the 

Russian Federation Sergey Nechaev invited to a reception at the Russian Embassy. 

Ambassador Sergey 

Nechaev (on the right) 

March 4, 2015 

Estonia 

97th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. 

Ambassador 

Eve-Külli Kala 

(2nd from left) 





Egypt 

On the occasion of the visit of the Egyptian-Austrian Business Council and the Egyptian Federation of Industries there was a 

reception at the Embassy of Egypt. 

Ambassador 

Khaled Shamaa (in 

the middle) 

March 4, 2015 

Bulgaria 

Reception on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria. 

Ambassador 

Mag. Elena 

Shekerletova 

(left) 



LE 

MONDE 

Mauritius 

Erleben Sie Entspannung 

von ihrer schönsten Seite: 

mit Austrian bequem nonstop 

nach Mauritius fliegen. 

AB 

OKTOBER 

FROM 

Einen Urlaubsort 

suchen. 

TO 

Ein Paradies finden. 

HIER FINDEN SIE EINE REIHE 

HOCHINTERESSANTER 

BERICHTE ÜBER DIE 

LÄNDER DIESER WELT UND 

IHREN VERTRETUNGEN IN 

ÖSTERREICH, GESPICKT 

MIT INTERVIEWS UND 

STELLUNGNAHMEN VON 

EXPERTEN AUS DEM IN- 

UND AUSLAND. 

HERE YOU WILL FIND A 

NUMBER OF HIGHLY 

INTERESTING REPORTS ON 

THE COUNTRIES OF THE 

WORLD AND THEIR 

REPRESENTATIONS IN AUSTRIA 

PEPPERED WITH INTERVIEWS 

AND EXPERTS’ OPINIONS 

FROM AUSTRIA AND ABROAD.

LE MONDE IRAQ 

THE 

CRADLE 

OF 

CIVILIZATION 

The territory of present-day Iraq roughly corresponds to that 

of ancient Mesopotamia, which is considered to be ‘the cradle 

of civilization’. About 10,000 years ago, larger human settlements 

first appeared in this area, which would eventually 

develop into places of intellectual and spiritual progress and 

centres of empires. 

Text: Petra Stix 

PHOTO: GETTTY/JANE SWEENEY 

Erbil Citadel: 

The earliest evidence 

for occupation date 

to the 5th 

millennium B.C. 



31

LE MONDE IRAQ 

FACTS & 

FIGURES 

IIraq is bordered by the Zagros Mountains to the north-east, 

and the Arabian High Plateau to the south-east. The name ‘Mesopotamia’ 

actually comes from the Greek, meaning „Land between 

the Rivers“. The two mighty rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris, 

snake across the country from high in the north and west, 

before flowing into the the waters of the Persian Gulf in the south. 

Their influence holds the key to why the land developed as early as 

it did, and the rivers are the reason why people often speak of Iraq 

as the Land of Two Rivers. 

Northern Iraq is made up of the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan, 

which maintains its own parliament and official administrative 

language, Kurdish. Present-day Iraq only came into being in 

1920, when it was created out of the three former Ottoman provinces 

of Baghdad, Mosul and Basra. 

The glorious days of ancient Mesopotamia 

For many thousands of years, during the era of the Sumerian, 

Babylonian and Assyrian Empires, Iraq constituted the centre of 

the ancient civilised world. Present-day Iraq has something like 

10,000 registered settlement mounds, the vast majority of which 

have not yet been excavated. They bear witness to the long period 

of prosperity of these highly-developed civilisations of the past. 

Around 3,200 B.C., the Sumerians invented the wheel, which 

was also used as a potter’s wheel. The earliest known potter’s wheel 

in the world was found at the famous Royal Tombs of Ur. In the 

third millennium B.C., expanding trade led to the development of 

written language, as the first symbols were scratched on clay tablets 

using styluses. This eventually developed into cuneiform, which 

was perfected in about 2,700 B.C. 

In the 1st Millennium B.C., the Assyrians (883–612) and the Babylonian 

King Nebuchadnezzar (604–562) created the first empires, 

which controlled the overwhelming majority of what was the 

known world at that time. Nebuchadnezzar used the resources of 

his empire to build up his capital city, Babylon, into a gleaming metropolis 

with an estimated population of one million people. He 

completed the 100-metre-high Tower of Babel (the high temple dedicated 

to the god Marduk), built the well-known Ishtar Gate, also 

known as the Babylon Gate (parts of which can still be seen to this 

day at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin), and created an everlasting 

myth surrounding the city. Constructions such as the legendary 

Hanging Gardens of Babylon, sometimes referred to as the Hanging 

Gardens of Semiramis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient 

World, have, together with stories from the Bible, ensured that 

the city – a symbol of wealth and power – has retained its glory. 

Destruction and Devastation 

Mesopotamia was to experience its final peak under Alexander 

the Great, who wanted to make Babylon the capital of his empire. 

Alexander took a large number of Greek experts with him, who 

were to transport the proverbial teachings of the Chaldeans – the 

‘Wise Men from the East’ – to Europe, where they had a definite 

influence on science in the West. 

However, the Mongols then swept through the country: they advanced 

from Central Asia to the Middle East in a series of destructive 

conquests. They conquered Baghdad in 1258, killing the last 

Caliphs along with the country’s entire scholarly, artistic and religious 

elite. They destroyed the infrastructure – in particular the 

cities and canal systems – to such an extent that the country was 

unable to recover for centuries to come. As a result, irreplaceable 

cultural heritage was lost forever. 

Recent history and the situation today 

Since its establishment as a new state in 1920 Iraq has been one 

of the strong pillars of diplomacy, mainly in the Middle East. The 

invasion of Kuwait in 1990 forced Iraq to part from the International 

Community. Iraq was isolated over two decades, but since 2003 

Iraq showed sincere efforts towards establishing a federal democratic 

government. Iraq and the Iraqis gave their best to come back to 

the international arena. Iraq‘s emerge came through intense diplomatic 

efforts on both bilateral and multilateral levels. The new established 

government was working hard on implementing strategic 

approaches towards democracy, human rights and liberal economy. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government has emerged towards the 

path of democracy and federalism at an early stage. The semiautonomous 

character of the region since the early 1990s provided Kurdistan 

with a very good and unique position. The measures of economy, 

stability and the sustainability of the Kurdish political system 

could be seen as a pilot project for the other governorates of Iraq. 

The Kurdistan Regional Government represents Iraq as a hub for 

investment, political reconciliation, human rights and education. 

The Kurdish peshmarga and people in Kurdistan have stood firmly 

and bravely against ISIS and terrorism. They believe strongly that 

they are part of Iraq’s general security and territorial integrity. 

Unfortunately, the era of conflict after 2003 was not easy at all 

neither for Iraqi government nor Iraqis in general. The wild wave of 

insurgency that later on developed into terrorism has been a big 

obstacle. The Iraqi government‘s original objectives were development, 

education, health and other projects. In the shadow of terrorism 

and its destructive forces, however, the Iraqi government finds 

itself obliged to invest heavily in the security field instead. 

The need for the international community‘s support is still a key 

factor for Iraq‘s future success. A collective approach through broad 

international cooperation could help the country to endure, steadfast 

and ease challenges imposed by terrorism. Despite Iraq’s situation 

it is still considered to be one of the best states for development 

and investment on all levels. The infrastructure of Iraq has suffered 

great loss due to war and sabotage. Iraq nowadays is at the edge of 

historical shift. That is why Iraq‘s relations with Austria, other states 

and the international community in general is essential for the 

future of Iraq and the region. 

PHOTOS: GETTTY/RASOUL ALI (3); AHMAD AL-RUBAYE, SPECTRUM COLOUR LIBRARY/HERITAGE-IMAGES, ARCHIV 

The Iraqi capital Baghdad with its 

population of 5.4 million is one of the 

largest cities in the Middle East. 

The shrine of Imam 

Hussein, grandson of 

the Prophet 

Mohammed. 

The Iraqi capital Baghdad 

with its population of 5.4 

million is one of the largest 

cities in the Middle East. 

Shiite Muslim Pilgrims 

gather at the shrine of 

Imam Mussa 

al-Kadhim in 

Kadhimiya. 

Abu Ja‘far al-Mansur: Second Abbasid 

Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate, 

founder of the Imperial capital 

Baghdad. 

Fortress of Al Ukhaidir, 

built in the late 8th 

century by the Abbasids. 

Iraq 

Official name: 

Republic of Iraq 

Location: Iraq borders Iran 

to the east, Kuwait to the 

south-west, Saudi Arabia 

to the south, Jordan to the 

south-west, Syria and 

Turkey to the north, and 

the Persian Gulf to the 

south. 

Area: 434,128 km2 

Population: 28 million 

(2009) 

Official languages: Arabic 

and Kurdish 

Other languages: Azeri, 

Aramaic 

Religion: 97 % Muslim (of 

that number, 60 % Shiite 

and 32-37 % Sunni). 3 % 

Christian, Yazidi and other 

religions. 

Capital: Baghdad 

Currency: Iraqi Dinar 

Climate: extreme seasonal 

differences in temperature 

ranging from 34°C to 50°C 

in summer and as low as 

0°C in winter. Tendency to 

be dry, with winds from a 

north-westerly direction 

all-year-round, including 

sand storms. 

Independence: 

3rd October 1932 

Form of government: 

Federal Republic 

Head of State: 

Muhammad Fuad Masum 

Head of Government: 

Haider Jawad Kadhim 

Al-Abadi 

Cuneiform writing 

developed as early as the 

third millennium B.C. 


LE MONDE IRAQ | INTERVIEW 

Dr. Surood R. Najib 

“There is an outstanding basis for talks between Austria and Iraq“ 

“If I had a wish, it 

would be for peace of 

mind for all the people 

of my country.“ 


Republic of Iraq in 

Vienna 

Iraq’s Ambassador Dr. Surood R. Najib talks about the bilateral and economic 

relations between Iraq and Austria, and his very personal wishes for the future of 

his country. 

Interview: Petra Stix 

Ambassador Najib talking 

about his wishes for the 

future in the CD-Interview. 

Your Excellency, you’re a great lover of the arts and culture. 

Apart from the cultural and historical treasures Austria has 

to offer, what else do you like about the country? 

I feel entirely at ease here – it‘s almost like being at 

home. The people are always nice and friendly. If you 

ask a complete stranger the way, he won‘t just explain 

how to get there, he‘ll accompany you all the way to 

the front door. This has happened to me personally. 

It was a lovely experience, and a fine example of Austrian 

hospitality. But I don’t just love the historic 

buildings of the City of Vienna – I also love the beautiful 

countryside in the other federal states and the 

history that can be felt and experienced everywhere. 

How would you describe bilateral relations between Austria 

and Iraq? 

Relations between Austria and Iraq are strong on 

every level. Only recently I travelled to Iraq together 

with the Austrian Foreign Minister, Sebastian Kurz. 

We were involved in important talks with Iraq’s President, 

Fuad Masum, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Ibrahim 

al-Jaafari, the Prime Minister of Kurdistan, Nechirvan 

Idris Barzani, and the Kurdistan Minister for 

Foreign Relations, Falah Mustafa Bakir. In Erbil, we 

visited a refugee camp together. Kurz was able to see 

the dramatic situation in my home country for 

himself. At the same time he saw children of different 

denominations and beliefs – Shiites, Sunnis, 

Christians and Yazidis – 

playing peacefully with one 

another. On a political level, 

there is an outstanding basis 

for discussion between Austria 

and Iraq. The former Foreign 

Minister, Michael Spindelegger, 

was also taking 

part in bilateral discussions 

in Iraq. The Iraqi Austrian 

Joint Supreme Committee 

has been meeting regularly 

again since 2013. Its next meeting will take place in 

Baghdad. 

The Iraqi economy is dominated by the oil sector. What other 

promising sectors would you recommend foreign investors to 

look at? 

We maintain good relations with the Austrian 

Economic Chamber and Austrian business people. 

Thanks, first and foremost, to the Austro-Arab 

Chamber of Commerce; we are extremely well-networked 

when it comes to economic matters and 

commercial matters. Many Austrian firms are already 

investing in Iraq – predominantly in the oil sector, 

of course. The biggest of these is OMV. But there is 

also huge potential for investors in the construction 

industry and the supply industry. It is not just due to 

the falling oil prices that makes it necessary for Iraq 

to develop additional economic pillars which will 

promise stability and security. In order to be successful 

in the agricultural sector, for instance, irrigation 

facilities need to be constructed, and intense negotiations 

are already underway with Austrian companies 

about making this happen. 

What needs to be done to intensify relations between our 

two countries even further? 

Direct flights between Vienna and Baghdad, the 

capital of Iraq, would be good. It would facilitate cooperation 

a lot. 

If you had three wishes for your country, what would you 

wish for? 

First of all, peace of mind for all the people of my 

country. Apart from that, I also wish from the bottom 

of my heart for the international community to 

continue backing Iraq, and to continue supporting it 

in the future. And my wish for this generation is to 

protect the country’s cultural heritage for the next 

generation, and to honour the people who gave their 

lives to preserve that heritage. 

PHOTOS: RALPH MANFREDA 

PERSONAL DETAILS 

Dr. Surood R. Najib Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq 

in Vienna and Permanent Representative of Iraq to the 

United Nations (Vienna). 



35

LE MONDE IRAQ 

Awoken from its sleeping beauty sleep 

Before, 2008 … … and after, in 2014. 

The time-honored Ringstraßen Palais 

Larisch-Mönnich is the home of the 

Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in 

Vienna. After two years of renovation 

work, the building has now been 

returned to its original splendour. 


PHOTOS: EMBASSY OF IRAQ, RALPH MANFREDA (1) 

Palais Larisch-Mönnich, near the Kursalon 

Hü bner in the City Park of Vienna, has belonged 

to the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq 

since the 1950s. The current Ambassador of Iraq, 

Surood R. Najib, is a great lover of the arts and culture, 

and he was deeply saddened to see the sorry 

state of the once noble residence; the interior furnishings 

and decoration had been almost totally destroyed, 

and the rooms on the bottom floor were flooded. 

All in all, the building was a sad relic of Austria’s 

dark past, and of the destiny that the Palais shared 

with other residences of the nobility which also fell 

victim to the devastations of the war. 

Historical significance 

The Palais was originally built in 1867 and 1868 

according to the plans of the famous Austrian architects 

August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard 

van der Nü ll (also responsible – amongst other 

things – for building the Vienna State Opera). Palais 

Larisch-Mönnich was the final piece of work by the 

two architects, and eventually completed posthumously 

by Karl Stattler. The building has been kept 

in the style of the French Renaissance, its representative 

character emphasised by the oriel tower, high bel 

étage and broad central projecting risalits. It is one of 

the most striking examples of grand residential homes 

of the second half of the 19th century, and one of 

the few palais of the old feudal type in Vienna’s Ringstraße 

architecture to have been built to allow a single 

family to hold court. Historically, it is a highly significant 

construction which would have been the 

backdrop to many a grand and splendid festival and 

banquet at that time, to which members of the imperial 

family were invited again and again. 

The Austrian landowner and Finance Minister Johann, 

Count Larisch von Mönnich, commissioned 

the building of the Palais. He originally came from a 

wealthy family of Prussian-Austrian nobility. Marie 

Louise von Larisch-Wallersee, a niece and close confidante 

of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also frequented 

the beautiful Palais on the Ringstraße on a 

regular basis. Marie Louise was the illegitimate child 

of Duke Ludwig von Bayern and actress Henriette 

Mendel – a relationship which served to generate 

much excitement in aristocratic circles at the time. 

Like her mother, she was not admitted to the nobility 

until many years later. 

Renovation work 

It took a total of two years and countless hours of 

painstaking precision work for the Palais to be restored 

to be its original splendour. Ambassador Najib’s 

aim was for the grand residence for nobility to be 

returned the original using original drafts and images. 

Even individual items of furniture, such as 

chairs, mirrors, tables and two Bösendorfer pianos, 

were retained and completely renovated. Today, 

some of the oldest chandeliers in Austria are part of 

the interior furnishings of the Embassy of Iraq in Vienna. 

Ambassador Najib watched over the restoration 

work with an eagle eye. “The constructors went 

mad with me,” he told Cercle Diplomatique with a 

twinkle in his eye. But he was absolutely right to do 

so, because the results are impressive. The Embassy 

of Iraq has made a significant contribution to the 

preservation of a valuable cultural treasure – for 

which Austria can only say “Thank you”. 

The Embassy of Iraq has 

made a significant 

contribution to the 

preservation of valuable 

cultural treasures. 



37

LE MONDE IRAQ 

Working together against Jihadism 

Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz visited Iraq at the beginning of February. 

Together with Elmar Brok, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs at the 

European Parliament, he set a sign of solidarity with this trip. 


Isabel Schmiedbauer 

An expert view on the huge economic importance of Iraq in Austrian 

business, difficulties in the market there at the present time, and 

opportunities for the future. 

Left: Foreign Minister 

Sebastian Kurz and Iraq’s 

Foreign Minister Ibrahim 

al-Jaafari. 

Right: Kurz in conversation 

with his Kurdish counterpart, 

Falah Mustafa Bakir, and 

Iraq‘s Ambassador Dr. 

Surood R. Najib. 

Recent talks in Baghdad and Erbil with Iraq’s 

President, Fuad Masum, Iraq’s Foreign Minister, 

Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the Prime Minister of 

the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan-Iraq, Nechirvan 

Idris Barzani, and the Kurdistan Minister for 

Foreign Relations, Falah Mustafa Bakir, focused on 

joint efforts to fight jihadism and the Islamic State 

campaign of terror. 

Austria promised financial aid (a sum of 1.25 million 

Euro) for refugees in northern Iraq. “Our first 

aim is to strengthen mutual cooperation. This also 

relates to dealing with foreign jihadists who pose a 

threat to Europe upon their return. On the one hand, 

they should be prevented from leaving, on the other, 

they should be observed while they are in Iraq,” Kurz 

announced in a joint press conference with Iraq’s 

Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. 

Austria strengthens cooperation with Kurdistan 

During his stay in Erbil, after a meeting with Falah 

Mustafa Bakir, the Minister for Foreign Relations 

of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Foreign Minister 

Sebastian Kurz announced that an Honorary 

Consulate was to be opened in Kurdistan. This could 

be opened by the end of the year. 

Austrian businesspeople were also to be given the 

opportunity to invest in the region as part of a specially-dedicated 

economic forum. Both AUA and 

OMV already have a strong presence in Erbil. 

Austrian Embassy desired 

Al-Jaafari stated that while cooperation with Austria 

was still in its initial phase: “This visit will give 

new impetus to the development.” Al-Jaafari also expressed 

a wish for Austria to reopen its diplomatic 

mission in Baghdad. 

Kurz told Iraq’s President Fuad Masum that it was 

possible that the EU would open a police mission in 

Iraq. Masum said he was interested in this concept, 

and that an official request would be sent to the EU 

shortly. This would make it possible for EU Member 

States to train Iraqi security forces in the future. This 

should make “a further contribution to greater security 

in Iraq,” Kurz said. 

The situation in Iraq 

Thousands of people have already been forced to 

flee the terror, and are now living in tents in refugee 

camps. These refugee camps have no clean water or 

functioning sanitary facilities. The meeting also touched 

upon the position of religious and ethnic minorities 

in Iraq, particularly Christians and Yazidis. 

PHOTOS: DRAGAN TATIC 

PHOTO: WKO 

The Iraqi economy grew by an average of 6.9 

percent per annum from 2008 to 2012, and 

enjoyed an increase of 4.2 percent in 2013. By 

2014, how ever, the Iraqi economy was being hit hard 

by a combination of factors, including the expansion 

of the Islamic State (IS) within the country, the falling 

oil price and continuing tensions in the security 

situation, which slowed economic growth significantly. 

Estimates by a range of institutions including 

the World Bank and the International Monetary 

Fund now suggest that Iraqi economic growth in 

2014 was between 0.5 percent and 1.8 percent. This 

figure is expected to rise to 1.5 percent in 2015. 

The falling oil price has meant that oil revenues 

have been lower, despite higher oil exports. These lower 

revenues, coupled with increased expenditures 

driven by the delicate security situation and the humanitarian 

catastrophe in the country, have of course 

had a negative impact on Iraq’s financial position. A 

budget of USD 103 billion was adopted in 2015 – approximately 

30 percent down on the previous year. 

From an Austrian viewpoint, Iraq is the sixth largest 

Arab export market. Because much Austrian business 

in Iraq is project-based, export statistics tend to 

vary widely from year to year. 2011, for example, was 

a record year, with exports reaching almost EUR 193 

million, but this figure differed vastly from 2009, 

when exports were worth less than EUR 80 million. 

Exports to Iraq from January to September 2014 

totalled EUR 55 million, down by around 57 percent 

on the comparison period of the preceding year. The 

types of goods which feature regularly amongst the 

top export products include transformers, pharmaceutical 

products, cheese, machinery such as mechanical 

diggers, cranes, cars and switches. Although 

the security situation does complicate direct market 

cultivation on location, the Iraqi market offers opportunities 

for Austrian companies operating in 

fields such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture (irrigation), 

foodstuffs and equipment used in the health 

“From an Austrian viewpoint, Iraq is the sixth largest 

Arab export market.” 

sector. Due to planned higher expenditure in the 

mili tary sector and a lower budget, it is not yet clear 

which sectors the government will be prioritising for 

investment this year, but it is worth keeping an eye 

on the Iraqi market. Although the current security 

situation makes it difficult to take advantage of the 

high rates of growth seen in recent years, Iraq is still 

a country with large oil and gas revenues and enormous 

demand for reconstruction. 

It is also important that companies are aware of 

the fact that Iraq now consists de facto of two different 

markets which need to be treated differently: the 

Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in the north of the 

country on the one hand, and the country’s central 

and southern provinces on the other. There are often 

differences affecting import procedures, the jurisdiction 

of official authorities, policies on attracting new 

investors to the region, and of course language. A 

Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs 

travel warning is already in place for Iraq. 

The security situation in the Autonomous Region 

of Kurdistan is noticeably better than in most other 

provinces of Iraq, and Austrian Airlines continues to 

offer direct flights from Vienna to the regional capital, 

Erbil. Although it is possible to travel to Erbil, 

you should always look into the prevailing security 

situation before travelling outside conurbations, and 

observe certain basic rules during your stay. When 

arriving in Erbil, European travellers receive an entry 

visa which is (exclusively) valid for the Region of 

Kurdistan. 

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce’s Foreign 

Trade Centre in Amman, Jordan, is responsible not 

only for Iraq, but also for Lebanon, Syria and Jordan 

itself. We research market information and will always 

be happy to answer any questions you may have 

involving the Iraqi market. International experience 

is important for the Middle East as a whole, and Iraq 

should not be viewed as a target market for those 

new to the region. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Isabel Schmiedbauer 

is a delegate for 

Economic Affairs of 

theAustrian Economic 

Chambers‘ Foreign 

Trade Centre in Amman, 

Jordan. She is responsible 

for Iraq, Jordan, 

Lebanon and Syria. 



39

LE MONDE THAILAND 

The Heart of South-East Asia 


FACTS & 

FIGURES 

Thailand is one of the world’s most 

attractive tourist destinations. The 

country is currently under going 

enormous social, cultural and 

political change. 

The Grand Palace. 

The palace is situated in the 

heart of Bangkok and used to 

be the official residence of 

the Kings of Siam. 

PHOTOS: TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND 

The Thailand we know today was formerly 

known as Siam for thousands of years and 

was transformed in 1932, when public officials 

first promulgated a constitutional monarchy 

and democratic constitution. The country has undergone 

radical change, as democratic and authoritarian 

forces have taken turns in forming a government. 

The military has played a central political role 

at all times, and the former Commander in Chief of 

the Royal Thai Army, Prayuth Chan-o-cha, currently 

is the Prime Minister of the country. He has been in 

charge since August 2014. His current challenges are 

to undertake reforms aimed at strengthening the political 

morality and transparency of the country. 

Thailand’s head of state is King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 

also known as Rama IX, who is the longest-reigning 

monarch in the world. He is hugely revered by the 

Thai people, and his picture hangs not only in all public 

buildings, but also in most private homes and 

businesses. The King’s portrait is found on the banknotes 

and coins of the official currency of the Kingdom 

of Thailand, the Baht. 

International relations 

Thailand pursues a liberal economic policy internationally, 

and is represented in a range of organisations, 

including the WTO, IMF, APEC and the Asian 

Development Bank (ADB). It has always maintained 

good relations with the West. This policy is based on 

economic relations being deepened through new 

trade and investment treaties currently. 

Thailand is a target country for a great deal of foreign 

direct investment. This investment comes first 

and foremost from the USA, Japan, ASEAN and the 

European Union. The World Bank finances projects 

in Thailand, primarily in social services and education, 

and in the energy sector. Thailand’s most important 

trading partners after China and Japan are 

the USA, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The country’s 

main imports are machinery, jewellery, chemicals, 

glassware and pharmaceuticals, while it exports 

jewellery, machinery and 

electrical goods, textiles, vehicles, 

rubber and essential oils in return. 

The trading volume between Austria 

and Thailand hit an all-timehigh 

of 777 million Euros in 2013. 

While Thai imports increased overall by 

21 percent, exports fell by 5.5 percent. 

Revenues from tourism and direct 

investment have ensured that Thailand’s trade balance 

and balance of payments have almost always been 

positive in the past. In an effort to promote external 

trade further still, the country has entered into bilateral 

free trade agreements with states such as Australia, 

New Zea land, China, India and Bahrain. 

Austrian success stories in Thailand 

Around one hundred Austrian companies have 

so far established subsidiaries in Thailand. Half of 

these are in the sector of services and production, 

while the rest have sales branches. According to data 

issued by the National Bank of Austria, investment 

in 2013 is estimated to have been worth some 117 

Million Euros. 

The best-known Thai-Austrian success story is 

Dietrich Mateschitz’ Red Bull. In 1982, Mateschitz 

discovered a drink in Thailand called ‘Krating Daeng’ 

(Thai for ‘red bull’), a cheap drink popular 

among taxi drivers. Together with Thai billionaire 

Chaleo Yoovidhya, Mateschitz founded a joint venture, 

reworked the recipe and and started the legendary 

triumph of Red Bull, which is now sold in more 

than 100 countries. Red Bull has only been marketed 

in Thailand itself, however, since May 2013. 

Another long-standing industrial presence in 

Thailand is the company Semperit, the global market 

leader in surgical and protective gloves The primary 

reason for Semperit producing its gloves in Thailand 

was the proximity to the raw material latex. Since 

then, however, the dynamic growth in the Asian 

market has become an equally important factor. 

Austrian jewellery manufacturer Swarovski 

also has a number of subsidiaries in Thailand. 

The company, the world’s leading producer of 

cut-crystal, not only maintains its largest production 

location outside Austria in Thailand, 

but also has a distribution centre there 

which serves all of South-East Asia. Products 

from the region already make up 

to 35 percent of Swarovski’s total sales. 

The Austrian company Cargo- 

Partner has been active in Thailand 

since 2008. It primarily serves the 

needs of small and medium-sized 

enterprises entering the market, and has 

succeeded in establishing itself 

against 3,000 rival companies 

in the logistics sector with 

this orientation. 

Thailand 


Kingdom of Thailand 

Location: state in 

South-East Asia – 

bordering Myanmar, Laos, 

Cambodia, Malaysia, the 

Andaman Sea (part of the 

Indian Ocean) and the Gulf 

of Thailand (part of the 

Pacific Ocean) 

Area: 513,115 km2 

Population: 69,522,234 

(2010) 

Official language: Thai 

Other languages: 73 

Religions: Theravada 

Buddhism (94 %), Islam 

(5 %), Christianity and 

Hinduism 

Capital city: Bangkok 

Currency: Thai Baht 

Climate: tropical with mild 

winters from October to 

March and hot, damp 

summers from March to 

June; average annual 

temperature ranges 

between 28 °C in south and 

19 °C in extreme north; 

seasonal fluctuations low 

throughout 

Public holidays: 5th 

December, HM The King’s 

Birthday; 10th December, 

Constitution Day 


Constitutional monarchy 

Head of State: King 

Bhumibol Adulyadej, also 

known as Rama IX 


Prime Minister General 

Prayuth Chan-o-cha 



41

LE MONDE THAILAND 

Arthayudh Srisamoot 

“We’re aiming to strengthen our 

position as the connectivity hub of South-East Asia” 


INFO 

Ambassador Arthayudh Srisamoot about his government’s plans for the economic 

future of Thailand and the potential synergies between Austria and Thailand from 

a business point of view. 

Thailand is South-East Asia’s second-largest economy. 

In 2012 it was described by the World Bank as “one of the 

great development success stories”. After the political 

turmoil of the past few years, what are the prospects for the 

future from a business viewpoint? 

Thailand has long been one of the widely-cited 

development success stories, with its strategic location 

at the heart of South-East Asia and strong economic 

fundamentals in the agriculture, industrial 

and service sectors, and an impressive record of poverty 

reduction. The country’s economy has also experienced 

a number of setbacks, however, including 

the severe flooding in 2011 and the political turmoil 

of the recent years. Despite these factors, the Thai 

economy is fundamentally strong, based on a range 

of agricultural products, extensive manufacturing 

capacity in the automotive, electronics and chemicals, 

and petro-chemical sectors, and health services 

and tourism sectors. The Thai economy is projected 

to grow by 3.0-3.5 percent in 2015, underpinned by 

factors such as improved exports, revival in tourism, 

increasing private investment, a stable political environment, 

and forecast improvement of the global 

economy. 

How would you define Thailand’s role in the global arena? 

Thailand has always been an active and responsible 

member of the global community. The Association 

of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was 

established by the “Bangkok Declaration” in 1967. 

In 1996 Thailand convened the first Asia-Europe 

Summit –ASEM. Thailand has placed great 

emphasis on all aspects of the work of the United 

Nations – peace and security, human rights and 

development. Since 1950 over 20.000 Thai military 

and police personnel have proudly served in more 

than 20 peacekeeping and related missions of the 

UN. Regarding human rights, we have worked 

tirelessly with the international community to 

protect and promote human rights both at home 

and worldwide. We served in the Human Rights 

Council from 2010-2013, where we were entrusted 

with the Presidency of the Council in 2010-2011. 

Thailand is also chairing the Commission on 

Narcotics Drugs (CND) in 2015. Concerning development, 

we have actively participated in the 

global discussion on the Post-2015 Development 

Agenda and sustainable development goals 

through hosting a number of regional and 

PHOTOS: UNAMID, TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND 

FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY 

international meetings. At present, we are actively 

campaigning for our candidature for non-permanent 

membership in the UN Security Council for the 

term 2017-2018. We believe that our experiences 

and track record in the UN can demonstrate that we 

are able to make positive contributions in strengthening 

global peace and security. Our candidature has 

been endorsed by all ASEAN Member States. 

How would you describe the current relationship between 

Thailand and Austria? 

Thailand and Austria have long enjoyed close and 

cordial relations. The relationship between the two 

countries began 150 years ago, when consular relations 

were formally established in 1865 and the 

Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation was 

signed in 1869. Thailand and Austria have developed 

close and mutually beneficial cooperation in the intervening 

years, in a wide range of political, economic, 

social and cultural fields, as well as through 

tools such as academic cooperation. Most importantly, 

Thailand cherishes the close ties that have developed 

between the two countries through tourism 

and business relations. 

What are the most promising economic relations between 

the two countries? 

Austria is an important trading partner for 

Thailand, ranking 10th among all European Union 

Member States. Trading volume between the two 

countries is gradually increasing, but there remains 

plenty of potential for further growth. I hope that 

Austrian companies will invest more in Thailand in 

areas such as health and medical technologies, 

waste water management, alternative and renewable 

energies and infrastructure - Austria is an acknowledged 

expert in all these areas. Tourism is another 

growth area which deserves to be explored further. 

Thailand is one of the world’s top 10 tourist destinations; 

Austria is one of Europe’s top 10 destinations. 

What potential synergies do you think the countries could 

have in the area of tourism? 

More than 24 million tourists visited Thailand in 

2014, a fact of which the country is immensely 

proud. Over 100,000 of these visitors were from 

Austria. Austria and Thailand can definitely create 

synergies in health and eco-tourism, develop strong 

medical networks and services, and exploit their respective 

cultural heritages. 

Thai Peacekeeping operation with the United Nations Mission 

in Dafur: a Thai Military doctor performing an eye examination 

for children. 

Something else that Thailand and Austria share is 

their strategic location. Both countries have the potential 

to become logistical and tourist hubs for 

South-East Asia and Central Europe respectively. To 

promote this, Austrians should be encouraged not 

just to travel to Thailand, but to use the country as a 

springboard for visiting Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, 

Myanmar and other destinations. At the same time, 

Thai visitors to Vienna should be encouraged to travel 

on to Germany, Italy and Switzerland, as well as 

the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia or 

Croatia. This connectivity hub role could easily be a 

means for Thailand and Austria to stimulate tourism 

in both countries. 

What Austrian companies are currently investing in 

Thailand? 

In total, some 100 Austrian companies have investments 

in Thailand. Their investments amount to 

approximately EUR 500 million, and are responsible 

for employing over 20,000 people in Thailand. These 

companies include Semperit, Swarovski, Tyrolit, 

MAM baby products, Mosdorfer GmbH, Greiner 

Bio-One, iSi Automotive, Anita and Cargo-Partner. 

Their products range from rubber gloves to technical 

rubber and plastic products, costume jewellery and 

medical supplies. Without doubt, the most famous 

joint venture is the energy drink Red Bull – originally 

an energy drink used by Bangkok taxi drivers 

to stay awake at night, which was spotted by an Austrian 

entrepreneur and developed into a JV for both 

countries. Its original name, ‘Krating Daeng‘, is Thai 

for ’Red Bull‘. 

Did you know 

that ... 

… Thailand is one of the 

world’s Top 10 car 

producers? 

... Thailand is the world‘s 

largest producer of rice? 

… Thailand is a top 

exporter of preserved fish? 

… Thailand is the world’s 

second-largest manufacturer 

of hard drives? 


biggest exporter of farmed 

shrimps? 


biggest producer of optical 

lenses? 

… Thailand is the world‘s 

second-largest producer of 

cane sugar after Brazil? 


Arthayudh Srisamoot was 

born on 29th December, 1962. 

He is the current Ambassador 

of Thailand to Austria, 

Slovakia and Slovenia. 



43

LE MONDE LATVIA 

Edgars Skuja 

“The Presidency of the Council of the European Union 

will once more highlight Latvia on the map of Europe“ 


The Freedom Monument, 

at the heart of the Latvian 

capital Riga, symbolises 

the unity, independence 

and freedom of the Latvian 

people. 

Ambassador Edgars Skuja explains why the grinding stone is the symbol of Latvia‘s 

Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and the three principal priorities 

for Europe during his country’s presidency. 



FOTOS: 

PHOTOS: 

XYXXYXYXY 

PARLAMENTSDIREKTION/BKA/GEORG STEFANIK SECRETGARDENSTUDIO/ VALTS KLEINS, WWW.DDL.LV 

Cercle Diplomatique: For the first time in the history of the 

EU, Latvia has assumed the presidency of the Council of the 

European Union. What will be the biggest challenges of the 

forthcoming six months for your country? 

Edgars Skuja: We started with a prepared program 

and main priorities for the six-month period. It 

has also to be seen within a context of the trio: Italy, 

Latvia and Luxemburg. But real life brought in its 

dramatic modifications. And I dare say that the attack 

on the main office of the Charlie Hebdo magazine 

in Paris has again confirmed the need for a strict 

counter-terrorism policy. This tragic event is evidence 

of threats posed to one of the fundamental 

values of European democracy – the freedom of 

speech and expression. 

With the crisis in Ukraine, there were unprecedented 

challenges to national and European security. 

Now, an agreement between the leaders of Russia, 

Ukraine, Germany and France on the Ukraine crisis 

offers hope, with a ceasefire from February 15th, followed 

by the withdrawal of heavy weapons. We fully 

support this agreement and hope that it will be fully 

implemented. 

As to the Presidency’s primary tasks, we have to 

continue to implement two broad objectives: to fully 

overcome the economic and financial crisis, and to 

promote stability, security and development in the 

European neighbourhood and all over the world. 

Our Presidency‘s symbol is the grinding stone, which 

is a sign of tradition for Latvians, but also an emblem 

of innovation and change - it represents both stability 

and movement. 

What do you think the benefits for your country will be, as a 

result of the presidency of the Council of the EU? 

The Presidency will show our identity and ability 

as Europeans. I have no doubt that the preparations 

for the Presidency and the Presidency itself will 

make our public administration and society in Latvia 

more experienced and more confident. Following on 

from a year when Riga was the European Capital of 

Culture, the Presidency’s public diplomacy and culture 

programme will once more highlight Latvia on 

the map of Europe. 

In a close dialogue with non-governmental organisations 

and social partners at home, and with Italy 

and Luxembourg in the Presidency Trio, Latvia has 

defined three principal priorities for Europe during 

its presidency in the first semester of 2015. 

The first priority of the Presidency is the enhancement 

of Europe’s competitiveness. In practical 

terms, this will mean hard work on the drafting of a 

new investment plan for the EU, the so-called “Juncker 

plan”, the establishment of the Energy Union, 

and the strengthening of the Banking Union, to put 

Europe back on the path of long-term growth. 

The second priority is the development of a Digital 

Agenda. This means the mainstreaming of the 

digital agenda in EU policies, increased data security, 

cybersecurity, and the promotion of the EU’s Digital 

Single Market to increase the digital competitiveness 

of the European Union. 

Thirdly, Latvia’s EU Presidency will also turn attention 

to enhancing the EU’s global and regional role. I 

wish to place a special emphasis on this priority, due 

to its strong foreign policy dimension. 

Latvia’s Presidency will focus on the strengthening 

of EU cooperation with the Eastern Partnership 

countries. On 22nd May, Riga will host the Eastern 

Partnership Summit. I am certain that this will prove 

to be a historic milestone, one of the most significant 

events of the Presidency, with a number of challenging 

tasks. The Riga Summit should send a signal 

that the European Union has clear interests in the 

strengthening and continuation of the Eastern Partnership. 

Secondly, the Riga Summit will take stock of 

the fulfilment of objectives set by the Vilnius Summit 

and provide a preliminary assessment of the implementation 

of the Association Agreements. An assistance 

programme should be prepared to support 

The beautiful coastline of 

the Baltic Sea. 

Edgars Skuja was born on 20th February, 1966 in 

Valmiera, Latvia. He is a Latvian diplomat and is the 

current Ambassador of Latvia to Austria. 



45

LE MONDE LATVIA 

INFO 

Latvian-Austrian Relations 

Left: The new National 

Library of Latvia was opened 

in August 2014. 

Right: Characteristic „Art 

Nouveau“-building in Riga. 

practical implementation of the Association Agreements. 

Thirdly, the process of visa liberalisation with 

the Eastern Partnership countries should be taken 

forward. And fourthly, the EU, while pursuing this 

initiative, should be looking at the individual interests 

of each EaP country and their readiness to cooperate 

with the EU, and not merely apply the same 

approach to all six countries. 

Latvia joined the EU in 2004. What have been the most 

significant changes in your country since then? 

We have gone a long way since we joined the Union. 

There were challenging times with the Lisbon 

Treaty, the financial crisis, the enlargement of the 

Schengen area and of the Euro area. Over this period 

of time, we have developed a sense of belonging to 

the EU, an understanding of the daily work of the EU 

institutions, and also a greater sense of common responsibility 

for this project. Prior to joining the EU in 

2004, Latvia had an accession period, which was the 

most important reform process in our country. We 

were able to successfully develop our democratic system 

and economy in a short time. And the Presidency 

itself is kind of proof and confirmation that we 

were able to turnaround from our past and develop 

fast. Since 2004, when Latvia joined the EU, the confidence 

of the people of Latvia in the European Union 

has grown considerably. 80 percent of Latvians 

have indicated that the membership has clearly 

brought economic and social benefits, the most popular 

among them are the rights for free movement 

– the possibility to live, work, establish business and 

study in any of the EU countries. 

