CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 04/2022

Winter 2022/23
Nr. 4 | December - February
cercle-diplomatique.com
THE LEADING AUSTRIAN MAGAZINE FOR
DIPLOMACY INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS GLOBAL BUSINESS CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE
INDIEN
DIE AUFSTREBENDE MACHT
INDIA
THE RISING POWER

LE XYX XYXYXY
A GLAMOROUS GIFT:
SPARKLING
CULINARY PLEASURES
OUR STYLISH PRIVATE CHAMPAGNE TASTINGS.
LE BAR at Vienna’s Sans Souci hotel offers an elegant setting any day
of the week for you to come and taste the best selection of champagnes
from France’s most famous vineyards. You can enjoy your tasting
experience together with your partner or your friends, or even choose
us to host your unique and exclusive bachelor party.
Champagne is always a good idea! For more information, visit:
SANSSOUCI-WIEN.COM/KULINARIK/CHAMPAGNE-TASTINGS
Also available as a gift certificate in our online shop.
EDITORIAL
Liebe Leserinnen, liebe Leser! | Dear Readers!
Wiens Bürgermeister Michael Ludwig postet regelmäßig
auf Facebook. Erst kürzlich sprach
er dort die Internationalität und Offenheit
der österreichischen Hauptstadt an, eine Stadt, die funktioniert.
Auch heuer wurde sie wieder, nach 2018 und
2019, „Lebenswerteste Stadt der Welt“, mit der altehrwürdigen
Ringstraßenarchitektur mit ihren wunderbaren
Palais, wie z.B. dem Hotel Imperial, das 2023 das
150-Jahr-Jubiläum feiert und neue Hotels entstehen (Seiten
128 und 132). Zudem fand vor 150 Jahren die Weltausstellung
in Wien statt, der wir ab Seite 96 huldigen.
Ludwig pries Wien als den einzigen UNO-Sitz in der EU
sowie als Standort der OPEC und der OSZE. Gerade in
Zeiten multipler Krisen sei ihm als Bürgermeister die Diplomatie
besonders wichtig, sowie die Vernetzung der
Stadt international ein besonderes Anliegen. Dies gelingt
auch den Absolventen Internationaler Schulen mit IB-
Abschluss, die nach ihrer Schulzeit weltweit reüssieren
können, ab Seite 82.
Unsere Coverstory (ab Seite 28) ist Indien gewidmet,
das seit 75 Jahren unabhängig ist, im Weltgeschehen immer
sichtbarer wird und 2023 die G-20 Präsidentschaft
von Indonesien übernehmen wird. Unser zweites Länder-Portrait
ist Ecuador gewidmet, das 2022 150 Jahre
diplomatischer Beziehungen mit Österreich feiert (Seite
42).
Immer wieder ist es für unsere Autorenschaft ein Vergnügen,
hochkarätige Gesprächspartner zu treffen. In
dieser Ausgabe finden Sie Top-Interviews mit Martin
Kocher, Bundesminister für Arbeit und Wirtschaft (Seite
64), Botschafter Alexander Kmentt, Leiter der Abteilung
für Abrüstung, Rüstungskontrolle und Non-Proliferation
im österreichischen Außenministerium (Seite 70), Botschafter
Friedrich Stift, Geschäftsführer der Austrian Development
Agency (ADA) ab Seite 52, und Harald Mahrer,
Präsident der Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (Seite
76).
Als wunderbare Reisedestinationen möchten wir Ihnen
den Tiroler Achensee (Seite 156) sowie Antwerpen
im belgischen Flandern (Seite 152) ans Herz legen.
Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig regularly posts on
Facebook. Just recently, he commented on the international
character and openness of the Austrian
capital, a city that just works. This year, it was again,
after 2018 and 2019, voted “Most Liveable City in the
World”, including its time-honoured Ringstrasse boulevard
architecture with its wonderful palaces, such as the
Hotel Imperial, which celebrates its 150th anniversary in
2023, as well as several new hotels being built (pages 128
and 132). Furthermore, 150 years ago, the World’s Fair
was held in Vienna, which we pay tribute to from page 96.
Ludwig praised Vienna as the only UN seat in the EU as
well as home to OPEC and the OSCE. Especially in times
of multiple international crises, he said, diplomacy was
particularly important to him as mayor, as was the city‘s
international network. This work is likely to be continued
by the graduates of international schools with IB degrees,
who will be able to succeed anywhere in the world, from
page 82.