Latvia has proven to be one of the most visible 

member states since its accession. Ten years in the 

EU have resulted in a 30 percent GDP increase and a 

45 percent increase of real wages, as well as many 

other economic benefits. 

The comparisons in the cities of Latvia are remarkable, 

and prove once again that joining the EU was 

a wise decision. Just one example: thanks to EU funding, 

60,000 grants have been received by Latvian 

students for professional education, 405 health care 

facilities have been renovated, improving the overall 

quality of life. 

Just one year ago, you joined the Euro-Zone. Which benefits 

has the Euro brought to Latvia? 

This clearly shows that Latvia is one step closer to 

the core of the European Union and is a full-fledged 

member. This demonstrates to the people of Latvia 

and to the entire world that we are a modern Western 

state and honour the values of Western countries, 

such as freedom, tolerance, individual responsibility, 

security and welfare. Since becoming an 

independent state on 18th November 1918, Latvia 

has always sought to be a respected European state in 

its own right. 


PHOTOS: JURIS KALNIŅŠ/FOTOCENTRS; SECRETGARDENSTUDIO/VALTS KLEINS; ILMARS ZNOTINS 

Bilateral relations between Latvia and Austria are 

extremely good, with regular political dialogue taking 

place in the form of consultations on a range of 

different levels between the two countries’ Foreign 

Ministries. The Austrian President, Dr. Heinz Fischer, 

visited Latvia in the summer of 2014, and a state visit 

to Vienna by Latvian President Andris Bērziņš is 

planned for April of this year. 

Arts and Culture 

The two countries are also very close in the cultural 

field, and there is already a high level of cultural 

exchange. Latvian singers, conductors and actors, such 

as Elīna Garanča, Kristīne Opolais, Marina Rebeka, 

Aleksandrs Antoņenko, Mariss Jansons, Andris Nelsons, 

Alvis Hermanis and Gundars Āboliņš, are well-known 

and well-liked in Austria, and play the role of “cultural 

ambassadors” for the small country of Latvia. Riga 

was the European Cultural Capital in 2014, and the 

Latvian Embassy highlighted projects associated with 

this role by putting on a series of events such as the 

exhibition “Riga’s Art Nouveau. Architecture and Art”, 

Sacher Anz. Circle Diplomatique 230x148,5_Druck 25.02.15 14:17 Seite 1 

Song and Dance Festival 2013 at the Latvian National 

Centre for Culture. 

which ran at Vienna’s Academy of the Visual Arts in 

November 2014. The exhibition focussed on the extent 

to which Riga played a role in shaping Western 

European culture, architecture and lifestyle at the 

beginning of the 20th century. 

Business 

There remains strong potential for development in 

economic relations between Austria and Latvia. Goods 

with a value of approximately EUR 154 million were 

exported from Austria to Latvia in 2013, while goods 

with a value of EUR 26 million were imported. The 

main exports from Austria to Latvia were in the 

pharmaceutical products, electrical and mechanical 

goods sectors. Austria, on the other hand, primarily 

imports goods produced in the wood processing and 

chemicals sectors from Latvia. Ambassador Skuja sees 

the engineering goods, metal processing, electronics, 

electrotechnology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical 

sectors as having the greatest potential for development. 

Tourism 

In the tourism sector, in comparison, the trend is 

already positive on both sides, with the number of 

visitors to both countries increasing from year to year. 

According to Statistik Austria, overnight stays in 

Austria by visitors from Latvia rose by two percent in 

2013 compared to the preceding year. The daily direct 

flight with Air Baltic between Riga and Vienna is a 

major benefit here. “Latvians love the Austrian 

mountains, and Austrians enjoy our 400 km long Baltic 

coastline, the well-wooded landsape and the numerous 

music and cultural festivals in Riga and all over the 

country“, said Ambassador Skuja. 

TIMELESS 

ELEGANCE 

WITH 

VIENNESE 

CHARM 

Philharmonikerstraße 4 • A-1010 Wien 

Tel.:+43/1/514 56-0 • wien@sacher.com 

www.sacher.com 



47

LE MONDE ESSAY 

The Invention of Europe 

Turn of an era: “Miranda en la 

Caraca” (1896) by Arturo 

Michelena, “Napoleon in Berlin” 

(1810) by Charles Meynier and 

“Portrait of Monsieur Lavoisier 

and his Wife” (1788) by 

Jacques-Louis David. 

The congress was dancing, as a fact. But that’s only 

half the story. In his essay, Manfred Matzka, 

Director General of the Chancellery, examines the 

political relevance of a major historical event. 

Author Manfred Matzka 

is the Head of the 

Presidential Section in the 

Federal Chancellery. In 

addition, he was a lecturer 

at the University of Vienna, 

and is a speaker at the 

Danube University Krems. 

I 

have spent the majority of my professional life in 

the former Secret Court and State Chancellery 

on Ballhausplatz, and hardly a day went by when 

I did not use, show or explain the famous „Kongresssaal” 

(congress hall). So, in a way it was an everyday 

occurrence to be asked about the Congress of Vienna, 

which took place there. Unfortunately, it was also 

a given thing, that the event was reduced to the same 

two preconceptions which seem to characterise its 

image, namely, that the congress danced, but did not 

achieve anything, and that the conservative Metternich 

only contributed to a restoration of the old political 

conditions. Hardly any of the guests and visitors 

established a relationship to the current importance 

of the Congress of Vienna. Both images – like every 

good preconception – contain a grain of truth, but 

they are both far away from reality. Therefore, it is 

time to put a great deal right, and shed new light on 

it: this includes things like long term goals, planning 

and action plans, the target oriented and clever use 

of top entertainers in the music programme for the 

conference, networking and lobbying whole droves 

of experts, hangers-on, society ladies and conduits, 

for the dynamic of a series of summits with preparation 

by working groups and confessional negotiations, 

for the readiness for international law sanctions 

and the correction of borders within Europe, 

for the importance of single individuals that are charismatic 

for the whole of Europe in an unstable historical 

situation … 

All of these are also current phenomena of the 

European cooperation, it seems to me. You can obviously 

describe the congress fittingly with the current 

EU vocabulary: Vienna was really the cultural capital 

of Europe in this „chairmanship year“; strategic concepts, 

state political and economic interests were 

brought home to the heads of state and government 

in a professional way, and they integrated these into 

the negotiations. Even the fact that the working method 

– many people from different states sitting together, 

in a succession of meetings according to the 

rising order of the position of the participants – is 

still the same in the EU today, does not put the Congress 

of Vienna in a bad light, but rather the working 

style of today‘s European bureaucracy. And the fact 

that at the time you didn‘t have to strive for and pay 

for translation services is going in a similar direction. 

The thought of supranationality, the legitimacy of 

normative stipulations on a level above the states – 

which previously had the monopoly on legislation – 

continued to develop from Ballhausplatz into the late 

20th Century. The fact that the EU successfully eliminated 

some borders within Europe (or at least 

their perception) with Schengen, only to recreate 

them unsuccessfully and paradoxically somewhere 

else, is something else it has in common with the 

congress. Incidentally, the whole thing cost about as 

much as an EU Council Presidency today, took a similar 

amount of time, worked in the same format 

and was paid without objection by tax payers, just 

like today, who were not quite clear on how it actually 

happened. 

However, it also makes sense to go deeper underneath 

the surface, to look at some of the basic principles 

of the Congress of Vienna from a current European 

perspective, and ask yourself whether, and if 

PHOTOS: GEROLD VERLAG 

yes, which effects and significance it has for the current 

political Europe. 

A joint conviction was at the beginning of the 

whole thing – it seemed possible to turn a fundamental 

crisis into a chance. The wars with their consequences, 

and the wide reaching internal and external 

destabilisation of the European states enabled 

joint initiatives to be set up, in economics, state 

structure and society, which would previously hardly 

have been possible without a huge turning point – a 

stable, comprehensive reorganisation of the whole 

continent. 

The congress proved something else: Cooperative 

action is possible in Europe. Not only could the individual 

states be the bearers of political decisions, there 

were further possibilities outside of their sphere of 

action, which had previously hardly been recognised, 

and were almost never used. 

After that it was shown that diplomacy and law 

can also bring about what until then had mostly only 

occurred through the use of armies. The conquests 

of the revolutionary Napoleonic France could be reversed, 

without having to enforce this on the battlefield. 

You could give yourself and others a new order, 

and at the same time avoid military violence. This 

proved, that in future it could even be possible to solve 

conflicts diplomatically, and moreover, even prevent 

them in this way. 

This was a new political quality – the instrument 

was a new category of norms, namely supranational 

law, which was determined by the states together, but 

then was also binding for them, where they did not 

expressly agree. This applied both for the whole of 

Europe, and – with even denser regulations – for 

parts of the continent, such as the small states merging 

in the German Confederation. Thus, a variable 

geometry of the European, political organisation – a 

very modern image. 



49

LE MONDE ESSAY 

BOOK-TIP 

CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE 

ECONOMIQUE et TOURISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL 

finden Sie auch in diesen 

exklusiven Häusern: 

can also be found in these exclusive hotels: 

Napoleon and the 

consequences: Swiss 

Federal Agreement of 

1815; “The Plum-pudding 

in Danger” (1805), a 

caricature by James 

Gillray. 

Popular uprising: 

“Heimkehrender Tiroler 

Landsturm im Krieg von 

1809” [Returning Tyrolean 

militiamen in the war of 

1809], (1876) by Franz von 

Defregger. 

The Congress 

of Vienna 

We have taken Manfred 

Matzka‘s – here slightly 

abridged – essay from the 

very clever, richly 

illustrated book „Der 

Wiener Kongress. Die 

Erfindung Europas“ (The 

Congress of Vienna. The 

invention of Europe), 

which appeared in Carl 

Gerold’s Sohn Verlagsbuchhandlung 

(90 Euro), 

and in which 23 Austrian 

and international authors 

explore the secrets to the 

success of an unprecedented 

congress of the most 

powerful rulers of Europe, 

in which the foundations 

were laid for a peace order, 

enuring until the outbreak 

of the First World War. 

New international law emerged, for the first time 

as a compact, detailed regulation at this standardisation 

level. It not only determined states, their borders 

and mutual recognition, but also rules for everyday 

life of living together on this small and richly structured 

continent. The statutory provision of freedom 

of international river navigation, and the legally binding 

regulation of diplomatic law serve as proof of 

this. 

And – what none of my visitors to the congress 

hall praise – the Vienna Congress also had an important 

influence on the emergence and definition of 

generally applicable basic rights in Europe: the abolition 

of slavery in article 118 of the conference papers 

are the proof of this. 

Of course, the restoration of former relationships 

was also a focal point of the congress. But these focussed 

on the domestic situations, not on the development 

of Europe. Restorative principles and a basic 

scepticism towards all revolutionary and liberal 

efforts were their guidelines, but the repression was 

also oriented towards nationalist movements – and 

that was not to a reactionary extent, in that nationalism 

did not have to be seen as a progressive development 

in Europe. An extensive discussion would 

serve to find out whether middle class nationalism 

should be seen as progressive and positive, from the 

point of view of the time and/or today. But in 1848 at 

the latest, it showed its not at all progressive face to 

the proletariat, to the students, to democratic movements. 

However, the Congress of Vienna brought new 

ways of thinking and principles into international 

politics, which are still significant for today‘s Europe. 

It became clear that there is a joint European identity, 

which some things should sensibly be subordinated 

to. People assumed that a hegemony of the policy on 

economics and society made sense. They were firmly 

convinced that after uncertainty and war, peace is 

possible, if you get together and make joint decisions. 

Even more so, because they assumed that clever 

and long-term planning could also ensure long-term 

peace. The fact that defeated France was once again 

accepted into the concert of the great powers shows 

this just as much as the system of pentarchy oriented 

towards equality. 

In any case, the congress created stable peace for a 

long time. For the first time, the people in Europe 

had the real experience that you can evolve and grow 

without war. Because, after the congress and up to 

PHOTOS: GEROLD VERLAG 

the Crimean war in the early 1850s, Europe remained 

protected against wars between the great powers 

for more than 35 years. That was a great achievement 

after thirty wars in the 17th century and fifteen in 

the 18th century, and after the 17 years of the Napoleonic 

Wars immediately beforehand; after two centuries, 

in which there were always at least two, but 

mostly a handful of battlegrounds in Europe at the 

same time, a whole generation lived in peace for the 

first time. 

This has to be the most important message that 

the Congress of Vienna left behind for future European 

development: a permanent peace project is 

possible on this continent, if the states agree to put 

supranational laws in place, which obligate them to 

provide counter measures, at least where there is a 

risk of violent confrontation. To do this, one must 

carry out many negotiations until then, and accept a 

large-scale staging and the prepotency of individual 

interests (from supranationalists to financial capital). 

Overall, however, it is worth taking such a path. It is 

better than building up hostile images and nationalism, 

which one can perhaps no longer control – see 

Ukraine. 

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LE MONDE PANAMA 

Ambassador, politician, poet, scientist 


Gloria Young, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama in Vienna, has a very 

versatile and engaging personality. She writes books and poems, is committed to 

research projects and is a respected politician in her country. For a period of over 

ten years, she was politically active for her country and therefore has the best 

possible credentials to represent the interests of Panama in Austria. 

Diablos y Congos Festival. 

Two weeks after Carnival, 

communities in and around 

Portobelo hold the Diablos y 

Congos (Devils and Slaves) 

festival to honour their 

ancestors who managed to 

escape slavery during the 

Spanish colonial period. 

PHOTOS: JOSÉ CARLOS LEIS, JULIA WEICHSELBAUM/HBF 

February 3rd 2015, Embassy of Panama, Goldschmiedegasse 

10, 1st district in the Vienna 

city centre: interview with I.E. Gloria Young, 

Ambassador of Panama in Vienna since December 

8th 2014. One can hardly imagine a warmer welcome. 

We are greeted by a highly charismatic, lively 

and alert lady and feel very comfortable in her presence. 

She doesn’t hold back and recounts the story 

of her eventful life since arriving in Austria in early 

December. Still at war with speaking German, she 

admits that the complexity of the language is a tough 

hurdle to overcome. In an effort to give her best, she 

is attending a German course to improve her language 

skills. In Austria, she rushes from meeting to meeting. 

„Due to the presence of the UN in Vienna there 

are plenty of issues on a bilateral as well as multilateral 

level“, explains Ambassador Young. Since she 

took office in Vienna, she is proud to have acted as 

chairman for the Group of Latin American and Caribbean 

States (GRULAC) within the United Nations 

as well. “I grow with the challenge. It is very exciting 

to learn so much about the other Latin American 

countries,” said Young. 

As Versatile as a Book 

The charismatic lady teaches to this day at the Latin 

University of Panama City in the Faculty of Law 

and Political Science. Furthermore, she is the executive 

director of the Department of Gender Studies. 

She lectures on various topics such as politics, gender 

politics, literature, education and human rights 

both at national and international level. She is president 

of the Association of Former Parliamentarians 

of the Republic of Panama and member of the Central 

American Network of „No Violence against Women“ 

in San Jose, Costa Rica. 

From 2010 to 2012, she was president of the National 

Council of Writers of Panama. She has released 

nine books in total, and over 300 of her articles and 

essays have been printed in national and international 

publications. Her latest literary work “Nada que 

ocultar” (“Nothing to Hide”) is a collection of prose 

poems with impressive illustrations by the Panamanian 

artists Pearl Bajdez, Silvia Costa and Soledad 

Velasco Hernandez. According to Gloria Young’s description, 

“It is a book for all the senses, a book to 

feel, a book to see, a book to read, to listen to and to 

smell”. The famous Panamanian writer Pedro Crenes 

Castro referred to Gloria Young in his book review as 

“one of the great female literary voices of the country”. 

“Nothing to Hide” touches the soul and makes it 

shiver at the same time. Gloria Young just recently 

presented her book in MUSA (Museum Startgalerie 

Artothek) to the Viennese public for the first time. 

The Indigenous People of Panama 

Ambassador Young tells us about a research project, 

she was involved in, with great enthusiasm.: 

“The leadership of the Nagbe Buglé woman: Silvia 

Carrera”. That is how we also got an insight into the 

way of life of the indigenous peoples in Panama. We 

learned that in 2011, Silvia Carrera Concepción was 

the first woman to be voted cacica (native chief) of 

the Ngäbe-Buglé tribe. In 2012, she even made international 

headlines by arranging large-scale roadblocks 

with her people to prevent the construction of 

a hydroelectric power plant on her people‘s land, 

which brought traffic to Panama City to a standstill. 

Ever since then, mining projects in the autonomous 

territories of the indigenous peoples have only been 

allowed to go ahead upon their consent. An enormous 

victory for a woman from a small Indian tribe 

in the mountains of Veraguas. 

The Ngäbe-Buglé represent the most numerous 

of the indigenous peoples in Panama. About 180.000 

Ngäbes and 10.000 Buglé live in the protected “Ngäbe-Buglé 

Comarca”, comparable to a reservation. 

They have their own political system. The majority 

of the Ngäbe-Buglé live in small towns or villages, 

particularly in the mountain region of Bocas del 

Ambassador 

Gloria Young at her 

accreditation. 



53

LE MONDE PANAMA 

FACTS & 

FIGURES 

1 Two Kuna Yala boys, fishing. 

2 Panama City at night. 

3 Diablos y Congos Festival in 

Portobelo. 

Trade Relations 

Austria - Panama 

Export: 18,03 million euro 

Main export products: 

Machinery and equipment, 

medicine, products made 

of iron and steel, slot 

machines and motor 

vehicles, pharmaceutical 

products. 

Import: 3.26 million euro 

Main import products: 

Fruits (pineapple, melons, 

bananas), consumer 

products and metal 

structures 

2 

3 

1 

Toro, Veraguas and Chiriqui. 

The Kuna Yala are another interesting indigenous 

group as is it not known exactly when they migrated 

from South America to Panama. In any case, they 

had populated the 360 islands, known as the San Blas 

Islands in the Archipelago de San Blas by the 16th 

century. Today, most of the 36.000 Kuna Yala still live 

there. They fought for centuries to keep their culture 

and traditions alive, but it was only in 1930 that they 

succeeded in securing a political settlement to establish 

the semi-autonomous Kuna Yala territory. 

The people of the Emberá and the Wounaan are 

equally fascinating. With an estimated population of 

15.000, most of the Emberá live in the Darien rainforest 

in Panama. Together with the Wounaan people, 

they were formerly known as the Choco, as they originally 

came from the Choco province in Colombia 

which they left in the 18th century. There are approximately 

2.600 Wounaan Indians who also live in the 

Darien rainforest. In 1983, the government of Panama 

recognized the Comarca Emberá-Drua as a semi-autonomous 

indigenous territory for both the 

Emberá as well as the Wounaan. The area extends to 

the Darien National Park and the biosphere reserve. 

Along the banks of the many rivers, these tribes live 

far away from the comforts and problems of civilization 

– in perfect harmony with their environment. 

They are proud, peaceful and honest, but wary of 

strangers. They lead a day-to-day existence without 

real economic pressure and choose to ignore laws 

and regulations of local authorities. Instead, they 

created their own laws. 

The Panama Canal, an Economic Miracle 

The Panama Canal is by far the most important 

factor for the national economy. After all, 82 percent 

of the country’s economic output is generated almost 

entirely via transit revenue. It is also considered the 

eighth Wonder of the World, a masterpiece of engineering 

and technology. 

By the end of the 18th century, the French failed 

in their construction efforts of the Canal. They had 

underestimated the tropical conditions in the area. 

Workers were brought to their knees by the damp 

heat, malaria and yellow fewer, causing the death of 

seven men on average per day. The USA took over 

under President Roosevelt, and completed the mammoth 

project in August 1914 after over ten years of 

construction work. The dream of connecting two 

oceans finally came true. Transiting between the Atlantic 

and Pacific Oceans saves ships from sailing an 

additional 15.000 kilometres. 

Sole administrative authority of the Panama Canal 

was in the hands of the USA until 1977. Only after 

tough negotiations and numerous protests by the 

people of Panama did they come to an agreement to 

transfer authority of the Canal by the end of 1999. 

Since the container ships are getting bigger and 

bigger, the Panama Canal is currently being further 

developed. The original schedule, however, is in danger 

of changing both in time and budget. Initially, 

the completion was planned for the end of 2015, and 

the cost was to amount to 5.25 billion US dollars. 

Economic Benefits of the country 

Apart from the Panama Canal, the country has 

PHOTOS: JOSÉ CARLOS LEIS 

d.signwerk.com | Photos: Markus Pummer, Gregor Titze, Keith Collie 

also other important advantages thanks to the location 

such as a modern financial centre, linking to the 

dollar, the best flight connections in Latin America, 

the free trade zone of Colón (world wide the second 

largest) and raw materials including copper and 

gold. Agriculture mainly focuses on rice, corn, coffee 

and tropical fruits. 

In 2013, the gross domestic product amounted 

to 40 billion US dollars. 81 percent of Panama’s economic 

output is generated in the transit region (Panama 

City, Canal area), and only 16 percent come 

from the country’s interior. A further three percent 

are from the five indigenous Comarcas and Darién. 

The gross domestic product is in steady growth 

since mid-2002. Throughout the last decade, Panama 

reached the biggest growth rates of about 8.5 percent 

in Latin America according to the IMF. In 2013, 

it was 8 percent, and for 2014, a decrease to seven 

percent is expected. Inflation was four percent in 

2013, and the official unemployment rate could be 

lowered to four percent. There is virtually full employment 

now in Panama. 

An Attractive Country for Investors 

Panama succeeds in attracting foreign investors 

by giving them equal market access as local companies 

enjoy, with a few exceptions, such as in retail 

and maritime services. Foreign investment of about 

4 billion US dollars put Panama on the top again in 

Central America. 

Additional corporate settlement is possible in the 

world-wide prominent free zone Colón, also called 

“Science City” (Ciudad del Saber) and the Special 

Economic Zone AEP (Área Especial Económica Panamá-Pacífico) 

close to the capital. The legislation 

for seats of multinational enterprises (SEM), the free 

zone regime (“zonas francas” in succession of export 

promotion zones) for manufacturing companies, industry-specific 

support programs, a comprehensive 

service from a single source (one stop shop) in the 

production zone Panamá Pacífico for non-bureaucratic 

control of immigration and work permit issues 

as well as tax benefits (including the territorial control 

principle) give the foreign investor support, facilitation 

and highly attractive incentives. 

STEP INTO 

A TRULY 

REMARKABLE 

PLACE 

Panama 


Republic of Panama 

Location: Costa Rica to the 

west, Colombia to the east 

Area: 75,517 km2 

Population: 3.3 million 

Official language: Spanish 

Other languages: 73 

Religion: 86% Catholic, 

10% Protestant 

Capital: Panama City 

Currency: Balboa (PAB), 

US dollar 

Climate: tropical 

National day: 3rd 

November (1903 – independence 

from Colombia) 


Republic 


Juan Carlos Varela 

Source: WKO, Status: 2013 


HOTEL | SPA CLUB | RESTAURANT & BAR 

BURGGASSE 2 | 1070 VIENNA, AUSTRIA | T: +43-1-522 25 20 | WWW.SANSSOUCI-WIEN.COM 


55

LE MONDE FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

Sebastian Kurz 

“Vienna is a natural venue for dialogue“ 

Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz about the importance of intercultural 

and interreligious dialogue, development-cooperation, and the efforts his department 

is making to bring Austria’s economic movers and shakers together with 

international diplomats. 


“Promoting cohesion 

is a task for the 

whole of society“ 

Fear of terror threatens to drive a wedge between Europe 

and its immigrants. How do you view the situation at present, 

and what can be done to counter the trend? 

The shocking propensity for violence of the terror 

group calling itself ‘Islamic State’, the issue of radicalisation 

associated with jihadism, and the latest attack 

in Paris are anything but helpful to the climate 

of integration. Simply equating Islam with terror, 

however, is both wrong and dangerous. Islam has 

now been recognised in Austria for over 100 years, 

and we have been taking in Muslim migrant workers 

for 50 years now. Muslims are an important part of 

our society today, and must not be subjected to some 

sort of general suspicion. At the same time, people’s 

fears need to be taken seriously. The fact is that we 

have succeeded in achieving a great deal in the area 

of integration in recent years, and the climate of coexistence 

has been continuously improving. In the 

field of integration, therefore, we need to ensure that 

we achieve clear goals in an effort to make sure that 

there is not a wholesale loss of trust between the 

Muslim and non-Muslim population. We will be 

proceeding determinedly against dangerous trends 

such as political Islamism on the one hand, while not 

allowing a negative mood against all Muslims to take 

root on the other. Promoting cohesion is a task for 

the whole of society, and the responsibility of each 

and every one of us. All sides and each and every one 

of us can contribute to building mutual trust. 

Let’s talk for a moment about “successful integration”. What 

do you mean by successful integration? 

Our guiding principle is “integration through 

achievement”. Migrants should not be measured by 

their origin, but by what they succeed in achieving in 

their profession, education, family or society. Successful 

integration builds upon their German language 

skills, success in education, and profession. 

That’s why we’re concentrating on these areas in our 

work. We have vastly increased investment in helping 

children master the language at an early age. 

Central government will be investing an additional 

EUR 60 million in our kindergartens by 2018. We are 

currently working around the clock on a law recognising 

qualifications gained abroad, which will be a 

hugely important step for those seeking opportunities 

in the job market here. And a new law on Islam 

will be enacted in the next few weeks defining the 

rights and obligations of Muslims in Austria. 

The situation in Ukraine is still critical and there seems to be 

no solution in sight. What can be done? 

We are of course observing the situation in Eastern 

Ukraine with great concern. A peaceful solution 

can only be achieved if all participants are involved. 

That means that the dialogue between all parties to 

the conflict has to be kept going. It also means that 

the EU will have to continue speaking with one 

voice, and remain true to its principles. No solution 

to the conflict will ever work without Russia on 

board, but the basis for any solution has to be complete 

implementation of the Minsk Agreement. Selective 

implementation damages trust, and as we 

have already seen, does not contribute to progress in 

any way. Internal reforms will also have to be implemented 

within Ukraine; without these, any international 

aid will be completely ineffective. 

2015 is the European Year of Development. The OECD is 

demanding that Austria increases the financial resources it 

contributes to development work. What do your plans look 

like for fulfilling the OECD demands in the future? 

The European Year of Development is a hugely 

important opportunity to discuss development cooperation, 

keep Austrians informed, and reach people 

who have not been concerned with the issue to 

date. What happens in the wider world, and in developing 

countries in particular, affects every one of us: 

issues such as fighting poverty, protecting the environment, 

using nature and precious resources care- 

PHOTOS: 


BMEIA/FELICITAS MATERN 


Sebastian Kurz 

Born in 1986, Sebastian Kurz 

became Austria’s Minister for 

Europe, Integration and 

Foreign Affairs in December 

2013. He is the youngest 

Foreign Minister in the world. 



57

LE MONDE FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

fully, peace and security, and how to deal with refugees, 

are global challenges which can only be 

overcome by working together. One important target 

audience is our young people; at the end of the day, 

it’s their future in particular that we’re talking about 

here. The launch event in Austria, which we’ve organised 

together with partners from the Austrian Development 

Cooperation, has been targeted at young 

people, and communicates knowledge surrounding 

this development cooperation theme in what I hope 

will be a fresh and exciting way. Erik Solheim, Chair 

of the Development Aid Committee of the OECD, 

has praised Austria for the way it has involved the 

private sector and the Austrian Development Cooperation’s 

work in Moldova. And because we are doing 

good things at present, of course, we should be continuing 

to redouble our efforts. We take this request 

extremely seriously, of course. That’s why I think increasing 

financial resources from public as well as 

private sources is so very important. Development 

cooperation and its financing are not just tasks for 

my own department, however; they are responsibilities 

of the entire government. I’m very pleased to see 

that together with the respective Finance Ministers, 

we succeeded in avoiding making the cutbacks in the 

budget for bilateral development cooperation in 

both 2014 and 2015, and I shall of course be working 

to strengthen future development cooperation. 

In your speech to the General Assembly of the OSCE, you 

declared that you were prepared to take over Chairmanship 

of the OSCE in 2017. What do you think will be the greatest 

challenges facing you when you do so? 

Chairmanship of the OSCE is a huge challenge, 

both at an organisational level and in terms of content, 

so we will need to get the process of preparation 

moving at as early a stage as possible. We shall be 

supporting the chairmanships of Serbia in 2015 and 

Germany in 2016 to the best of our abilities. In light 

of the crisis in Ukraine, the OSCE has proven to be 

the core organisation for security in Europe. Events 

have made clear, however, that this system needs to 

be updated and strengthened. It was against this 

backdrop as much as anything else that I offered to 

take over the chairmanship in 2017. We see our 

chairmanship as a sign of our commitment to a 

peaceful, free and common Europe based on cooperation 

and dialogue, and are hoping to receive the 

support of the international community in achieving 

this goal. 

At the opening event of the European Year for Development 

in Austria, together with Development Commissioner Neven 

Mimica. 

The Conference of Western Balkan States is being held in 

Salzburg this year. How are preparations for this going, and 

what do you think its core themes will be? 

We’re currently in the middle of preparations for 

the Conference of Western Balkan States on 27th 

August, which will be held in Salzburg. The heads of 

government, foreign ministers and economic ministers 

of the seven states of the former Yugoslavia and 

Albania will be participating, and I’m very pleased to 

say that there will also be other high-level addresses, 

including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and 

representatives of the EU, such as High Representative 

Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes 

Hahn. The core themes will be infrastructure expansion, 

strengthening of the rule of law, and regional 

cooperation. Civil society is also an important theme 

for us, which is why we’re also planning to hold a 

Civil Society Conference just before the summit 

takes place itself. 

You have repeatedly emphasised that you would like to 

position Austria even more strongly as a location for 

dialogue. What initiatives are you planning for 2015 in order 

to achieve this? 

As one of the UN’s four permanent seats, Vienna 

makes a natural venue for dialogue. In 2015, we shall 

PHOTOS: DRAGAN TATIC 

Left: Sebastian Kurz meets Kofi Annan at the Security Conference in Munich at the beginning of February 2015. 

Right: Speaking to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pawlo Klimkin at the OSCE Security Council in December 2014. 

be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding 

of the United Nations, and the 60th anniversary of 

Austria becoming a member of the UN. We want to 

use these anniversaries to continue strengthening dialogue 

with Viennese UN organisations on the one 

hand, and to bring the UN’s work closer to Austrians 

on the other hand. To do this, we’re planning a series 

of events targeted at a broad public, i.e. not just diplomats 

and experts, but also the public at large, all 

with the aim of contributing to stronger dialogue. At 

times like this, possibly more than any other – when 

the global community is exposed to ever-greater 

challenges – it’s absolutely crucial that we focus on 

multilateral cooperation and mutual understanding. 

Austrian foreign policy also has a decades-long tradition 

of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue. 

The new pluralism in Austrian society demands dialogue 

both within Austria and with our neighbours 

and partners. Important bilateral projects on Islam 

in the best Austrian tradition of dialogue are being 

prepared for 2015. The Task Force Dialogue of Cultures 

also considers projects with new dialogue partners, 

including China. The Intercultural Achievement 

Award (IAA), which I presented for the first 

time last year and which is open to participants 

around the world, will be held again this year. 

What measures is the Foreign Ministry taking to network 

domestic economic movers and shakers with international 

diplomats? 

The newly set-up enterprise service will be spearheading 

our efforts in this area. Business diplomacy, 

which is also a natural setting for targeted networking 

by domestic companies, has always been a central 

area of activity of the Foreign Ministry in its own 

right. I wanted to make this aspect of our daily work 

more visible to the public at large by setting up the 

enterprise service, so Austrian companies can now 

address their concerns and queries directly to a central 

point of contact. The global network of the 

BMEIA, which represents more than 100 authorities, 

offers specific added value in this field, such as providing 

exporters and investors with sound political 

analyses and forecasts, and a means of accessing 

high-ranking political decision-makers abroad. We 

also proactively network our entrepreneurs with international 

diplomats through a wide range of 

events, such as our “One Day At...” company tours 

and regular “Foreign Trade Round Table” meetings. 

In addition to this, we work hard to draw companies’ 

attention to any procurements being made by international 

organisations, and promoting contacts with 

those organisations. 

“At times like 

this – when the 

global community 

is exposed to evergreater 

challenges 

– it’s absolutely 

crucial that we focus 

on multilateral 

cooperation and mutual 

understanding.” 



59

LE MONDE VIENNA ECONOMIC FORUM 

From the Adriatic to the Black Sea 


INFO 

1 2 

5 7 

VEF Events in 2015 

27th-28th May 2015: 

“Vienna Economic 

Talks – Tirana Meeting. 

Brainstorming Regional”, 

in Tirana, Albania 

3 4 

18th June 2015: 

“Vienna Economic 

Talks – Meet Macedonia in 

Vienna”, Studio 44 of the 

Austrian Lotteries, 

Rennweg 44, 1030 Vienna 

The Vienna Economic Forum has played a hugely influential 

role in establishing Vienna as an economic hub for the 

region of Southeastern Europe. 

1 Left to right: Austrian 

Chancellor Werner 

Faymann, Elena Kirtcheva 

and Erhard Busek. 

2 Austrian President Heinz 

Fischer with the Patrons 

Committee. 

3 Elena Kirtcheva. 

4 Former Austrian 

Chancellor Wolfgang 

Schüssel. 

5 „Family picture“ at the 

Business and Investment 

Forum, Albania, organised 

by WKO and VEF. 

6 Former President of the 

Vienna Economic 

Chamber, Brigitte Jank 

(left) and Margarete 

Kriz-Zwittkowits, 

Honorary President, 

Austrian Trade 

Association. 

7 Regional Governor of 

Lower Austria, Erwin Pröll. 

The Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) was 

ini tially founded in April 2004, based on an 

idea by Elena Kirtcheva, Ambassador of the 

Republic of Bulgaria in Vienna at the time. A few 

years previously, as Bulgarian Ambassador to Switzerland, 

she had become acquainted with the World 

Economic Forum in Davos, an experience which 

inspired her to found an organisation of a similar nature 

focussed on the needs of Southeastern Europe 

and the Balkan countries, and based in Vienna. 

“Vienna immediately struck me as the perfect location,” 

Kirtcheva says. “Not only was there a real demand 

for economic exchange in the region, but you 

could sense the generally optimistic mood in the city, 

a feeling of wanting to instigate change.” The aim of 

the VEF is to promote economic cooperation between 

the countries and territories of the region, 

which is defined as stretching from the Adriatic to 

the Black Sea, from a location in Vienna. 

It was decided that the VEF’s partner countries 

should be Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 

Bulgaria, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of 

Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, 

Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, Kosovo – and of course 

Austria. 

Along with Kirtcheva, who initially came up with 

the idea, the Forum’s founding members included 

some of Austria’s most notable entrepreneurs and industrialists, 

such as Josef Taus, the first President of 

the Vienna Economic Forum, Erhard Busek, Rudolf 

Gruber, Burkhard Hofer, Walter Rothensteiner, 

Herbert Stepic, Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, Veit Sorger, 

Andreas Treichl, Karl Fink, Hanno Soravia, 

Christoph Leitl and Elisabeth Gürtler-Sacher. Therefore, 

the three fundamental components in the 

Forum’s success – the right location, the right time 

and the right people – were all very much in place. 

Former Austrian Vice-Chancellor Erhard Busek, 

who was also a Special Coordinator of the Stability 

Pact for Southeastern Europe, is the current President 

of the Vienna Economic Forum. The Patrons 

Committee of the VEF is made up of the Prime 

Ministers of individual member states, together with 

the Austrian Chancellor. The ambassadors of the 

countries in the region also participate in the work of 

the Forum as honorary members. 

Asked why she thinks the Forum has enjoyed the 

success it has done, Kirtcheva says: “The Vienna Economic 

Forum has accomplished a lot over the past 

eleven years, and Vienna’s importance as an economic 

hub for the region of Southeastern Europe has 

grown enormously at the same time. The achievements 

of our members, Austrian and Southeastern 

PHOTOS: VEF 

6 

European companies and international firms, in helping 

the region of Southeastern Europe from Vienna, 

really speak for themselves.” 

The Vienna Economic Forum’s main conferences 

are held in the Austrian capital every year in November. 

The conferences are attended by hundreds of 

decision-makers from business and industry, who 

come together to exchange ideas and to network. In 

addition to this, the VEF organises a number of 

external conferences each year in the capital cities of 

its partner countries, under the patronage of the 

prime minister in question. 

Another initiative, the “Vienna Economic Talks”, 

provides a platform for discussing specific issues or 

economic sectors within a smaller framework. In 

2008, the “Vienna Economic Talks – Pleven Meeting” 

was organised to discuss the issues of water 

supply, waste management and infrastructure. 

The 11th Forum was held in Vienna in November 

2014. 500 participants from 44 countries attended 

the event, including Austrian President Heinz 

Fischer, Chancellor Werner Faymann, and the 

President of the European Bank for Reconstruction 

and Development, Suma Chakrabarti. 

Elena Kirtcheva is also particularly proud of the 

fact that the VEF was awarded NGO status in 2011, 

and that it now enjoys Special Advisor status at the 

Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. 

One particularly popular event in the Vienna 

Economic Forum calendar is its annual garden party 

every summer. “The unique atmosphere of this event 

proves once again just how much the people of this 

region, from the Adriatic to the Black Sea, have in 

common with one another,” Kirtcheva says. 

The Vienna Economic Forum is continuously 

growing and evolving, a trend reflected in the ongoing 

internationalisation of its Executive Board. 

One Belgian, two Bulgarian and one German company 

are now represented on the Board, as well as the 

Turkish Investment Agency. “We are firmly convinced 

that the presence on the Board of the VEF of 

representatives of companies from all member countries 

heightens economic collaboration across the 

region as a whole,” Kirtcheva says. 

Playing such a key role in the region of Southeastern 

Europe for almost eleven years, and continuing 

to establish Vienna’s place as an economic hub, is a 

hugely positive feeling, of course, and Kirtcheva is 

optimistic about the future. “Advancing the region’s 

economic development and witnessing so many success 

stories – initially those of the Austrians, and as 

time has gone by, those companies we have had the 

chance to accompany in partner countries as well – 

provides enormous motivation and impetus.” 

9th June 2015: 

14th Traditional Garden 

Party of the Vienna 

Economic Forum, Haus 

Wittgenstein, Parkgasse 

18, 1030 Vienna 

23rd November 2015: 

12th Vienna Economic 

Forum – Vienna Dialogue 

2015, Palais Niederösterreich, 

Vienna 

INFO: 

www.vienna-economicforum.com 



61

LE MONDE BANGLADESH 

An up-and-coming country 


GUEST ARTICLE 

The decision by the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to 

open an Embassy in Vienna for the first time represents a 

significant milestone in the planned expansion of bilateral 

relations between Austria and Bangladesh. 

Bangladesh today is actually still a young country. 

It was only in 1971, following a bloody 

war of liberation the country then known as 

East Pakistan gained independence from Pakistan 

and became Bangladesh. Although the country may 

only have existed for 44 years, its cultural and historical 

roots actually extend far back into antiquity. 

Today’s Bangladesh was once part of the historically 

significant Bengal Empire. 

Bengal was inhabited by Hindus, Buddhists, and 

some animists until the thirteenth century, when 

Muslims invaded from the north-west, bringing 

their faith and culture with them. The British assumed 

political power in Bangladesh from 1757 onwards, 

ruling the country’s destiny for almost two 

centuries. After the Second World War, when the 

British planned to give up colonial power, they decided 

to partition the Indian Subcontinent into Hindu 

and Muslim regions, namely India and Pakistan respectively. 