Our cover story (from page 28) is dedicated to India,
which gained independence 75 years ago, is playing an increasingly
larger role in global affairs and is set to take over
the G20 presidency from Indonesia in 2023. Our second
country portrait is dedicated to Ecuador, which celebrates
150 years of diplomatic relations with Austria this year
(page 42).
Time and time again, it is one of the great pleasures of
our writers to meet with distinguished conversation partners.
This issue features high-calibre interviews with Martin
Kocher, Minister of Labour and Economy (page 64),
Ambassador Alexander Kmentt, Director for Disarmament,
Arms Control and Non-Proliferation at the Austrian
Foreign Ministry (page 70), Ambassador Friedrich
Stift, Director of the Austrian Development Agency
(ADA) from page 52 and Harald Mahrer, President of the
Austrian Economic Chamber (page 76).
As beautiful travel destinations, we would
like to recommend Lake Achen in Tyrol
(page 156) as well as Antwerp in Flanders,
Belgium (page 152).
Herzlichst, | Sincerely,
PHOTO: GREGOR TURECEK
Andrea Fürnweger
Herausgeberin | Publisher
2 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
HOTEL | SPA | RESTAURANT & BAR
BURGGASSE 2 | 1070 WIEN, AUSTRIA | T: +43-1-522 25 20
WWW.SANSSOUCI-WIEN.COM
Mag. Alexander Bursky
Herausgeber | Publisher

CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE –
ECONOMIQUE et TOURISTIQUE
Nr. 333
Ausgabe | Issue 04/2022
December – February
CONTENTS
Cover story
INDIA
Seite | page 28
Nach 75 Jahren Unabhängigkeit
sind die Inder und Indien
auf der Weltbühne
sichtbarer als je zuvor.
After 75 years of
independence, Indians and
India are more visible than
ever on the world stage.
06
12
28
40
42
48
50
52
58
60
64
70
76
82
92
LE BULLETIN
Die neuen Botschafter | The new Ambassadors
Akkreditierung durch Bundespräsident Alexander Van der Bellen.
Accredidation by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Offizielle Empfänge | Official Receptions
Die großen Empfänge der vergangenen Wochen. The great receptions of the last few weeks.
LE MONDE
Coverstory India | Cover story India
Die Aufstrebende Macht. The rising power.
Interview
Der Botschafter des Oman im Interview. Interview with the Ambassador of Oman.
Ecuador
A country with scenic variety. Ein Land mit landschaftlicher Vielfalt.
Kommentar | Commentary
Wer ist im Mittleren Osten zuverlässig? Who is realiable in the Middle East?
Kommentar | Commentary
Der Indopazifik als geopolitisches Schachbrett. The Indopacific as geopolitic chessboard.
Interview
Botschafter Friedrich Stift über die ADA. Ambassador Friedrich Stift on ADA.
Kommentar | Commentary
Abwendung der nuklearen Katastrophe in der Ukraine. Averting nuclear disaster in Ukraine.
News
Neuigkeiten aus aller Welt. Latest update from around the globe.
L‘AUTRICHE
Labour & Economy | Arbeit & Wirtschaft
Minister Martin Kocher im Interview. Interview with Minister Martin Kocher.
Abrüstung | Disarmament
Botschafter Alexander Kmentt im Interview. Interview with Ambassador Alexander Kmentt.
Wirtschaft | Economy
Harald Mahrer im Interview. Interview with Harald Mahrer.
Internationale Schulen | International Schools
Absolventen im Portrait. Alumni in portraits.
Wirtschaftsnews | Business news
Neues aus Österreich. News from Austria.
118
120
128
130
132
134
138
144
146
150
152
156
160
166
176
178
Connaisseur | Connoisseur
Essen und trinken mit Stil. Wine and dine in style.
Kulinarische Weihnachtsgeschenke | Culinary gifts for Christmas
Genuss zum Essen und Trinken. Indulgence to eat and drink.
Check In
Interview mit GM Nicole Zandt, Hotel The Amauris.
Interview with GM Nicole Zandt, Hotel The Amauris.
Table Talk
Zu Besuch im Hotel Galántha bei Markus Ernst, Head of Hospitality bei Esterhazy.
A visit to the Hotel Galántha with Markus Ernst, Head of Hospitality at Esterhazy.
Suite Dreams
Interview mit Hotel Managerin Sina Nikolussi, Hotel O11.
Interview with Hotel Manager Nicole Zandt, Hotel The Amauris.