The region once known as East Bengal was 

renamed East Pakistan in June 1947. Overnight, the 

new Muslim country was created out of British India, 

but split in two: West Pakistan lay to the far west, 

and East Pakistan to the east, separated by almost 

1,600 km of Indian territory. This was not the only 

problem, however. Irrespective of the geographical 

distance between them, East and West Pakistan had 

absolutely nothing in common other than the fact 

that both were Muslim; they did not even speak the 

same language. After years of political marginalisation, 

ethnic discrimination and economic neglect, a 

war of liberation finally broke out in 1971, and the 

country gained its independence from Pakistan. This 

was followed by decades of deprivation for the newly-founded 

state of Bangladesh, characterised by poverty 

and natural disasters as well as political unrest 

and military putsches. The country’s new age of economic 

progress could only begin in earnest once democratic 

elections began being held again in 1991. 

Economic growth 

Today, Bangladesh is one of the five fastest growing 

developing countries in the world. In the years 

2011-2014, the country saw average rates of economic 

growth of 6.3 percent. In the years since it gained 

independence from Pakistan, Bangladesh’s economy 

has evolved from being primarily agrarian-based, to 

one focussed on the industrial and service sectors. 

The traditionally dominant agricultural sector is now 

only responsible for around one-fifth of the country’s 

PHOTOS: GETTY / TANVIR IBNA SHAFI, YAHSANUL HOQUE CHOWDHURY ANAND, CD 

GDP. Despite this, three out of every five working 

people continue to be employed in the agricultural 

sector. For the rural population in particular (approximately 

three-quarters of the popula tion as a whole), 

agricultural production still represents the most 

important way of earning a living. 

The most important staple crop by far is rice. 

Something like 11.3 million hectares of land (around 

73 percent of the total area devoted to agricultural 

production) is used for the cultivation of rice. Increasingly 

large areas have been devoted to cultivating 

grain in recent decades, and production currently 

stands at over 36 million tons.Another important 

staple is jute. Even though its production is being 

steadily reduced every year, this continues to be an 

important source of revenue on the world market. 

“In 44 years we have made tremendous progress in 

food production. We have almost tripled the 

country’s production of grain since 1971,” said Md 

Abu Zafar, Bangladesh’s Ambassador in Vienna. 

The growth in the industrial sector is essentially a 

result of the booming textile industry. The success 

story began in the 1980s, when South Korean textile 

producers tried to get around quotas for textile imports 

in industrialised countries by moving their 

production to Bangladesh. Today, Bangladesh is the 

world’s second-largest textile producer as a result. 

The textile industry now employs over four million 

people. In addition, Bangladesh has entered into the 

ship-building industry with supplying ocean-going 

ships to the western world. 

International relations 

The foreign policy priorities of the government, 

unequivocally guided by the fundamental principle 

of foreign relations were outlined four decades 

ago by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu 

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – ‘Friendship 

to all and malice to none’. The foreign 

policy accents and diplomatic 

initiatives were also essentially guided 

by the principal tenets of foreign policy 

as enumerated in the Constitution of 

Bangladesh and further shaped by the 

present go-vernment’s foreign policy 

pledges contained in its ‘Vision 2021’ 

manifesto. Accordingly the government 

has launched proactive and multidimensional 

diplomatic initiatives to 

reaffirm and add value to Bangladesh’s 

Md Abu Zafar, Bangladesh‘s first Ambassador in Vienna 

His Excellency Md Abu Zafar talks about the natural beauty of his home country and 

the economic potential this could have, the role of religion in Bangladesh, and the 

social position of women there. 

Bangladesh’s coastline has the potential to 

support a successful tourist industry. Nowhere is 

the natural landscape more stunning than in the 

far south of the country. The coastal town of 

Cox’s Bazar is particularly blessed, for instance: 

it boasts the longest unbroken, natural sandy 

beach on Earth, with a gently sloping, sandy 

shore snaking along the coastline for more than 

125 kilometres. Bangladesh’s foreign tourism 

sector is still relatively small, and few 

Bangladeshis themselves have had the resources 

to travel within the country until recently. 

Internal tourism is now growing, however, as the 

economy develops, Austria is a world leader in 

providing such services, of course, so it will be in 

the interest of both countries to build up levels 

of cooperation in areas such as tourism. 

Although approximately 90 perccent of the 

Bangladeshi population are Muslims, it is far 

from what one might imagine as a conservative 

Islamic country. Bangladesh is a People’s 

Republic, in a similar way, in fact, to Austria. 

It is a secular country by constitution, where 

all religions co-exist peacefully. There is no 

religious discrimination of any sort here. The 

best thing about Bangladesh is that it is a 

tolerant society, and one of the most liberal 

Muslim countries in the world. The United 

Nations has described Bangladesh as being a 

model for other Muslim countries. 

The other important achievement of 

Bangladesh is women empowerment. The past 

four decades have seen increased political 

empowerment for women, better job prospects, 

and more opportunities for girl’s education and 

new laws to protect their rights. In Parliament 

we have 50 seats reserved for women. As of 

2014, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the 

Parliament, the leader of the opposition are 

women. And not forgetting, they were elected 

by a majority of men. We have women football, 

cricket and hockey teams. This speaks volume 

for the liberal, democratic ethos of Bangladesh. 

Md Abu Zafar and 

his wife Salma, 

wearing the 

traditional Sari. 


Cercle Diplomatique 1/2015

LE MONDE BANGLADESH 

Welcome to one of the most competent and comfortable private hospitals! 

FACTS & 

FIGURES 

RECOMMENDED BY LEADING DOCTORS 

Bangladesh 

Official name: People’s 

Republic of Bangladesh 

Location: bordered by India 

to the north, east and west, 

and the Bay of Bengal to 

the south and Myanmar to 

the south-east 

Area: 147,570 km2 

Population: 158 million 

Official language: Bengali 

Other languages: English 

Religion: Islam (90.4 %), 

Hinduism (8.2 %), 

Buddhism, Christianity 

Capital city: Dhaka 

Currency: Taka 

Climate: tropical with mild 

winters from October to 

March and hot, humid 

summers from March to 

June 

Public holiday: 26th 

March, Independence and 

National Day 

Form of state: 

People‘s Republic 


Abdul Hamid 


Sheikh Hasina 

From left to right: Honorary Consul Wolfgang Weninger, 

First Secretary Shabab Bin Ahmed, Ambassador Mohammed Abu 

Zafar, Salma A. Zafar, Honorary Consul Ernst W. Graft. 

global identity and stature as a responsible and contributing 

member of the international community. 

Inspired by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu 

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s vision of establishing the 

country as “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal). The 

Government of Bangladesh has been tirelessly working 

to transform Bangladesh into a middle income 

country by 2021 and a developed nation by 2041. Taking 

into consideration the country’s geographical 

position, the importance of foreign development assistance 

and its economic and political interests. 

Bangladesh pursues constructive cooperation with 

the world of Islamic states and with western states. 

Relations with Bangladesh’s South Asian neighbours 

with whom it enjoys historic ties, geographic proximity 

and multifaceted cooperation is being further 

consolidated, while Bangladesh’s relations with its 

traditional economic partners in the Far Eastern region, 

especially China, Japan and South Korea have 

been vibrant. Both China and Japan are supporting 

Bangladesh in expanding infrastructure. The country 

also enjoys particularly close relations with states 

in the Gulf, where more than half of Bangladesh’s 

overseas workers are employed. Second only to export 

revenues from the textile industry, their remittances 

to home are Bangladesh’s most important 

source of income. Bangladesh is a founder member 

of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 

(SAARC), the Group of Eight Developing 

Countries (D-8) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for 

“Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation” 

(BIMSTEC). The country is a member of the 

United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the 

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Movement 

of Non-Aligned States. 

Bilateral relations: Austria – Bangladesh 

The foundations for the good relations between 

Austria and Bangladesh were laid back in 1971 when 

Austria supported Bangladesh during its war of independence, 

both in a moral and a material regard. 

“Immediately after liberation, the Austrian Ambassador 

based in New Delhi basically worked out a 

paper on economic policy for Bangladesh, outlining 

how Bangladesh could deepen its economic relations 

with Western Europe,” Ambassador Zafar said. 

The First Meeting of the Austria-Bangladesh Joint 

Working Group was held in February 2002. From 

26th-28th February 2013, the Bangladeshi Foreign 

Minister visited Austria for the 5th Global Forum of 

the Alliance of Civilisation of the United Nations in 

Vienna. During this visit, she met a range of dignitaries 

including the Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister, 

Michael Spindelegger, the President of the 

Austrian Economic Chambers, Christoph Leitl, and 

members of the Foreign Policy Committee of Parliament. 

Both Foreign Ministers showed great interest 

in expanding existing economic relations further. 

The two saw great potential for future cooperation in 

fields including the energy sector, health, education, 

tourism and waste management. The volume of bilateral 

trade between the two countries in 2013 was 

over 360 million Euro. Around 30 Austrian companies 

were located in Bangladesh at the time. “There is 

an imbalance in trade relations between our two 

countries. There exist great potentials to expand our 

bilateral trade to 1 Billion Euro by 2020, and thereby 

gradually offsetting the trade imbalance. Most importantly, 

Austrian investment in Bangladesh in sectors 

like renewable energy, waste management, agro 

industry, pharmaceuticals, physical infrastructure 

and service sectors including tourism can further 

contribute to the healthy trade and economic relations 

between the two countries. One of the objects 

of our mission here in Austria is to work towards 

achieving these goals,” Ambassador Zafar stated. 

PHOTO: CD 

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LE MONDE NEWS 

Latest update from around the globe 

PHOTO: CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS 

Bloomberg Innovationsranking 

South Korea is in 

the lead 

Austria ranked 17th out of 50 

in the global innovation 

ranking by Bloomberg, the 

financial news service. The 

most innovative countries are 

South Korea, Japan and 

Germany followed by Finland, 

Israel and the USA. Austria 

came 5th in the subcategory 

of manufacturing processes. 

Bloomberg ranked the 

countries based on six 

categories, which determine 

their ability to innovate. 

www.bloomberg.com 

European Union 

Economic forecast 2015 

For the first time since 2007, the economies of all European Union Member States are 

expected to grow again this year, according to the European Commission‘s winter 

forecast. Over the course of this year, economic activity is expected to pick up moderately 

in the EU and in the euro area, before accelerating further in 2016. Growth this year is 

forecast to rise to 1,7 percent for the EU as a whole and to 1,3 percent for the euro area. In 

2016, annual growth should reach 2,1 percent and 1,9 percent respectively, on the back of 

strengthened domestic and foreign demand, very accommodative monetary policy and a 

broadly neutral fiscal stance. Growth prospects across Europe are still limited by a weak 

investment environment and high unemployment. However, since the autumn, a number 

of key developments have brightened the near-term outlook. Oil prices have declined 

faster than before, the euro has depreciated noticeably, the ECB has announced 

quantitative easing, and the European Commission has presented its Investment Plan for 

Europe. All these factors are set to have a positive impact on growth. The trend towards 

low inflation has continued. In most Member States, inflation temporarily turned negative 

in December, on the back of the steep fall in energy prices. Inflation is set to remain 

subdued in 2015 as low commodity prices dampen the headline figure. Inflation should 

increase as of mid-2015 and in the course of 2016, as economic activity gradually 

strengthens, wages rise and the economic slack is reduced. In the EU, inflation is projected 

at 0,2 percent in 2015 and 1,4 percent in 2016. Inflation in the euro area is forecast to be 

-0,1 percent this year before rising to 1,3 percent in 2016. 

ec.europa.eu 

International Soil Sciences 

Office established 

in Vienna 

The IUSS (International Union 

of Soil Sciences) has set up an 

office in Vienna. IUSS is the 

global umbrella organisation 

of national soil associations 

and has more than 20,000 

members – scientists from 70 

countries around the world. 

www.iuss.org 

Airline Ranking 

The safest airlines 

in the world 

This year‘s safety ranking by JACDEC (Jet 

Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre) 

gave the top spot to Cathay Pacific Airways 

from Hong Kong, closely followed by 

Emirates from the United Arab Emirates 

and Eva Air, a private Taiwanese airline. 

The JACDEC ranking analyses the 

relationship between transport 

performance and incidents of the 60 

largest airlines in the world. To compile 

the list, all aircraft write-offs and fatalities 

in the last 30 years are recorded as well as 

serious incidents such as near-misses or 

risky situations. 

www.jacdec.de 

Spain 

Booming Automotive 

industry 

Spanish car manufacturers 

were able to increase their 

production in 2014 by eleven 

percent to a total of 2,4 

million vehicles. This has 

made Spain the second 

largest European car 

manufacturer and go up to 

ninth place in the worldwide 

top ten. 

www.wko.at 

VEF 2015 

Vienna 

Energy Forum 

The Vienna Energy Forum 

2015 will take place only a 

few months before the 

Sustainable Development 

Goals Summit in New York 

and the UNFCCC Conference 

of the Parties in Paris. By 

emphasizing the multiple 

benefits of the Post-2015 

Development and the Climate 

Agenda and by showcasing 

best practices and actions on 

the ground, the VEF 2015 

aims at contributing to both. 

Date: 18th to 20th June 2015 

Venue: Hofburg Imperial 

Palace in Vienna. 

www.unido.org 

Austria-Bulgaria 

Cultural agreement 

signed 

Austria and Bulgaria have 

signed a new agreement 

regarding cooperation in the 

fields of culture, education, 

science and youth. The 

agreement replaces an 

outdated agreement from 

1976. It has established a new 

basis for cooperation in the 

promotion of language 

teaching, literature, history 

and regional studies. 

www.bmeia.gv.at 

LEBEN IM NEUEN WIEN 

300 EXKLUSIVE EIGENTUMSWOHNUNGEN MIT TERRASSE UND AUSBLICK. 

CONCIERGE-SERVICE, SPA UND FITNESS. NUR ACHT U-BAHN-MINUTEN IN DIE CITY. 

AB SOMMER 2015. WWW.DC-LIVING.AT 

FOTO: MICHAEL NAGL 



67

LE MONDE NEWS 

The South African 

soprano Pretty Yende 

is considered to be a 

shooting star on the 

opera scene. 

European Union 

Green light for 

SME financing 

Following a decision by the 

Board of Governors of the 

European Investment Bank 

(EIB), small and mediumsized 

companies (SMEs) 

across Europe should be able 

to benefit from the first funds 

from the new European Fund 

for Strategic Investments 

(EFSI) before the summer. 

The landmark decision taken 

today by the EIB Board of 

Governors will allow for the 

pre-financing of SME projects 

linked to the Investment Plan 

for Europe before the 

summer. 

ec.europa.eu 

China 

Shanghai expands free trade zone 

The Guangdong Free Trade Zone will now include the 

Nansha New Area in Guangzhou, Qianhai in Shenzhen 

and Hengqin New Area in Zhuhai, covering 116,2 sq km. 

The Tianjin Free Trade Zone covering an area of 119,9 sq 

km will incorporate the port, the airport as well as the 

Binhai New Area Industrial Park. The industrial areas in 

the provincial capital city of Fuzhou as well as Xiamen 

und Pingtan are also going to be included in the Fujian 

Free Trade Zone. Furthermore, the Shanghai Free Trade 

Zone, which has existed since 2013, will be extended 

substantially and will also include the well-known 

Lujiazui Financial District, the Jinqiao Development 

Zone and the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. 

www.wko.at 

Individuelle Beratung bei 

MM Wien Mitte Flagshipstore 

Customised Consultation at 

Media Markt Wien Mitte Flagshipstore 

South African Embassy organises charity concert 

Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert 

The South African embassy in Vienna is holding a charity concert 

on 20th April at the Konzerthaus in Vienna in support of Nelson 

Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust. It was Nelson Mandela’s last 

wish to build a children‘s hospital in Johannesburg, the second 

medical facility of its kind in South Africa and the fifth in the 

entire African continent. They will also be celebrating the 

twenty-year anniversary of freedom and democracy in the 

Republic of South Africa. The two South African opera stars, 

Johan Botha and Pretty Yende, as well as the Vienna Chamber 

Orchestra conducted by Stefan Vladar will be performing works 

by Giuseppe Verdi, Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini, Giacomo 

Puccini, Franz Lehar and Johann Strauss. 

www.konzerthaus.at 

Indonesia 

Business licensing 

faciliated 

The Indonesian Ministry of 

Industry has transferred 

complete authorisation to 

BKPM (Indonesian Investment 

Coordination Board) to issue 

business licences for 436 of 

1.249 industrial sectors as 

well as licences to allow 

extensions of business 

activities in various sectors. 

The government is taking this 

measure in order to transform 

BKPM into a “one-stop” 

licence centre. By having 

simpler approval procedures, 

the general conditions for 

foreign investors will be made 

easier and will therefore 

attract new investments by 

foreign companies. 

www.wko.at 

IACA/ICC 

Corruption Workshops 

The Austrian International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) 

and IACA invite you to take part in two workshops on 

the worth of contracts and the dangers of alleged 

corruption in arbitral proceedings. The workshops will 

take place back-to-back, from 7th to 8th May and 8th 

- 9th May, in Vienna, Austria. A group of international 

experts will present legal issues and discuss real cases, 

highlighting the complexities of corruption in business, 

the civil law consequences, possible costs for business, 

and response mechanisms. Participants wishing to have 

a special situation discussed can anonymously submit 

questions as well. 

www. iaca.int 

PHOTOS: ZEMSKY GREEN, IACA 

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Wir beraten Sie dabei gerne. Vereinbaren Sie gleich einen Termin mit uns: 

Beratung.wienmitte@mediamarkt.at oder 01/71615-123 

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Our Advisors are here for you. Contact us and make an appointment: 

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MEDIA MARKT Wien-Mitte: 

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Öffnungszeiten: 

Mo-Mi: 9 - 20 Uhr, Do-Fr: 9 - 21 Uhr, Sa: 9 - 18 Uhr 

TEIL- 

ZAHLUNG 


Wien Mitte

Manchmal stoßen 

Geschäfte an Grenzen. 

L'AUTRICHE 

DER NAME IST 

PROGRAMM. IN 

L’AUTRICHE DREHT SICH 

ALLES UM DEN STANDORT 

ÖSTERREICH, SEINE 

WIRTSCHAFT UND SEINE 

BEDEUTUNG AUF DEM 

INTERNATIONALEN 

PARKETT. 

THE NAME SAYS IT ALL. 

IN L’AUTRICHE THE FOCUS IS 

ON AUSTRIA, ITS ECONOMY 

AND ITS ROLE ON THE 

INTERNATIONAL STAGE. 

Mit uns stehen 

Ihnen alle 

Wege offen. 

Das gilt für Unternehmen, Botschaften 

und internationale Organisationen ebenso 

wie für deren Angestellte. Die Bank Austria 

spricht die Sprache der diplomatischen 

Gemeinschaft und ist in allen Angelegenheiten 

gerne für Sie da. 

www.bankaustria.at/en/

L‘AUTRICHE ECONOMIC AFFAIRS 

Reinhold Mitterlehner 

„Nationaler Protektionismus wäre genau die falsche Strategie“ 

“National protectionism would be precisely the wrong strategy” 


Österreichs Wirtschaftsminister Reinhold Mitterlehner über die Liberalisierung 

des Welthandels und die Exportmärkte der Zukunft. 

Austria’s Minister of Economy Reinhold Mitterlehner on liberalising world trade 

and the export markets of the future. 

Für die Zukunft des Wirtschaftsstandortes Österreich 

ist eine weitere Liberalisierung des Welthandels von 

enormer Bedeutung. Wie stellen Sie sich diese 

Liberalisierung vor? 

Um die Wirtschaftskrise nachhaltig und langfristig 

zu überwinden, muss der Welthandel weiter belebt 

werden. Denn der Abbau von unnötigen Handelshemmnissen 

wie zum Beispiel langwierigen Zollverfahren 

schafft Wachstum und Arbeitsplätze und 

nützt sowohl den Unternehmen als auch den Konsumenten. 

Im Gegensatz dazu wäre ein Rückfall in nationalen 

Protektionismus genau die falsche Strategie. 

Abschottung löst keine Probleme, sondern verschärft 

sie. Dass sich die Internationalisierung bewährt und 

letztlich für alle Beteiligten Vorteile bringt, sehen wir 

auch in der Forschung. 

Welche Bedeutung hat das umstrittene Freihandelsabkommen 

zwischen der EU und den USA (TTIP) für den 

Wirtschaftsstandort Österreich? 

Die USA sind nach Deutschland und Italien Österreichs 

drittwichtigster Handelspartner. Ein starkes 

Exportland wie Österreich kann daher von einem 

gut gemachten Handelsabkommen besonders profitieren, 

aber die Qualität muss stimmen. Entscheidend 

für den Erfolg von TTIP ist daher, dass jeder 

Vertragspartner das Schutzniveau nach eigenem Ermessen 

festlegen kann und unsere nationalen Standards 

gesichert und respektiert werden. Das gilt vor 

allem bei Lebensmitteln, Umwelt, Gesundheit und 

Konsumentenschutz. Auch die Transparenz muss 

trotz einiger Fortschritte weiter gestärkt werden. Wir 

brauchen bei den künftigen Verhandlungsrunden 

mehr Offenheit, um das Vertrauen der Bürgerinnen 

und Bürger zu erhalten. 

Wie ist der Ist-Stand der österreichischen Internationalisierungsoffensive? 

Was sind die Vorhaben der Zukunft? 

Die Maßnahmen und Angebote von „go international“ 

haben sich bewährt und unterstützen vor allem 

Klein- und Mittelbetriebe beim ersten Schritt in den 

Export, bei der Erschließung von Zukunftsmärkten 

und der Vermarktung ihrer Innovationen. Weitere 

Instrumente sind die Unterstützung des Besuchs 

wichtiger Branchentreffs, von Kongressen und Messen, 

sowie die Teilnahme an Forschungskooperationen. 

Neben Marktstudien werden auch Rechtsberatungen 

und Risikoanalysen durchgeführt und den 

Unternehmen angeboten. Unsere Exportbetriebe 

zählen zu den wichtigsten Konjunkturstützen und 

sichern Wachstum und Arbeitsplätze in Österreich. 

Was sind, Ihrer Meinung nach, die Exportmärkte der 

Zukunft? 

Aufgrund der Wachstumsschwäche in Europa müssen 

wir die erfolgreich eingeleitete Diversifikation 

der Exporte weiter forcieren, um neue Märkte zu erschließen 

und das Risiko zu diversifizieren. Wir 

müssen dorthin gehen, wo das stärkste Wachstum 

ist, ohne die traditionellen Märkte wie Deutschland 

zu vernachlässigen. Großes Potenzial sehe ich zum 

Beispiel in China, das ich im Vorjahr gemeinsam mit 

einer großen Wirtschaftsdelegation besucht habe. 

Heimisches Know-how und hochwertige Produkte 

und Dienstleistungen treffen dort auf eine stark steigende 

Nachfrage. Unser Ziel ist es daher, das gesamte 

Handelsvolumen mit China bis 2020 zu verdoppeln. 

Gerade die Russland/Ukraine-Krise macht es 

notwendig, noch stärker als bisher neue Märkte zu 

erschließen, um die Exportströme zu diversifizieren. 

Die EU-Sanktionen gegen Russland haben auch Auswirkungen 

auf Österreichs Wirtschaft. Welche Maßnahmen hat 

sich das Wirtschaftsministerium überlegt, um hier 

gegenzusteuern? 

Gerade in schwierigen Zeiten ist es besonders wichtig, 

ein verlässlicher Partner der Wirtschaft zu sein. 

Daher unterstützen wir die von der Russland/Ukraine-Krise 

betroffenen Unternehmen noch intensiver. 

Durch die rasche Aufstockung unserer Exportoffen- 


PHOTOS: BMWFW/JAKOB GLASER 


Reinhold Mitterlehner 

ist seit 2008 Österreichs Wirtschaftsminister. Im Jahr 2013 übernahm 

er auch die Agenden des Wissenschafts- und Forschungsministers. 

Seit 1. September 2014 ist er auch Vizekanzler der Republik Österreich. 

Reinhold Mitterlehner has been Austria’s Minister of Economy since 2008. 

He also took on the Science and Research Ministry portfolios in 2013. 

In September 2014 he additionally became Vice Chancellor of Austria. 



73

L‘AUTRICHE ECONOMIC AFFAIRS 

sive „go international“ um 2,5 Millionen Euro können 

sie dank neuer Förderungen gezielt alternative 

Auslandsmärkte bearbeiten und somit neue Exportchancen 

erschließen. Weiters bieten wir über die 

Förderbank Austria Wirtschaftsservice spezielle 

Überbrückungsgarantien für Betriebsmittelkredite 

an. Damit können zum Beispiel neue Kundenaufträge 

vorfinanziert werden. 

Nach den verheerenden Anschlägen in Paris sprachen Sie 

davon, dass die Regierung an einer Sicherheitsoffensive 

arbeite. Können Sie dazu schon Genaueres sagen? 

Wir haben im Ministerrat vereinbart, dass wir in den 

nächsten Jahren zusätzliche Mittel von bis zu 

290 Millionen Euro in die Sicherheit investieren. Zudem 

haben wir auch schon einige legistische Maßnahmen 

gesetzt, etwa das Verbot des Werbens mit 

Terrorsymbolen und Nachschärfungen beim Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz. 

Darüber hinaus müssen wir 

Integration und Dialog einen hohen Stellenwert einräumen, 

um die Herausforderungen durch Terror 

und Extremismus gesamtgesellschaftlich bewältigen 

zu können. Wichtige Säulen des Pakets sind daher 

Prävention und Bewusstseinsbildung. 

It is hugely important for Austria’s future as an economic location 

that world trade should continue to be liberalised. What 

form do you think such liberalisation should take? 

If we want to overcome the present economic crisis 

in a way that is sustainable and long-term, then we’re 

going to need to keep stimulating world trade. Removing 

unnecessary barriers to trade – long and 

drawn-out customs processes, for example – creates 

growth and jobs, and helps companies and consumers 

alike. The alternative to that would cause a return 

to national protectionism, which would be precisely 

the wrong strategy. A protectionist approach 

doesn’t solve problems; it merely exacerbates them. 

Greater internationalisation, on the other hand, does 

work, and eventually everybody involved will benefit. 

This is something we’re also seeing in the research 

fi e l d . 

What is the importance for Austria as an economic location of 

the controversial free trade agreement between the EU and the 

USA, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership 

(TTIP)? 

The USA is Austria’s third-largest trading partner, 

after Germany and Italy. That is why a country like 

Reinhold Mitterlehner auf Marktsondierungsreise in China. 

Reinhold Mitterlehner on a fact-finding tour in China. 

ours, with a strongly export-led economy, can do 

particularly well out of a well-crafted trade agreement. 

At the same time, the quality of that agreement 

has to be absolutely right. If TTIP is going to succeed, 

it’s crucial that all the partners to the agreement 

have the discretion to define levels of protection, and 

that national standards are guaranteed and respected. 

This is particularly applicable to food, the environment, 

and health and consumer protection. Levels of 

transparency also need to be strengthened further, 

even though we have made a certain amount of progress 

in this field. We will have to achieve greater 

openness in future rounds of negotiations, if we want 

to retain our citizens’ confidence. 

How is the Austrian internationalisation offensive going? What 

are the projects of the future? 

The measures and services provided in “go international” 

have already proven their worth. Primarily, 

they are there to support small and medium-sized 

enterprises in beginning to export, open up future 

markets and market their innovations. It also uses 

other instruments, such as helping them attend important 

industry meetings, conferences and trade 

fairs, and participate in research collaborations, and 

companies are being provided with legal advice, risk 

analyses and market surveys. Exports have slowed 

down in recent years due to the challenging inter- 


PHOTOS: BMWFW/GEORGES SCHNEIDER, BMWFW/JAKOB GLASER 

Reinhold Mitterlehner: „Ein Rückfall in nationalen Protektionismus wäre jetzt genau die falsche Strategie.“ 

Reinhold Mitterlehner: “A return to national protectionism would be precisely the wrong strategy at a time like this.” 

national environment, of course, but exporters are 

still amongst the most important pillars of the 

Austrian economy, and are the basis of growth and 

many jobs in the country. 

What do you think are the export markets of the future? 

Because of the current low levels of growth in Europe, 

we are going to have to push forward with the diversification 

of exports introduced so successfully, in 

order to open up new markets and spread the risk. 

We always need to be going wherever the highest levels 

of growth are, without neglecting our traditional 

markets, like Germany, by doing so. I see huge potential 

in China, for example, a country I had the 

pleasure of visiting last year as part of a large economic 

delegation, where domestic know-how and 

high-value products and services are meeting 

sharply-increasing levels of demand. We are aiming, 

therefore, to double overall trading volume with 

China by 2020. The current crisis between Russia 

and Ukraine makes it more necessary than ever 

before for us to open up new markets, so that we can 

diversify export flows. 

EU sanctions against Russia have also had consequences for 

Austria’s economy. What measures has the Ministry of Economy 

considered using to counter this? 

It is always important that we remain a reliable partner 

to business, of course, and never more so than 

during such difficult periods as these. That’s why 

we’re trying to support companies affected by the 

Russia-Ukraine crisis more intensively. By increasing 

our “go international” export offensive by 2.5 mil lion 

Euros, we’ve enabled those companies to target specific 

foreign markets with the help of new support 

funds, and create new export opportunities by doing 

so. We are also offering special bridging guarantees 

on operating loans through our development bank, 

the Austria Wirtschaftsservice. This will allow companies 

to finance new orders in advance. 

In the wake of the terrible attacks in Paris, you said the government 

was working on a security offensive. Can you be more 

specific as to what exactly this might mean? 

We agreed in the Council of Ministers that we would 

invest additional funds of up to 290 million Euros in 

security. We have also put in place a number of logistical 

measures, such as prohibiting the advertising 

of terror symbols, and tightening up the Nationality 

Act. Alongside measures such as these, though, we 

are going to need to give a high priority to integration 

and dialogue, if we want to overcome the challenges 

posed by terror and extremism throughout society 

as a whole. That is why preventative measures 

and consciousness building will also be important 

components of the package. 

„Gerade die 

Ukraine-Krise 

macht es notwendig, 

neue 

Märkte zu 

erschließen.“ 

„The crisis in the 

Ukraine makes it 

more than necessary 

to open up 

new markets.“ 



75

L’AUTRICHE VIENNA 

Norbert Kettner 

„Wenn du nach Europa fährst, dann musst du in Wien vorbeischauen!“ 

“If you travel to Europe, you just have to visit Vienna!” 

Interview: Gerald Sturz 

Wien boomt. Jahr 

für Jahr kann die 

Stadt mit einem 

neuen Rekord an 

Übernachtungen 

aufwarten. Das ist 

zu einem großen 

Teil das Verdienst 

von Norbert 

Kettner. Ein 

Gespräch mit 

dem Wiener 

Tourismusdirektor. 

Vienna is booming. 

Year after 

year, the town has 

been observing 

new records of 

overnight stays. 

This success can 

be credited to a 

large extent to 

Norbert Kettner. 

An interview with 

the managing 

director of the 

Vienna Tourist 

Board. 

Herr Kettner, lassen Sie uns zuerst einmal einen Blick 

zurückwerfen. 2014 war für Wien trotz aller Krisen – 

auch auf für Österreich relevanten Märkten – ein sehr 

erfolgreiches Jahr. 

Es war wieder einmal das beste Jahr aller Zeiten. Wir 

hatten in elf von zwölf Monaten historische Bestergebnisse. 

Wir haben allein durch die Zuwächse im 

deutschen Markt in absoluten Zahlen die Rückgänge 

aus dem russischen Markt wettgemacht und wir 

haben aus allen Hauptmärkten – außer Russland 

und Japan – deutliche Zuwachsraten erzielt. Das 

zeigt uns, dass nicht nur der Städtetourismus nach 

wie vor boomt, sondern dass Wien auch mit seiner 

Steigerungsrate oberhalb des Trends liegt. Wien gewinnt 

deutlich an Marktanteilen, und das ist natürlich 

eine Auszeichnung für die Stadt. 

Warum funktioniert Wien in jüngster Zeit so gut? 

Wien funktioniert eigentlich seit vielen Jahren gut. 

Mit Ausnahme von 2009, als wir die Auswirkungen 

der Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise zu spüren bekamen. 

Für den Erfolg gibt es viele Gründe: Wir spüren 

jeden neuen Flug nach Wien, und es helfen uns auch 

die neuen Hotels, die eigenes Marketing machen und 

eigene Gäste und Gästegruppen gemeinsam mit uns 

nach Wien bringen. Und wenn ich mir in den Überseemärkten 

die Situation anschaue, dann sehe ich einen 

neuen Trend: Wenn du nach Europa fährst, dann 

musst du in Wien vorbeischauen. Das war nicht immer 

so. Das spüren wir und davon profitieren wir. 

Wie erklären Sie sich dieses neue Interesse an Wien? 

Das hat natürlich mit der Entwicklung der Stadt zu 

tun. Beim Destination-Marketing stehen wir im globalen 

Wettbewerb; wir können dort redlich kommunizieren, 

was in der Stadt wirklich passiert. Dass 

Wien immer noch bekannt ist als die schöne, elegante, 

zeitlose Stadt, dass Wien aber auch eine der jüngsten, 

eine der am schnellsten wachsenden Städte Europas 

ist, mit der höchsten Lebensqualität. Das wird wahrgenommen. 

Wien ist die größte Universitätsstadt im 

deutschsprachigen Raum, Konferenzstadt, Ort der 

Begegnung. Wien ist eine Stadt der Expats – 25.000 

Expats leben hier. Das Produkt hat sich massiv verändert 

und das strahlt jetzt in die Welt hinaus. 

Wie sieht ein Blick in die Zukunft aus? 

Wir haben ein Tourismuskonzept für das Jahr 2020, 

in dem die Baseline ist: global, smart und Premium. 

Das heißt: Wir wollen, dass Wien eine globale Stadt 

bleibt beziehungsweise noch mehr wird – dabei sind 

die Expats und die internationalen Organisationen 

von immenser Bedeutung. Denn für das Image einer 

Stadt verantwortlich ist der Tourismusverband nur 

zu einem geringen Teil; genauso wichtig sind Expats, 

genauso wichtig sind Diplomaten, internationale 

Organisationen, Celebrities, Filmproduktionen, Politiker. 

Unsere Aufgabe ist es, das alles ein wenig zu 

steuern. Wenn wir smart sagen, dann meinen wir 

eine intelligente Stadt nicht nur im Sinne von Technologie, 

sondern intelligent auch im Sinne des Zusammenlebens. 

Wir leben ja in der postmodernen 

Brechung, wir haben so viele Touristen wie noch nie 

auf der Welt und keiner will ein Tourist sein. Der 

Gast will Lokalkolorit aufsaugen. In Wien kann man 

am Leben der Wiener relativ leicht teilhaben. Und 

Premium, das hat nichts mit Luxus zu tun, sondern 

dass wir versuchen, in jedem Segment die bestmögliche 

Qualität zu liefern. Wir wollen Wien als eine 

wertige, aber nicht abgehobene Stadt präsentieren. 

Was bringen Events wie das Public Viewing vor der Sydney 

Opera oder das Kaffeehaus in der New Yorker Grand 

Central Station, wie Sie sie kürzlich organisiert haben? 

Das bringt Aufmerksamkeit. Wenn man in Australien 

mit einem Event Twitter-Trend wird, dann heißt das 

Aufmerksamkeit – und das bei einer Zielgruppe, die 

man sonst nur schwer erreicht. Wir sind auf mehr als 

zwanzig Märkten aktiv, und das mit einem überschaubaren 

Budget von 14 oder 15 Millionen Euro. 

Das ist nicht viel. Also muss man bündeln und in 

Medienstrategien investieren. Und Relevanz schaffen. 

Wenn beim Public Viewing im Hafen von 

Sydney 3.000 vor allem junge Menschen sitzen, die 

vielleicht nicht jedes Stück kennen, das in der Oper 

gespielt wird, die aber das alles mit großen Augen 

verfolgen, dann haben wir zum einen die Destination 

Wien untergebracht, aber auch ein für uns wichtiges 

Asset, nämlich die klassische Musik, neu aufgeladen. 

Das ist ein wichtiges Thema: Wie kann ich klassische 

Inhalte so aufladen, dass sie auch für junge Menschen 

spannend bleiben. Im Elfenbeinturm zu verkümmern 

nützt uns allen nichts. 

Mr. Kettner, let’s first take a look back. In spite of all the crises, 

2014 was for Vienna – as well as for markets important to Austria 

– a very successful year. 

It was the best year ever. We had the best results of all 

time in eleven out of twelve months. The increase in 

FOTOS: 

PHOTO: 

XYXXYXYXY 

PETER RIGAUD 


„Die klassische Musik neu 

aufzuladen ist ein wichtiges 

Thema für uns.“ 

“Revamping classical music is 

an important issue for us.” 

Norbert Kettner wurde 1967 in Tirol geboren. Von 2003 bis 2007 war er 

Gründungsgeschäftsführer von Departure, Wiens Wirtschaftsförderinstitution für 

die Creative Industries. Seit 2007 ist er Geschäftsführer von Wien Tourismus. 

Norbert Kettner was born in Tyrol in 1967. He was the founding managing 

director of Departure, Vienna’s institute for economic development for the 

creative industries from 2003 to 2007. He has been the managing director of the 

Vienna Tourist Board since 2007. 



77

L’AUTRICHE VIENNA 

Im Nachbau des Café Central 

in der Grand Central Station, 

New York, konnten die Gäste 

live mit Gästen im Wiener 

Original plaudern. 

In the replica of Café Central 

in Grand Central Station, New 

York, a live link-up enabled 

guests to communicate with 

guests in the original café in 

Vienna. 

absolute numbers in the German market helped us 

make up for the drop in the Russian market and we 

were able to achieve considerable rates of growth in 

all of our main markets – apart from Russia and Japan. 

This shows us that not only city tourism is 

booming like never before but also that Vienna’s 

growth rate is above the trend. Vienna has gained a 

greater market share and that is naturally a credit to 

the city. 

Why has Vienna been performing so well recently? 

Vienna has actually been performing well for many 

years. Except for 2009 when we felt the impact of the 

financial and economic crisis. Many factors have 

contributed to its success: we notice every new flight 

to Vienna and the contribution by the new hotels, 

which do their own marketing and attract their own 

guests and groups jointly with us to Vienna. And 

when I look at the situation in the overseas markets, 

I see a new trend: if you travel to Europe, you just 

have to visit Vienna; this wasn’t always the case. We 

can feel it and we benefit from it. 

How do you explain this new interest in Vienna? 

The development of the city is the reason. Destination 

marketing means we are competing globally; we 

can talk openly about what is really happening in this 

city. Vienna is still known as the beautiful, elegant 

and timeless city. However, Vienna, is also one of the 

youngest and one of the fastest growing towns in 

Europe with the highest quality of life. People have 

noticed this. Vienna is the largest University city in a 

German-speaking country, a conference town, a 

meeting-place. Vienna is a town of expats – 25.000 

expats live here. The product ‘Vienna’ has massively 

transformed itself and is now being radiated all over 

the world. 

What does a glimpse into the future look like? 

Our tourism concept for the year 2020 has the baseline: 

global, smart and premium. This means: we 

want Vienna to remain being a global town and to 

grow even more – therefore, the expats and the international 

organisations are extremely important to us. 

The tourism association is only responsible for a 

PHOTOS: EDDY GILL, PHILIP ANGERT 

small part of a town’s image; expats are just as important, 

as are the diplomats, international organisations, 

celebrities, film productions, politicians. It is 

our job to steer everything a little. When we say 

smart, we mean an intelligent town not only in the 

sense of technology but also intelligent in the sense 

of living side-by-side. We are living in a postmodern 

refraction, and there are so many tourists in the 

world as never before, but nobody wants to be a tourist. 

Visitors want to soak up the local atmosphere! It 

is easy to participate in Viennese life. ‘Premium’ has 

nothing to do with luxury, instead we’re trying to deliver 

the best possible quality in all areas. We want to 

present Vienna as a valuable city, not a city out of 

touch with the real world.. 

What are the benefits of events such as public screenings in 

front of the Sydney Opera House or the coffee shop in Grand 

Central Station in New York, which you recently organised? 

It attracts attention. If you are trending on Twitter 

after just one event in Australia, then that means attention, 

and this happened with a target group which 

is otherwise difficult to reach. We are active in more 

than twenty markets and that with a manageable 

budget of 14 or 15 million euro. That’s not a lot. So 

you have to pool together and invest in media strategies. 

And create relevance. If there are 3.000 mainly 

young people at a public screening at Sydney Harbour 

who maybe do not know every single piece 

played at the opera but who watch it all wide-eyed, 

then we’ve not only made people aware of Vienna as 

a destination but also of an important asset for us, 

namely classical music. This is an important issue: 

how can I revamp classical content so that young 

people will also find it exciting. Withering away in 

the ivory tower is of no use to us at all. 

Spektakuläre Wien-Inszenierung am Dach 

des Opernhauses von Sydney. 

Spectacular Vienna production on the roof of 

the Sydney Opera House. 

BEST IB DIPLOMA PASS 

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2014 – 100% 

IB World School 

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Family-‐orientated 

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Vienna Boy’s Choir 

Friday Afternoons 

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acting ETHICALLY and 

showing EMPATHY’ 


Camerata Schulz 

Artistic Director: Gerald Wirth 

Every Friday at 5.30 pm 

8 May – 26 June 2015 


DANUBE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL VIENNA 

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Tickets: Tel. +43 1 347 80 80, www.muth.at or at the Box Office 

Konzertsaal der Wiener Sängerknaben 

Am Augartenspitz 1, 1020 Wien 


79 

Penthouse Perfection Photo: lukasbeck.com

L’AUTRICHE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 

Internationale Spitzenforscher in Wien 

International Elite Researchers in Vienna 


Die „Außenwirtschaft Austria“ der Wirtschaftskammer Österreich organisiert 

heuer bereits zum fünften Mal die MIT Europe Conference und bringt hochkarätige 

Forscher des Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) nach Wien. 

The “Außenwirtschaft Austria” (Foreign Trade Austria) from the Chamber of 

Commerce Austria organises the MIT Europe Conference this year for the 

fifth time, bringing top-level researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology (MIT) to Vienna. 

Vom 25. bis 26. März 2015 ist die Forschungselite 

des weltbekannten Massachusetts 

Institute of Technology (MIT) wieder in der 

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich versammelt und 

trifft dort auf Interessierte aus Wissenschaft, Forschung 

und Wirtschaft. Dr. Walter Koren, Leiter der 

„Außenwirtschaft Austria“, dazu: „Die österreichischen 

Unternehmen und ihre Entwickler schätzen 

den Dialog mit den Spitzenforschern und holen sich 

bei der MIT Conference wichtige Impulse für ihre 

tägliche Arbeit.“ 

Das MIT gilt als eine der weltweit führenden 

Institutionen im Bereich von technologischer Forschung 

und Lehre. Bei der diesjährigen Konferenz 

dreht sich alles um das Thema „Minds, Machines & 

Management“. Die englischsprachige Veranstaltung 

kann mit einer Reihe prominenter Redner aus der 

US-Kaderschmiede punkten. 

Neben dem berühmten Informatiker Tomaso 

Poggio, Nicholas Roy, Michale Schrage, John 

Cipplinger, George Westerman und vielen anderen 

wird auch Caleb Harper am Podium stehen. Er hat 

eine höchst interessante Vision für die Landwirtschaft 

und Nahrungsmittelproduktion. Auf seiner 

CityFarm am MIT Media Lab werden Pflanzen nicht 

in den Boden eingesetzt, sondern über die Luft ernährt. 

Mittels dieses aeroponischen Systems gelingt 

es dem Forscher, Obst- und Gemüsepflanzen bis zu 

viermal schneller aufzuziehen als in der traditionellen 

Landwirtschaft. Sein Verfahren verspricht die 

Landwirtschaft zu revolutionieren. Bei der Konferenz 

in Wien wird er erklären, wie die auf der 

CityFarm angewandte Methode in Zukunft den klassischen 

Pflanzenanbau ablösen könnte. 

From the 25th to 26th of March 2015, the research 

elite of the world-renowned Massachusetts 

Institute of Technology (MIT) is reassembled 

in the Chamber of Commerce Austria, where it 

meets those interested in science, research and economics. 

Dr. Walter Koren, head of the “Außenwirtschaft 

Austria” commented: “Austrian companies 

and their developers appreciate the dialogue with 

senior researchers and pick up important impetus 

for their daily work at the MIT Conference.” 

The MIT is one of the world’s leading institutions 

in the field of technological research and teaching. 

At this year’s conference, it’s all about the topic 

“Minds, Machines & Management”. The Englishlanguage 

event scores with a number of prominent 

speakers from the US elite university. 

Besides the famous computer scientist Tomaso 

Poggio, Nicholas Roy, Michale Schrage, John Cipplinger, 

George Westerman and many others, Caleb 

Harper will also take a stand at the podium. He has a 

very interesting vision for agriculture and food production. 

On his City Farm at the MIT Media Lab 

plants are not planted in the ground, but fed through 

the air. Using this aeroponic system, the researcher 

manages to grow fruit and vegetable plants four 

times faster than in traditional agriculture. His method 

promises to revolutionise 

agriculture. At the conference 

in Vienna, he will 

explain how the methodology 

applied to the City 

Farm could replace traditional 

crop production in the 

future. 

INFO 

MIT Europe 

Conference 2015 

Datum: 25.-26. März 2015 

Zeit: 9:00-18:00 Uhr 

Ort: WKO, Julius-Raab-Saal 

Wiedner Hauptstraße 63 

1045 Wien 

Evening Reception: 

Palais Ferstel 

Strauchgasse 4 

1010 Wien 

Date: 25. - 26. March 2015 

Time: 9.00 - 18.00 

Location: WKO, Julius 

Raab Saal, Wiedner 

Hauptstraße 63 

1045 Vienna 

Evening Reception: 

Palais Ferstel 

Strauchgasse 4 

1010 Vienna 

wko.at/aussenwirtschaft/MIT 

Der Robotik-Experte 

Nicholas Roy spricht über 

den Paketversand durch 

selbstfliegende Drohnen. 

Robotics expert Nicholas 

Roy talks about parcel 

delivery via flying drones. 

Caleb Harper’s CityFarm. 

Das aeroponische System von 

Caleb Harper verspricht die 

Landwirtschaft zu 

revolutionieren. 

The aeroponic system by 

Caleb Harper promises to 

revolutionise agriculture. 

PHOTOS: MIT 



81

L’AUTRICHE FUTURE LAB 

Georg Kapsch 

„Die Produktion ist die Basis des Wirtschaftens.“ 

„Production is the basis of economic activity.” 

Der Präsident der Industriellenvereinigung Georg Kapsch über seine Vorstellungen, wie der 

Wirtschaftsmotor in Österreich beschleunigt und das Innovationsmanagement gestärkt werden kann. 

The President of the Federation of Austrian Industry, Georg Kapsch, about his ideas of how to drive 

economic growth and strengthen innovation management in Austria. 

Der Motor der österreichischen Wirtschaft ist 

ins Stottern geraten. Und zwar mehr, als es 

noch vor einem Jahr den Anschein hatte. Zu 

diesem Ergebnis kommt zumindest das Wirtschaftsforschungsinstitut, 

das Ende Jänner seine Prognosen 

auf ein jährliches Wachstum von 1,25 Prozent bis 

2019 festgelegt hat. Vor einem Jahr wurden noch 

1,8 Prozent jährliches Wachstum prognostiziert. Was 

hindert Österreichs Wirtschaft daran, die volle Leistung 

auf die Straße in Richtung Zukunft zu bringen? 

Innovationen fördern 

Die Europäische Kommission stellt Österreich 

ein nicht gerade berauschendes Innovationszeugnis 

aus. Im Innovation Union Scoreboard liegt Österreich 

auf dem elften Platz im Feld der Innovations- 

Follower – also abseits der Spitzengruppe. Wir müssen 

aufpassen, dass entscheidende Trends nicht 

verschlafen werden. Blickt man über die Grenze 

nach Deutschland, sieht man mit der Hightech-Strategie 

der Bundesregierung ein konkretes Programm 

von oberster Stelle verordnet. Schweiz, Dänemark 

oder Schweden: All diese Länder haben die Bedeutung 

von Innovation nicht nur erkannt, sondern 

auch schon in Form von nationalen Strategien verankert 

und institutionalisiert. Hierzulande haben 

Infrastruktur- und Wirtschaftsministerium die Implementierung 

einer Taskforce angekündigt – ein 

begrüßenswerter Schritt. Derartige Entwicklungen 

müssen aber konsequent und schneller vorangetrieben 

werden. Ein erster möglicher Schritt wären 

vermehrte Partnerschaften zwischen Industrie und 

Universitäten. Warum Innovation so wichtig ist? 

Weil Innovation eng mit Produktion verflochten ist. 

Die Produktion muss optimiert werden, um sie letztendlich 

im Land zu halten, denn sie ist die Basis des 

Wirtschaftens. Bei Kapsch legen wir traditionell über 

zehn Prozent unseres Umsatzes in Entwicklungsprojekte 

um und arbeiten eng mit Universitäten wie der 

TU Wien und außeruniversitären Forschungseinrichtungen 

wie COMET zusammen. Unsere Erfahrung 

aus dem eigenen Unternehmen lehrt uns, wie 

viel dadurch gewonnen werden kann. Aber auch, 

dass die Möglichkeiten bei Weitem noch nicht ausgeschöpft 

sind. 

Internationale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit stärken 

Als kleine offene Volkswirtschaft sind wir mit einer 

Exportquote von 59 Prozent des BIP auf Exporte 

angewiesen. Das sind gute Nachrichten, die belegen, 

wie gefragt österreichische Produkte sind. Es ist auch 

ein wertvolles Signal für heimische Unternehmen, 

ihr Profil weiter zu schärfen und ihre Expertise auszubauen. 

Export und internationale Arbeitsteilung 

sind Fundamente dafür, dass es uns allen besser geht: 

Exportierende Unternehmen in Österreich weisen 

eine um 66 Prozent höhere Arbeitsproduktivität, um 

23 Prozent höhere Löhne und eine um sogar 72 Prozent 

höhere Investitionsintensität als nicht exportierende 

Unternehmen auf. Das ist eine gewaltige „Exportprämie“, 

die den Arbeitnehmerinnen und 

PHOTOS: KAPSCH/ MARIO ROBERTO DURAN ORTIZ, ISC 

Arbeitnehmern zugutekommt. 

Wir müssen aber diese Unternehmen wettbewerbsfähig 

halten. Mit einer Abgabenbelastung von 

über 52 Prozent des Unternehmensgewinns (Quelle: 

IV/PWC) liegen wir weltweit im Spitzenfeld der 

Steuerbelastungen auf unternehmerische Tätigkeiten. 

Das sind Summen, die gerade im internationalen 

Wettbewerb den Unternehmen ihre Wettbewerbsfähigkeit 

rauben. 

Viel zu bewahren 

Letzten Endes gibt es nämlich vieles, auf das wir 

als Wirtschaftsstandort stolz sein können. 116 so genannte 

„Hidden Champions“ beheimatet der Standort 

Österreich. Also Unternehmen, die in ihrer Sparte 

Innovations- und/oder Marktführer sind. Laut 

Eurostat generieren jede Österreicherin und jeder 

Österreicher im Schnitt eine industrielle Wertschöpfung 

von 6.124 Euro pro Jahr; der Durchschnittseuropäer 

nur 3.484 Euro pro Jahr. Damit ist Österreich 

„Industrienation“ Nummer drei in der EU. 

Es muss in diesem Land endlich jedem klar sein, 

dass nur Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmer mit 

ihren engagierten Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern 

Arbeitsplätze schaffen und damit gemeinsam 

auch den gesamten öffentlichen Dienst finanzieren. 

The engine of the Austrian economy has begun 

to stutter, even more than it seemed last year. 

This is the conclusion drawn by the Austrian 

Institute of Economic Research, which at the end of 

January forecast an annual growth of 1.25 percent 

until 2019. A year ago, 1.8 percent annual growth 

was forecast. So what prevents the Austrian economy 

from delivering its full potential for the future? 

Promoting Innovation 

The European Commission does not give an exhilarating 

innovation testimony to Austria. On the Innovation 

Union Scoreboard, Austria is in eleventh 

place in the innovation followers field – far from the 

top group. We must be careful in avoiding overlooking 

key trends. Peering across the border to Germany, 

we see that the government has implemented a 

programme of top priority covering high-tech. Switzerland, 

Denmark and Sweden have also not only 

recognized the importance of innovation, but already 

anchored it in form of national and institutionalised 

strategies. In Austria the Ministries for Infrastructure 

and Economy have already announced the 

implementation of a task force, a positive step. However, 

such developments must be pursued consistently 

and quickly. A first possible step would be further 

partnerships between industry and universities. 

Why is innovation so important? Because innovation 

is closely linked to production. Production must 

be optimized in order to keep it in the country, as it 

is the basis of economic activity. At Kapsch, we traditionally 

invest more than ten percent of our turnover 

into development projects and work closely with 

universities such as the University of Vienna and 

non-university research institutions like COMET. 

Our experience from within the company tells us 

how much can be gained through this, but also that 

the possibilities are far from being exhausted. 

Strengthen International Competitiveness 

As a small, open economy with an export share of 

59 percent of gross domestic product, we are dependent 

on export. This is good news and demonstrates 

just how popular Austrian products are. It is also a 

valuable message for domestic companies to expand 

their expertise. Export and international division of 

labour is the foundation for improving our lives. Exporting 

companies record higher productivity by 66 

percent, as well as 23 percent higher wages and a higher 

capital investment by 72 percent than their nonexporting 

counterparts. Employess benefit a lot from 

this “export bonus”, but we need to keep these companies 

competitive. With a tax burden of 52 percent 

of business profits (source: IV/PWC), we are among 

the world leaders in the tax burden on business activities. 

These are sums that decrease the international 

competitiveness of our companies. 

Much to Treasure 

At the end of the day, we can be proud of many 

things as an economic location. Austria is home to 

116 so-called “Hidden Champions” – companies 

that are innovation or market leaders in their sector. 

According to Eurostat, each and every Austrian generated 

an industrial added value of 6,124 euros on 

average per year; in comparison, the average European 

only 3,484 euros per year. This makes Austria 

the number 3 “industrial nation” in the EU. 

Everybody in this country should finally realize 

that only entrepreneurs with their dedicated employees 

create new jobs and likewise finance the entire 

public service sector. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Georg Kapsch ist 

CEO und Mitglied des 

Vorstandes der Kapsch AG. 

Seit dem Jahr 2000 ist er 

CEO der Kapsch Group und 

seit 2002 CEO und 

Vorstandsmitglied der 

Kapsch TrafficCom AG. 

Im Jahr 2012 wurde 

Georg Kapsch zum 

Präsidenten der 

Industriellenvereinigung 

gewählt. 

Georg Kapsch is CEO und 

member of the board of 

Kapsch Corporation. He 

has been CEO of the 

Kapsch Group since 2000 

and CEO and board 

member of Kapsch 

TrafficCom Corporation 

since 2002. In 2012, Georg 

Kapsch was elected 

President of the Federation 

of Austrian Industry. 

Kapsch errichtet die 

TETRA-Infrastruktur für 

eine neue U-Bahn-Linie in 

Rio de Janeiro und sorgte 

für die Digitalisierung 

der International School 

of Carinthia. 

Kapsch built the TETRA 

infrastructure for a new 

subway line in Rio de 

Janeiro and implemented 

the digitalization of the 

International School of 

Carinthia. 



83

L’AUTRICHE NEWS 

Das Neueste aus der Welt des Business 

The latest from the world of business 

PHOTOS: TEAM.BREATHE.AUSTRIA, ABDULLAH ALIPOUR JEDDI 

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 

Hohes Gründerniveau 

in Österreich 

High level of 

start-ups in Austria 

Der Global Entrepreneurship 

Monitor (GEM) gilt als 

weltweit größter Benchmark 

zur unternehmerischen 

Aktivität von derzeit 

70 Ländern. Österreich wurde 

2014 ein anhaltend hohes 

Niveau an Gründungsaktivität 

bestätigt. 

The Global Entrepreneurship 

Monitor (GEM) is the 

worldwide largest benchmark 

for entrepreneurial activity for 

currently 70 countries. A 

sustainably high level of 

founding activity was 

confirmed in Austria in 2014. 

www.bmwfw.gv.at 

Auszeichnung | Award 

OFID Generaldirektor 

Suleiman J. Al-Herbish 

OFID General Director 

Suleiman J Al-Herbish 

Der Generaldirektor des OPEC 

Fonds für Internationale Entwicklung 

(OFID), Suleiman J. Al-Herbish, 

wurde mit dem Großen Goldenen Ehrenzeichen für die Verdienste um das Land 

Wien ausgezeichnet. Die hohe Auszeichnung wurde, stellvertretend für Wiens 

Bürgermeister Michael Häupl, von Wirtschafts- und Finanzstadträtin Vizebürgermeisterin 

Renate Brauner überreicht. Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish ist seit 1. November 

2003 der Generaldirektor des OFID. 

The General Director of the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), 

Suleiman J. Al-Herbish, was awarded the Grand Golden Badge of Honour for 

services to the city of Vienna. The high distinction was awarded by the city 

councillor for economics and finance, Vice Mayor Renate Brauner, standing in for the 

mayor of Vienna, Michael Häupl. Suleiman Jasir Al-Herbish has been General 

Director of OFID since 1 November 2003. 

www.ofid.org 

Exportwirtschaft | Export 

Industry 

Wirtschafts-Oscar 

2015 

Economic Oscar 2015 

Die Firmen Doka, FACC, 

Getzner, opvizor, Siemens 

Österreich und TTTech sind mit 

ihren Spitzenleistungen am 

US-Markt Gewinner des 

USABizAward 2015 des 

AußenwirtschaftsCenter 

Los Angeles der 

Außenwirtschaft Austria. 

Doka, FACC, Getzner, opvizor, 

Siemens Österreich and TTTech 

are the winners of the USABiz- 

Award 2015 of the foreign trade 

centre Los Angeles, for foreign 

trade in Austria, with their peak 

performances on the US 

market. 

www.wko.at 

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Nachdem die Luft in Österreich 

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Mailand zum Thema „Feeding the 

Planet. Energy for Life“ thematisiert. 

Auf 560 Quadratmetern wird 

ein lebender Wald gepflanzt. Dazu 

wurde ein Gebäude entwickelt, in 

dem man österreichische Waldluft 

atmen kann. „breathe.austria“ 

nennt sich das Projekt. 

As the air in Austria is of 

particularly high quality, the topic 

at the Austria pavilion of the 

coming world exhibition in Milan 

will be “Feeding the planet. Energy 

for Life”. A living forest will be 

planted over 560 m2. For this 

purpose, a building has been 

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Cercle Diplomatique 1/2015 85

L’AUTRICHE NEWS 

Umfrage | Survey 

Einkaufen am 

Sonntag 

Shopping on a Sunday 

Entwicklungszusammenarbeit | Development Cooperation 

Neukonstituierung des 

Entwicklungspolitischen Beirats 

Reconstitution of the development policy 

advisory board 

Unter dem Vorsitz von Außenminister Sebastian Kurz hat sich 

der Entwicklungspolitische Beirat vor Kurzem neu konstituiert. 

Die neuen Mitglieder sind Univ.-Prof. Mag. Wolfgang Lutz, 

IIASA, Dr. Franz Fischler, Europäisches Forum Alpbach, 

Dr. Werner Kerschbaum, ÖRK, Dr. Petra C. Braun, Universität 

Linz, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gottfried Haber, Donau-Universität Krems, 

Sissy Mayerhoffer, ORF, Dr. Walter Koren, WKO, Stefan 

Szyskowitz, EVN, Doraja Eberle, ERSTE Stiftung, 

und DDr. Michael Landau, Präsident Caritas. 

Under the chairmanship of foreign minister Sebastian Kurz, the 

development policy advisory board was reconstituted recently. 

The new members of the advisory board are Univ.-Prof. Mag. 

Wolfgang Lutz, IIASA, Dr. Franz Fischler, European Forum 

Alpbach, Dr. Werner Kerschbaum, ÖRK, Dr. Petra C. Braun, 

University of Linz, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gottfried Haber, Danube 

University Krems, Sissy Mayerhofer, ORF, Dr. Walter Koren, 

WKO, Stefan Szyskowitz, EVN, Doraja Eberle, ERSTE Stiftung 

and Dr. Michael Landau, President of Caritas. 

www.bmeia.gv.at 

Laut einer aktuellen Umfrage 

von MAKAM Research im 

Auftrag der Wirtschaftskammer 

Wien wünschen 

sich 65 Prozent der Wiener 

Touristen am Sonntag offene 

Geschäfte. „Will Wien 

Weltstadt werden, muss man 

sich weiterentwickeln und 

provinzielle Haltungen 

ablegen“, sagt Walter Ruck, 

Präsident der Wirtschaftskammer 

Wien. 

According to a recent survey 

by MAKAM Research on 

behalf of the Chamber of 

Commerce Vienna, 65% of 

Vienna tourists want shops to 

open on Sunday. “If Vienna 

wants to become a 

metropolis, we must further 

develop and discard provincial 

attitudes,” says Walter Ruck, 

President of the Chamber of 

Commerce Vienna. 

www.wko.at/wien 

Leitbetriebe Austria 

Erstes Zertifikat 2015 

geht an Lyoness 

First certificate 2015 goes to Lyoness 

Als erstes Unternehmen im neuen Jahr wurde Lyoness 

in das Netzwerk der Leitbetriebe Austria aufgenommen. 

Neben der Vorreiterrolle für Cashback-Produkte wurde 

Lyoness auch für sein Corporate Citizenship Programm 

ausgezeichnet, zu dem die Child & Family Foundation 

und die Greenfinity Foundation zählen. Das Zertifikat 

überreichte Leitbetriebe Austria Geschäftsführerin 

Monica Rintersbacher an Lyoness CEO Hubert Freidl. 

Lyoness was the first company to be accepted into the 

network of leading companies in Austria in the new 

year. Apart from its forerunner role for cash back 

products, Lyoness was also awarded for its Corporate 

Citizenship Programme, which includes the Child & 

Family Foundation and the Greenfinity Foundation. The 

certificate was presented to Lyoness CEO Hubert Freidl 

by Leitbetriebe Austria manager Monica Rintersbacher. 

www.leitbetriebe.at 

PHOTOS: LEISURE.AT/SABINE KLIMPT, THORSTEN STAUFER 

Auszeichnung | Award 

WKO-Präsident Christoph Leitl 

WKO-President Christoph Leitl 

Deutschlands Botschafter Detlev Rünger überreichte 

Österreichs Wirtschaftskammer-Präsident Christoph Leitl das 

Große Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik 

Deutschland. Der feierliche Empfang fand in der deutschen 

Botschaft statt. „Namens der österreichischen Wirtschaft 

bedanke ich mich für die mit dieser Verleihung symbolisch 

zum Ausdruck gekommene Wertschätzung der erfolgreichen 

ökonomischen Kooperation zwischen Deutschland und 

Österreich“, sagte Leitl in seiner Dankesrede. 

German ambassador Detlev Rünger presented Christoph Leitl, 

President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, with the 

Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal 

Republic of Germany. The ceremonial reception took place in 

the German embassy. “On behalf of the Austrian economy, 

I would like to say thank you for the appreciation of the 

successful economic cooperation between Germany and 

Austria, symbolically expressed with this award,” said Leitl in 

his speech of thanks. 

www.diplo.de 

World Architecture Top 100 | World Architecture Top 100 

ATP auf Platz 1 in Westeuropa 

ATP in 1st place in Western Europe 

Das renommierte britische Magazin BD hat wieder das 

alljährliche Ranking der 100 weltweit größten Player in 

der Architekturszene bekannt gegeben. Das Innsbrucker 

Architektenbüro ATP architekten ingenieure erreicht 

erstmals Platz 1 in Westeuropa und ist als führendes 

europäisches Büro in CEE gelistet. 

The renowned British magazine BD has once again 

announced the annual ranking of the 100 worldwide biggest 

players on the architecture scene. The Innsbruck 

architecture firm ATP architects engineers reached 1st place 

in Western Europe for the first time, and is listed as the 

leading European office in CEE. 

www.atp.ag 

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87

SAVOIR 

VIVRE 

IN „SAVOIR VIVRE“ DREHT 

SICH ALLES UM DIE SCHÖNEN 

DINGE DES LEBENS WIE KULTUR 

& REISEN, KULINARIK & HOTELS, 

AUTO & SPORT, UHREN & 

SCHMUCK, MODE & DESIGN, 

WELLNESS & GESUNDHEIT 

UND VIELES MEHR. 

"SAVOIR VIVRE" FOCUSES ON 

THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE SUCH 

AS CULTURE & TRAVELLING, 

HOTELS & RESTAURANTS, CARS & 

SPORTS, WATCHES & JEWELLERY, 

FASHION & DESIGN, WELLNESS & 

HEALTH AND MUCH MORE.

SAVOIR-VIVRE RINGSTRASSE 

Wiens Prachtboulevard 

Vienna’s Magnificent Boulevard 

Text: Gerald Sturz 

Die Wiener Ringstraße feiert in diesem Jahr ihren 150. Geburtstag. Ihre Entstehungsgeschichte 

dokumentiert den Wandel der Stadt zur modernen Metropole. 

Ringstraße in Vienna celebrates its 150th birthday this year. Its development story documents 

the city’s change into a modern metropolis. 

Ende des Absolutismus. 

Das Parlamentsgebäude, einst 

Reichsratsgebäude, wurde im 

neoklassizistischen Stil 

entworfen. 

The end of absolutism. 

The parliament building, once 

the Imperial Assembly 

building, was designed in the 

neo-classical style. 

PHOTO: RALPH MANFREDA 

Die Geschichte der Wiener Ringstraße begann 

am 25. Dezember 1857. Da druckte 

die amtliche Wiener Zeitung eine kaiserliche 

Verfügung ab, in der Kaiser Franz Joseph die 

Anordnung gab, die Befestigungsanlagen rund um 

die Innenstadt zu schleifen und an ihrer Stelle einen 

Prachtboulevard mit repräsentativen Gebäuden zu 

errichten. Es gab dafür mehrere Gründe: Erstens waren 

Stadtmauern aus militärisch-strategischer Sicht 

nicht mehr sinnvoll, außerdem sollte endlich eine 

bessere Anbindung der rasant wachsenden Vororte 

an das imperial-aristokratische Machtzentrum geschaffen 

werden – vor allem aber sollte durch den 

Verkauf der Grundstücke Geld in die öffentlichen 

Kassen gespült werden. So begann das größte städtebauliche 

Projekt in der Stadtgeschichte Wiens. 

Ein internationaler Wettbewerb wurde ausgeschrieben, 

85 Büros reichten Vorschläge ein, aus 

denen eine Kommission einen „Grundplan“ erarbeitete: 

eine fünf Kilometer lange und knapp 60 Meter 

breite Doppelallee-Straße, die nahezu kreisförmig 

um die Wiener Innenstadt führt. Eine gemischte 

Nutzung wurde angestrebt: Nicht nur öffentliche Gebäude 

sollten den Boulevard säumen, sondern auch 

Palais, private Miethäuser und Kulturinstitutionen 

sowie Parks und Plätze. Die Errichtung der öffentlichen 

Gebäude sollte durch den Verkauf von Grundstücksflächen 

an private Personen teilweise finanziert 

werden. Um diesen Investoren einen Anreiz zu 

schaffen, Grundstücke zu erwerben, wurde ihnen 

sehr großzügig für 30 Jahre Steuerfreiheit gewährt. 

Unter der Auflage, dass sie ihr Bauprojekt innerhalb 

von fünf Jahren fertigstellen. 

Tatsächlich vergingen nur sieben Jahre, bis dieses 

Monster-Projekt so weit gediehen war, dass die – 

noch nicht zur Gänze fertiggestellte – Ringstraße am 

1. Mai 1865 vor dem Burgtor durch Kaiser Franz 

Joseph und seine Gattin Elisabeth feierlich eröffnet 

werden konnte. Und sie ist eine städteplanerische 

Meisterleistung geworden. Vielen gilt die Ringstraße 

heute als der schönste Boulevard der Welt. Es dauerte 

jedoch dann noch fast 50 Jahre, bis die Ringstraße 

tatsächlich vollendet war. 

Was diesen Boulevard so außergewöhnlich und 

so einmalig macht, hat keiner besser beschrieben als 

der englische Schriftsteller Edmund de Waal in 

seinem wunderbaren, melancholischen, immens erfolgreichen 

Roman „Der Hase mit den Bernsteinaugen“: 

„Diese neue Straße ist nicht von einem einzigen 

Gebäude dominiert; es gibt kein Crescendo hin 

zu einem Palast oder einer Kathedrale, dafür aber 

einen fortwährenden Zug von einem großen Aspekt 

der Zivilisation zum nächsten.“ Zentrum der Erzählung 

de Waals ist das Palais Ephrussi, das am Universitätsring 

gelegen ist. Sein Schicksal sowie das 

Schicksal seiner Bewohner mag stellvertretend für 

viele Prachtbauten entlang der Ringstraße stehen. Es 

ist die Geschichte des jüdischen Großbürgertums, es 

ist die Geschichte jener jüdischen Unternehmer und 

Bankiers, der Epsteins, der Todescos, der Ephrussis, 

die wesentlich zum wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung jener 

Gründerjahre beitrugen, die von diesem Boom 

profitierten und die als Mäzene und Kunstsammler 

wesentlich dazu beitrugen, dass sich Wien in den 

folgenden Jahren zu einem kreativen Brutkasten entwickelte 

– dass hier und vor allem im Umfeld der 

Ringstraße das entstand, was wir heute die Moderne 

nennen. Die Geschichte dieses jüdischen Großbürgertums 

fand ein tragisches Ende. 1938, nach 

dem Anschluss Österreichs ans Deutsche Reich, 

wurde es enteignet, vertrieben oder ermordet. 

Nicht vergessen sollte man bei all der Pracht und 

Glorie der Ringstraße die Geschichten jener Menschen, 

die diese Straße tatsächlich gebaut haben. Die 

vielen tausenden Bau- und Ziegelarbeiter, die auf 

dieser Megabaustelle unter unmenschlichen, 

sklavenartigen Bedingungen im Akkord und bei 

schlechter Bezahlung arbeiteten, kamen vor allem 

aus Böhmen und aus Mähren. Man nannte sie deshalb 

die „Ziegelböhm“. Ohne die Ausbeutung dieser 

Arbeitskräfte wäre das Projekt Ringstraße nicht zu 

realisieren gewesen. 

Aber auch viele der wichtigsten Architekten und 

viele Bauherren kamen aus allen Teilen der Monarchie 

und aus dem übrigen Europa. Geprägt wurde 

das Aussehen der Ringstraße von Architekten wie 

Theophil von Hansen, der Parlament, Börse, die 

Akademie der bildenden Künste, den Musikverein, 

die Palais Epstein, Ephrussi und Hansen schuf und 

der aus Dänemark kam; von Gottfried Semper, zu 

dessen Arbeiten die Neue Burg, das Burgtheater und 

das Kunsthistorische und das Naturhistorische 

Museum gehören und der aus Hamburg stammte. 

Auch August Sicard von Sicardsburg, der gemeinsam 

mit dem Wiener Eduard van der Nüll die Staatsoper 

entwarf, kam nicht aus dem österreichischen, 

sondern aus dem ungarischen Teil der Monarchie. 

Heinrich Ferstel, der Universität, Votivkirche, das 

Museum für angewandte Kunst und das Palais Wertheim 

schuf, stammte aus Wien. 



91


BUCHTIPP 

Die Wiener Ringstraße. 

Ein prächtiger Bildband, 

herausgegeben von 

Alfred Fogarassy, der die 

Geschichte des Boulevards 

erzählt. Den vielen 

historischen Aufnahmen 

werden aktuelle Fotos, 

die von der Fotografin 

Nora Schoeller stammen, 

gegenübergestellt. Darüber 

hinaus wird die Geschichte 

der Wiener Ringstraße in 

Beiträgen von namhaften 

Autoren wie Frederic 

Morton oder Monika Faber 

erzählt. 

A beautifully illustrated 

volume, published by 

Alfred Fogarassy, which 

tells the story of the 

boulevard. The many 

historical pictures are 

compared to historical 

photos, taken by the 

photographer Nora 

Schoeller. Furthermore, the 

history of Ringstraße 

Vienna is told in articles by 

renowned authors such as 

Frederic Morton or Monika 

Faber. 

– 

Verlag Hatje Cantz 

€ 58,00 

Eine Straßenbahn fährt an der 

Votivkirche vorbei. 

A tram goes past Votivkirche church. 

Dominierender Baustil ist der Historismus, als 

Vorbilder dienten Bauten der Renaissance, des 

Barocks und der Gotik. Es ist diese stilistische Mischung, 

die die Ringstraße so attraktiv macht. 

Wer heute die Ringstraße entlangwandert, dem 

werden die vielen Luxushotels auffallen, die an 

diesem Boulevard zu finden sind. Sie waren jedoch 

ursprünglich nicht vorgesehen. Erst 1873, als Wien 

eine Weltausstellung veranstaltete und Nachfrage 

nach repräsentativen Unterkünften bestand, wurden 

Palais und Wohnhäuser in Hotels umgewandelt. Das 

älteste Hotel am Ring ist das Grand Hotel zwischen 

Oper und Schwarzenbergplatz; es wurde 1870 eröffnet, 

entstand aus einem Wohnhaus und beeindruckte 

damals durch seine avancierte technische Ausstattung: 

Ein maschinenbetriebener Lift und Telefone in 

jedem Zimmer waren eine Sensation. Vor allem der 

Adel fand Gefallen an diesem modernen Haus – so 

traf hier Kronprinz Rudolf regelmäßig seine Geliebte 

Mary Vetsera. Auch das Palais Württemberg, das gegenüber 

dem Grand Hotel gelegen ist, wurde in ein 

Hotel umgewandelt: Das Hotel Imperial gilt heute 

immer noch als eine der ersten Adressen der Stadt. 

Interessant ist die Geschichte des Palais Hansen am 

Schottenring. Auch dieses großartige Palais sollte 

anlässlich der Weltausstellung als Hotel genutzt werden 

– doch erst im Jahr 2013 wurde es tatsächlich 

zum Luxushotel: Heute ist das Palais Hansen Hotel 

Kempinski eines der besten Grandhotels Wiens. 

Von Anfang an war die Ringstraße die Flaniermeile 

des Wiener Bürgertums. Vor allem die Ecke 

Kärntner Ring und Kärntner Straße entwickelte sich 

schnell zum Hotspot. Weil sich hier das Lederwarengeschäft 

Sirk befand, nannte man diese Ecke schnell 

„Sirk-Ecke“. Wer sich an der Ringstraße verabredete, 

der traf sich hier. Mit den Flaneuren kamen auch die 

Kaffeehäuser. 25 große Kaffeehäuser gab es vor 

150 Jahren an der Ringstraße – nur wenige haben bis 

heute durchgehalten. Es waren egalitäre Einrichtungen, 

in ihnen trafen sich Künstler und Wirtschaftstreibende, 

Bürgertum und einfache Leute. Berühmtestes 

Kaffeehaus ist auch heute noch das Café 

Landtmann, das sich strategisch sehr gut im Brennpunkt 

von Politik (Rathaus, Parlament, diverse Parteizentralen), 

Kunst (Burgtheater) und Wissenschaft 

(Universität) befindet. Es ist einer der beliebtesten 

Treffpunkte der Stadt. Hier geben immer noch Politiker 

Pressekonferenzen und Künstler Interviews. 

Das Café Landtmann befindet sich im Palais Lieben- 

Auspitz. Über dem Kaffeehaus unterhielt einst Berta 

Zuckerkandl ihren literarischen Salon, in dem sich 

Arthur Schnitzler, Gustav Klimt, Gustav Mahler und 

viele andere Künstler, Schriftsteller, Musiker und andere 

Größen der Wiener Kulturszene trafen. 

Die Ringstraße war aber nicht nur Flaniermeile. 

Sie war auch der Ort von Aufmärschen, Demonstrationen 

und Umzügen. Auf der Ringstraße wurde 

wiederholt österreichische und europäische Geschichte 

geschrieben. Der erste große Umzug fand 

bereits 1879 statt. An dem Festzug zum 25. Hochzeitstag 

von Kaiser Franz Joseph und seiner Sisi nahmen 

mehr als 14.000 Personen teil. Später wurde am 

Ring die Erste Republik ausgerufen (am 12. November 

1918) und 1934 vor dem Justizpalast so heftig 

gekämpft, dass es schließlich zum Bürgerkrieg kam. 

Am 15. März 1938 fuhr Adolf Hitler im Triumph den 

Ring entlang, um am Heldenplatz den Anschluss 

Österreichs ans Deutsche Reich zu verkünden. Heute 

noch marschiert am 1. Mai das „Proletariat“ auf 

der Ringstraße, werden Fanmeilen wie bei der Fußball-Europameisterschaft 

2008 eingerichtet, laufen 

die Teilnehmer des Vienna City Marathon dem Ziel 

entgegen, eröffnen die Wiener Festwochen und halten 

die Gäste des Life Ball, des alljährlichen Charity- 

Events, Einzug. 

2001 wurde die Ringstraße von der UNESCO 

zum Weltkulturerbe ernannt. Ein Ort für Flaneure, 

ein Ort für Kultur, Politik und Unterhaltung ist sie 

auch heute noch. 

PHOTOS: RALPH MANFREDA 

The history of Vienna’s Ringstraße began on 25 

December 1857. The official Wiener Zeitung 

newspaper printed an imperial decree, in 

which emperor Franz Joseph gave the order to pull 

down the fortifications around the city centre, and 

build a magnificent boulevard with representative 

buildings in their place. There were several reasons 

for this. First of all, city walls were no longer sensible 

from a military strategy point of view, and the rapidly 

growing suburbs finally had to be better connected 

to the imperial-aristocratic centre of power – but 

above all, due to the sale of the land, money would 

flow into the public coffers. So began the largest 

town planning project in the history of the city of 

Vienna. 

An international competition was tendered, 85 

offices submitted suggestions, from which a committee 

compiled a “basic plan”: a five kilometre long 

and almost 60 metre wide double row street, which 

almost formed a circle around Vienna city centre. A 

mixed usage was intended: not only public buildings 

should line the boulevard, but also palaces, private 

rented houses and cultural institutions, as well as 

parks and squares. The public buildings should be 

partially funded by selling land to private persons. 

To give these investors an incentive to purchase land, 

they were very generously granted 30 years of tax exemption 

on the condition that they complete their 

building project within five years. 

It actually only took seven years until this monster 

building project was sufficiently finished. On 1 

May 1865, in front of the castle gate, the not yet completely 

finished Ringstraße was officially opened by 

Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth. It was 

a town planning master stroke. Today, for many, 

Ringstraße is the most beautiful boulevard in the 

world. However, it took almost 50 years until Ringstraße 

was actually completed. 

What makes this boulevard so extraordinary and 

unique was best described by the English author Edmund 

de Waal, in his wonderful, melancholic, immensely 

successful novel “The hare with amber 

eyes”. “This new road is not dominated by one single 

building; there is no crescendo to a palace or a cathedral, 

but instead a continual procession from one 

great aspect of civilisation to the next”. The focus of 

de Waal‘s story is the Palais Ephrussi, which is located 

on the Universitätsring. Its fate and the fate of its 

inhabitants could stand for many magnificent buildings 

along Ringstraße. It is the history of the Jewish 

upper classes, it is the story of these Jewish entrepreneurs 

and bankers, the Epsteins, the Todescos, the 

Ephrussis, who significantly contributed to the economic 

upturn of the founding years who benefited 

from this boom, and who as patrons and art collectors 

significantly contributed to Vienna developing 

into a creative incubator in the following years – that 

here and above all in the area of Ringstraße arose 

what we call the modern age today. The story of these 

Jewish upper classes came to a tragic end. In 1938, 

after Austria joined the German Reich, they were 

expropriated, expelled or murdered. 