Global Adviser
Verreisen, besuchen und lesen. Travelling, visiting and reading.
Real Estate | Immobilien
Mondäne Immo-Trends. Fashionable resdential trends.
Lifestyle
Trends für die Wintersaison. Trends for the winter season.
Ambassador‘s Drive
Brasiliens Botschafter auf CD-Testfahrt. Brazil‘s Ambassador on a test drive.
Motor
Ziel: Emissionsfreie Mobilität. Goal: Zero-emission mobility.
Weekender
Flandern in Belgien. Flanders in Belgium.
Weekender
Achensee in Tirol. Lake Achen in Tyrol.
Upcoming
Ideen für eine Auszeit. Ideas for a time-out.
LES RENDEZVOUS
Veranstaltungen | Events
Exklusive Veranstaltungen im Fokus. Exclusive events in focus.
Etikette | Etiquette
Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer über Wein. Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer on wine.
Mein Österreich | My Austria
Die Botschafterin des Vereinigten Königreichs Großbritannien und Nordirland.
The Ambassador of the United Kingdom Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
96
104
106
112
114
SAVOIR VIVRE
150 Jahre Wiener Weltausstellung | 150 Years Vienna World‘s Fair
Wiens Aufstieg zur Weltmetropole. Vienna‘s rise as a world metropolis.
Vision Dialogue
Stefan Herheim, Musik Theater an der Wien.
Zukünftige Technologien | Future Technologies
Der Bionik gehört die Zukunft. Bionics is the future.
Botschafter der Musik | Ambassadors of Music
Klaviervirtuose Lukas Sternath. Piano virtuoso Lukas Sternath.
Kunst | Arts
Kulturelle Highlights im Winter. Cultural highlights in summer.
3
4
177
Titelbild | Cover
Das Taj Mahal bei Sonnenaufgang. | Taj Mahal at sunrise.
Editorial
Inhalt | Contents
Impressum | Imprint
Aus Gründen der besseren Lesbarkeit wird im Deutschen auf die gleichzeitige Verwendung
weiblicher und männlicher Sprachformen verzichtet und das generische Maskulinum verwendet.
Sämtliche Personenbezeichnungen gelten gleichermaßen für alle Geschlechter.
For reasons of better readability of the German texts, the simultaneous use of female and male
language forms is avoided, the generic masculine is used and apply equally to all genders.
COVERPHOTO: ADOBE STOCK PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
Ein königlicher Bengal-Tiger.
A Royal bengal tiger.

YOUR
HEALTH
EXPERTS
Int_Apotheke_77x297.indd 1 16/02/2017 07:34
LE
BULLETIN
OPERN APOTHEKE
Kärntner Strasse 55
1010 Wien
T: +43 (0)1 512 68 64
F: +43 (0)1 513 11 21
www.opern-apotheke.at
We stand for commitment,
service and efficiency concerning
health, beauty and
well-being. According to our
motto “get well and stay well”
we care for all our customers
with competence speaking
more than 13 languages.
The Pharmacy at the State
Opera Vienna and the International
Pharmacy – serving
your health for over 100 years,
in the immediate vicinity of
the renowned Viennese hotels.
INTERNATIONALE APOTHEKE
Kärntner Ring 17
1010 Wien
T: +43 (0)1 512 28 25
F: +43 (0)1 512 28 259
www.internationale-apotheke.at
IN LE BULLETIN ERFAHREN
SIE, WER DIE NEU
AKKREDITIERTEN
BOTSCHAFTER IN
ÖSTERREICH SIND UND
WELCHE OFFIZIELLEN
EMPFÄNGE UND EVENTS
IN DEN VERGANGENEN
MONATEN STATTGEFUNDEN
HABEN.
LE BULLETIN TELLS YOU WHO
THE NEWLY ACCREDITED
AMBASSADORS TO AUSTRIA
ARE AND WHICH OFFICIAL
RECEPTIONS AND EVENTS
TOOK PLACE IN THE PAST FEW
MONTHS.

LE BULLETIN CREDENTIALS
Wir begrüßen die neuen Botschafter herzlich in Österreich: Willkommen!
We cordially welcome the new Ambassadors to Austria!
H.E.
Caroline
Vermeulen
Ambassador of the
Kingdom of Belgium
Credentials: September 2022
H.E.
Rodrigo Olsen
Olivares
Ambassador of the Republic
of Chile
Credentials: September 2022
Maria
Michail
H.E.
Ambassador of the Republic
of Cyprus
Credentials: November 2022
Jiří
Šitler
H.E.
Ambassador of the
Czech Republic
Credentials: September 2022
H.E.
Christian
Grønbech-Jensen
Ambassador of the Kingdom
of Denmark
Credentials: November 2022
Merle
Pajula
H.E.
Ambassador of the Republic
of Estonia
Credentials: September 2022
H.E.
Haitham
Abu Alfoul
H.E.
Mary Wangui
Mugwanja
Ambassador of the Hashemite Ambassador of the Republic of
Kingdom of Jordan
Kenya
Credentials: November 2022 Credentials: November 2022
Born in 1973
Married, two children
Born on April 4, 1966
Married, two children
Born on October 14, 1973
Married
Born on December 22 , 1964
Married, three children
Born in 1974
Married, two children
Born on January 13, 1960
Married to Arne Pajula
Born on July 16, 1969
Married, five children
Born on November 28
Two children
Education
1995 Master degree in Contemporary
History (Université Catholique de Louvain)
1996 Postgraduate in European Studies
(College of Europe, Bruges)
Professional Career
2019-2022 Director for European External
relations, Directorate general for European
affairs, Ministry of Foreign affairs, Brussels
2015-2019 Deputy head of Mission,
Belgian Embassy, Beijing
2011-2015 Director of the Belgian Office,
Taipei
2004-2011 Secretary of HM Queen Paola,
Royal Palace, Brussels
2002-2004 First Secretary, Belgian
Embassy, Moscow
1999-2002 Environment Attaché, Belgian
Permanent Representation at the
European Union
1999 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brussels
1998 Attaché, Belgian Embassy , Tokyo
1997 Diplomatic service of the Ministry
for Foreign Affairs from 1/09/1997
onwards
Education
Master of Arts in International Affairs in Carleton
University, Ottawa, Canada
B.A in History, Pontificia Universidad Católica
of Valparaiso, Chile
Certificate of Environmental Law in the Pontificia
Universidad Católica de Santiago
Professional Career
2019-2020 Director of the Environment and
Ocean Affairs
2018-2019 Director of Asia Pacific
2016-2017 Embassy of Italy and Alternate
Representative to FAO in Rome
He was designated as an ambassador in December
2017.
Head of the Negotiation team for UN COP 25
on Climate Change and leader of the portfolio
in Biodiversity, Marine Protection, Forests and
to the Seabed authority in Jamaica
Responsible for the beginning of the negotiations
of the High Seas Treaty in the BBNJ
process. In the Interamerican system, lead the
negotiations for the approval of the Interamerican
Convention for the protection of the
Human Rights of the Older People and the
Interamerican Convention for the elimination
of all type of racial discrimination. Former Director
of Regional Multilateral Integration,
responsible for the negotiations in UNASUR
and CELAC
2010-2015 Mission of Chile to the Organization
of the American States in Washington D.C.
Education
1994 graduated from the University of
Leicester, UK with a BA in Politics
1995 obtained an MA in European
Studies from the University of Surrey, UK i
Professional Career
August 2018 assumed her duties as
Director of the Cyprus Question and
Turkey Directorate
September 2017- July 2018 headed the
Crisis Management Department at the
MFA
July 2015 returned to Nicosia where she
served as Head of the Department of
Eastern Europe, Western Balkans and
Central Asia, at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs
April 2012 High Commissioner of Cyprus
to India, with parallel accreditation to
Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar,
The Maldives, Malaysia, Thailand and
Vietnam
2009- 2012 Deputy Permanent
Representative at the Mission of Cyprus
to the United Nations in Geneva
2008 Deputy Director of the Cyprus
Question and Turkey Division
2006-2007 served at the Foreign
Minister’s Cabinet
Education
April 1990 PhDr. degree in History, Charles
University
1983-1988 Faculty of Philosophy, Charles
University, Prague, graduated in history in
May 1988
1979-1983 Secondary school Gymnázium J.