With all the magnificence and glory of Ringstraße, 

we should not forget the stories of those people 

who actually built this street. The many thousands of 

construction workers and brick layers, who worked 

for poor wages on this mega building site under inhuman, 

slave like conditions and did piece work, primarily 

came from Bohemia and Moravia. That’s why 

people called them the “Bohemian bricklayers”. Without 

the exploitation of these workers, the Ringstraße 

project would never have been completed. 

But many of the most important architects and 

builders came from all parts of the monarchy, and 

the rest of Europe. The look of Ringstraße was characterised 

by architects such as Theophil Hansen, 

who designed the parliament, the stock exchange, 

the academy of fine arts, the musical society, the Palais 

Epstein, Ephrussi and Hansen and who came 

from Denmark; Gottfried Semper, who came from 

Hamburg, whose works included the Neue Burg, the 

Vienna Burgtheater, and the Kunsthistorisches and 

Natural History Museums Vienna. August Sicard 

Die Wiener 

Staatsoper wurde 

nach dem Zweiten 

Weltkrieg neu 

aufgebaut. 

The Vienna State 

Opera was rebuilt 

after the 2nd World 

War. 



93


Titian | Rubens 

Rembrandt | Tiepolo 

Hieronymus Bosch 

INFO 

BUCHTIPP 

1865, 2015. 150 Jahre 

Wiener Ringstraße. 

Anlässlich des 150. 

Geburtstages der Wiener 

Ringstraße hat Wien 

Tourismus dreizehn 

international bekannte 

Autoren gebeten, sich 

Gedanken über den Prachtboulevard 

zu machen. 

Zu den Autoren zählen 

Sybille Berg, Eva Menasse, 

Marlene Streeruwitz und 

Wladimir Sorokin. 

On the occasion of the 

150th birthday of 

Ringstraße Vienna, Wien 

Tourismus asked thirteen 

internationally renowned 

authors to think about this 

magnificent boulevard. The 

authors include Sybille 

Berg, Eva Menasse, 

Marlene Streeruwitz and 

Vladimir Sorokin. 

– 

Metroverlag 

€ 19,90 

Auch die neue Wiener 

Universität fand Platz an der 

Ringstraße. 

The new Vienna University was 

also built on Ringstraße. 

from Sicardsburg, who designed the Vienna State 

Opera together with Viennese Eduard van der Nüll, 

did not come from the Austrian part of the monarchy, 

but the Hungarian part. Heinrich Ferstel, who 

designed the University of Vienna, Votivkirche church, 

the Museum for Applied Arts and the Palais 

Wertheim, came from Vienna. 

The dominant building style is historicism, with 

buildings from the Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic 

periods as role models. It is this stylistic mixture 

which makes Ringstraße so attractive. If you walk 

along Ringstraße today, you will notice the many luxury 

hotels located on this boulevard. However, they 

were not originally planned. Only in 1873, when Vienna 

hosted a world exhibition, and there was a demand 

for sophisticated accommodation, palaces and 

residences were turned into hotels. The oldest hotel 

on the Ring is the Grand Hotel between the State 

Opera and Schwarzenbergplatz; it was opened in 

1870, emerged from a residential house and impressed 

at the time with its advanced technical 

equipment – a mechanical lift and telephone in every 

room were a sensation. Above all the nobility relished 

this modern house – Crown Prince Rudolf regularly 

met his lover Mary Vetsera here. The Palais 

Württemberg, which is opposite the Grand Hotel, 

was also converted into a hotel. Today, the Hotel Imperial 

is still seen as one of the top addresses in the 

city. The history of the Palais Hansen on Schottenring 

is interesting. This huge palace should also have 

been used as a hotel during the world exhibition – 

but it took until 2013 when it actually became a luxury 

hotel. Today, the Palais Hansen Hotel Kempinski 

is one of the best Grand Hotels in Vienna. 

Right from the start, Ringstraße was the strolling 

promenade of the Viennese middle classes. In particular, 

the corner of Kärntner Ring and Kärntner 

Straße quickly developed into a hotspot. Because the 

leather goods shop Sirk was located here, this corner 

was soon called „Sirk corner“. If you arranged to 

meet on Ringstraße, you met here. With the strollers 

came the coffee houses. 150 years ago, there were 25 

big coffee houses on Ringstraße – only a few of them 

still survive today. Artists and entrepreneurs, the 

middle classes and simple people met here. They 

were egalitarian institutions. The most famous coffee 

house, even today, is Café Landtmann, which was 

strategically located in the hotspot of politics (City 

Hall Vienna, the Parliament, various party headquarters), 

art (Vienna Burgtheater) and science 

(University of Vienna). It is one of the most popular 

meeting points in the city. To this day, political press 

conferences and artist interviews are held here. Café 

Landtmann is located in the Palais Lieben-Auspitz. 

Above the coffee house, Berta Zuckerkandl once 

held her literary salon, where Arthur Schnitzler, 

Gustav Klimt, Gustav Mahler and many other artists, 

writers, musicians and other greats of the Vienna 

cultural scene met. 

However, Ringstraße was not just a strolling promenade. 

It was also the location for marches, demonstrations 

and parades. Austrian and European 

history was repeatedly written on Ringstraße. The 

first big parade took place in 1879. More than 14,000 

people took part in the festive procession for the 

25th wedding anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph 

and his Sisi. Later, the First Republic was declared on 

the Ring (on 12 November 1918), and in 1934, there 

was such violent fighting in front of the Palace of Justice, 

that it ended in a civil war. On 15 March 1938, 

Adolf Hitler drove along the Ring in triumph to announce 

Austria’s inclusion in the German Reich at 

Heldenplatz. Even today, the “proletariat” still marches 

on Ringstraße on 1 May. Fan miles are set up, as 

with the European Football Championship in 2008, 

the participants of the Vienna City Marathon ran towards 

the finishing line, the Vienna Festival is opened 

here and the guests enter the Life Ball location, 

the annual charity event. 

In 2001, Ringstraße was named as a world cultural 

heritage site by UNESCO. Even today, it is still a 

place for strollers, a place for culture, politics and entertainment. 

PHOTO: RALPH MANFREDA 

Ausstellungen zum 150. Geburtstag der Wiener Ringstraße 

Exhibitions on the 150th birthday of Ringstraße Vienna 

Jüdisches Museum Wien 

Der Ring – ein jüdischer Boulevard. 

Die Ringstraße ist untrennbar mit dem Schicksal der jüdischen Unternehmer und Bankiers verbunden, 

die als Investoren eine wichtige Rolle spielten und die am Boulevard ihre großartigen Palais 

errichteten. Die Ausstellung im Jüdischen Museum Wien untersucht den Aufstieg dieser jüdischen 

Elite vor dem Hintergrund eines aufkeimenden Antisemitismus. 25. März bis 4. Oktober. 

Vienna The Ring - A Jewish boulevard. Ringstraße is inseparably linked with the Jewish entrepreneurs 

and bankers, who played an important role as investors and built their huge palaces on the 

boulevard. The exhibition in the Jewish Museum Vienna investigates the rise of this Jewish elite in 

light of a burgeoning anti-Semitism. From 25 March to 4 October. 

jmw.at 

Wien Museum 

Der Ring. Pionierjahre einer Prachtstraße 1857 bis 1865. 

Diese Ausstellung im Wien Museum konzentriert sich auf die Jahre zwischen 1857, als der Entschluss 

zum Bau der Ringstraße gefasst wurde, und 1865, dem Jahr der Eröffnung. Gezeigt werden Pläne, 

Modelle, Entwürfe und Fotografien, die die Planungsgeschichte des Boulevards erzählen. 

11. Juni bis 4. Oktober. 

The Ring. The pioneer years of a beautiful street 1857 to 1865. This exhibition in the Vienna 

Museum concentrates on the years between 1857, when the decision was made to build Ringstraße, 

and 1865, the year of the opening. Plans, models, drafts and photographs will be shown which tell the 

story of the boulevard. From 11 June to 4 October. 

wienmuseum.at 

Unteres Belvedere 

Klimt und die Ringstraße. 

Gustav Klimt war der bedeutendste Künstler der Gründerzeit. Ihm und den anderen bedeutenden 

Malern der Ringstraße – wie etwa Hans Makart – ist diese Ausstellung gewidmet. 

3. Juli bis 11. Oktober. 

Klimt and Ringstraße. Gustav Klimt was the most important artist of the founding period. This 

exhibition is dedicated to him and other meaningful painters of Ringstraße such as Hans Makart. 3 

July to 11 October. 

belvedere.at 

Architekturzentrum Wien 

Wien, die Perle des Reiches. Planen für Hitler. 

Auch der Führer hatte Pläne mit der Ringstraße. Das Architekturzentrum Wien zeigt die teilweise 

unbekannten Pläne Adolf Hitlers und der Nationalsozialisten für Wien und die Ringstraße. 

19. März bis 17. August. 

Vienna, the pearl of the empire. Planning for Hitler. The Führer also had plans for Ringstraße. The 

Architekturzentrum Vienna shows the sometimes unknown plans of Adolf Hitler and the national socialists 

for Vienna and Ringstraße. 19 March to 17 August. 

azw.at 

Österreichische Nationalbibliothek 

Wien wird Weltstadt. Die Ringstraße und ihre Zeit. 

Die Ausstellung zeigt, wie sich Wien von einer aristokratisch geprägten Stadt in eine moderne 

Metropole verwandelte. 22. Mai bis 1. November. 

Vienna becomes a world city. Ringstraße and its time. The exhibition shows how Vienna changed 

from a city characterised by the aristocracy to a modern metropolis. From 22 May to 1 November. 

onb.ac.at 

The Paintings Gallery of the Academy 

of Fine Arts Vienna 


1., Schillerplatz 3 | Tue – Sun 10 am – 6 pm 

www.akademiegalerie.at 


SAVOIR-VIVRE THE VIENNA BOYS‘ CHOIR 

Musikalische Botschafter 

Musical diplomats 

Text: Rois & Stubenrauch 

INFO 

Der charakteristische 

Matrosenanzug sitzt bei 

jeder Gelegenheit perfekt. 

The distinctive sailor’s suit 

fits perfectly – whatever 

you’re doing. 


PHOTO: LUKASBECK 

Österreichs Botschafter dürfen auch mal ganz jung sein und Matrosenanzug 

tragen: Die Wiener Sängerknaben gehen jedes Jahr auf Konzerttournee um die 

ganze Welt und absolvieren rund 300 Auftritte als musikalische Botschafter des 

Landes von Mozart, Schubert und Schönberg. 

Austria’s ambassadors may be of school age and dressed in sailors‘ suits. Year in, 

year out, the Vienna Boys Choir is on world tour, making something like 300 

appearances a year as musical ambassadors of Mozart, Schubert and Schönberg‘s 

country. 

Palm Desert, 19. Februar 2015. Der „Vienna 

Boys Choir“ startet seine USA-Tournee im 

sehr eleganten, 1.130 Zuschauer fassenden 

McCallum Theatre. Tags darauf heißt es wieder Koffer 

packen, der Tourbus bringt die Wiener Sängerknaben 

140 Meilen Richtung Südwesten nach San 

Diego für das Konzert in der Copley Symphony Hall. 

Next Stop Pasadena, California, dann folgt Santa 

Barbara, weiter geht es nach Alto, New Mexico. Die 

ausgedehnte Konzerttournee führt den wohl berühmtesten 

Knabenchor der Welt in 30 Tagen quer 

durch neun Bundesstaaten bis ins Upper St. Clair HS 

Auditorium, Pennsylvania. Nach dem Abschlusskonzert 

heißt es dann erneut Koffer packen für den 

Rückflug nach Wien. Gut 300 Konzerte vor insgesamt 

fast einer halben Million Zuschauer geben die 

Wiener Sängerknaben jedes Jahr. Längst zählen die 

Chorknaben in ihren charakteristischen Matrosenuniformen 

zu den berühmtesten Klangkörpern der 

Welt. Neben den USA stehen auch Japan, fast alle 

Staaten Europas, China, Taiwan, Südkorea, Australien, 

Afrika und der arabische Raum regelmäßig auf 

dem Tourneeplan. Nicht umsonst werden die Wiener 

Sängerknaben gerne auch als „jüngste Botschafter 

Österreichs“ bezeichnet. 

So reisefreudig wie heute war der berühmte Chor 

allerdings nicht immer. 1498 als Teil der Hofmusikkapelle 

von Kaiser Maximilian I. begründet, sangen 

die „Hofcapell-Singknaben“ die ersten 420 Jahre ihres 

Bestehens ausschließlich für den Kaiserhof sowie 

bei der sonntäglichen Messe in der Hofburgkapelle – 

eine Tradition, die von den Sängerknaben zusammen 

mit den Wiener Philharmonikern übrigens bis 

heute fortgeführt wird. Der Untergang der Monarchie 

brachte die Neuausrichtung des berühmten 

Chors; von nun an begaben sich die Wiener Sängerknaben, 

neben ihren Auftritten bei Produktionen 

der Wiener Staatsoper und der Salzburger Festspiele, 

auf Tournee durch die Konzertsäle von New York bis 

Beijing. Heute gibt es rund 100 aktive Sängerknaben, 

die auf vier Chöre aufgeteilt das enorme Pensum des 

weltberühmten Klangkörpers absolvieren – schließlich 

haben die Buben neben ihrer musikalischen 

Erziehung und den Konzerten auch noch das 

Gymnasium zu bewältigen. 

Mit dem MuTh steht den Wiener Sängerknaben 

seit Dezember 2012 nun endlich auch ihr eigener 

Konzertsaal in Wien zur Verfügung. Nur wenige 

Schritte die schöne Kastanienallee entlang sind es 

vom barocken Palais Augarten, wo die Knaben im 

Internat wohnen und zur Schule gehen, zur neuen 

Bühne. So bescheiden sich das futuristische Gebäude, 

das sich diskret an den barocken Bestand 

schmiegt, von außen ausnimmt, so großzügig und 

technisch ausgefeilt ist der Konzertsaal im Inneren. 

Neben den regelmäßigen Auftritten der Sängerknaben 

hat sich das MuTh (der ungewöhnliche 

Name steht für „Musik und Theater“) mit seiner 

hervorragenden Akustik nach dem feierlichen Eröffnungskonzert 

unter der Leitung von Franz Welser- 

Möst schnell als neuer Wiener Konzertort für 

kleinere Orchester und ausgefallene Produktionen 

etabliert, wie Direktorin Eva Hesse erzählt. Intensiv 

geprobt wird hier natürlich auch, schließlich dürfen 

die Sängerknaben schon bald wieder ihre Koffer packen. 

Ende März geht es für eine Woche nach Kanada, 

von Ende April bis in den Juni stehen dann 22 Auftritte 

in Japan auf dem Programm der jüngsten und 

musikalischsten Botschafter Österreichs. 

MuTh Highlights 

im Frühling. 

MuTh Highlights 

this spring. 

Vienna meets the USA 

Die Sängerknaben und die 

Junge Philharmonie spielen 

und singen Bach, Alban 

Berg, Ravel und Gerhard 

Tracks Symphonie 

„Minnequa“. 

• Di 24. März 2015, 19:30 

The Boys Choir and Young 

Philharmonic play and sing 

Bach, Alban Berg, Ravel 

and Gerhard Track’s 

Symphony, “Minnequa”. 

• Tuesday, 24th March 

2015, 7.30 p.m. 

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika 

Konzert der Wiener 

Sängerknaben mit 

afrikanischer Musik. 

• Do 26. März 2015, 19:30 

Concert of African music 

by the Vienna Boys Choir. 

• Thursday, 26th March 

2015, 7.30 p.m. 

1398 – Der Bettelknabe 

Kinderoper der Wiener 

Sängerknaben. 

• Sa 2. Mai 2015, 11:00 

Children’s opera by the 

Vienna Boys Choir. 

• Saturday, 2nd May 2015, 

11.a.m. 

Angelika Kirchschlager 

und Marianne 

Sägebrecht 

Ein musikalisch-literarischer 

Abend mit zwei 

Weltstars – inklusive 

Gastauftritten. 

• Sa 30. Mai 2015, 19:30 

A musical-literary evening 

with two world stars – including 

guest appearances. 

• Saturday, 30th May 2015, 

7.30 p.m. 

INFO: 

www.muth.at 



97

SAVOIR-VIVRE THE VIENNA BOYS‘ CHOIR 

IM GESPRÄCH MIT | A TALK WITH 

INFO 

Sängerknaben 

gesucht 

Choir Boys 

wanted 

Singen kann jeder, ist 

Gerald Wirth, künstlerischer 

Leiter der Wiener 

Sängerknaben, überzeugt – 

man muss es nur ein wenig 

trainieren. Für singbegeisterte 

Buben finden 

regelmäßig Schnupperwochen 

statt. Vorsingen ist 

selbstverständlich auch 

jederzeit erwünscht. 

Gerald Wirth, Artistic 

Director of the Vienna 

Boys Choir, is convinced 

that anyone can sing – all 

you need is a bit of 

training. If you love singing 

and fancy getting a feel for 

what it’s like to be a 

member of the Vienna 

Boys Choir, try-out weeks 

are offered regularly. You’ll 

need to audition first, of 

course. 

INFO: 

www.wienersaengerknaben.at 

Die Sängerknaben am Dach des Wiener Rathauses. 

The Boys Choir on the roof of Vienna’s Rathaus. 

Palm Desert, 19th February 2015. The Vienna 

Boys Choir starts its US tour at the elegant 

McCallum Theatre, in front of 1,130 spectators. 

And in a few days, it’ll be time for the members 

of the Vienna Boys Choir to pack their bags all over 

again, board the tour bus and head 140 miles southwest 

to San Diego for the next concert, at the Copley 

Symphony Hall. After that it’s Pasadena, California, 

shortly followed by Santa Barbara, and Alto, New 

Mexico. 

The extensive concert tour takes the world’s most 

famous boys choir across nine states in just 30 days, 

until they finally hang up their sailors’ suits – for the 

moment, at least – at the Upper St. Clair HS Auditorium, 

Pennsylvania, and head out to the airport, just 

in time for the flight back to Vienna. The Vienna 

Boys Choir performs over 300 concerts a year. As 

well as the US, their tour schedule regularly includes 

Japan, almost every state in Europe, China, Taiwan, 

South Korea, Australia, Africa and the Arab world. 

The members of the Vienna Boys Choir are frequently 

referred to as “Austria’s youngest ambassadors”, 

and not without good reason. The famous 

choir was not always quite as fond of travelling as it is 

today, however. Founded in 1498 as part of the Imperial 

Court Chapel, of Kaiser Maximilian I, the ‘Hofcapell-Singknaben’ 

sang exclusively for the Imperial 

Court for some 420 years, as well as for Sunday Mass 

at the Hofburg Chapel (a tradition that the choir 

continues to this day, together with the musicians of 

the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra). Then, in 1918, 

the fall of the Habsburg Monarchy brought with it a 

reorientation of the famous Choir. From now on, 

along with appearances in productions by the Vienna 

State Opera and at the Salzburg Festival, they would 

begin touring concert halls across the world, from 

New York to Beijing. They perform the enormous 

workload of the world-famous choir divided into 

four choirs – because after all, the boys have to overcome 

the rigours of school, as well as their musical 

education and concerts. 

In December 2012, the Vienna Boys Choir was finally 

given a concert hall of its very own, the MuTh. 

It’s just a few steps from the Baroque Palais Augarten, 

where the boys attend boarding school, to the stage. 

Huddled up against its Baroque neighbours, the futuristic 

building initially appears humble from the 

outside. Inside, however, the concert hall is generously 

laid-out and intelligently partitioned. In 

addition to all those regular appearances by the 

Choir, the MuTh (the slightly unusual name is a 

mash of the words ‘music’ and ‘theatre’) has quickly 

established itself as one of Vienna’s premier venues 

for concerts by smaller orchestras and unconventional 

productions since its triumphant opening 

concert under the leadership of Franz Welser-Möst, 

according to current Director Eva Hesse. It is also 

home to intense rehearsal sessions, of course – because 

it’s never long before the Boys Choir is due to 

be hitting the road again. At the end of March they’re 

off to Canada for a week, and from the end of April 

until June, the schedule of Austria’s youngest ambassadors 

includes 22 appearances in Japan. 

PHOTOS: LUKASBECK (2), HELMUT KARL LACKNER 

Elke Hesse 

Direktorin des MuTh | Director of the MuTh 


Elke Hesse studierte Musik- und 

Theaterwissenschaften in Wien, 

arbeitete als Schauspielerin, Referentin 

von Direktor Hans Gratzer am Theater in 

der Josefstadt und war Intendantin der 

Festspiele Bad Hersfeld. Seit 2012 ist sie 

Direktorin des MuTh. 

Elke Hesse studied Musicology and 

Dramaturgy in Vienna, before going on 

to work as an actress, advisor to 

director Hans Gratzer at the Theater in 

der Josefstadt, and Artistic Director of 

the Bad Hersfeld Festival. She has been 

Director of the MuTh since 2012. 

Büro im Stadtpalais 

Palais Breuner 

1010 Wien 

Büroräume mit beonderem Flair 

(tw. Kamine und Kasettendecken) 

Nutzfläche: 439 m 2 

Lift, gute Ausstattung 

2 Garagenplätze 

Was bedeutet der neue Konzertsaal für die Sängerknaben? 

Das MuTh ist der Ort, wo die Wiener Sängerknaben in der 

Nähe ihres Zuhauses auftreten können. Es haben jetzt viel 

mehr Menschen die Möglichkeit, die Sängerknaben auch in 

Wien hautnah zu erleben, und nicht nur von ihrem Erfolg im 

Ausland zu hören. 

Die Konzerte im MuTh gehen natürlich weit über die 

Aufführungen der Sängerknaben hinaus. Wie würden 

Sie die Linie Ihres Hauses charakterisieren? 

So wie die Architektur des Hauses soll auch das Programm 

für eine Offenheit stehen, die die klassischen Genres 

überwindet. Auf der anderen Seite ist das MuTh natürlich 

als erste Bühne für den künstlerischen Nachwuchs 

positioniert. Es soll einfach ein buntes Treiben sein in 

diesem Haus. 

Wie fühlt es sich an, als Frau in einem „Männerverein“ 

wie den Sängerknaben eine tragende Rolle 

zu spielen? 

(Lacht) Ich habe ja vorher die Festspiele Bad Hersfeld 

geleitet, da war ich auch die erste Frau – insofern ist es für 

mich nichts Neues. Aber ich finde es spannend, dass bei den 

Wiener Sängerknaben gerade ein ziemlicher Umbruch 

stattfindet, und ich fühle mich sehr wohl, dass ich da mit 

dabei sein darf. 

Ihr persönliches Programmhighlight der laufenden 

Saison? 

Stolz bin ich, dass Angelika Kirchschlager und Marianne 

Sägebrecht bei uns auftreten und Maria Happel die Regie 

bei „Der Bettelknabe“ übernommen hat. Das freut mich 

sehr! 

What does the new concert hall mean for the Boys 

Choir? 

The MuTh enables the Vienna Boys Choir to perform close 

to home – it means that far more people are now getting the 

chance to experience the Choir right up close in Vienna, 

rather than just hearing reports of their success abroad. 

There’s a great deal more to concerts at the MuTh than 

just the performances of the Boys Choir, of course. 

How would you characterise the venue’s philosophy? 

Like the architecture of the building, the programme’s 

designed to stand for an openness that goes beyond 

classical genres. On the other hand, of course, the MuTh is 

positioned as a first stage for the next artistic generation. 

It’s just supposed to be filled with noise and life. 

How does it feel, as a woman, to be playing a key role in 

a ‘men-only association’ like the Boys Choir? 

(Laughs) Well, I used to manage the Bad Hersfeld Festival, 

and I was the first woman ever to be given the job there 

too – so it’s really nothing new to me! But I do find it 

exciting that there’s something of a cultural upheaval 

taking place at the Vienna Boys Choir at the moment, and 

it’s fun to be part of that. 

What would be your personal highlight for the current 

season? 

I’m proud that Angelika Kirchschlager and Marianne 

Sägebrecht are appearing with us, and that Maria Happel 

has taken over the direction of “Der Bettelknabe”. 

I’m enormously happy about that! 


Tel.: 02735/2205 

Info: Ing. Gerald Türk 

www.metternich.at 


99

SAVOIR-VIVRE BELVEDERE 

Wo der Kuss zu Hause ist 

The home of the kiss 

Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Wien | The Austrian Gallery Belvedere, Vienna 


DIRECTOR’S TALK 

INFO 

Gustav Klimt, 

„Sonja Knips“, 1898. 

Im Oberen Belvedere befindet sich die 

weltberühmte Klimt-Sammlung. 

The Upper Belvedere houses the 

world-famous Klimt collection. 

21er Haus. 

Das Belvedere im gleichnamigen Barockschloss, 

welches sich einst Prinz Eugen von 

Savoyen als Sommerresidenz erbauen ließ, 

zählt zu den wichtigsten Kunstinstitutionen des 

Landes und gewährt eine nahezu lückenlose Zusammenschau 

der österreichischen Kunst vom Mittelalter 

über das Barock bis ins 21. Jahrhundert. 

Highlights der umfassenden, historisch gewachsenen 

Bestände sind die weltweit größte Sammlung von 

Werken Gustav Klimts – da runter der weltberühmte 

„Kuss“ – sowie Meisterwerke von Egon Schiele und 

Oskar Kokoschka. Neben dem Unteren und Oberen 

Belvedere gehören auch das kürzlich renovierte 21er 

Haus sowie das 2013 in ein Museum umgewandelte 

Winter palais des Prinzen Eugen zum Kompetenzbereich 

von Direktorin Dr. Agnes Husslein-Arco. 

The Belvedere, located in the baroque palace of 

the same name was originally built as the 

summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. 

Today it is one of the most important art institutions 

in Austria, providing a practically complete overview 

of Austrian art, ranging from the Middle Ages and 

the baroque period through to the 21st century. The 

highlight of this extensive collection is the world’s 

largest collection of works by Gustav Klimt – including 

the world-famous “Kiss”, as well as masterpieces 

by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka. The director 

Dr. Agnes Husslein-Arco is responsible for 

not only the Upper and Lower Belvedere but also the 

recently renovated „21er Haus“ in addition to Prince 

Eugene’s Winter Palace, which was converted into a 

museum in 2013. 

PHOTOS: BELVEDERE WIEN, KARL SCHÖNDORFER, GERALD ZUGMANN 

Dr. Agnes Husslein-Arco 

Direktorin Belvedere | Director of Belvedere 

Nach ihrer Tätigkeit als Geschäftsführerin von Sotheby’s Österreich und Director of European Development des Guggenheim 

Museums wurde Agnes Husslein-Arco zur Direktorin des Rupertinums in Salzburg bestellt und war von 2003 bis 2005 

Gründungsdirektorin des Museums der Moderne Salzburg. Seit 2007 leitet Agnes Husslein-Arco das Belvedere. 

After having worked as the managing director of Sotheby’s Austria and director of European development at the Guggenheim Museum, 

Agnes Husslein-Arco was appointed director of the Rupertinum Museum in Salzburg and she was also the founding director of Museum 

der Moderne in Salzburg. Agnes Husslein-Arco has been running the Belvedere since 2007. 

Ihr Museum wird natürlich in erster Linie mit Gustav Klimt 

in Verbindung gebracht – wofür steht für Sie als Direktorin 

das Belvedere? 

Das Belvedere besitzt zwar die weltweit größte Sammlung an 

Gemälden von Gustav Klimt, die einen besonderen kunsthistorischen 

Schatz und, kein Zweifel, auch einen Besuchermagnet 

darstellt. Allerdings ist es mir persönlich wichtig, auch die 

herausragende Qualität der anderen Sammlungsbereiche zu 

vermitteln. Dieses Jahr zeigen wir etwa Ausstellungen zu einem 

mittelalterlichen Fastentuch, über Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka, 

bis hin zum zeitgenössischen österreichischen Künstler Hans 

Weigand, um nur einige zu nennen. 

Wie bringen Sie diese enorme Spannweite der 

Sammlungen unter einen Hut? 

Wir nützen sie gezielt! Es gibt und gab in der bildenden Kunst 

stets Wechselwirkungen zwischen Neuem und Altem. Die 

verschiedenen Epochen müssen sich also nicht ausschließen, 

sondern können in der Zusammenschau interessante Verbindungen 

erkennen lassen. Wunderbar sieht man das etwa in 

unserer derzeitigen Ausstellung „Schlaflos. Das Bett in Geschichte 

und Gegenwartskunst“ im 21er Haus. 

Mit dem 21er Haus und dem Winterpalais im 1. Bezirk hat 

sich das Belvedere in den letzten Jahren stark erweitert. 

Wie bespielen Sie diese neuen Ausstellungsflächen? 

Das 21er Haus ist der Ausstellungsort, wo wir die gegenwärtige 

und jüngere österreichische Kunstproduktion mit entsprechenden 

Einzelausstellungen abbilden, die oftmals eigens für diesen 

architek tonisch speziellen Ausstellungsort entwickelt werden, 

wie etwa die Schau von Gelatin (2013) oder Franz Graf (2014). 

Das Winterpalaisprogramm wiederum wechselt bewusst 

zwischen historischen Ausstellungen und Projekten, die 

zeitgenössische Positionen mit dem prunkvollen Setting gezielt 

in einen Dialog setzen. 

It goes without saying that your museum is primarily 

associated with Gustav Klimt – but what does the Belvedere 

mean to you as the director? 

The Belvedere has the world’s largest collection of paintings by 

Gustav Klimt, representing a special treasure of art history and it 

is undoubtedly also a magnet for visitors. However, it is important 

for me personally to also show the outstanding quality of the 

other collections. This year, we are exhibiting the medieval lenten 

veil, Klimt, Schiele, Kokoschka as well as the modern Austrian 

artist Hans Weigand, just to mention a few. 

How do you accommodate such a large range of collections? 

We use them in a targeted manner! In visual arts, there always is 

and has been an interaction between old and new. The different 

eras, therefore, do not have to exclude each other but instead can 

reveal interesting connections. A perfect example of this can be 

seen in our current collection “Sleepless – The Bed in History and 

Contemporary Art” in the 21er Haus. 

The Belvedere has expanded significantly in the last few 

years with the 21er Haus and the Winter Palace in the first 

district. How are you going to use this new exhibition areas? 

The 21er Haus is the exhibition venue where we show contemporary 

and more recent Austrian art, including solo exhibitions 

that have often been developed specifically for this special 

architectural exhibition venue, such as the shows by Gelatin 

(2013) or Franz Graf (2014). The Winter Palace programme, on 

the other hand, consciously alternates between historical 

exhibitions and projects, which deliberately create a dialogue 

between contemporary perspectives and the magnificent setting. 

Aktuelle Ausstellungen 

und 

Sammlungen: 

Current Exhibitions 

and Collections: 

Schausammlung im 

Oberen Belvedere 

Neben klassischer Moderne 

und der Barocksammlung 

werden Gustav Klimts 

Meister werke mit einem 

frischen Raumkonzept in 

neuem Licht präsentiert. 

Public Collection in Upper 

Belvedere 

Classic modern and baroque 

collections. Gustav Klimt‘s 

masterpieces shine in new 

splendour in a redesigned 

room. 

Europa in Wien. 

Der Wiener Kongress 

1814/15 

Unteres Belvedere und 

Orangerie, bis 21.6.2015 

Europe in Vienna 

The Vienna Congress 

1814/15 

Lower Belvedere and 

Orangery, until 21.06.2015 

Schlaflos. Das Bett in 

Geschichte und 

Gegenwartskunst 

21er Haus, bis 07. 06. 2015 

Sleepless – The Bed in 

History and Contemporary 

Art 

21er Haus, until 07. 06. 2015 

Vienna for Art’s Sake! 

Archive Austria / 

Contemporary Art 

Winterpalais, bis 31.5.2015 

INFO: 

www.belvedere.at 



SAVOIR-VIVRE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL 

450 Jahre hohe Reitkunst 

450 Years of Consummate Horsemanship 


Die Spanische Hofreitschule, wichtiger Bestandteil der kulturellen Identität 

Österreichs, feiert 2015 mit großer Geste ihr 450-jähriges Jubiläum. 

The Spanish Riding School, an important part of Austria’ s cultural identity, 

celebrates its 450-year jubilee in 2015 with a grand gesture. 

INFO 

Silbermünze 

„450 Jahre 

Spanische 

Hofreitschule“ 

Silver Coin “450 

years Spanish 

Riding School” 


PHOTOS: SPANISCHE HOFREITSCHULE / JULIE BRASS, RENE VAN BAKEL, ARCHIV BOISELLE 

In den nächsten Wochen und Monaten laufen 

hektische Vorbereitungen in Stallburg und Winterreitschule 

der Wiener Hofburg. Lipizzaner 

und Bereiter der Spanischen Hofreitschule perfektionieren 

Levade, Kapriole und die Quadrille für den 

großen Tag im Juni. Als Höhepunkt der Festivitäten 

zum 450-jährigen Bestehen der weltberühmten Institution 

werden Pferde und Reiter der Real Escuela 

Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre aus Spanien in Wien erwartet, 

die gemeinsam mit der Spanischen Hofreitschule 

eine außergewöhnliche equestrische Galavorstellung 

am Wiener Heldenplatz geben werden. 

Seit 1565 wird in der Spanischen Hofreitschule ununterbrochen 

die Hohe Schule der klassischen Reitkunst 

in der Tradition der Hochrenaissance gepflegt 

und gelebt. Die Schimmel und ihre Reiterinnen und 

Reiter in ihrer charakteristischen Aufmachung sind 

ebenso unverbrüchlicher Bestandteil von Österreichs 

kultureller Identität geworden wie die Staatsoper 

oder Schloss Schönbrunn und stehen denn 

auch seit 2010 auf der Liste des immateriellen 

Kultur erbes der UNESCO. 

Maestoso Virtuosa oder Neapolitano Allegra heißen 

die stolzen Hengste, die an den Vorführungen in 

der Winterreitschule, die als schönster Reitsaal der 

Welt gilt, teilnehmen. Die komplizierten Figuren der 

Hohen Schule verlangen den Pferden allerhöchste 

Körperbeherrschung ab. Im Alter von vier Jahren 

kommen die ausgewählten Junghengste aus dem 

berühmten Lipizzanergestüt von Piber nach Wien. 

Nach durchschnittlich sechs Jahren intensiven Trainings 

dürfen sie dann erstmals bei der Nachmittagsvorstellung 

der Spanischen Hofreitschule in dem 

vom stilprägenden Barockbaumeister Fischer von 

Erlach ausgestalteten Winterreitsaal dabei sein. 

Elisabeth Gürtler trat vor acht Jahren als erste 

Frau den Posten als Generaldirektorin an. Seither 

weht ein frischer Wind durch die Spanische Hofreitschule. 

Die Direktorin des Hotel Sachers und frühere 

Vizestaatsmeisterin im Dressur reiten, hat die altehrwürdige 

Institution nicht nur erstmals Frauen zugänglich 

gemacht, sie hat es sich auch nicht nehmen 

lassen, wieder zum Ball zu bitten. Seit fünf Jahren 

verwandelt sich die Hofreitschule für jeweils einen 

Tag in Wiens schönsten sommer lichen Ballsaal. Zum 

450-Jahr-Jubiläum bringt Elisabeth Gürtler also 

nicht nur die Königlich-Andalusische Reitschule 

nach Wien, gekrönt wird die Feier von der sechsten 

Auflage der Fête Impériale am 26. Juni. Dann dürfen 

ausnahmsweise einmal die Menschen und nicht die 

Pferde in der wunder schönen barocken Winterreitschule 

tanzen. 

In the coming weeks and months, hectic preparations 

are being made in Stallburg as well as the 

Winter Riding School of the Vienna Hofburg. 

Lipizzaners and their riders from the Spanish Riding 

School perfect their caprioles and the quadrilles for 

the big day in June. As the highlight of the festivities 

to mark the 450-year anniversary of the world-famous 

institution, the horses and riders of the Real 

Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre from Spain are 

expected to give an exceptional equestrian gala performance 

on Heldenplatz in Vienna, together with 

the Spanish Riding School. Since 1565, the Spanish 

Riding School has maintained and lived the High 

School of Classical Horsemanship in the Renaissance 

tradition. The white horses and their riders in 

their characteristic appearance have become a steadfast 

part of Austria’s cultural identity along with the 

State Opera and Schönbrunn Castle, and have been 

on the list of the UNESCO Heritage since 2010. 

Maestoso Virtuosa or Neapolitano Allegra are the 

names of the proud stallions who will perform the 

demonstrations in the Winter Riding School, considered 

to be the most beautiful riding Hall in the 

world. The complex movements of the horses require 

perfect body control. The young stallions selected 

from the famous Lipizzaner stud farm of Piber come 

Die Münze Österreich 

nimmt das 450-Jahr- 

Jubiläum zum Anlass für 

die Prägung einer 

Sondermünze. Auf der 

Wertseite zeigt die 

20-g-Silbermünze zwei 

Lipizzaner beim Pas de 

deux, auf der anderen Seite 

einen Bereiter auf einem 

Lipizzaner, der eine Levade 

ausführt. Die Münze wird 

in limitierter Auflage von 

50.000 Stück geprägt. 

Austrian Mint takes the 

450-year anniversary as an 

opportunity for the 

production of a 

commemorative coin. 

On the value side, the 20 g 

silver coin shows two 

Lipizzaners at the Pas de 

Deux, and on the reverse, a 

rider on a Lipizzaner is 

executing a levade. The 

coin is minted as a limited 

edition of 50.000 pieces. 

www.muenzeoesterreich.at 

Junghengst bei der täglichen 

Morgenarbeit. 

Young stallion at the daily 

morning work. 



SAVOIR-VIVRE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL 

NACHGEFRAGT | QUESTIONS ASKED 

INFO 


Elisabeth Gürtler leitet das Hotel Sacher und war 

langjährige Organisatorin des Wiener Opernballs. 

Seit 2007 ist die ehemalige österreichische 

Vizestaatsmeisterin im Dressurreiten 

Generaldirektorin der Spanischen Hofreitschule. 

Elisabeth Gürtler manages the Hotel Sacher and was 

the organiser of the Vienna Opera Ball for many years. 

Since 2007, the former Austrian vice champion in 

dressage has been the General Director of the Spanish 

Riding School. 

Elisabeth Gürtler 

Generaldirektorin der Spanischen Hofreitschule Wien | General Director of the 

Spanish Riding School Vienna 

Welche Highlights erwarten die Besucherinnen 

und Besucher der großen Gala zum runden 

Jubiläum der Spanischen Hofreitschule am 

Heldenplatz? 

Wir werden eine Fohlen- und Stutenherde aus unserem 

Gestüt Piber nach Wien bringen, was sicher die Herzen 

aller großen und auch kleinen Pferdefreunde berühren 

wird. Als Ehrengäste haben wir dann die Urahnen 

unserer Lipizzaner, die Andalusier, mit ihren Reitern 

nach Wien eingeladen. Gemeinsam mit der Real 

Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre werden unsere 

Reiter mit ihren Lipizzanern „Gustostückerl“ aus der 

klassischen Reitkunst zeigen: die Schulsprünge Levade, 

Kapriole und Courbette – und das sowohl an der Hand 

als auch unter dem Reiter. Natürlich wird es auch ein 

beeindruckendes Solo und die Vorführung am „Langen 

Zügel“ geben, bevor als krönender Abschluss die nur 

alle Jahrzehnte zu sehende 12er-Quadrille präsentiert 

wird. 

Ein weiterer Höhepunkt des Festtages wird die 

sechste Auflage der von Ihnen ins Leben 

gerufenen „Fête Impériale“. Worauf dürfen sich 

die Gäste des beliebten Sommerballs freuen? 