K. Tyla, Hradec Králové
Professional Career
August 2020 – August 2022
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of the
Central Europe Department
February 2016 – August 2020
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Czech Republic to Sweden
March 2015 – January 2016
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Special Envoy for
Holocaust Issues and Combating
Antisemitism
November 2010 – January 2015
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Czech Republic to Romania
April 2008 – October 2010
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of the
Asia and Pacific Department
December 2007 – March 2008
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, special envoy on
Myanmar/Burma
December 2006 – November 2007
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director of
Diplomatic Protocol
May 2001 – December 2006
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of
Thailand, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao
PDR and the Union of Myanmar/Burma
PHOTOS: HBF, CARINA KARLOVITS/HBF UND PETER LECHNER/HBF
PHOTOS: HBF, CARINA KARLOVITS/HBF UND PETER LECHNER/HBF
Education
BA, Political Science, Aarhus University,
MA-studies, Middle Eastern politics
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, MA,
Political Science - International Relations,
Aarhus University
Awarded certificate of completion for the
Leadership for the 21st Century
programme, 2018, John F. Kennedy School
of Government at Harvard University,
Executive Education
Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog,
2018
Professional Career
2019 – 2022 Director, Security Policy
Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Denmark, Copenhagen
2016 – 2019 Director, Ministers’ Private
Offices and Executive Secretariat, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Copenhagen
2013 – 2016 Deputy Head of Mission,
Minister Counsellor, Royal Danish Embassy
in London
2009 – 2013 Principal Private Secretary
to the Foreign Minister Villy Søvndal
(Socialist)
2011 – 2013 Lene Espersen (Conservative)
2010 – 2011 Per Stig Møller (Conservative)
2008 – 2010 Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Denmark, Copenhagen
2008 – 2009 Private Secretary to the
Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Denmark, Copenhagen
Education
Tartu University 1983
Philologist, editor, teacher of Estonian
language and literature
Professional Career
2019 – 2022 Head of the Foreign
Relations Department, Chancellery of the
Riigikogu (Parliament)
2015 – 2019 Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the
Republic 0f Estonia, Stockholm
2010 – 2014 Policy Planning Director,
Political Department, MFA
2006 –2010 Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the
Republic of Estonia, Helsinki
2004 –2006 Head of the Foreign
Relations Department, Chancellery of the
Riigikogu (Parliament)
2000 –2004 Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary, Permanent
Representative
of the Republic of Estonia to the United
Nations, New York
1998 –2000 Director General, Press and
Information Department, MFA
1995 – 1998 Second Secretary (press and
information matters), Embassy of the
Republic of Estonia, Helsinki
1992 – 1995 Third Secretary, Press and
Information Department, Estonian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
1989 –1992 Editor, Courses for Enhancing
the Qualifications of Cultural Workers
Education
1986 – 1990 B.A. Political Sciences /
Economic & Statistics, University of Jordan,
Jordan
1995 – 1996 M. Dip, Master of Diplomacy,
Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic
Studies, University of Malta, Malta
2017 – 2020 PhD of Political Sciences
(Political Systems), Salahaddin University,
Kurdistan Region- Iraq
Professional Career
1995 – Present Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Expatriates of Jordan
September 2021–October 2022
Ambassador, Ministry Spokesperson
October 2020–October 2022 Ambassador,
Director of Consular Affairs Department &
Director of Operations Center
May 2016–October 2020 Consul General
of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Erbil
– Kurdistan Region – Iraq
March 2014–May 2016 Director of
Expatriates Affairs Department
December 2012–May 2016 Director of the
Coordinating Office of King Abdullah II Award
March 2015–May 2016 Acting Director of
ICT
2008–2012 Counselor, Jordan Embassy in
Abu Dhabi, UAE
2005–2008 Second Secretary, Jordan
Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen
Education
1974–1980 Matindiri Primary School
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education
1981–1984 Kambui Girls High School
Kenya Certificate of Education – 2nd
Division
1986–1988 Kiambu Institute of Science &
Technology
Diploma in Secretarial Duties
2003–2004 Strathmore University
Certificate in Leadership & Management
2008–2015 Strathmore University
Bachelor of Science in Leadership and
Management Degree – Double Major Public
Administration & NPO Management – 2nd
Class Upper Division
Professional Career
September 2020 – July 2022 County
Government of Nyandarua – CECM – Transport,
Energy and Public Works
November 2017 – August 2020 County
Government of Nyandarua - County
Executive Committee Member (CECM)
Finance and Economic Development
18th June, 2012 – November, 2017 Equity
Bank of Kenya Ltd – Snr. Business Growth &
Development Manager, Westlands
Corporate
20th August 2009 – 17th June, 2012
Equity Bank of Kenya Ltd – Business
Growth & Development Manager,
Westlands Retail
8 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
9

LE BULLETIN CREDENTIALS
H.E.
Talal Sulaiman
Alfassam
Ambassador of the
State of Kuwait
Credentials: September 2022
Jean
Graff
H.E.
Ambassador of the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg
Credentials: November 2022
Mihaela
Mocanu
H.E.
Ambassador of the Republic
of Moldova
Credentials: November 2022
H.E.
Bharat
Kumar Regmi
Ambassador of the Federal
Democratic Republic of Nepal
Credentials: September 2022
Susan
Eckey
H.E.
Ambassador of the Kingdom
of Norway
Credentials: November 2022
H.E.
Magdi
A. Mofadal
Ambassador of the Republic
of the Sudan
Credentials: September 2022
H.E.
Hemra
Amannazarov
Ambassador of the Republic
of Turkmenistan
Credentials: September 2022
Born in 1971
Married, two children
Born on September 24, 1964
Married, two children
Born on January 8, 1982
Married, two children
Born in May 1969
Married to Ms. Shanti Paudel, three children
Born on July 22, 1964
Married
Born on February 17, 1969
Married, one child
Born on September 25, 1981
Married, two children
Education
1997 BA in Political Science from the
University of Oregon
Professional Career
2017-2022 Permanent Mission of Kuwait
to the United Nations-NY
2012-2017 Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2011-2012 Embassy of the State of Kuwait
to Singapore
2007-2011 Embassy of the State of
Kuwait to Austria and Kuwait Mission to
the United Nations-Vienna
2000-2007 Embassy of the State of
Kuwait to the United States of America
1998-2000 Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1997-1998 Council of Ministers of the
State of Kuwait
Education
1983 – 1984 Centre Universitaire de
Luxembourg
Diploma: Certificate in Law and Economics
1984 – 1987 Faculty of Law and Economic
Sciences
University of Nancy (France)
Master in Business Administration
Professional Career
2017 – 2022 Ambassador of Luxembourg to
Germany
2013 – 2017 Ambassador of Luxembourg to
Spain and Andorra (Madrid)
2008 – 2013 Director for International
Economic Relations and EU Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg
2002 – 2008 Ambassador of Luxembourg
to The Netherlands (The Hague)
Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to
the OPCW (The Hague)
1995 – 2001 Consul General of Luxembourg
in New York
Director of the Luxembourg Trade &
Investment Office (New York)
1993 – 1995 Permanent Representation of
Luxembourg to the EU (Brussels)
1989 – 1992 Attaché at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
Directorate of International Economic
Relations
1987 – 1988 Ministry of Education
(Luxembourg)
Education
2000–2004 Licentiate in Philology, State
University of Moldova, Faculty for Foreign
Languages and Literatures, Department of
German Language
2004–2005 Master Degree in Philology,
State University of Moldova, Faculty for Foreign
Languages
and Literatures
2008–2009 The 4thDiplomatenkolleg, Foreign
Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Professional Career
2019 – 2022 Head of the OSCE and International
Security Division, Directorate for Multilateral
Cooperation
2016 – 2019 Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic
of Moldova to Romania
2015 – 2016 Counsellor, Central and South-
East Europe Division, Department for Bilateral
Cooperation
2010 – 2013 1st Secretary/Counsellor/Head
of Division a.i., Western Europe Division, Department
for Bilateral Cooperation
2007 – 2010 1st Secretary, Embassy of the
Republic of Moldova to the Federal Republic
of Germany
2006 – 2007 1st Secretary/Counsellor,
Western Europe Division, Department for Bilateral
Cooperation
2004 –2006 State University of Moldova,
Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature,
Department of German Language
Education
Received a Master of Political Science and a
Bachelor of Law from Tribhuvan University,
Katmandu, Nepal
August 1996 – July 1997 attended various
professional courses, including Diplomatic
Training, Foreign Affairs College, Beijing,
China
August – October 2003 Disarmament
Fellowship, the United Nations Offices,
Geneva/New York
May – June 2014 Professional Course on
Management and Development, Nepal
Administrative Staff College
March 2017 – April 2017 Advanced Course
on Asia-Pacific Security, Hawaii, USA
He also took Novel Writing Class at South
African Writers’ College (2012-2013).