Nach der Vorführung am Heldenplatz bitten wir die 

Gäste, die auch den Ball besuchen wollen, direkt zur 

Michaelerkuppel, wo unser traditioneller VIP Cocktail 

stattfindet, bevor wir dann von den Hoch- und 

Deutschmeistern zur Balleröffnung in der Winter - 

reitschule abgeholt werden. Thematisch steht der Ball 

heuer im Zeichen Wiens – Details sind aber noch ein 

Geheimnis und werden erst bekannt gegeben! 

Unter Ihrer Ägide hat sich die Hofreitschule 

erstmals auch Frauen geöffnet. Wann wird denn 

die erste weibliche Oberbereiterin in der Hofburg 

zu sehen sein? 

Als im Jahr 2008 erstmals zwei weibliche Bewerberinnen 

in den Elevenstatus der Spanischen Hofreitschule 

aufgenommen wurden, gab es viele kritische Stimmen, 

die das als Bruch einer jahrhundertealten Tradition 

ansahen. Heute haben wir fünf junge Damen teils als 

Pferdewirtlehrlinge, Elevinnen und Hannah Zeitlhofer 

auch als Bereiteranwärterin bei uns. Da die Ausbildung 

zum Bereiter etwa 8 bis 10 Jahre dauert, kann damit 

gerechnet werden, dass in nächster Zeit auch eine 

weibliche Bereiterin in den Vorführungen zu sehen 

sein wird. Die Ernennung zum Oberbereiter ist nur bei 

ganz außergewöhnlichen Leistungen vorgesehen, die 

nicht nur langjährige Berufserfahrung einschließen, 

sondern auch Sprachkenntnisse, geschichtliches 

Wissen und die Fähigkeit, die Hofreitschule nach außen 

zu repräsen tieren. 

What highlights await visitors to the Anniversary 

Gala of the Spanish Riding School on Heldenplatz 

square? 

We will bring a foal and mare herd from our stud farm 

Piber to Vienna, which will surely touch the hearts of 

all horse lovers big and small. As guests of honour, we 

have invited the ancestors of our Lipizzaners, the Andalusians 

with their riders, to Vienna. Together with Real 

Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, our riders will 

show “delicacies” from classical horsemanship with 

their Lipizzaner horses, the school jumps levade, 

capriole and courbette – both at halter and under the 

saddle. Of course, there will also be an impressive solo, 

and the presentation on the “long reins” before the 

crowning finale of the 12 quadrille which is normally 

presented only once per decade. 

Another highlight of the festival is the sixth edition 

of the “Fête Imperial” which had been launched by 

you. What may the guests of the popular summer 

ball look forward to? 

After the performance at Heldenplatz, we will 

accompany guests who want to visit the ball straight to 

the Michaelerkuppel, where our traditional VIP cocktail 

event takes place. Afterwards we will be collected by 

the High and German Masters of the Winter Riding 

School for the opening of the ball. Thematically, the 

ball this year is dedicated to Vienna! Details are still a 

secret and will be announced soon! 

With your patronage, the riding school has finallly 

opened up to women. When will the first female 

chief rider be seen in the Hofburg? 

When two female applicants entered the Eleves status 

of the Spanish Riding School in 2008 for the first time, 

there were many critical voices who saw it as a 

breaking of a centuries-old tradition. Today, we have 

five young ladies, some as stablehand apprentices, 

Eleves and Hannah Zeitlhofer as aspirant rider. 

Although the training of a rider takes about 8-10 years, 

we expect that a female rider will soon be seen in the 

performances. The appointment of chief rider is 

intended only for exceptional achievements, not only 

for professional experience, but also language skills, 

knowledge of history and the ability to represent the 

Riding School. 

PHOTOS: SPANISCHE HOFREITSCHULE / MICHAEL RZEPA / RAINER ECKHARTER 

to Vienna at the age of four. After an average of six 

years of intensive training they may, for the first 

time, perform at the matinee of the Spanish Riding 

School in the Winter Riding Hall, designed by the 

well-known baroque architect Fischer von Erlach. 

Elisabeth Gürtler became the first woman to be 

Director General when she took up the post eight 

years ago. Since then, a breath of fresh air has blown 

through the Spanish Riding School. The Director of 

the Hotel Sacher and former Vice Champion in dressage, 

not only made the time-honoured institution 

available to women for the first time, she also took 

the opportunity to initiate ball-goers to convene 

once again. For the past five years, the Spanish Riding 

School has been turned into Vienna’s most 

beautiful summer ballroom for a day. Elisabeth 

Gürtler does not only bring the Royal Andalusian 

Riding School to Vienna for the 450-year anniversary, 

but the celebration is crowned by the sixth edition 

of the Fête Impériale on June 26. On this occasion, 

it’s the people, and not the horses, that dance in the 

beautiful baroque Winter Riding Hall. 

EUROPA 

IN WIEN 

Der Wiener Kongress 

1814/15 

Karten für die beiden 

Galavorstellungen am 

26. und 27. Juni jeweils um 

19 Uhr auf dem Heldenplatz 

sowie für die Generalprobe 

am 25. Juni unter: 

Tickets can be purchased 

here for the two gala 

performances on 26 and 27 

June at 7 pm at Heldenplatz, 

as well as for the rehearsal 

on June 25th: 

www.srs.at 

Im Anschluss an die Gala am Heldenplatz lädt die Direktorin der Hofreitschule Elisabeth Gürtler am 

26. Juni zur „Fête Impériale 2015“. Der Reinerlös des Balls kommt dem Erhalt und der Zucht der 

Lipizzaner zugute. 

Following the gala at Heldenplatz square, the Director of the Spanish Riding School, Elisabeth 

Gürtler, invites you to the “Fête Imperial 2015” on June 26. The net proceeds of the ball will benefit 

the preservation and breeding of the Lipizzaner horses. 

www.fete-imperiale.at 


20.2.–21.6.2015 

belvedere 

UNTERES BELVEDERE & ORANGERIE 

Rennweg 6, 1030 Wien 

Täglich 10–18 Uhr 

Mittwoch 10–21 Uhr 

Cercle Diplomatique 1/2015 105 

www.belvedere.at

SAVOIR-VIVRE LYONESS OPEN 

Mehr Preisgeld, mehr Stars, mehr Spaß 

More Prize Money, More Stars, More Fun 

Golfer’s Paradise: 

der Diamond Country 

Club bei Tulln. 

Golfer‘s Paradise 

“Diamond Country 

Club” in Tulln. 

Wenn Mitte Juni im Diamond Country Club bei Tulln die 

europäische Golfelite Österreichs Paradegolfer Bernd Wiesberger 

jagt, gibt es für Golffans nur eines: hinfahren und Daumen 

drücken. Es wird wohl das größte Golffest ever in Österreich. 

When the European golf elite hunts Austria‘s most famous golfer 

Bernd Wiesberger at the Diamond Country Club in Tulln in 

mid-June, only one thing is important for golf fans: to go there 

and keep their fingers crossed. It will probably be the biggest golf 

festival in Austria ever. 

Text: Klaus Nadizar 


FOTOS: PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY 

GEPA PICTURES/ MARTIN HOERMANDINGER; DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB 

Abschlag. 

Österreichs Nr. 1, Bernd 

Wiesberger, auf dem 18 Grün. 

Tee. 

Austria’s no. 1, Bernd 

Wiesberger, on the 18th 

green. 

Wenn am 11. Juni 2015 die erste Dreier- 

Gruppe aufteet und damit die Lyoness 

Open quasi eröffnet, wird österreichische 

Sportgeschichte geschrieben: Dank einer Preisgeldaufstockung 

von 1,0 auf 1,5 Millionen Euro matchen 

sich die 156 Top-Golfer der European Tour um den 

bislang höchsten Preisgeldscheck, der in Österreich 

ausgestellt wurde. Wer die Lyoness Open 2015 gewinnt, 

darf sich über 250.000 Euro Preisgeld freuen. 

Eine höchste erfreuliche Entwicklung, auch für 

den Golfsport, die der Tatsache geschuldet ist, dass 

gleich mehrere starke Persönlichkeiten den Event im 

Diamond Country Club bei Tulln kontinuierlich vorangetrieben 

und verbessert haben oder als eine Art 

Trägerrakete fungieren. 

Etwa Christian Guzy, der Besitzer der Anlage und 

ein nimmermüder Vordenker. Die Anlage wird 

heuer erneut um eine Facette reicher und besser. Ein 

System, das Guzy verinnerlicht hat: Nach dauerhaftem 

Update des Diamond Course über die letzten 

sechs Jahre, dem Bau des Bootshauses und einer 

Driving Range sowie dem Ausbau des Country 

Course steht 2015 eine Hoteleröffnung an, die aus 

der Top-Golfanlage nun ein Top-Golfresort macht. 

Christian Guzy: „Mit der Eröffnung werden wir 

den letzten großen Schritt zu einem seriösen Golfresort 

getan haben. Mit dem Hotel ist auch ein entsprechend 

professioneller internationaler Auftritt 

gewährleistet.“ 

Der lange Schatten der Lyoness Open 

Dass das Hotel am Platz heuer ganz speziell von 

den Stars der European Tour eingeweiht wird, macht 

es natürlich doppelt wertvoll. 



107


Cercle_JMW_US_2015_Layout 1 09.02.15 10:12 Seite 1 

Links: Blick auf den VIP-Bereich, der während der 

Lyoness Open im Bootshaus des DCC untergebracht ist. 

Rechts: die Chill-out Lounge des Bootshauses. 

Left: View of the VIP area, housed in the boathouse of the DCC 

during the Lyoness Open. Right: The chill-out lounge of the 

boathouse. 

JEWISH VIENNA – 

THEN TO NOW 

Photographer Margit Dobronyi 

on the gangway of an 

EL AL aircraft, May 1968 

JMW; Dobronyi archives 

The permanent exhibition. 

Das für die Golffans Erfreuliche: Neben der bereits 

erwähnten Aufstockung des Preisgeldes und des 

dadurch wohl noch besseren Starterfeldes sind auch 

die langjährigen Partner bereits wieder fix an Bord: 

Emirates und BMW sorgen für zusätzliches internationales 

Flair, der ORF wird wieder live übertragen 

und die VIP-Area hat sich mit dem Drehen des 

Platzes für den European Tour Event als doppelt attraktiv 

erwiesen, wie Ali Al Khaffaf (Geschäftsführer 

Golf Open Event Gmbh) erklärt: „Es sind schon verhältnismäßig 

früh die ersten Anfragen für VIP- 

Tickets für die Lyoness Open 2015 eingetrudelt und 

wir werden uns einiges einfallen lassen, um diesen 

Bereich noch attraktiver zu gestalten. Logistisch 

wird es speziell wegen des Hotels eine Spur kniffliger 

als in den Jahren zuvor, weil nun große Stellflächen 

für die Tour-Trucks wegfallen.“ 

Aber nicht nur den VIPs wurde über die Jahre 

immer mehr geboten, auch die zigtausend Golffans 

dürfen sich auf jede Menge Spaß abseits der Fairways 

freuen. „Der Aussteller-Bereich ist zwar aufgrund 

der Gegebenheiten limitiert, die zahlreichen Attraktionen 

sind aber derart mannigfaltig, dass spannenden 

Tagen im Diamond Country Club nichts im 

Weg steht“, freut sich Ali Al Khaffaf schon wieder auf 

die Tage und eigentlich Wochen im Diamond 

Country Club: „Die Vorbereitungen sind in Wahrheit 

schon voll im Gang, bis zur Turnierwoche sind 

wir dann auch mit dem Feintuning durch.“ 

Von Augusta nach Tulln 

Der Burgenländer wird auch heuer wieder das 

Zugpferd der Lyoness Open sein. Und das mit einer 

noch nie dagewesenen Strahlkraft, „übersiedelt“ 

Wiesberger doch nach seinem furiosen Saisonstart 

zur PGA Tour in die USA und kommt erst knapp vor 

den Lyoness Open wieder nach Europa. 

Die von allen heimischen Golffans lang ersehnte 

Premiere eines Österreichers auf dem heiligen Rasen 

des Augusta National Golf Clubs wird es mit 99-prozentiger 

Wahrscheinlichkeit in der heurigen Saison 

geben: Als Nummer 36 der Golf-Weltrangliste 

(Stand Mitte Februar) ist Wiesberger so gut platziert 

wie noch kein Österreicher vor ihm. Als Belohnung 

winken Einladungen zu Top-Events der US PGA 

Tour, Starts bei den World Golf Championship 

Events und allen Majors mit dem US Masters als 

glorreichem Auftakt. 

Dass es mit einem Sieg in der heurigen Saison 

noch nicht geklappt hat, magerlt Bernd wohl ein 

bisschen, es überwiegt aber ohne Zweifel die Freude 

über den sensationellen Aufstieg in der Weltrangliste 

und alle damit verbundenen Annehmlichkeiten. 

Wiesberger ist zweifelsohne in der Weltspitze an- 

PHOTOS: GEPA PICTURES/CHRISTIAN WALGRAM; DIAMOND COUNTRY CLUB 

gekommen und allein das sollte und muss Anreiz 

genug sein, dem heimischen Golf-Aushängeschild 

bei seinem Heimturnier im Diamond Country Club 

kollektiv vor Ort die Daumen zu drücken. 

Lyoness – ein Partner mit Visionen 

Dass Bernd Wiesberger als „Trägerrakete“ derart 

sensationell durchstarten würde, war nicht nur für 

Hauptsponsor Lyoness nicht absehbar. Auch nicht, 

dass man mit dem Co-Sponsoring durch Greenfinity 

in kurzer Zeit ziemlich viele Türen geöffnet hat. 

Mathias Vorbach, Konzernsprecher von Lyoness: 

„Natürlich hatten wir ein gewisses Bild vor Augen, 

als wir vor fünf Jahren hier eingestiegen sind, speziell 

was Lyoness betrifft. Aber der Erfolg mit Greenfinity 

kam doch ein wenig überraschend.“ Selbst die European 

Tour hat das Thema „Greenfinity“ und Nachhaltigkeit 

zügig aufgegriffen und den European Tour 

Event im Diamond Country Club dahingehend als 

Leuchtturm-Projekt installiert. 

Auch die tolle Entwicklung im heimischen TV 

und die gelungene Kooperation mit dem ORF im 

Jahr 2014 freut Mathias Vorbach: „Mit den erweiterten 

Sendezeiten und dem „Sport am Sonntag“- 

Studio hier im Vorjahr hat das Turnier insgesamt 

einen neuen Stellenwert erhalten. Das ist vor allem 

dem persönlichen Einsatz einiger ORF-Mitarbeiter 

12. Februar – 12. April 2015 

Artists and Poets 

Kuratiert von Ugo Rondinone 

24. April – 21. Juni 2015 

Josef Strau 

Kristin Oppenheim 

secession 

Dorotheergasse 11, 1010 Vienna · Sun – Fri 10 am – 6 pm · www.jmw.at 

Friedrichstraße 12 

A-1010 Wien 

www.secession.at 



INFO 

several strongly committed people have worked tirelessly 

to promote and improve the event at the Diamond 

Country Club near Tulln to form a basis for 

bigger and better things to come. 

Christian Guzy, the owner of the facility and tireless 

mentor, has been one of them. The complex will 

be enriched by a few additions this year, driven forward 

by Christian Guzy. After continuous development 

of the Diamond Course over the past six years 

including construction of the boathouse, a driving 

range, the expansion of the Country Course, 2015 

welcomes a hotel opening, turning the top golf 

course into a top golf resort. Christian Guzy: “With 

the opening, we will have done the last major step for 

a reputable golf resort. The hotel also ensures a corresponding 

professional international presence.” 

Lyoness Open 

powered by Greenfinity 

Ort: Diamond Country 

Club 

Datum: 11.-14. Juni 2015 

Preisgeld: 1,5 Mio. Euro 

Location: Diamond 

Country Club 

Date: 11.-14. June 2015 

Prize Money: 

1.5 million euro 

www.lyonessopen.com 

www.countryclub.at 

Der Sieger der Lyoness 

Open 2014 sponsored 

by Greenfinity Mikael 

Lundberg, links Mathias 

Vorbach, Konzernsprecher 

Lyoness, rechts Christian 

Guzy, Präsident & Eigentümer 

Diamond Country Club. 

The winner of the Lyoness 

Open 2014 sponsored by 

Greenfinity, Mikael Lundberg. 

Left, Lyoness company 

spokesman Matthias Vorbach. 

Right, Christian Guzy, 

president and owner of the 

Diamond Country Club. 

wie etwa Michi Berger zu verdanken.“ 

Besonders gut angekommen sei auch das Drehen 

der Löcher und das damit verbundene Finale auf der 

eigentlich neunten Spielbahn, einem spannenden 

Par 3 mit Wasser bis vors Grün. „Das war von der 

Wahrnehmung her deutlich besser als in den Jahren 

zuvor, auch für die Spieler ist es extrem interessant. 

Das war eigentlich ein neuer Platz für sie“, zieht 

Vorbach auch hier ein positives Resümee. 

Für 2015 sind seitens Lyoness noch mehr Attraktionen 

und Interaktionen mit den Golffans geplant. 

Da gebe es noch Potenzial, sagt Vorbach. Und mit 

Bernd Wiesberger als Zugpferd werden heuer wohl 

so viele Golffans wie noch nie nach Atzenbrugg bei 

Tulln pilgern. 

On 11 June 2015, the first group of three tee 

off and practically start the Lyoness Open, 

writing Austrian sports history. With the increased 

prize money from one to 1.5 million euro, 

the 156 top European Tour golfers aim to land the 

highest prize money cheque ever to be issued in Austria. 

The happy winner of the Lyoness Open 2015 

will walk away with 250.000 euro. It’s a very positive 

development for golf, and this is due to the fact that 

The Long Shadow of the Lyoness Open 

The fact that stars from the European Tour will be 

present at the opening of the hotel makes for double 

the value. The good news for the fans is that besides 

the aforementioned increase in prize money and the 

resulting top-profile player attendance, the longterm 

partners are on board: Emirates and BMW provide 

for additional international flair, the ORF (Austrian 

Broadcasting Corporation) will broadcast live 

again, and the VIP area is now even more attractive 

due to the changes on the course. 

Ali Al Khaffaf (Chief Executive Officer of Golf 

Open Event Gmbh) explains: “The first requests for 

VIP tickets for the Lyoness Open 2015 started coming 

in relatively early and we will develop fresh 

ideas to make the area even more exciting. Logistically, 

it is more of a challenge now as we have less 

space for the tour trucks due to the hotel.” The added 

value is not only a pleasure for VIP guests, but 

thousands of fans of golf can enjoy the off course fun 

and benefits as well. “The exhibition area is somewhat 

limited, but the numerous attractions will provide 

for exhilarating days at the Diamond Country 

Club,” Ali Al Khaffaf is pleased to report. The days 

and weeks at the Diamond Country Club are eventful: 

“Preparations are already in full swing. We will 

fine tune a few details, and then the tournament is 

ready to begin.” 

From Augusta to Tulln 

The Burgenland local spearheads the Lyoness 

Open again this year. With unprecedented force, 

Wiesberger “emigrated” to the United States after his 

PHOTOS: GEPA PICTURES/ MARTIN HOERMANDINGER 

„Hole-in-one Preis“ – der neue BMW i8. 

“Hole in one prize” – the new BMW i8. 

powerful start in the season at the PGA and only 

“moves back” to Europe just in time for the Lyoness 

Open. The long awaited premiere of an Austrian on 

the sacred green of the Augusta National Golf Club 

will most likely come true for the local golf fans, with 

a probability of 99 percent. Ranked number 36 in the 

world as per mid-February, Wiesberger has achieved 

what no Austrian has done before him. Invitations to 

the top events in the US PGA tour are his reward, 

along with participation at the World Golf Championship 

events, starting with all majors in the US 

Masters. This year has not brought a victory to him 

yet, which irks him just a little. However, his extraordinary 

rise in the world ranking provides for delight, 

coupled with the amenities that come with it. Wiesberger 

has undoubtedly made it to the top and this 

alone should and will be encouragement enough to 

collectively support him during his home tournament 

at Diamond Country Club. 

Lyoness – a Partner with visions 

The sensational start by “launcher” Wiesberger 

couldn’t have been foreseen by main sponsor Lyoness. 

The co-sponsoring partnership with Greenfinity 

also opened many doors. Lyoness spokesman Mathias 

Vorbach said: “Of course we had a certain 

vision in mind when we came on board five years 

ago, especially with regard to Lyoness, but the success 

with Greenfinity came as a surprise.” The European 

Tour carries the “Greenfinity” theme along 

with its message of sustainability, which has as such 

been implemented as a beacon project for the European 

Tour Event at Diamond Country Club. Mathias 

Vorbach is pleased with the highly prosperous cooperation 

with the ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) 

in 2014 and its ensuing development in 

local TV: “The tournament has received an elevated 

status with the extended transmission times and the 

“Sport on Sunday” studio here last year. This is mostly 

thanks to the personal efforts of some ORF staff 

such as Michi Berger.” The course and the way shots 

were framed on TV were particularly well received. 

The final, essentially on the 9th hole, had an exciting 

par 3 and water right up to the green. Vorbach draws 

a positive conclusion, “It was a better perception to 

the previous years and highly interesting for the 

players. Actually, it was like a new course for them.” 

In 2015, more attractions and interaction is planned 

with the fans. Vorbach sees scope for potential and 

predicts that this year, with Bernd Wiesberger as the 

driving force, more fans of golf than ever will make 

their way to Atzenbrugg near Tulln. 

Bernd Wiesberger (re.) 

mit Caddie. 

Bernd Wiesberger, on the 

right, with caddy. 



111

SAVOIR-VIVRE WATCHES 

Genf tickt anders 

Geneva Ticks Differently 

Text: Michaela Hocek 

Was 1991 fünf Uhrenmarken initiierten, gilt 25 Jahre später als der exklusivste Uhrensalon 

der Welt. Das Jubiläum der SIHH wurde von aufsehenerregenden Neuheiten umrahmt. 

Five watch brands initiated a trade fair in 1991 which this year, 25 years later, still counts as 

the most exclusive fair for Fine Watchmaking in the world. The anniversary of the SIHH 

brought exciting news. 

Anfang des Jahres dreht sich in der Schweizer 

Metropole traditionell alles um erlesene 

Zeitmesser. Wenn der „Salon International 

de la Haute Horlogerie“ (SIHH) seine Pforten öffnet, 

sind 16 Aussteller – allen voran die Richemont- 

Gruppe – stolz, ihre neuesten Innovationen vorstellen 

zu dürfen. Der Spirit der Uhrenmanufakturen 

überträgt sich dank sensationeller Präsentationen 

auf ein ausgesuchtes internationales Publikum. In 

den Genuss der Präsentation der neuesten Modelle 

von A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Baume & 

Mercier, Cartier, Greubel Forsey, IWC, Jaeger- 

LeCoultre, Montblanc, Officine Panerai, Parmigiani 

Fleurier, Piaget, Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry, 

Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin 

und Van Cleef & Arpels kommen nur geladene 

Gäste. Auf 30.000 m² wird der Gipfel der Uhrmacherei 

erklommen. Die Räumlichkeiten in eleganten 

Farbtönen sind luxuriöser Rahmen, ohne vom 

Wesentlichen abzulenken. Die dicken Teppiche 

schlucken die Schritte der 14.500 Besucher. In jedem 

einzelnen Ausstellungsraum betritt man eine eigene 

Welt. Multimedia-Spektakel und Imagefilme lassen 

die Zuschauer großformatig in das Innere der Uhren 

vordringen, zeigen ihre Entstehungsgeschichte, erklären 

die Ideen dahinter. Die Dichte an CEOs, 

Produktentwicklern und Uhrmachern verschafft 

interessierten Einzelhändlern und Journalisten 

konzentriertes Wissen rund um neue Rekorde der 

Uhrenwelt. Umrahmt werden die Kollektionen von 

hochkarätigen Events. Das war auch zum diesjährigen 

25. Jubiläum nicht anders. Der traditionelle 

Fundraising Cocktail zugunsten des Genfer Roten 

Kreuzes durfte 2015 ebenso wenig fehlen wie exklusive 

Dinners und Partys der einzelnen Häuser mit 

Staraufgebot. Montblanc begrüßte beispielsweise 

Charlotte Casiraghi als neuen globalen Brand Ambassador. 

IWC freute sich über die Anwesenheit von 

Oscar-Preisträger Christoph Waltz. 

PROMINENZ. Mit Charlotte 

Casiraghi präsentierte 

Montblanc-CEO Jérôme 

Lambert einen elitären 

Brand Ambassador. 

CELEBRITIES. The CEO 

of Montblanc, Jérôme 

Lambert presented Charlotte 

Casiraghi as their elite brand 

ambassador. 

Traditionally, the beginning of the year in the 

Swiss capital is all about fine timepieces. 

When the SIHH opens its doors, 16 exhibitors 

– especially the Richemont Group – are proud to 

unveil their latest innovations. The spirit of watchmakers 

surrounds a carefully selected international 

audience with spectacular presentations by the exhibiting 

Maisons. Only invited guests can join to enjoy 

the display of the latest models by A. Lange & Söhne, 

Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Greubel 

Forsey, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Montblanc, Officine 

Panerai, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget, Ralph 

Lauren Watch & Jewelry, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, 

Vacheron Constantin and Van Cleef & Arpels. 

The 30,000 metres altitude is a perfect fit for the 

summit of Fine Watchmaking. Rooms in elegant colours 

provide a luxurious backdrop without distracting 

from the essentials. Thick carpets cushion the 

busy footsteps of the 14,500 visitors. Stepping into 

each showroom, one enters a world of its own. Multimedia 

spectacles and image films allow the visitor 

to delve into the interior of large-scale watches, reveal 

their history and explain the ideas behind them. 

The sheer number of CEOs, product developers and 

watchmakers gives interested retailers and journalists 

concentrated knowledge about new records 

from the world of watches. Collections are highlighted 

with spectacular events, and this year’s 25th anniversary 

was no different. The traditional fundraising 

cocktail to benefit the Geneva Red Cross was 

not to be missed in 2015 besides exclusive dinners 

and parties of the various Maisons with a lineup of 

stars. Montblanc, for example, greeted Charlotte Casiraghi 

as their new global brand ambassador. Oscar 

winner Christoph Waltz pleased IWC with his attendance. 

PHOTOS: FRANÇOIS GOIZÉ, HERSTELLER 


Vacheron Constantin. 

„Mécaniques Gravées 

Tourbillon 14 Tage“ ist eine 

der beiden Neuheiten der 

Linie „Métiers d’Art“. Das 

Platingehäuse (41 mm) gibt 

den Blick auf das Tourbillonkaliber 

mit aufwendig 

gravierten Komponenten frei. 

“Mécaniques Gravées 14-day 

Tourbillon” is one of the latest 

pieces from the Métiers d’Art 

line. The platinum case (41 

mm) gives a clear view on the 

Tourbillon calibre with 

elaborately engraved 

components. 



113


INFO 

SIHH 2015 

Im Zuge des „Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie“ werden in Genf die Uhren der 

Superlative präsentiert. Heuer jährte sich das Event der hohen Uhrmacherkunst zum 25. Mal. 

Vom 19. bis 23. Jänner präsentierten 16 Maisons ihre aufsehenerregenden Innovationen und 

Weltneuheiten. Materialien wie Carbotech, Kautschuk-Lünetten mit Diamantbesatz und 

höchste Komplikationen in neuen Arrangements faszinierten 14.500 Besucher. 

Magnificent watches are presented at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva. 

This year, the event for Fine Watchmaking was held for the 25 th time. From 19 to 23 

January, 16 Maisons presented their sensational innovations and world news. Materials such 

as Carbotech, rubber bezels set with diamonds and intricate complications in new 

arrangements fascinated 14,500 visitors. 

A. Lange & Söhne. 

In „Zeitwerk Minutenrepetition“ 

wurde erstmals die 

Sprungziffernanzeige mit 

einer dezimalen Minutenrepetition 

vereint. Der komplexe 

Schlagwerkmechanismus 

steckt im 771-teiligen 

Manufakturkaliber L043.5. 

The mechanical display 

elements separately sample 

the number of hours, 

ten-minute intervals, and 

minutes acoustically with a 

minute repeater. This 

complex striking mechanism 

using the calibre is the 

771-part L043.5. 

Audemars Piguet. 

Ein starker Name und ein 

Höchstmaß an Femininität 

sind bezeichnend für die 

spektakuläre Manschettenuhr 

„Diamond Punk Haute 

Joaillerie“ mit mehr als 

8.000 Diamanten und klaren 

geo metrischen Linien. Neben 

den neuen Royal-Oak- 

Modellen und der „Millenary 

Quadriennium“ mit 

Vierjahreskalender ist diese 

opulente Extravaganz 

zweifellos ein beeindruckendes 

Stück Fachkompetenz. 

A strong brand name as well 

as a high degree of femininity 

are indicative of the 

spectacular cuff watch with 

over 8,000 diamonds and 

clean geometric lines: 

“Diamond Punk Haute 

Joaillierie”. In addition to the 

new Royal Oak models and 

the Millenary Quadriennium 

with a four year calendar, this 

opulent extravagance is 

undoubtedly an impressive 

piece of expertise. 

Baume & Mercier. 

Silberfarbene Guillochierung 

auf dem Zifferblatt und 

„Côtes de Genève“ und 

Phi-Symbol auf der Rückseite: 

„Classima“ (Ref. M0A10214) 

überzeugt mit schlanken 

Proportionen und moderner 

Linienführung. 

Embellished with a 

silver-coloured guilloché 

pattern on the dial and “Côtes 

de Genève” with a phi symbol 

on the back: “Classima” (ref. 

M0A10214) convinces with 

slender proportions and 

modern lines. 

Cartier. 

Die vollständig mit Diamanten 

ausgefasste „Rêves de 

Panthères“ aus Weißgold 

katapultiert die Ikone der 

Marke als Trio in eine 

imposante Tag/Nacht-Kulisse. 

Die Uhrzeit wird im sich 

ständig ändernden Spiel der 

auf und untergehenden 

Himmelskörper angezeigt. 

Fully surrounded with 

diamonds, “Rêves de 

Panthères” made of white 

gold catapults the icon of the 

brand as a trio into an 

impressive day/night setting. 

The time is displayed in the 

ever-changing game of the 

rising and setting heavenly 

bodies. 

IWC. 

Mit „Portugieser Handaufzug 

Acht Tage Edition 75th 

Anniversary“ wird das 

Jubiläum der Kollektion mit 

fast originalgetreuem Design 

stilgerecht begangen. 

Limitiert auf 175 (Rotgold) 

bzw. 750 (Stahl) Stück. 

The anniversary of the 

collection is celebrated true 

to the original style with the 

“Portugieser Hand-Wound 

Eight Days Edition 75 th 

Anniversary”, limited to 175 

(pink gold) and 750 (steel) 

pieces. 

PHOTOS: MORVAN ALAIN/ NENCIOLI GILBERT, HERSTELLER 

Jaeger-LeCoultre. 

Die „Rendez-Vous Moon“ 

wurde für 972 Jahre absolute 

Präzision konzipiert. 

The “Rendez-Vous Moon” has 

been designed for absolute 

precision for 972 years. 

Montblanc. 

Limited Edition: „Heritage Chronométrie 

ExoTourbillon Minute 

Chronograph Vasco da Gama“. 

Limited edition: “Heritage 

Chronométrie Exo Tourbillon 

Minute Chronograph Vasco da 

Gama”. 

Entspannt in den Frühling 

JUBILÄUM. Die Uhrenwelt 

wird seit 1991 in Genf neu 

definiert. 

ANNIVERSARY. The world of 

watches has been redefined in 

Geneva since 1991. 

Die Sonnenstrahlen werden immer wärmer, bald recken die ersten Blumen ihre Köpfe 

aus der Erde und die Wiesen färben sich in saftigem Grün – der Frühling hält Einzug 

auf dem Seefelder Hochplateau. Erleben Sie diese einzigartige Jahreszeit im Interalpen- 

Hotel Tyrol und genießen Sie feinste Kulinarik, ein luxuriöses Spa und exquisiten Service. 

Zwei Übernachtungen inklusive Spa-Gutschein ab € 393. Mehr Informationen auf www.interalpen.com 



115


Wie sagt man Urlaub auf Italienisch? 

[Costa] 

Panerai. 

Mit „Luminor Submersible 

1950 Carbotech 3 Days 

Automatic“ steht einmal mehr 

technische und optische 

Materialinnovation in der 

Haute Horlogerie – in diesem 

Fall Carbotech – auf dem 

Programm. Das Automatikkaliber 

P.9000 sorgt für eine 

Gangreserve von 72 Stunden. 

With the “Luminor 

Submersible 1950 Carbotech 

3 Days Automatic”, 

technical and visual material 

innovation in the Haute 

Horlogerie is once more in 

focus – this time, it’s 

Carbotech. The automatic 

calibre P.9000 offers a power 

reserve of 72 hours. 

INFO 

Parmigiani. 

Zehn Jahre währt die 

Partnerschaft von Bugatti und 

Parmigiani bereits. Zum 

Jubiläum gibt es drei neue 

Modelle – eines davon ist 

„Bugatti Mythe“. Die Uhr 

greift das quer angeordnete 

Uhrwerk des Erstlings „Type 

370“ auf und fasziniert mit 

avantgardistischer Optik. 

Raue, anthrazitgraue Flächen 

wechseln sich mit glatten, 

goldenen ab und spiegeln die 

Verbindung von Industrie und 

Handwerk wider. 

Celebrating a decade of the 

partnership between Bugatti 

and Parmigiani. For the 

anniversary, three new 

models are unveiled – one of 

them being the “Bugatti 

Mythe”. The watch repeats 

details from the avant-garde 

transverse movement design 

of the first Type 370 and 

fascinates with its 

avant-garde look. Rough, 

anthracite gray surfaces 

alternate with smooth, golden 

ones and reflect the 

combination of industry and 

craft. 

Piaget. 

„Piaget Altiplano“ wurde 

erstmals seit Bestehen der 

Kollektion mit Goldarmbändern 

und wahlweise mit 

polierter oder Brillant-Lünette 

ausgestattet. Die ultraflache 

Ikone der Manufaktur zeigt 

Stunden und Minuten, ist mit 

Genfer Streifen, perlierter 

Werkplatte sowie anglierten 

Brücken veredelt und verfügt 

zudem über 42 Stunden 

Gangreserve. 

“Piaget Altiplano” was, for 

the first time in the history of 

the collection, fitted with gold 

bracelets and optionally with 

a smooth or diamond bezel. 

The ultra-slim icon of the 

Maison indicates hours and 

minutes, is decorated with 

Geneva stripes, a stippled 

main plate, bevelled bridges 

and offers a 42-hour power 

reserve. 

Richard Mille. 

Die Magnolienblüte mit 

Blättern aus Weißgold der 

„RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur“ 

öffnet und schließt sich und 

gibt im ständigen Wechsel für 

fünf Minuten den Blick auf 

den Tourbillonkäfig frei. 

The magnolia flower with 

leaves in white gold on the 

“RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur” 

opens and closes and allows 

for a view of the tourbillon 

cage while changing 

constantly for five minutes. 

Roger Dubuis. 

Skelettierung des Gehäuses, 

Zeigers und Höhenrings 

sowie die weltweit erste 

edelsteinbesetzte Lünette aus 

Kautschuk: Mit „Excalibur 

Spider Skelett Fliegendes 

Doppeltourbillon“ werden die 

Grenzen des Uhrenhandwerks 

neu ausgelotet. 

By thinning the case, the 

limits of watch making craft 

are redefined with the hands 

and dial ring on the “Excalibur 

Spider Skeleton Flying 

Tourbillon” as well as 

displaying the world’s first 

bejewelled rubber bezel. 

PHOTOS: HERSTELLER 

Inklusive 

NIKI Flug 

Zauberhaftes Mittelmeer 

ab Wien 

mit der Costa Diadema 

7 Tage Kreuzfahrt ab Savona inkl. NIKI Flug 

Wien - Genua - Wien und Transfer zum Hafen Savona/retour 

samstags 6. Juni - 21. November 2015 

Frühbucher Extra Preis* ab € 699 p.P. zzgl. Serviceentgelt* 

Barcelona 

Marseille 

Palma 

de Mallorca 

Savona 

La Spezia 

Florenz 

Neapel 

SIHH 2015 

Uhrensalon Genf/Salon 

International de la Haute 

Horlogerie Geneva 

www.sihh.org 

Beratung und Buchung im Reisebüro 

www.costakreuzfahrten.at 

Mo - So 0 - 24 Uhr, Tel. 0732/239 239 


*Basis 2-Bett Innenkabine Classic. Preisbeispiel: 14. u. 21.11.2015. Die Frühbucher-Extra Ermäßigung von € 200 p.P. bei Buchung bis 31.03.2015 ist im Preis bereits berücksichtigt. Limit. 

Kontingent! Die Frühbucher Extra und Frühbucher Ermäßigung gelten nicht für Oberbetten. Zzgl. Serviceentgelt i. H. v. max. € 8,50 p.P./ohne Servicebeanstandung an Bord verbrachter Nacht. 

Für Kinder zwischen 4 und 14 Jahren werden 50% des Serviceentgelts erhoben. Costa Kreuzfahrten, Niederlassung der Costa Crociere S. p. A. (Genua), Am Sandtorkai 39, 20457 Hamburg.

SAVOIR-VIVRE PRAGUE 

Glänzende Tage in der Goldenen Stadt 

Shiny Days in the Golden City 

Text: Gerald Sturz 

HOTELTIPP 

Prag ist der ideale 

Ort, um ein gleichermaßen 

entspanntes 

wie spannendes 

Wochenende zu 

verbringen. 

Prague is the ideal 

place to enjoy a 

relaxed but also an 

exciting weekend. 

PHOTOS: GERALD STURZ 

Etwas mehr als vier Stunden dauert die Fahrt 

mit dem Railjet, dem Hochgeschwindigkeitszug 

der Österreichischen Bundesbahnen, von 

Wiens Hauptbahnhof nach Praha hlavní nádraží, 

dem Hauptbahnhof von Prag. Eine gute Zeit, um ein 

wenig Distanz zum Alltag zu gewinnen und sich auf 

ein wunderbares Wochenende zu freuen. 

Zwei, drei Tage sind vermutlich nicht genug, um 

alle Sehenswürdigkeiten und Annehmlichkeiten der 

Stadt kennenzulernen. Aber lassen Sie es uns 

dennoch versuchen. 

Wer sich zuerst einmal einen guten Überblick 

über die Stadt verschaffen will, wird den Hradschin, 

den Burgberg, besteigen. Man macht das am besten 

gleich am frühen Morgen, nach einem guten Frühstück 

im Hotel und bevor noch die Touristenmassen 

in Autobussen angekarrt werden. Wenn man von 

hier oben auf die Stadt blickt, dann versteht man, 

warum Prag auch die „Goldene Stadt“ genannt wird, 

und die „Stadt der tausend Türme“: Unter einem 

reckt und streckt sich tatsächlich eine Unzahl an 

Türmen und Türmchen hoch, glänzen Kuppeln im 

Licht der langsam hochsteigenden Sonne. Von hier 

sieht man viele der Sehenswürdigkeiten der Stadt: 

die Karlsbrücke, die die Moldau überquert, die 

Kirche der Jungfrau Maria vor dem Teyn mit ihren 

Spitztürmchen und Giebeln, das Konzertgebäude 

Rudolfinum, den Fernsehturm. 

Hier oben residierte also der kunstsinnige 

Rudolf II., der als Kaiser des Heiligen Römischen 

Reiches am Ende des 16. Jahrhunderts seine Residenz 

von Wien nach Prag verlegte. Man kann es dem 

Habsburger nicht verdenken, dass er lieber an der 

Moldau lebte als an der Donau. Heute ist der 

Hradschin Sitz des tschechischen Präsidenten. 

Durch enge Gassen geht es dann runter nach Malá 

Strana, der so genannten „Kleinseite“. Nach all den 

frühmorgendlichen Anstrengungen ist Zeit für eine 

Pause. Prag hatte einst eine Kaffeehauskultur, die 

jener Wiens durchaus ebenbürtig war. Das Café Savoy 

(cafesavoy.ambi.cz), ein prächtiges Art- déco-Kaffeehaus 

an der Vítězná, erinnert an diese Zeit. Wir laben 

uns an köstlichen Patisserien und Café au lait Savoy, 

der mit Schokolade und Zimt angereichert wird. 