Professional Career
2017-2020 Minister/Deputy Chief of Mission
in the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi, India,
he also served as Chargé d’Affaires from October
2017 to February 2019
2015-2016 Chargé d’Affaires e.p. in the Embassy
of Nepal in Muscat, Oman
2010-2014 Counsellor in the Embassy of
Nepal in Pretoria, South Africa
2005-2008 Consul in the Consulate General
of Nepal in Lhasa, Tibet, China
1998-2002 served as Second/First Secretary
in the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN
in New York
PHOTOS: HBF, CARINA KARLOVITS/HBF UND PETER LECHNER/HBF
PHOTOS: HBF, CARINA KARLOVITS/HBF UND PETER LECHNER/HBF
Education
1981- 83 International Baccalaureat
Diploma, United World College Lester B.
Pearson College of the Pacific, Vancouver
Island, Canada
1988 Master of Science in Economics and
Business Administration, Norwegian School
of Economics (Norges Handelshøyskole,
NHH), Bergen, Norway
Professional Career
September 2020 Deputy Director General,
Department for Multilateral Affairs (UN
Affairs, Human Rights, Humanitarian
Affairs, Multilateral Development Banks,
Coordination of Norway’s Security Council
membership 2021-2022), Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Oslo
August 2019 ECOSOC Ambassador during
the ECOSOC Presidency of Norway’s
Permanent Representative, Permanent
Mission of Norway to the United Nations,
New York
September 2015 Ambassador to Uganda,
Rwanda and Burundi, Embassy of Norway
in Kampala, Uganda
August 2011 Minister Counsellor for
Economic and Social Affairs, Permanent
Mission of Norway to the United Nations,
New York
and Deputy Head of the Section for
Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Oslo
Education
December 1994 graduated from the
University of Khartoum, with a Bachelor of
Science in Political Science
Professional Career
March 2020 – June 2022 Director,
Sub-Regional Organizations Department,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khartoum, Sudan
May 2019 – December 2019 Chargé d’
Affairs ad interim, Embassy of the Republic
of the Sudan to the United States,
Washington D.C.
August 2016 – April 2019 Ambassador
and Deputy Permanent Representative,
Sudan Permanent Mission to the United
Nations, New York
June 2013 – June 2016 Ambassador and
Deputy Head of Mission, Sudan Embassy,
Juba, the Republic of South Sudan
January 2012 – June 2013 Minister
Plenipotentiary at the American Affairs
Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Khartoum
July 2007 – December 2011 Counselor and
Minister Plenipotentiary at Sudan Embassy,
Nairobi, the Republic of Kenya
October 2004 – June 2007 First
Secretary, Department of American Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Khartoum, Sudan
August 2000 – September 2004 Second
Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission,
Sudan Embassy Bucharest, Romania
Education
1998-2002 Graduated from Turkmen
Polytechnic Institute, Oil and Gas Engineer
Professional Career
2019-2022 Director, Department of
International Organizations, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan
2016-2019 First Secretary, the Embassy of
Turkmenistan in the United Arab Emirates
2011-2016 First Secretary, Permanent
Mission of Turkmenistan to the United
Nations Office in Geneva
2008-2011 Second Secretary, Americas
Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Turkmenistan
2005-2008 from junior to senior
specialist, State Concern «Turkmen Gas»
2004-2005 Laboratory Assistant, Oil and
Gas Faculty, Turkmen Polytechnic Institute
10 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
11

LE BULLETIN REVIEW
Official receptions
Find more
photos online
cercle-diplomatique.com
June 2022
Presentation of the autumn issue of „Cercle Diplomatique“ at the
Danube Tower Vienna and the Restaurant Donaubräu
Left: H.E. Aftab Ahmad Khokher (2nd right) with his
spouse Afshan Aftab Khokher (2nd left) and the
publishers of Cercle Diplomatique, Andrea Fürnweger
(very right) and Alexander Bursky (very left).
The guests enjoyed good food and good company at
the terrace of the Restaurant Donaubräu and could
also savour the viewing platform of the Danube Tower
Vienna. During the event, donations for the victims of
the flood disaster in Pakistan were also collected and
handed over to the embassy.
PHOTOS: PHILIPP HUTTER
12 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
13

LE BULLETIN REVIEW
September 2022
Brazil
On the occasion of the 200th Independence Day, a reception was held
at Rothschild Palace, seat of the Brazilian residence.
September 2022
Liechtenstein
A reception was hosted at the Garden Palace Liechtenstein.
Left: H.E. Nelson Antonio Tabajara
de Oliveira (very right) with his
spouse, Ana Maria Leonardos (2nd
r.) and H.E. Carlos Sergio Sobral
Duarte (2nd left) with his spouse
Monica Duarte (very left)
Left: H.S.H. Maria-Pia Kothbauer
(left) with H.E. Daniel Risch, Head
of Government of Liechtenstein
(middle) and H.E. Dominique Hasler,
Government Councillor and Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Education and
Sport (right)
September 2022
Slovakia
The 30th National Day was celebrated with a reception at the residence.