Es ist Zeit, das Ufer zu wechseln. Wir überqueren 

die Moldau von der Kleinseite, der Malá Strana, nach 

Staré Město, der Altstadt, und finden uns zwischen 

all den Kirchen, Palästen und Bürgerhäusern wieder, 

die wir vom Hradschin aus gesehen haben. Staunend 

wandern wir durch die engen Gassen. 

Ein riesiger roter Totenkopf am Dach des Museums DOX. 

A giant red skull on the roof of the DOX Museum. 

Zwei sehr auffällige Gebäude, die aus dem 

Ensemble herausragen, wollen wir bei dieser Gelegenheit 

erwähnen. Da ist einmal das Haus zur 

Schwarzen Mutter Gottes, ein Meisterwerk des 

tschechischen Kubismus. Im ersten Stock des eigenwilligen 

Gebäudes befindet sich das Grand Café 

Orient (grandcafeorient.cz), das sich konsequent an 

die Formensprache dieser besonderen Variante des 

Kubismus hält – und das nicht nur bei der Innengestaltung, 

sondern auch bei den Speisen: Hier ist 

der Venecky, der traditionelle Germteigkranz, quadratisch 

statt rund. 

Ein anderes recht auffälliges Gebäude nennt sich 

„Ginger und Fred“. Frank O. Gehry und Vlado 

Milunic, die beiden Architekten, hatten Fred Astaire 

und Ginger Rogers, das Traumpaar der klassischen 

Hollywood-Tanzfilme, im Kopf, als sie dieses 

tänzelnd leichte und frivol-elegante Gebäude entwarfen. 

Weil uns aber vor allem das historische, das klassische 

Prag interessiert, werfen wir uns jetzt in das 

Getümmel in der Altstadt. Dass es hier etliche Touristen 

gibt, die wegen ihrer Leibesfülle lieber mit 

dem Segway durch die Stadt kurven als sie zu Fuß zu 

erkunden, nehmen wir mit Amusement zur Kenntnis. 

Ihnen wird viel entgehen. 

Dass Prag in Sachen Kulinarik längst viel mehr zu 

bieten hat als Braten, Knödel und Bier, können wir 

im Restaurant La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise 

(ladegustation.cz, +420 222 311 234; eine Reservierung 

wird eindringlich empfohlen) erfahren. Was 

Küchenchef Oldřich Sahajdák hier seinen Gästen 

bietet, ist wahrlich ein Erlebnis. Seine Interpretation 

einer klassischen böhmischen Küche ist schlicht 

atemberaubend. 

The Augustine 

Der Name des Hotels spielt 

auf seine Geschichte an: 

Was heute eines der 

elegantesten und besten 

Häuser Prags ist, war einst 

ein Kloster der Augustiner 

Mönche. Das Gebäude am 

Fuß des Hradschin stammt 

aus dem 13. Jahrhundert, 

wurde jedoch mit viel 

Feingefühl zeitgemäß 

adaptiert. Gutes 

Restaurant, toller Spa, 

lässige Bar, eine Oase der 

Ruhe. Das Augustine 

gehört zur prestigeträchtigen 

Gruppe der Leading 

Hotels of the World. 

The name of the hotel has 

its origin in the building’s 

history. It was once a 

monastery of Augustinian 

monks and remains one of 

the most elegant and best 

houses in Prague today. 

The building at the foot of 

the castle dates from the 

13th century and has been 

adapted over time with 

much finesse. A good 

restaurant, great spa, a 

casual bar – an oasis of 

calm. The Augustine 

belongs to the prestigious 

group of the Leading 

Hotels of the World. 

The Augustine 

Letenská 12/33 

+420 266 11 22 33 

lhw.com/augustine 



SAVOIR-VIVRE PRAGUE 

HOTELTIPP 

Hotel Diplomat 

Das Vier-Sterne-Hotel der 

Vienna-International- 

Hotels-Gruppe liegt im 

ruhigen Diplomatenviertel, 

unweit des historischen 

Stadtzentrums, und ist 

daher vor allem für 

Geschäftsreisende 

geeignet. Ein Business 

Center und ein Wellnessbereich 

machen das Hotel 

Diplomat auch zu einer 

idealen Location für 

Konferenzen und 

Meetings. 

The four- star hotel of 

Vienna International Hotels 

Group is located in the 

quiet diplomatic district, 

close to the historic city 

center, and is therefore 

particularly suitable for 

business travelers. 

A business center and a 

spa make the Hotel 

Diplomat also an ideal 

location for conferences 

and meetings. 

Hotel Diplomat 

Evropská 15 

+420 296 559 171 

diplomathotel.cz 

Der neue jüdische Friedhof 

im Stadtteil Žižkov und Blick 

vom Hausberg Petřín auf 

die Stadt. 

The new Jewish cemetery in 

the area of Žižkov and views 

from the mountain Petřín 

overlooking the city. 

Auf die jüdische Geschichte der Stadt stößt man 

an vielen Stellen. Vor allem im Stadtteil Josefov, der 

einst das jüdische Getto bildete. Der alte jüdische 

Friedhof mit seinen mehr als 12.000 Grabsteinen ist 

sehenswert. In Josefov befindet sich auch die 

Pařížská, die heute die schickste Einkaufsstraße der 

Stadt ist. 

Zwei Stadtteile außerhalb des Zentrums sind einen 

Besuch wert. In Holeŝovice befindet sich das 

DOX (dox.cz), das 2008 eröffnete Zentrum für zeitgenössische 

Kunst. Der Stadtteil Žižkov befindet sich 

östlich des Stadtzentrums, ist wegen seines Fernsehturms 

unübersehbar und das aktuelle Szeneviertel 

Prags mit Galerien, originellen Lokalen, interessanten 

Läden und Musikclubs. 

Zum Abschluss werfen wir noch einen Blick auf 

Prag. Zu diesem Zweck machen wir das, was viele 

Prager an einem Sonntag tun: Wir fahren mit der 

Standseilbahn, dem Funicular, auf den Petřín, der 

eine Art Hausberg der Stadt ist. Oben im Petřín Park 

kaufen wir uns ein Trdelník, einen in Zimtzucker 

gewalzten Germkringel, und besteigen dann den 

Aussichtsturm. Ach, dieser Blick! Hier liegt uns Prag 

zu Füßen. Der Abschied von der „Goldenen Stadt“ 

fällt schwer. 

Etwas mehr als vier Stunden – und wir sind 

zurück in Wien. 

It takes slightly more than four hours with the 

Rail jet, the high speed train of the Austrian Federal 

Railways (ÖBB), to go from Vienna Main 

Station to Praha Hlavni Nadrazi, the main train station 

in Prague. It’s a good opportunity to distance 

yourself from everyday life, and enjoy a wonderful 

weekend. 

Two or three days are probably not enough to get 

to know the attractions and features of the city. But 

let’s try! Whoever wants to get a good view over the 

city has to climb the Hradcany, the Castle Hill. The 

best time to do this is in the early morning, after a 

good breakfast at the hotel, before the tourist crowds 

arrive in their buses. As one gazes over the city, it is 

immediately clear why Prague is called the “Golden 

City” and the “City of 1000 Towers”. Looking down 

at the city below, there are indeed a myriad of towers 

and turrets, and shining domes which reflect the 

light of the slowly rising sun. 

From here, many of the city’s sights can be seen: 

the Charles Bridge which crosses the Vltava River, 

the Church of Our Lady before Tyn with its pointed 

turrets and gables, the concert hall Rudolfinum and 

the Television Tower. 

The art loving Rudolf II lived here, and as Emperor 

of the Holy Roman Empire, moved his residence 

from Vienna to Prague towards the end of the 

16th century. One can‘t blame the Habsburger for 

preferring to live at the Vltava River rather than at 

the Danube. Today, the castle is the seat of the Czech 

President. Narrow streets lead down to Mala Strana, 

the so-called “little quarter”. After all the early morning 

effort, it’s time for a break. Prague once had a 

coffee house culture almost equal to the one in Vienna. 

The Savoy Café (cafesavoy.ambi.cz) – a beautiful 

art-deco coffee house at the Vítězná – is reminiscent 

of these times. We refresh ourselves with 

delicious pastries and cafe au lait Savoy, which is 

enriched with chocolate and cinnamon. 

Now, it‘s time to change river banks. We cross the 

Vltava River at “little quarter” Mala Strana to Staré 

Město, the old town, and find ourselves amongst the 

churches, palaces and townhouses which we already 

spotted from the Hradcany. The walk is filled with 

awe, passing through narrow streets. Two very 

striking buildings worth mentioning stand out from 

the others. One of them is the House of the black 

Madonna, a masterpiece of Czech Cubism. The 

Grand Cafe Orient (grandcafeorient.cz) is located 

on the first floor of this unconventional building, 

which consistently adheres to the design language 

of this particular type of Cubism – not only reflected 

in the interior design, but also in the food: here 

the Venecky, the traditional wreath of yeast dough, 

PHOTOS: GERALD STURZ 

is square instead of round. 

Another remarkable building is called “Ginger 

and Fred”. The architects Frank O. Gehry and Vlado 

Milunic had Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the 

dream pair of classic Hollywood dance films, in 

mind when they designed the prancing and frivolously 

elegant building. But as we’re interested in the 

classic, historic Prague, we throw ourselves into the 

turmoil of the old town. There are quite a few corpulent 

tourists who prefer to cruise on a Segway 

through the city instead of walking. Amused, we 

take note, as they will overlook many interesting 

things whilst exploring. 

Prague has much more to offer than roasts, 

dumplings and beer. You can experience many culinary 

delights in the restaurant La Degustation 

Bohême Bourgeoise (ladegustation.cz, Tel: + 420 

222 311 234; a reservation is strongly recommended). 

What chef Oldřich Sahajdák offers his guests 

is an experience to behold. His interpretation of 

classic Czech cuisine is breathtaking. 

Jewish history is visible in many places in the 

city, especially in the Josefov district, which once 

formed the Jewish ghetto. It is worth seeing the old 

Jewish cemetery with more than 12,000 gravestones. 

Two districts outside the centre should not be 

missed. The DOX (dox.cz) Centre for contemporary 

art which opened in 2008 is located in Holesovice. 

South of the centre is where you find the 

Žižkov district, and is hard to miss due to its distinctive 

TV tower. It is currently the main scene of 

the Prague music clubs, galleries and interesting 

shops. As we come to the end of our journey, do 

what many citizens of Prague do on a Sunday: we 

take the funicular up to the Petrin, which is one of 

the city’s hills. In the Petrin Park, we buy a Trdelník, 

a yeast donut rolled in cinnamon sugar, and ascend 

the observation tower. Oh, what a view! Here, 

Prague lays at our feet. Saying goodbye to the “Golden 

City” is sad. A little more than four hours, and 

we are back in Vienna. 

BUSINESS AND LEISURE - 4 TIMES IN PRAGUE 

andel‘s Hotel | angelo Hotel | Chopin Hotel | Diplomat Hotel 


VI-HOTELS.COM 


121

SAVOIR-VIVRE SUITE DREAMS 

Hotel Sacher, Vienna 

Präsidenten Penthouse Suite „Pelléas et Mélisande“, Hotel Sacher Wien 

Interview: Evelyn Rois 

Hoteldirektor Reiner Heilmann über 

die Präsidenten Suite des 

Hotel Sacher Wien. 

Hotel Manager Reiner Heilmann talks 

about the Presidential Suite at the 

Hotel Sacher Vienna. 

Seit der amerikanische Präsident Woodrow Wilson in seiner 

Amtszeit von 1913 bis 1921 seine spezifischen Anforderungen 

an ein Hotelzimmer für seine Amtsreisen formulierte, 

verfügt jedes Fünfsternehotel über eine Presidential oder 

Royal Suite für höchste Würdenträger und Staatsgäste. 

Cercle Diplomatique hat Hoteldirektor Reiner Heilmann um 

ein paar Worte zur Präsidenten Penthouse Suite „Pelléas et 

Mélisande“ des Hotel Sacher Wien gebeten. 

Since the American President Woodrow Wilson formulated 

his specific requirements of a hotel room for his work travels 

during his time in office from 1913 to 1921, every five star hotel 

has a Presidential or Royal Suite for dignitaries and state guests. 

Cercle Diplomatique asked the hotel manager Reiner Heilmann 

for a few words about the Presidential Penthouse Suite “Pelléas 

et Mélisande” in the Hotel Sacher Vienna. 

Wie viele Räumlichkeiten und welche besonderen Fazilitäten stehen dem Gast der 

Präsidenten Suite im Hotel Sacher zur Verfügung? 

Die Präsidenten Penthouse Suite „Pelléas et Mélisande“ beeindruckt durch ihre Größe von 110 m2 und lässt sich mit der „Nurejev“ Suite 

auf 175 m2 erweitern. Die großzügige Dachterrasse eröffnet ein einzigartiges Panorama über die Staatsoper, Stephansdom und die 

Hofburg, sogar das Wiener Riesenrad erscheint zum Greifen nahe. 

Wie würden Sie den Stil der Präsidenten Suite „Pelléas et Mélisande“ charakterisieren – mit 

welchen Kunstwerken, Antiquitäten oder Besonderheiten kann die Suite aufwarten? 

Ein Kamin, ein großer Esstisch, ein separates Arbeitszimmer, Original-Kunstwerke und hochwertiges Interieur prägen den exklusiven 

Charakter der in rot gehaltenen Penthouse Präsidenten Suite. In den Sommermonaten bietet sich den Gästen der Suite ein (kostenloser) 

musikalischer Genuss: Wenn auf dem Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz die Opernaufführungen live ausgestrahlt werden, kann man von der Suite 

wunderbar den Klängen lauschen. 

Welches außergewöhnliche Service Ihres Hauses für die Gäste der Suite erfüllt Sie mit besonderem Stolz? 

Die persönliche Betreuung durch die rund 380 Mitarbeiter des Hauses: Im Sacher kommen auf einen Gast zwei Mitarbeiter, was auch 

unter den besten Hotels der Welt eine Ausnahmeerscheinung darstellt. 

Welche speziellen Herausforderungen für den normalen Betrieb des Hauses ergeben sich 

durch den Aufenthalt eines hohen Gastes? 

Diskretion und Fingerspitzengefühl sind Pflicht, selbstverständlich wird auch die hausinterne Security nach Bedarf verstärkt. 

Welche prominenten Gäste durften Sie schon in der Suite empfangen? 

Die diskrete Abgeschiedenheit der Präsidenten Suiten im Herzen Wiens wussten bereits Edward VIII, Wallis Simpson, Elizabeth II, Prinz 

Philip, Fürst Rainier, Gracia Patricia, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan und viele mehr zu schätzen. In der jüngeren Vergangenheit waren Rihanna, 

Bruce Willis und Lewis Hamilton zu Gast im Hotel Sacher. 

Wie ist die Präsidenten Penthouse Suite „Pelléas et Mélisande“ zu ihrem Namen gekommen? 

Alle Suiten im Hotel Sacher sind nach berühmten Opern benannt. Als zusätzliches Detail befindet sich in jeder Suite ein Exemplar des 

Theaterprogramms der Erstaufführung aus dem Archiv des Wiener Theatermuseums. 

PHOTOS: HOTEL SACHER WIEN 

How many rooms and what kind of special facilities are available to the guests of the Sacher Hotel’s Presidential Suite? 

The Presidential Penthouse Suite “Pelléas et Mélisande” impresses with its 110m2 and can be expanded to 175m2 in combination with the 

“Nurejev” Suite. The spacious roof terrace offers a unique view over the State Opera, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Palace. Even 

the Wiener Riesenrad (Vienna Ferris wheel) seems within reach. 

How would you characterise the style of the Presidential Suite “Pelléas et Mélisande”? What type of art works, 

antiques or other special things can the suite impress with? 

A fireplace, a large dining table, a separate study, original artwork and high quality rugs define the exclusive character in the Presidential 

Penthouse Suite, held in red. During the summer months, guests of the suite get to enjoy a (free) musical pleasure: when the opera 

performances are broadcasted live on the Herbert von Karajan square, one is able to listen to the wonderful sounds from within the suite. 

Which exceptional service does your hotel offer for guests of the suite that you are particularly proud of? 

The personal attention from the approximately 380 employees of the hotel. In Hotel Sacher, there are two employees to every guest, 

which is exceptional even among the best hotels in the world. 

What special challenges does day-to-day operation of the hotel face as a result of the stay of an important guest? 

Discretion and tact are mandatory, of course. The in-house security will be enhanced if necessary. 

Which celebrity guests could you already welcome in the suite? 

The discreet seclusion of the Presidential Suite in the heart of Vienna were already appreciated by Edward VIII., Wallis Simpson, Elizabeth 

II., Prince Philip, Prince Rainier, Princess Grace, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and many more. In the recent past, Rihanna, Bruce Willis and 

Lewis Hamilton were guests at the Hotel Sacher. 

How did the “Pelléas et Mélisande” Presidential Penthouse Suite get its name? 

All Suites at the Hotel Sacher are named after famous operas. As an additional detail, there is a copy of the theatre programme from the 

premiere – from the archive of the Vienna Theatre Museum. 

INFO: 

HOTEL SACHER WIEN 

Philharmonikerstraße 4 

1010 Wien 

+43 (0) 1 514 560 




SAVOIR-VIVRE CHECK IN 

Hotel Meliá Vienna 

Ein Gespräch mit Hoteldirektorin Dorothea Schuster. | A conversation with General Manager Dorothea Schuster. 


Etage befindet sich ein Ballsaal mit Terrasse und Blick auf die 

Donau. Spektakulär für besondere Veranstaltungen sind unser 

„57 Restaurant & Lounge“ für bis zu 110 Personen sowie unsere 

drei Private-Dining-Räumlichkeiten für bis zu 12 Personen auf 

der 57. Etage. 

PHOTOS: MELIÁ HOTELS 2014 

Wodurch zeichnet sich Ihr Hotel aus? 

Das Meliá Vienna zeichnet sich durch die besondere Freundlichkeit 

unserer Mitarbeiter und die spanische Atmosphäre im Hotel 

aus. Ich bin sehr stolz, so viele verschiedene Nationalitäten, 

Sprachen und Kulturen bei uns im Team zu haben. Das schätzen 

auch unsere internationalen Gäste sehr. Hinzu kommen natürlich 

das einzigartige Design des Hotels und unser spektakuläres 

„57 Restaurant & Lounge“ in der obersten Etage des höchsten 

Gebäudes in Österreich. 

Können Sie Botschaften und Delegationen Special Deals 

anbieten? 

Bei Übernachtungen bieten wir spezielle Firmenkundenraten an. 

Die Gäste genießen zusätzlich Vorteile wie kostenfreies Wi-Fi und 

Minibar. Es freut mich zu sehen, dass sehr viele dieser Gäste auch 

unseren Business Lunch im „57 Restaurant & Lounge“ bzw. auch 

das Mittagsbuffet im „flow Restaurant“ in Anspruch nehmen. 

Welche Suiten können Sie anbieten? 

Das Herzstück des Hauses ist unsere Präsidentensuite mit 220 m2 

und herrlichem Blick auf die Stadt Wien. Zusätzlich haben wir vier 

Mastersuiten, die aufgrund der räumlichen Gegebenheiten – 

getrenntes Wohn- und Schlafzimmer – sehr gerne über einen 

längeren Zeitraum gebucht werden. 

Wie sieht es mit Sicherheitsvorkehrungen aus? 

Wir haben vor sowie im Hotel Kameras. Die Bilder werden auf 

Videobändern festgehalten. Zusätzlich können die Hotellifte nur 

mit eigens kodierten Zimmerkarten benutzt werden. Sie fahren 

nur das Stockwerk an, auf dem sich das Zimmer befindet. 

Außerdem lassen sich durch die außergewöhnliche Architektur 

bestimmte Hotelbereiche gut separieren. 

Können Sie auf spezielle Ernährungsbedürfnisse eingehen, 

wie koschere oder Halal-Kost? 

Unser Executive Chef Siegfried Kröpfl ist ein Experte beim Thema 

Ernährung. Er selbst hat bereits zwei Kochbücher über veganes 

Kochen herausgebracht und geht gerne auf die persönlichen 

Bedürfnisse unserer Gäste ein. 

Welche Business Facilities bieten Sie? 

Wir haben neben unserer „flow Bar“, die ein zentraler Treffpunkt 

für unsere Geschäftsreisenden ist, ein Businesscenter. Zusätzlich 

bieten wir im ganzen Hotel kostenfreies Wi-Fi an. 

Welche Veranstaltungs- bzw. Banketträumlichkeiten, 

die für Botschaftsempfänge geeignet sind, haben Sie? 

Das Einzigartige im Meliá Vienna ist, dass wir sehr viele 

Spielflächen auf unterschiedlichen Ebenen haben. 

Wir haben neun lichtdurchflutete Meetingräume mit 

modernster Audio- und Videotechnik. In der ersten 

What distinguishes your hotel from the competition? 

The Meliá Vienna stands out due to the high level of friendliness 

exhibited by our employees, and the hotel’s Spanish atmosphere. 

I’m particularly proud to have a multicultural team that speaks 

different languages and has diverse cultural backgrounds. That’s 

something our international guests also value very highly. Then 

there’s the hotel’s unique design, and our spectacular ‘57 

Restaurant & Lounge‘, on the top floor of Austria’s highest 

building. 

Can you offer embassies and delegations special deals? 

We offer special corporate rates on overnight stays. Guests also 

enjoy benefits like free Wi-Fi and minibar. It pleases me to see 

that many guests also enjoy our business lunch in the ‘57 Restaurant‘ 

and the lunchtime buffet in the ‘flow Restaurant’. 

What suites can you offer? 

The jewel in the hotel’s crown is our Presidential Suite, which has 

220 m2 of floor space and breathtaking views. We also have four 

Master Suites, which guests often like to book for extended 

periods because of the separate bedroom and living area. 

What is the situation regarding security precautions? 

We have cameras both in front of and inside the hotel. Images are 

recorded on video. In addition to this, the hotel lifts can only be 

used with specially encoded room keys. The lift will only stop on 

the floor where your particular room is situated. Apart from this, 

certain sections of the hotel can be separated thanks to its 

unusual architecture. 

Can you meet special dietary requirements, such as kosher 

or halal food? 

Our Executive Chef, Siegfried Kröpfl, is an expert when it comes to 

nutrition. He has written two vegan cookbooks himself, and is 

always more than happy to meet our guests’ individual nutritional 

requirements. 

What business facilities do you offer? 

As well as our ‘flow Bar’, a central meeting point for our business 

people, we also have a business centre. We also offer free Wi-Fi 

throughout the hotel. 

What kind of event or banqueting facilities do you have 

which would be suitable for embassy receptions? 

The unique thing about the Meliá Vienna is that we have such a 

huge number of areas on different levels. We have nine nine 

bright meeting rooms, featuring the very latest in audio and video 

technology. There’s a ballroom on the 1st Floor, complete 

with terrace and and boasting views of the Danube. Our 

‘57 Restaurant & Lounge’ that can accommodate up to 

110 people and three Private Dining Facilities for up to 

12 people, both of which are situated on the 57th 

Floor, are spectacular venues for special events. 

INFO: 

MELIÁ VIENNA 

Donau-City-Straße 7, 1220 Vienna 

+43 (0) 1 901 04 

www.melia.com 

Hoteldirektorin Dorothea Schuster 

über das Meliá Vienna. 

Hotel Manager Dorothea Schuster 

talks about Hotel Meliá Vienna. 



SAVOIR-VIVRE WELLNESS HOTELS 

Kleine Fluchten 

Little Escapes 

Höchste Zeit für eine Auszeit? Wir haben vier Empfehlungen für Sie! | High time for a break? We have four recommendations for you! 

ANDERE HOTELS 

OTHER HOTELS 

PHOTOS: GUENTHER EGGER/ SOLL UND HABEN GMBH (2), FELSCH FOTODESIGN, BEIGESTELLT 

Gradonna Mountain Resort 

Chalets & Hotel 

Mit Auszeichnungen überhäuft wurde dieses Resort 

in der Osttiroler Ortschaft Kals am Fuße des 

Großglockners. Zu Recht. Nicht nur, weil es sich durch eine 

außergewöhnliche Architektur und Gestaltung auszeichnet, 

sondern auch, weil es vorbildlich zeigt, wie heute ein 

Luxus-Hideaway aussieht, das auf Nachhaltigkeit, Qualität 

und eine Verpflichtung gegenüber der Region setzt. 

Perfekt fügt es sich mit seinen 41 Chalets und dem 

Hotelturm in die alpine Landschaft ein. Selbstverständlich 

bietet das Gradonna alles, was man sich von einem 

Luxusresort erwartet. Blick auf den Großglockner, 

Österreichs höchsten Berg, inklusive. Die direkte Anbindung 

an 250 Kilometer Wanderwege – etwa im Nationalpark 

Hohe Tauern – sowie 110 Pistenkilometer machen es zur 

Ganzjahres-Urlaubsdestination. Die Zimmer und Suiten und 

die vor allem sehr familientauglichen Chalets sind schön, 

edel und praktisch ausgestattet, der Wellnessbereich ist mit 

3.000 m 2 großzügig angelegt und bietet alles, was man zur 

Regeneration so brauchen kann. Der große Outdoor- 

Swimmingpool (neben dem erfrischenden Badeteich und 

zwei Indoor-Pools) wird an kühlen Tagen auch geheizt. 

The resort in the East Tyrolean village Kals, located at 

N the foot of the Großglockner, has won multiple awards, 

and rightly so! Not only because it is characterised by 

extraordinary architecture and design, but also because it is 

exemplary in showing what a luxury hideaway focusing on 

sustainability, quality and commitment towards the reagion 

can look like. It fits perfectly into the alpine landscape with 

its 41 chalets and the hotel tower. The Gradonna of course 

offers everything you would expect from a luxury resort, 

including a view of the Großglockner, Austria’s highest 

mountain. The year-round holiday destination provides 

direct access to 250 km of hiking paths such as the National 

Park Hohe Tauern as well as 110 km of of slopes. All rooms, 

suites and family-friendly chalets are beautiful, elegant and 

practically furnished. Everything one could wish for to 

regenerate comfortably is offered in the spacious spa 

covering 3.000 m2. The large outdoor swimming pool next 

to the refreshing swimming pond and two indoor pools is 

heated in cold weather conditions. 

INFO: 

GRADONNA MOUNTAIN 

RESORT CHALETS & HOTEL 

Kals am Großglockner 

Tel.: + 43 5283 2800 

www.gradonna.at 

Loisium, Langenlois 

Ein guter Ort, um Geist, Körper und Seele zu regenerieren, 

befindet sich nicht weit von Wien: Das Loisium im Weinort 

Langenlois im Kamptal bietet mit seinem großzügigen 

Spa-, Wellness- und Beauty-Angebot sowie mit seinem 

Gourmetrestaurant die besten Voraussetzungen für einen 

erholsamen Kurzurlaub. 

A good place to rejuvenate mind, body and soul is located 

close to Vienna: the Loisium Langenlois in the wine village 

Langenlois in the Kamptal provides the perfect conditions 

for a relaxing spa break with its extensive spa, wellness and 

beauty facilities, as well as its gourmet restaurant. 

www.loisium.com 

Elisabeth Hotel, Mayrhofen 

Als Refugium der Ruhe und als Rückzugsort für Erwachsene 

versteht sich dieses Luxus-Hideaway im Tiroler Zillertal. 

Besonders attraktiv: die 120 m 2 große Heaven Penthouse 

Suite, die einen herrlichen Ausblick auf die Tiroler Berge 

bietet, und der 1.400 m 2 große Wellnessbereich. 

This luxury hideaway in the Tyrolean Zillertal valley is a 

refuge for rest and a retreat for adults. A special attraction 

comes in the shape of the 120 m2 Heaven Penthouse Suite, 

which offers a magnificent view of the Tyrolean mountains, 

and the 1.400 m2 spa area. 

elisabethhotel.com 

Vollererhof, 

Puch bei Salzburg 

Als außergewöhnlicher 

Kraftplatz versteht sich diese 

einzigartige Kombination aus 

Hotel und Gesundheitszentrum 

vor den Toren Salzburgs. Das Expertenteam im Vollererhof 

hat das renommierte Entschlackungskonzept nach FX Mayr 

„modernisiert“ und weiterentwickelt. 

Located on the outskirts of Salzburg, this unique 

combination of hotel and health centre can be seen as an 

exceptional place of regeneration. The team of experts at 

Vollererhof “modernised” and further developed the 

prestigious purification concept by FX Mayr. 

www.vollererhof.at 


SAVOIR-VIVRE CRUISES 

Neues aus dem Kreuzfahrerlogbuch 

News from the ship’s log 


Die Kunst des stilvollen Reisens an 

Bord eines Oceanliners verzeichnet 

ungebrochene Zuwachsraten. Exotischer, 

luxuriöser, intimer und immer 

weiter in den Norden heißen die 

wichtigsten Trends für 2015. 

The art of stylish travel aboard an 

ocean liner records unbroken growth 

rates. The main trends of 2015 can be 

summarized as exotic, luxurious, 

intimate, and going further North. 

Die Costa Diadema, das 

neue Flaggschiff von Costa 

Crociere, im Hafen von 

Genua. 

The Costa Diadema, the new 

flagship of Costa Crociere in 

the port of Genoa. 

PHOTO: COSTA 

Das Dinner spiegelt mit lokalen Rezepten und 

passender Weinbegleitung die Geschmäcker 

der berühmten Sehnsuchtsinsel Capri 

wider, die sich im warmen Abendlicht aus dem Mittelmeer 

erhebt. Noch bis zum Morgen liegt die mit 

600 Kabinen zu den mittleren Schiffen ihrer Zunft 

zählende Costa neoRiviera vor Capris magischer 

Felsenküste – ein Ankerplatz, der den Riesen der 

Branche verwehrt bleibt. Eine wunderbare Gelegenheit, 

ohne Hektik den Sonnenuntergang und den 

nächtlichen Lichterglanz von Neapel zu erleben. 

Slow Cruise ist eines der Zauberworte der Kreuzfahrtsaison 

2015. Die neue Linie von Costa Kreuzfahrten 

mit intimeren Schiffen, ausgedehnten Landgängen 

mit Kunst- und Kulturschwerpunkten und auf die 

Reiseziele abgestimmter Slow-Food-Küche wurde 

letztes Jahr als beste Innovation in der internationalen 

Kreuzfahrtbranche ausgezeichnet. 

Kurs 80 Grad Nord 

Nordatlantik und Mitternachtssonne sind ein 

weiterer großer Trend dieses Jahres. Neben den 

14 Decks der AIDAdiva auf ihrem Weg in den Norden 

nehmen sich die Hafenfähren und Schlepper im 

Hamburger Hafen wie Spielzeugschiffe aus. Die 

deutschen Häfen boomen als sommerliche Heimat 

der internationalen Kreuzfahrtflotte, und mit ihnen 

die entsprechenden Destinationen. Die atemberaubende 

norwegische Fjordküste kann mittlerweile 

nur noch Kreuzfahrernovizen beeindrucken – das 

Nordkap und Island sind die abenteuerlichen neuen 



SAVOIR-VIVRE CRUISES 

INFO 

Die AIDAmar bei den Hamburg Cruise Days 2014. 

The AIDAmar at the Hamburg Cruise Days 2014. 

Ziele. TUI Cruises und Phoenix laufen im Juni und 

Juli sogar das am 80. Breitengrad gelegene Spitzbergen 

an, Hapag-Lloyd erkundet mit der MS Europa 

die spektakuläre Westküste Grönlands bis hinauf 

nach Uummannaq und zu den schimmernden Eisbergen 

der Diskobucht. 

Rund um den Globus 

Einmal per Schiff die Welt umrunden ist nach wie 

vor der Traum, den sich viele erfüllen möchten. 

Je nach gewählter Route vereint die lange Fahrt 

tropische Traumdestinationen wie Tahiti oder Bora 

Bora mit so abenteuerlichen Orten wie dem chilenischen 

Amalia-Gletscher oder der Osterinsel. 

Neue Stapelläufe 

Der ungebrochene Boom der Branche verlangt 

natürlich auch nach neuen Schiffen. Costa hat Ende 

2014 sein neues Flaggschiff Costa Diadema in Betrieb 

genommen. Auf der 500 Meter langen Promenade 

vom Bug bis zum Heck schlendert man wie auf 

einem italienischen Corso entlang von Bars und 

Restaurants, allein das Spa umfasst 7.800 Quadratmeter. 

2015 stehen sieben weitere Stapelläufe an, von 

denen die AIDAprima sicherlich der spektakulärste 

Neuzugang unter den über die Weltmeere kreuzenden 

Luxusdampfern ist: 18 Decks, 1.643 Kabinen, 

12 Restaurants und 18 Bars wird das neue Flaggschiff 

der Reederei beherbergen. Nach dem Stapellauf 

führt die Jungfernfahrt ab dem 3.10. von Osaka 

in Japan in 50 Tagen nach Dubai. Im Frühling 2016 

geht es für die exakt 300 Meter lange AIDAprima 

dann weiter nach Hamburg, wo sie als erstes Schiff 

der Flotte ganzjährig stationiert sein wird. 

Kurztrips auf See 

Einchecken in Wien am Flughafen und dann bequem 

in Savona aufs Schiff spazieren, wo das Gepäck 

schon in der Kabine wartet. Marseille, Barcelona, 

Mallorca und Napoli läuft die Costa Diadema an, bevor 

es am Samstag darauf mit Fly Niki wieder zurück 

nach Wien geht. Kurze Trips für eine Woche oder ein 

paar Tage auf See sind ebenfalls in höchstem Maße 

angesagt. Costa fährt Marseille und Barcelona sogar 

in einer nur dreitägigen Runde an. Aida hat Minikreuzfahrten 

nach Oslo oder Amsterdam und London 

im Programm, MSC etwa eine fünftägige Runde 

von La Spezia nach Marseille, Mallorca und Ajaccio. 

Ob Kurztrip nach Oslo, ein Longdrink in der 

Artico Ice Bar von Honningsvåg, Flanieren in 

Positano oder die Umschiffung von Kap Hoorn – 

Meeresbrise und die Erkundung der Welt an Bord 

eines Schiffes liegen jedenfalls 2015 voll im Trend. 

Warm light rising from the Mediterranean 

sunset is reflected in the dinner, which 

serves local cuisine and smooth wine to 

echo the famous, dreamy island of Capri. The Costa 

neoRiviera, with 600 cabins a medium size vessel in 

their fleet, anchors until the morning at Capri’s magical 

rocky coastline – a privilege denied to the giant 

vessels in the market. It is an opportunity to enjoy 

the sunset without a mad rush and take in the nightly 

sparkle of Naples. One of the magic words of the 

cruise season 2015 is ‘Slow Cruising’. The new line of 

Costa Cruises with intimate ships, extensive shore 

leave with focus on art and culture as well as Slow 

Food cooking was last year awarded best innovation 

in the international cruise industry. 

Course 80 Degrees North 

A further big trend this year is the North Atlantic 

and the midnight sun. Next to the 14 decks of AIDAdiva 

on its way north, the ferries and tugboats in the 

harbour of Hamburg resemble toy ships. The Ger- 

PHOTOS: AIDA, HAPAG-LLOYD KREUZFAHRTEN, COSTA 

Die MS Europa von Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten erkundet im Sommer 2015 Grönlands Westküste. 

The MS Europa from Hapag-Lloyd cruises explores the west coast of Greenland in 2015. 

man harbours are booming as a summer home for 

the international cruise fleet with their respective 

destinations. The Norwegian fjord coast can now 

only impress cruise novices – the North Cape and 

Iceland are the new adventurous designations. 

TUI Cruises and Phoenix even sail to Spitzbergen, 

located at 80 degrees latitude, Hapag-Lloyd explores 

the west coast of Greenland up to Uummannaq 

and the shimmering icebergs of the Disko Bay. 

Around The World 

Circumnavigating the world by ship is the dream 

many want to fulfil. Depending on the chosen route, 

the long journey combines tropical dream destinations 

such as Tahiti or Bora Bora with the adventurous 

locations of the Chilean Amalia Glacier or Easter 

Island. 

New Launchings 

The unbroken boom in the industry of course 

calls for new ships. Costa put its new flagship, the 

Costa Diadema, into operation at the end of 2014. 

On the 500 metre long promenade from bow to 

stern, one can stroll as if on an Italian corso along 

bars and restaurants. The spa alone has 7,800 metres! 

In 2015, further seven launchings are due, of which 

the AIDAprima will be the most spectacular of luxury 

cruise newcomers crossing the world seas: 18 

decks, 1,643 cabins, 12 restaurants, and 18 bars will 

be housed in the shipping line’s new flagship. After 

launching, the maiden voyage on 3rd October goes 

from Osaka in Japan to Dubai in 50 days. In the 

spring of 2016, the precisely 300 metre long AIDAprima 

continues to Hamburg, where it will be the first 

ship of the fleet to be stationed there year-round. 

Short Trips at Sea 

Check-in at Vienna airport and stroll comfortably 

onto the ship in Savona, where the luggage is already 

waiting for you. The Costa Diadema calls at Marseille, 

Barcelona, Mallorca, and Naples before returning 

you to Vienna on Saturday with Fly Niki. A few 

days at sea or a short week’s trip are in high demand. 

The Costa can cruise to Marseille and Barcelona in 

only three days. Aida has mini cruises to Oslo or 

Amsterdam and London in their schedule, MSC a 

5-day tour of La Spezia to Marseille, Mallorca, and 

Ajaccio. Whether a short trip to Oslo, a long drink at 

the Arctic Ice Bar in Honningsvåg, strolling in Positano 

or circumnavigating Cape Horn – the ocean 

breeze and exploring the world on board a ship is the 

trend in 2015. 

Unterwegs auf 

den Weltmeeren. 

Travelling on the 

world’s oceans. 

Costa Kreuzfahrten 

www.costakreuzfahrten.at 

Hapag-Lloyd 

www.hl-kreuzfahrten.at 

Aida 

www.aida-cruises.at 

Tui Cruises 

www.tuicruises.com 

MSC Kreuzfahrten 

www.msckreuzfahrten.at 

Royal Carribean 

www.royalcaribbean.at 

Hurtigruten 

www.hurtigruten.com/de 

Seadream 

www.seadream.de 

Ruefa Reisen 

www.ruefa.at/kreuzfahrten 

Seereisen Center 

www.seereisen-center.at 

Die Costa Diadema auf 

offener See. 

The Costa Diadema on the 

open sea. 



131

SAVOIR-VIVRE MOTOR 

Powerpakete mit Allround-Qualitäten 

Power packages with all-round qualities 

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake: Moderner Sportwagen | Modern Sports Car 

Sportliche Proportionen und eine kraftvoll-dynamische Silhouette: Der neue CLA Shooting Brake ist das jüngste Mitglied der erfolgreichen Kompaktklasse-Familie von 

Mercedes-Benz. Das dynamische Design – in der limitierten Orange Art Edition mit orange lackiertem Felgenring und orange/schwarzen Sportsitzen – geht jedoch nicht zu 

Lasten von Effizienz und Familientauglichkeit; bequemer Einstieg, erhöhte Kopffreiheit, serienmäßige ECO Start-Stopp-Funktion und bis zu 1.354 Liter Ladevolumen gehören 

zu den vielen Stärken des CLA Shooting Brake. 

Sporty proportions and a powerful, dynamic silhouette. The new CLA Shooting Brake is 

the latest member of the successful compact class family of Mercedes-Benz. However, 

the dynamic design – in the limited Orange Art edition, with orange painted rim ring and 

orange/black sports seats – is not at the expense of efficiency and family friendliness: 

comfortable entry, increased head clearance, ECO start/stop function as standard and up 

to 1,354 litre loading volume are amongst the many strengths of the CLA Shooting Brake. 

Motor Engine 

Antrieb Drive 

kW (PS) kW (HP) 

Hubraum Capacity 

Kraftstoffverbrauch Fuel consumption 

Preis Price 

R4 

Vorderradantrieb, Allradantrieb als CLA 250 4MATIC 

100 – 130 (136 – 177) / 90 – 155 (122 – 211) 

Diesel: 2143 cm3 / Benziner: 1595 – 1991 cm3 

4,4 – 3,9 l/100 km / 6,8 – 5,3 l/100 km 

ab | from 32.540 Euro 

Audi Q7: Abgespeckter Klassenprimus | Streamlined 

Class Leader 

Motor Engine 

Vierzylinder Drive-E 

Antrieb Drive 

Allradantrieb serienmäßig | Four wheel drive as a standard 


236 (320) T6 AWD / 165 (225) D5 AWD 

Hubraum Capacity 1969 cm 3 

Kraftstoffverbrauch Fuel consumption 10,8 – 7,5 l/100km / 7,7 – 2,7 mit Twin Engine 

Preis Price 


Volvo XC90: Skandinavischer Champion | Scandinavian Champion 

Der Volvo XC90 markiert den Neubeginn beim schwedischen Autobauer: Die zweite Generation des SUV aus Göteborg ist das erste Modell unter der Regie des neuen 

chinesischen Eigentümers Geely. Klares Design, skandinavisches Understatement, luxuriöse Verarbeitung, ein zukunftsträchtiger Touchscreen, der neu entwickelte Motor und 

als Weltneuheiten die Run off Road Protection sowie der Kreuzungsbremsassistent, der den Wagen automatisch abbremst, wenn er beim Abbiegen in den Gegenverkehr zu 

steuern droht, machen Volvos stolzes neues Flaggschiff zum Spitzenreiter seiner Klasse. 

The Volvo XC90 marks a new start for the Swedish car maker. The second generation of the SUV from Gothenburg is the first model under the reign of the new Chinese 

owner Geely. Clear design, Scandinavian understatement, luxurious finishing, a future oriented touch screen, the newly developed engine, and as a world innovation, the run 

off road protection and emergency brake assist which immediately brakes the car if it threatens to steer into oncoming traffic, when turning, make Volvo’s proud new flagship 

the frontrunner in its class. 


PHOTOS: HERSTELLER, VOLVO CAR GROUP, MEDIA.DAIMLER.COM, BMW AG, MÜNCHEN/UWE@FISCHER 

BMW X6: Effiziente Powermaschine | Efficient Power 

Mit dem X6 M kombinierte der bayrische Autohersteller vor fünf Jahren erstmals 

M-typische Power und Emotionalität mit robusten X-Genen. Der BMW X6 startet 

im Frühjahr 2015 in seine zweite Generation und setzt erneut Maßstäbe: 

Das kraftvolle, bullige Äußere und der M TwinPower Turbomotor, das stärkste 

Triebwerk, das BMW bis jetzt in seine Allradfahrzeuge eingebaut hat, sorgen 

gemeinsam mit dem neu entwickelten „8-Gang M Steptronic“-Getriebe für 

gesteigerte Fahrdynamik bei außergewöhnlicher Effizienz. 

With the X6 M, the Bavarian car manufacturer combined M typical power and 

emotionality with robust X genes for the first time five years ago. The BMW X6 

starts its second generation in spring 2015, and is setting new standards: a 

powerful, bullish exterior; the M TwinPower TurboEngine, the strongest engine that 

BMW has built into its four wheel drive vehicles until now, ensures increased 

driving dynamic with extraordinary efficiency at the same time with the newly 

developed 8 gear M Steptronic gears. 

Motor Engine 

R6 Turbo 

Antrieb Drive 

Allradantrieb serienmäßig | Four wheel drive as standard 

kW (PS) kW (HP) 190 (258) – 330 (450) 


2993 cm3 

Kraftstoffverbrauch Fuel consumption 9,7 – 6,0 l/100 km 

Preis Price 


Audi gibt den Trend vor: SUVs werden wieder kleiner und leichter. Mit Leichtbaukarosserie 

und neuem Fahrwerk bringt der Audi Q7 325 kg weniger als sein 

Vorgänger auf die Waage und ist mit 1.995 kg Leergewicht nun der Leichteste 

seiner Klasse. Entsprechend agil und spritzig liegt er auf der Straße und ist mit 

einem um 26% reduzierten Kraftstoffverbrauch auch höchst effizient. Ein 

umfassendes Portfolio an neuen Assistenzsystemen ergänzt das Bild, etwa die 

intelligente Smartphone-Integration, die der Audi Q7 als eines der ersten Modelle 

weltweit serienmäßig anbietet. 

Audi sets the trend: SUVs are getting smaller and lighter again. With lightweight 

bodywork and a new chassis, the Audi Q7 weighs 325 kg less than its predecessor 

and as such now the lightest in its class with 1,995 kg empty weight. It is 

correspondingly agile and zippy on the road, and is also highly efficient with 

around 26% reduction in fuel consumption. An extensive portfolio of new 

assistance systems complete the picture, for example the intelligent smartphone 

integration, with the Audi Q7 being one of the first models worldwide to offer this 

as standard. 

Motor Engine 

V6 Turbo 

Antrieb Drive 

Allradantrieb serienmäßig | Four wheel drive as standard 


200 (272) 3.0 TDI / 245 (333) 3.0 TFSI 


2967 cm3 / 2995 cm3 

Kraftstoffverbrauch Fuel consumption 6,1 – 5,7 l/100 km / 8,1 – 7,7 l/100 km 

Preis Price 

noch offen | to be announced soon 



SAVOIR-VIVRE LIFESTYLE 

Start in den Frühling 

Start into the spring season 

High-End-Reiseprofi 

High-end travel professional 

Maßgeschneidert 

Tailor-made 

Die neapolitanische Familie Kiton 

hat die traditionelle Schneiderkunst 

seit 1956 fest in ihrer DNA 

verankert. „Schneiderei ist Teil 

unserer Kultur und Neapel ist die 

Stadt der Schneider“, erklärt 

CEO Antonio De Matteis. 

Die Spezialisierung auf 

maßgeschneiderte 

Anzüge mit dem „made 

to measure“-Service war 

der richtige Schritt, 

wie die mittlerweile 

45 Flagshipstores 

weltweit – der jüngste 

davon im Wiener 

Goldenen Quartier – 

beweisen. 

The Neapolitan Kiton 

family has had the 

traditional art of 

tailoring firmly 

anchored in its DNA since 

1956. “Tailoring is part of 

our culture, and Naples is 

the city of tailors,” 

CEO Antonio De Matteis 

explains. Specialising in 

tailored suits with the 

‘made to measure’ service 

proved to be the right 

step, as the company’s 

45 stores around the 

world – the latest of which 

recently opened in Vienna’s 

Golden Quarter – clearly show. 

www.kiton.it 

PHOTOS: HERSTELLER; SØLVE SUNDSBØ 

Das Reisegepäck von Rimowa wird härtesten Prüfverfahren unterzogen und auch die Designansprüche sind hoch. Die neue Onyx-Serie besteht aus Luxus-Businesskoffern und 

passenden Notebook-Bags. Details wie stufenlos ausziehbare Teleskopgestänge mit Druckknopf, Griffe aus Rindsleder, Rollen aus eloxiertem Aluminiumguss, Hightech- 

Materialien wie Polycarbonat in Verbindung mit silbernen Aluminiumrahmen und Vortaschen aus Leder und keprotec® machen sie ebenso praktisch wie resistent und daher 

bestens geeignet für den oft hektischen Reisealltag der Vielreisenden. 

Travel luggage made by Rimowa is subjected to the very strictest testing procedures, and the design standards are equally high. The company’s new Onyx series includes 

luxury business cases and suitable notebook bags. Details such as continuous extendable telescopic handles with push-button, cowhide grips, rollers made from anodised 

aluminium cast, high-tech materials like polycarbonate connected with silver aluminium frames and front compartments made of leather and keprotec® are as practical as 

they are resistant in the often hectic everyday travel routine of frequent travellers. 

www.rimowa.com 

Absoluter Genuss 

Absolute enjoyment 

Mitunter dauert es 26 Jahre, 

bis ein Stör erstmals Rogen 

produziert. Vivace – Correct 

Caviar ist es gelungen, eine 

Methode zu entwickeln, bei 

der hochwertige Qualität 

gewonnen wird, ohne den 

Stör zu töten. Die Eier können 

mehrmals geerntet werden, 

nehmen an Größe und 

Intensität zu und kommen 

ohne Konservierungsstoffe 

aus. 

It can sometimes take 

26 years for a sturgeon to 

produce its roe for the first 

time. Vivace – Correct Caviar 

has succeeded in developing 

a method of winning 

high-value quality roe without 

killing the sturgeon. The eggs 

can be harvested several 

times, become larger and 

more intense, and do not 

require the addition of 

preservatives. 

www.vivacecaviar.de 

Atmosphärische Mode 

Atmospheric fashion 

Sølve Sundsbø hat in London die aktuelle 

Werbekampagne für Giorgio Armani fotografiert. 

Leinwände mit abstrakten Motiven und das 

spezielle Licht betonen die zeitlose Eleganz der 

Kollektion des italienischen Couture-Meisters. 

Sølve Sundsbø photographed the current 

advertising campaign for Giorgio Armani in 

London. Abstractly picturesque screens in 

special light emphasise the timeless elegance of 

the new collection of the Italian Master of 

Couture. 

www.armani.com 

Ungezwungener Charme 

Effortless charm 

Die aktuelle Hermès-Kollektion bewegt sich 

im Farbbereich Weiß, Kalkstein, Sand, Hanf, 

Schwarz, Eukalyptus und Kürbis. Zu Windbreakern 

und linearen Blousons gesellen sich 

einfach geknöpfte Anzüge und Rundhalspullover, 

die mit dem klassischen Schuhwerk aus edlem 

Leder in Bicolor-Optik perfekt harmonieren. 

The current Hermès collection moves within a 

range of colours from white through to chalk, 

sand, hemp, black, eucalyptus and pumpkin. 

Simply buttoned suits and roundneck pullovers 

are combined with windbreakers and linear 

blousons, harmonising perfectly with classic 

footwear made of classy leather in a bicolour 

visual. 

www.hermes.com 

Wahres Glück 

True happiness 

Der Name dieser Kollektion 

der Schmuckmanufaktur 

Wellendorff steht für die 

handwerklich ausgereifte 

Kombination aus farbenprächtigem 

Kaltemail, 

erlesenem Gold und kleinen 

Besonderheiten wie der 

drehbaren Leiste mit 

Diamantbesatz; die 

geheimnisvolle Tiefe der 

Wellen zeigen faszinierende 

Nuancen von Tiefschwarz bis 

zu warmen Orangetönen. 

The name of this Wellendorff 

collection stands for the 

sophisticated, hand-crafted 

combination of brilliantly 

coloured cold enamel, 

exquisite gold and unique 

little features such as the 

rotatable bar set with 

diamonds; the depth of the 

mysterious is rendered in 

fascinating nuances, from 

deep black through to fresh 

turquoise and warm orange 

tones. 

www.wellendorff.com 

Schmucker Duft 

Heaven scent 

Die traditionsreiche 

Emailschmuck-Manufaktur 

hat sich auf neue Pfade 

begeben. Das Ziel der Reise 

sind flüssige Schmuckstücke, 

die mit frischen über blumige 

bis zu orientalisch-opulenten 

Nuancen faszinieren. 

Vier Parfums in noblen 

Flakons gilt es bei „Bijoux 

Liquides“ zu entdecken. 

Auch die Verpackung trägt 

unverkennbar die Handschrift 

von Frey Wille. 

The highly traditional enamel 

jewellery manufacturer has 

followed new paths. The aim 

of its journey: liquid pieces of 

jewellery which fascinate 

with nuances ranging from 

fresh through floral to oriental 

opulent. ‘Bijoux Liquides’ are 

four perfumes in classy 

flacons. Even the packaging 

bears the unmistakable 

signature of FreyWille. 

www.freywille.com 



SAVOIR-VIVRE ARTS 

Kulturelle Höhepunkt 2015 

Cultural Highlights 2015 

Bunte Videowelten 

Colourful Video Spaces 

Pipilotti Rist, Sip My 

Ocean, 1996, Installationsansicht 

Fundació 

Joan Miró, Barcelona 

Die Kunsthalle Krems unterstreicht ihren herausragenden Platz im österreichischen Kunstgeschehen 

zum 20-jährigen Bestehen mit einer großen Pipilotti-Rist-Personale. Die Ausstellung 

vom 22.3. bis 28.6. umfasst Arbeiten aus rund 30 Jahren inklusive eines Auftritts der bekannten Schweizer Video- und Objektkünstlerin beim Donaufestival. 

The Kunsthalle Krems, on the occasion of its 20-year anniversary, highlights its prominent presence in the Austrian art scene with a comprehensive Pipilotti Rist solo 

exhibition. It runs from 22nd March to 28th June and encompasses works from 30 years of her career, including an appearance by the famous video and object artist at the 

Donaufestival. 

www.kunsthalle.at 

Höhepunkte der Fotoreportage 

Highlights of Photojournalism 

Edward Steichen: 

Marlene Dietrich, 1934 

In High Fashion 

Edward Steichen gilt als eine der einflussreichsten Persönlichkeiten 

in der Geschichte der Fotografie. Seine Arbeiten für die 

Zeitschriften Vogue und Vanity Fair in den Jahren 1923-1937 

revolutionierten die Mode- und Porträtfotografie. 

Das Fotomuseum WestLicht zeigt unter dem Titel „Edward 

Steichen – In High Fashion“ vom 18.2. bis zum 19.4. rund 

200 Vintageabzüge aus dem Condé-Nast-Archiv. 

Edward Steichen is one of the most influential figures in the 

history of photography. His pictures for Vogue and Vanity Fair 

between 1923 and 1937 revolutionised fashion and portrait 

photography. 200 unique vintage prints from the Condé Nast 

Archive are displayed for the first time under the title “Edward 

Steichen – In High Fashion” in Austria at WestLicht Museum for 

Photography from 18th February to 19th April. 

www.westlicht.com 

PHOTOS: 1934 CONDÉ NAST PUBLICATIONS ; PERE PRATDESABA; MUSÉE D’ORSAY, PARIS; ERICH LESSING/BILDRECHT.AT; THOMAS AURIN 

Edgar Degas 

Der Badezuber, 1886 

Meisterwerke aus 

dem Musée 

d’Orsay 

Masterpieces from 

the Musée d’Orsay 

Die Albertina ermöglicht 

einen Blick in die Tresore des 

Pariser Musée d’Orsay: 

Pastelle von Edgar Degas, 

Gouachen von Honoré 

Daumier und Aquarelle von 

Paul Cézanne sind mit 

130 weiteren Meisterwerken 

bis zum 3.5. in der 

Ausstellung „Degas, Cézanne, 

Seurat – das Archiv der 

Träume aus dem Musée 

d‘Orsay“ zu bewundern. 

The Albertina will make it 

possible for visitors to cast 

their eyes on treasured works 

from the Musée d’Orsay in 

Paris. Pastels by Edgar Degas, 

gouaches by Honoré Daumier 

and watercolours by Paul 

Cézanne, along with 130 

gems of graphic art, can be 

admired in the exhibition 

“The Dream Archive from the 

Musée d’Orsay” until 03.05. 

www.albertina.at 

Die Bilder des österreichischen Fotografen 

Erich Lessing gingen um die Welt. Für die 

Ausstellung „Lessing zeigt Lessing“ vom 29.4. 

bis 8.9. im Jüdischen Museum hat Hannah 

Lessing eine sehr persönliche Auswahl von 

Fotografien ihres Vaters zusammengestellt. 

Neben den berühmten Fotoreportagen 

sind idyllische israelische Landschaften 

und zeithistorische Rückblicke auf das 

Lebensgefühl der österreichischen und 

europäischen Nachkriegszeit zu sehen. 

The pictures by the Austrian 

photographer Erich Lessing are 

world-famous. Hannah Lessing has 

made a highly personal selection of 

her father’s photos for the exhibition 

“Lessing on Lessing” at Museum 

Judenplatz from 29.04. - 08.09. 

Besides the renowned photo reports, 

idyllic Israeli landscapes and a 

historical retrospective of life in 

post-war Austria and Europe are on 

show. 

www.jmw.at 

Fenster zur internationalen 

Theaterwelt 

A Window to the World 

of International Theatre 

39 herausragende 

Produktionen aus 20 Ländern 

zeigen die Wiener 

Festwochen (14.5 bis 21.6.) 

Vom Schauspiel „Fishers of 

Hope“ von Lara Foot aus 

Kapstadt über Gogols „Tote 

Seelen“ in einer elektrisierenden 

Produktion des 

Gogol-Zentrums Moskau bis 

zur überdrehten Oper „Ohne 

Titel Nr. 1“ von Herbert 

Fritsch. 

39 outstanding productions 

from 20 countries are 

showcased at the Wiener 

Festwochen, running between 

14.05. and 21.06. The 

programme includes the play 

“Fishers of Hope” by Lara 

Foot, Gogol’s “Dead Souls” in 

an electrifying production by 

the Gogol Center in Moscow 

and the slapstick opera “Ohne 

Titel Nr. 1” by Herbert Fritsch. 

www.festwochen.at 



SAVOIR-VIVRE ARTS 

Art Austria 

Visualisierung des 

Bühnendesigns 

A visual of the stage 

design. 

Singendes Europa 

Singing Europe 

Nachdem Conchita Wurst den 

Eurovision Song Contest 2015 

nach Österreich gebracht hat, 

steht Wien vom 17. bis 23.5. 

ganz im Zeichen des größten 

Unterhaltungsevents der 

Welt: 180 Millionen 

Zuschauer werden das Finale 

in der Wiener Stadthalle an 

ihren TV-Geräten mitverfolgen! 

Am Rathausplatz 

bietet das „Eurovision 

Village“ täglich spannendes 

Programm für die angereisten 

Fans aus ganz Europa. 

Conchita Wurst brought the 

Eurovision Song Contest to 

Austria in 2015. Vienna will be 

dominated by the world’s 

largest entertainment event 

from 17.05 - 23.05. with 180 

million viewers glued to the 

television sets to watch the 

spectacle from the Wiener 

Stadthalle! The “Eurovision 

Village” at the Vienna City 

Hall Square (Rathausplatz) 

offers an exciting daily 

programme for visitors from 

all over Europe. 

www.eurovision.tv 

Pop-Art All-Stars 

Die knalligen Werke der 

Pop-Art illustrieren wie keine 

andere Kunstform den 

gesellschaftlichen Umbruch 

der 1960er-Jahre. Das 

Sammlerehepaar Peter und 

Irene Ludwig erkannten die 

Bedeutung der neuen 

Kunstströmung früh und 

begann, Werke von Andy 

Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein oder 

Jasper Johns zu kaufen – absolute 

Klassiker der Pop-Art, 

die vom 12.2. bis 13. 9. in der 

Ausstellung „Ludwig Goes 

Pop“ im MUMOK wieder 

zusammen zu sehen sind. 

The bright, gaudy works of 

Pop Art portray the social 

upheaval of the sixties like no 

other form of art. The 

collectors, Peter and Irene 

Ludwig, discovered the 

significance of the new 

movement early and began to 

acquire pieces by Andy 

Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and 

Jasper Johns. These works of 

classic Pop Art are brought 

together for the first time in 

the “Ludwig Goes Pop” 

exhibition in MUMOK from 

12.02 to 13.09. 

www.mumok.at 

Roy Lichtenstein 

M-Maybe (A Girl’s Picture), 

1965 

PHOTOS: ORF/MILENKO BADZIC, ORF; ESTATE OF ROY LICHTENSTEIN / BILDRECHT WIEN, 2015 / RHEINISCHES BILDARCHIV; ART AUSTRIA; ÖNB/HINTERRAMSKOGLER; ARENARIA/RICARDO HERRGOTT; RICHARD SCHUSTER; ANDREAS HIRSCH 

Auf drei Ebenen des Leopold Museums präsentieren bei der Kunstmesse Art Austria (19. bis 22.3.) rund 50 namhafte Galerien ausschließlich 

Kunst aus Österreich – ein Erfolgskonzept, das letztes Jahr fast 25.000 Kunstinteressierte anlockte. Werke aus der Zeit des Biedermeiers 

und Jugendstils finden sich dabei ebenso wie zeitgenössische Arbeiten. 

A sports coupe that refines the everyday life on our roads. The 10 mm lowered body and the impressive 19-inch alloy wheels „R“ reinforce 

the sporty appearance, but also specific rear diffuser with chrome dual exhaust, the Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering light and 

dark titanium bezel and matte black roof arches emphasize its dynamic appearance. 

www.art-austria.info 

Alles Regal! 

Literal Shelf Life! 

Am 18. April ist es so weit: 

Das Literaturmuseum der 

Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek 

öffnet seine 

Pforten. Neben Hörproben 

türmen sich in den 

altehrwürdigen Bücher - 

regalen des ehemaligen 

k.k. Hofkammerarchivs in der 

Wiener Johannesgasse 

Schauobjekte, Fotos und 

Werkskizzen österreichischer 

Literatur vom 18. Jahrhundert 

bis in die Gegenwart. 

Die Ausstellungsarchitektur 

von planet architects und 

BWM Architekten darf als 

Kunstwerk für sich gelten. 

The Literature Museum of the 

Austrian National Library will 

open its doors starting 18 

April 2015. Audio samples are 

next to piles of photos and 

sketches with Austrian 

literature on the time-honoured 

bookshelves of the former 

imperial chamber archive 

(Hofkammerarchiv) in 

Johannesgasse in Vienna 

spanning from the 18th 

century until the present. The 

exhibition architecture by 

planet architects and BWM 

Architects can be seen as a 

work of art alone. 

www.onb.ac.at 

Liebe Drama Fettuccine 

Love, Drama, Fettuccine 

Puccinis Oper „Tosca“ steht im Sommer unter 

der Regie von Robert Dornhelm auf der 

eindrucksvollen Naturbühne des Steinbruchs 

St. Margarethen am Spielplan. Zwischen den 

Akten wird in der Opernlounge ein opulentes 

Dinner serviert. Premiere ist am 8.7.2015. 

Directed by Robert Dornhelm, Puccini‘s opera 

“Tosca” is shown on the impressive natural 

stage of the St. Margarethen quarry. Between 

acts, an opulent dinner is served in the opera 

lounge. The opera premieres on 08.07.2015. 

www.arenaria.at 

Klassik unter 

freiem Himmel 

Classical Music in the 

Open Air 

Drei absolute Weltstars, 

Dirigent Zubin Mehta, Pianist 

Rudolf Buchbinder und 

natürlich das weltberühmte 

Orchester selbst, bestreiten 

am 14.5. das traditionelle 

Sommernachtskonzert der 

Wiener Philharmoniker. Das 

Konzert unter freiem Himmel 

vor dem Neptunbrunnen im 

Schlosspark Schönbrunn 

findet wie jedes Jahr bei 

freiem Eintritt statt. 

Three world stars, conductor 

Zubin Mehta, pianist Rudolf 

Buchbinder and of course the 

world famous orchestra itself 

perform the traditional 

Vienna Philharmonic Summer 

Night Concert on the 14th of 

May. The yearly open air 

concert in front of the 

impressive Neptune Fountain 

in the beautiful Schönbrunn 

Palace gardens is free of 

charge. 

www.wienerphilharmoniker.at 

Russische und 

italienische Klänge 

Russian and Italian 

Sounds 

Die Osterfestspiele vom 

28.3. bis 6.4. stehen ganz im 

Zeichen italienischer und 

russischer Musik. Höhepunkte 

sind die Opern „Cavalleria 

rusticana“ von Mascagni und 

„Pagliacci“ von Leoncavallo 

mit Startenor Jonas Kaufmann 

in der Inszenierung von 

Philipp Stölzl, einer der 

gefragtesten Opernregisseure 

seiner Generation. 

The Salzburg Easter Festival 

from 28.03. - 06.04. is 

focused on Italian and 

Russian music. Philipp Stölzl, 

one of the most sought-after 

movie and opera directors of 

his generation, directs the 

sets of two powerful operas, 

“Cavalleria rusticana” by 

Mascagni and “Pagliacci” by 

Leoncavallo, featuring the 

star tenor Jonas Kaufmann. 

www.osterfestspielesalzburg.at 



SAVOIR-VIVRE TRAVEL 

Fernweh 

Itchy feet 

Die besten neuen Hotels und Restaurants aus aller Welt. | The best new hotels and restaurants around the world. 

Peking | Beijing 

Sunrise Kempinski Hotel 

Was wie das futuristische Bauwerk aus einem 

Science-Fiction-Film aussieht, ist das neue 

Kempinski Resort in der Nähe Pekings. Das 

Sunrise Kempinski liegt 60 Kilometer außerhalb 

der Stadt an dem schönen Yanqi-See, zur 

Großen Mauer ist es nicht weit, doch tolle 

Spa- und Wellnessanlagen sorgen dafür, dass 

man kaum Lust verspürt, die nahe Metropole 

oder die Mauer zu besuchen. 

What looks like a futuristic building from a 

science fiction film is in fact the new 

Kempinski Resort near Beijing. The Sunrise 

Kempinski is located at the beautiful Yanqi 

Lake, 60 kilometres from Beijing. The 

Great Wall is not far, but the fantastic spa 

and wellness facilities ensure that guests 

rarely feel like visiting the nearby 

metropolis or the Wall. 

kempinski.com 

PHOTOS: ADAM BRUZZONE, VANA RETREATS HOTEL, AMAN TOKYO 

Uttarakhand, Indien | India 

Vana Retreats 

Das Malsi Estate im nordindischen Uttarakhand 

ist kein Hotel und kein Resort, sondern ein 

wahrer Rückzugsort. Das Retreat am Fuße 

des Himalaya bietet Ayurveda, traditionelle 

chinesische Medizin, Tibetan Healing und 

Natural Therapies, Yoga, Spa, Fitness und Aqua 

von erfahrenen Ärzten und Therapeuten gelehrt 

und angewendet – jeweils zugeschnitten auf die 

individuellen Bedürfnisse des Gastes. Also keine 

vorgefertigten Packages. Bemerkenswert ist 

auch das Design des Retreats: sehr clean und im 

Einklang mit der Natur. 

The Malsi Estate in the north Indian province of 

Uttarakhand is neither a hotel nor a resort, but a 

true haven. The retreat at the foot of the 

Himalayas offers Ayurveda, traditional Chinese 

medicine, Tibetan healing and natural therapies, 

yoga, spa, fitness and aqua, taught and applied 

by experienced doctors and therapists – all 

geared to the individual needs of the guests. No 

ready-made packages here! The design of the 

retreat is also remarkable: very clean and in 

harmony with its natural surroundings. 

vanaretreats.com 

Tokio | Tokyo 

Aman Hotel Tokyo 

Das jüngste Haus aus der wunderbaren Aman Resorts Gruppe ist ein 

Traum! Es ist das erste richtige Stadthotel von Aman, es befindet sich 

zwischen dem 33. und 38. Stockwerk des Otemachi Tower nahe der 

Toyko Station, und wer aus einem der für japanische Verhältnisse sehr 

großen Gästezimmer blickt, dem liegt Tokio zu Füßen. An klaren Tagen 

kann man sogar den Berg Fuji sehen. Eindrucksvoll sind auch die 

30 Meter hohe Lobby und die riesige Spa- und Wellnessanlage samt 

Swimmingpool hoch über Tokio. 

The latest addition to the wonderful Aman Resort Group is a dream! It 

is Aman‘s very first urban hotel and located between the 33rd and 38th 

floors of Otemachi Tower near Tokyo Station. When guests look out of 

their room, large by Japanese standards, they have an overview of 

Tokyo at their feet. On clear days, one can even see Mount Fuji. The 30 

metre high lobby and the enormous spa and wellness facility, which 

includes a swimming pool high over Tokyo, are impressive. 

amanresorts.com 



141 00

SAVOIR-VIVRE TRAVEL 

Paris 

La Réserve Paris 

London 

Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard 

Paris 

Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée 

Mit neuem Design lockt das Restaurant des Multi-Sterne- 

Kochs Alain Ducasse im noblen Hôtel Plaza Athénée. Und auch 

wenn hier alles glitzert und glänzt: Die Küche steht unter dem 

Motte „naturalité“ und setzt vor allem auf gesundes Gemüse. 

Alain Ducasse, multiple Michelin-starred chef, presents his 

restaurant with a new design in the luxury hotel Plaza 

Athenée. And even though everything here sparkles and 

shines: the idea behind the cuisine is “naturalité”, focussing 

strongly on healthy vegetables. 

alain-ducasse.com 

Eine wahre Flut von Luxushotels eröffnet – oder 

eröffnet wieder – in diesen Monaten in Paris. 

Dennoch sticht das La Réserve aus dem Angebot 

heraus. Nicht nur, weil es ein ziemlich intimes 

Hotel ist und sich durch eine gute Lage unweit 

der Champs-Élysées auszeichnet, sondern auch, 

weil es dem Designer Jacques Garcia gelungen 

ist, ihm einen historisch-eleganten Look zu 

geben, der niemals altmodisch oder bieder 

wirkt. Technisch ist es das wohl avancierteste 

Hotel in Paris. 

A real flood of luxury hotels is opening or 

re-opening in the next few months in Paris. La 

Reserve, however, stands out from the crowd. 

Not only because it is quite an intimate hotel 

and characterised by its excellent location not 

far from the Champs Elysées, but also because 

the designer Jacques Garcia has managed to 

give it an elegant and historical look, which 

never seems old-fashioned or conventional. It is 

probably the most high-tech hotel in Paris. 

lareserve-paris.com 

New York 

Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar 

„Die Polo Bar“, sagt Eigentümer und Modeschöpfer 

Ralph Lauren, „soll jene Wärme und 

lässige Eleganz ausstrahlen, die die Gäste 

veranlassen, immer wieder zu kommen, 

so als wäre das ihr Lieblings-Club.“ Mission 

accomplished, mag man jetzt sagen. Tatsächlich 

ist das Restaurant samt Bar, das aussieht, als 

würde es schon seit Ewigkeiten existieren, zu 

einem beliebten Treffpunkt an der Upper East 

Side von Manhattan geworden. 

“The Polo Bar”, the owner and designer Ralph 

Lauren says, “is supposed to radiate the warmth 

and casual elegance that would encourage 

guests to return, as though it were their 

favourite club.”. Mission accomplished, one 

could say. In fact, the restaurant along with the 

bar looks like it has been there forever and has 

become a popular venue on Manhattan‘s the 

Upper East Side. 

ralphlauren.com 

PHOTOS: PIERRE MONETTA, MASAHIKO TAKEDA, PLAZA ATHENE; LA RESERVE PARIS/ MICHEL REYBIER HOSPITALITY, POLO BAR, SHANGRI LA LONDON, HAM YARD HOTEL 

Gut, dass jeder Gast in seinem Zimmer ein Fernglas 

vorfindet. So kann er ganz gelassen einen Stuhl vor 

die zimmerhohen Fenster schieben und die 

Sehenswürdigkeiten Londons aus luftiger Höhe 

betrachten – befinden sich doch die Zimmer des 

neuen Luxushotels zwischen dem 36. und 

52. Stockwerk des Shard, jenes neuen, von dem 

italienischen Architekten Renzo Piano entworfenen 

Wolkenkratzers, der heute die Skyline von London 

beherrscht. 

It‘s great that every guest will find binoculars in 

their room. Then they can push a chair in front of 

the ceiling-high windows and view London‘s 

attractions comfortably at a dizzy height – after 

all, the rooms of this new luxury hotel are located 

between the 36th and 52nd floors of the Shard, the 

new skyscraper designed by the Italian architect 

Renzo Piano, which dominates London‘s skyline 

today. 

shangri-la.com/london 

London 

Ham Yard Hotel 

Das jüngste Projekt der britischen Firmdale Gruppe (Soho Hotel in 

London, Crosby Street Hotel in New York) befindet sich im Londoner 

Stadtteil Soho unweit des Piccadilly Circus und bietet neben 

entzückenden Zimmern auch ein Restaurant, Shops, ein kleines Kino, 

eine Library, ein Spa, eine Bowlingbahn aus den 1950er Jahren, 

die aus Texas importiert wurde, und auch sonst alles, was ein intimes, 

urban-lässiges (und ein wenig exzentrisches) Hotel ausmacht. 

Eine nachdrückliche Empfehlung. 

The newest project by the British Firmdale Group (Soho Hotel in 

London, Crosby Street Hotel in New York) is located in London‘s Soho 

area, not far from Piccadilly Circus. It not only offers charming rooms 

but also a restaurant, shops, a small cinema, a library, a spa, a bowling 

alley from the 1950s imported from Texas, and anything else that would 

be typical for an intimate casual urban (and slightly eccentric) hotel. 

Highly recommended. 

designhotels.com 



SAVOIR-VIVRE MUST-READS 

Lesenswertes aus und über Wien 

Book Tips from and about Vienna 

Ewald und Mario Plachutta 

Plachutta 

Wiener Küche 

Ein neues und unverzichtbares Nachschlagewerk 

zur Wiener Küche. 

A new and essential reference book on Viennese 

cuisine. 

Andreas Oberkanins & Ulrike Tschabitzer-Handler 

Austrian Fashion 

Design 

Mehr als bloß Helmut Lang – ein längst überfälliger 

Überblick über österreichische Mode. 

More than just Helmut Lang – a long overdue review 

of Austrian fashion. 

Werner Rosenberger 

Im Cottage 

Ein Spaziergang durch einen der schönsten 

Stadtteile Wiens, die so genannte „Cottage“. 

A stroll through one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods 

in Vienna, the so-called “Cottage”. 

Oliver Rathkolb 

Die paradoxe 

Republik 

Die Neuauflage einer kritischen 

Auseinandersetzung mit Österreich und 

seiner jüngsten Geschichte. 

A new edition of a critical debate on Austria and its 

most recent history. 

Wolfgang Freitag 

Wo Wien beginnt 

Am Rand der Stadt: eine Reise in die 

Außenbezirke der Metropole Wien. 

On the outskirts: a journey to the suburbs of the 

metropolis of Vienna. 

art:phalanx 

Das Tor zur Welt 

Das Coffeetable-Book erzählt die Geschichte 

des Wiener Hotels InterContinental. 

A coffee-table book on the history of the InterContinental 

Hotel in Vienna. 

In Wien sind die Plachuttas eine Institution. 

Ihre Restaurants sind nicht nur bekannt für ihren 

hervorragenden, perfekt präsentierten „Tafelspitz“, 

sondern auch für die zeitgemäße Zubereitung von 

Wiener Küchenklassikern. Für dieses Buch haben sie 

in ihrer Rezeptsammlung geblättert und 170 Rezepte 

„für jeden Tag und jede Gelegenheit“ ausgewählt. 

Von Tafelspitz bis Kaiserschmarren. Ein unverzichtbares 

Standardwerk und Nachschlagewerk für jeden, 

der Interesse an der Wiener Küche hat. 

The Plachuttas are an institution in Vienna. Their 

restaurants are not only famous for their excellent, 

perfectly presented “Tafelspitz” (boiled fillet of beef), 

but also for their modern preparation of classic 

Viennese cuisine. They browsed through their 

collection of recipes for this book and selected 170 

recipes “for everyday and every occasion”, ranging 

from Tafelspitz to Kaiserschmarrn. An essential 

standard reference book for anyone interested in 

Viennese cuisine. 

– 

Brandstätter Verlag 

€ 34,90 

Eine sehr gut illustrierte, gut gestaltete und mit 

klugen Essays versehene „Zeitreise durch die Mode“. 

Am Anfang stehen Gustav Klimt und Emilie Flöge, die 

um die vorletzte Jahrhundertwende den modischen 

Look des Landes prägten. Die Reise führt den Leser 

zu Rudi Gernreich und Helmut Lang, bis er in der 

Gegenwart ankommt, bei Shootingstars und 

Szenelieblingen wie Peter Pilotto und Lena Hoschek. 

Eine längst überfällige Aufarbeitung. 

A very well-illustrated, well-designed “time travel 

through fashion” with cleverly written essays. It starts 

with Gustav Klimt and Emilie Flöge who shaped the 

fashionable look of the country around the turn of the 

nineteenth century. The journey takes the reader to 

Rudi Gernreich and Helmut Lang up to the shooting 

stars and designer darlings of the present day such as 

Peter Pilotto and Lena Hoschek. A long overdue 

reappraisal. 

– 

Brandstätter Verlag 

€ 39,90 

Dass die „Cottage“, dieser Stadtteil im 18. und 

19. Wiener Gemeindebezirk, auch bei Botschaften, 

Mitarbeitern internationaler Organisationen und 

anderer Expats so beliebt ist, hat natürlich seine 

guten Gründe: die prachtvollen Villen, die herrlichen 

Gärten, die weitläufigen Parkanlagen. Der Journalist 

und Flaneur Werner Rosenberger erzählt die 

spannende Geschichte der Villen und ihrer Bewohner. 

There are obviously many good reasons why the 

“Cottage”, a municipal district in the 18th and 19th 

centuries in Vienna, is so popular with embassies, 

employees of international organisations and other 

expats: the magnificent villas, the glorious gardens, 

the extensive parks. The journalist and flaneur Werner 

Rosenberger has exciting stories to tell about the 

villas and their residents. 

– 

Metroverlag 

€ 19,90 

Soeben ist eine aktualisierte Fassung des Standardwerks 

zur österreichischen Geschichte seit 1945 

erschienen. Der renommierte Zeitgeschichtler Oliver 

Rathkolb beschreibt Österreich und seine jüngste 

Vergangenheit in all ihrer Widersprüchlichkeit und 

Inkonsequenz. Ein sehr lesenswerter, kritischer, auch 

immer wieder diskussionswürdiger Überblick über 

Geschichte und Politik der Zweiten Republik. 

An updated version of the standard reference on 

Austrian history since 1945 has just been published. 

The renowned contemporary historian Oliver Rathkolb 

describes Austria and its most recent past with all its 

contradictions and inconsistencies. A critical, 

interesting overview worthy of discussion regarding 

the history and politics of the Second Republic. 

– 

Zsolnay Verlag 

€ 30,80 

Die Wiener Innenstadt kennt jeder. Wie aber sieht 

Wien an seinen Rändern aus? Der Journalist 

Wolfgang Freitag hat sich auf eine Expedition entlang 

der 136 Kilometer langen Stadtgrenze begeben. 

Er hat Biergärten ebenso besucht wie Hightech- 

Unternehmen. Spannend, was da alles zusammenkommt. 

Ja, auch das ist Wien. 

Everyone knows the city centre of Vienna. But what 

do the outskirts of Vienna look like? The journalist 

Wolfgang Freitag has gone on an expedition along the 

city boundaries, which is 136 km long. He visited beer 

gardens as well as high-tech companies and came 

across many fascinating things. Yes, this is Vienna, 

too. 

– 

Metroverlag 

€ 19,90 

Als das InterContinental Wien 1964 als erstes 

internationales Hotel in Wien eröffnet wurde, 

kam endlich mit ein klein wenig Verspätung die 

Fifties-Moderne auch nach Wien. Internationale Stars, 

die in die Stadt kamen, stiegen nun hier ab. Das gut 

illustrierte Buch erzählt die Geschichte dieses 

ikonischen Gebäudes und stellt es nicht nur in einen 

historischen, sondern auch in einen politischen, 

gesellschaftlichen, ästhetischen und sogar 

kulinarischen Kontext. 

When the InterContinental Vienna opened its doors in 

1964 as the very first international hotel in Vienna, the 

modern fifties finally arrived in Vienna albeit a little 

late. International stars who came to Vienna now 

stayed there. This well-illustrated book recounts the 

history of this iconic building, putting it not only into 

a historical but also into a political, social, aesthetic 

and even culinary context. 

– 

Amalthea Verlag<br /&g

IRAK DIE WIEGE DER ZIVILISATION

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