Left: H.E. Peter Mišík with his spouse
Libuša Mišíková
PHOTOS: LUKAS CHARWAT PHOTOS: LUKAS CHARWAT
PHOTOS: BRUNO STUBENRAUCH
PHOTOS: LUKAS CHARWAT
September 2022
Switzerland
The traditional „Soirée Suisse“ was held again after a 2-year break at the embassy.
Left: H.E. Walter Haffner with his
spouse Tamar Haffner
14 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
15

LE BULLETIN REVIEW
September 2022
Saudi Arabia
On the occasion of the 92nd National Day, a reception was
held at the Kursalon.
Left: H.R.H. Prince Abdullah Bin
Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al
Saud with the former Austrian
Federal President, Heinz Fischer
Worauf Sie auch warten,
Laden ist es nicht
– mit bis zu 170 kW an Schnellladesäulen.
Die neuen, rein elektrischen Audi Q8 e-tron Modelle.
#FutureIsAnAttitude
PHOTOS: PHILIPP HUTTER
September 2022
Nepal
National Day was celebrated with a reception at the Haus der Ingenieure.
Left: H.E. Bharat Kumar Regmi and
his spouse, Shanti Poudel Regmi
PHOTOS: LUKAS CHARWAT
Mehr erfahren auf audi.at
Stromverbrauch (kombiniert) in kWh/100 km: 19,7 – 22 (WLTP); CO₂-Emissionen (kombiniert) in g/km: 0. Angaben zu den Stromverbräuchen
und CO₂-Emissionen bei Spannbreiten in Abhängigkeit von der gewählten Ausstattung des Fahrzeugs. Symbolfoto. Stand 11/2022.
16 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

LE BULLETIN REVIEW
September 2022
Malta
On the occasion of the 58th National Day, a reception was given at
the Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna.
October 2022
Taiwan
The 111th anniversary of the founding of Taiwan was celebrated with
a reception at the Grand Hotel Wien.
Left: H.E. Natasha Meli Daudey (2nd
left) with Clint Camilleri, Minister
for Gozo (2nd right)
Left: Katharine Chang, Head of
Mission of the Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office in Austria
PHOTOS: PHILIPP HUTTER
PHOTOS: LUKAS CHARWAT
October 2022
Germany
The Day of German Unity was celebrated with a reception at the Transport
Museum Remise.
Left: H.E. Michael Klor-Berchtold
(very left) with H.E. Gesa
Bräutigam (2nd right), H.E. Götz
Schmidt-Bremme (very right) and
the Mayor of Vienna, Michael
Ludwig (2nd left)
NEWLY
OPENED
PHOTOS: PHILIPP HUTTER
STAY CLASSY
FEEL SPECIAL
BE A VIP
18 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Opernring 11, 1010 Wien
+43 1 5875518-0
welcome@o11-hotel.com
o11-hotel.com
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
19

LE BULLETIN REVIEW
October 2022
Ecuador
The 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Austria and Ecuador
was celebrated with a concert and a reception at Arnold Schönberg Center.
October 2022
Türkiye
On the occasion of the 99th National Day, a reception
was held at the Kursalon.
Left: H.E. Mireya Muñoz Mera
Left: H.E. Archbishop Pedro
López Quintana (very left) with
H.E. Ozan Ceyhun (2nd left),
H.E. Hatun Demirer (3rd left)
and H.E. Levent Eler (3rd right)
October 2022
Czech Republic
On the occasion of National Day, a reception was given at the embassy.
Left: H.E. Jiří Šitler(middle) with
H.E. Ivo Šrámek (left) and Martin
Kuba, the Governor of the Region of
South Bohemia (right)
PHOTOS: LUKAS CHARWAT PHOTOS: KURT PATZAK
PHOTOS: PHILIPP HUTTER
top
of
Vienna
The Danube Tower is a Viennese landmark, a technical masterpiece
and shines in a stylish reinterpretation of the 1960s. The express lift
takes you up to the viewing platform 150 meters up in the air, with
an unforgettable 360° panorama. This makes the Danube Tower
a popular destination and the perfect starting point for anyone who
wants to discover the city.
Once up there, it roams into the distance, to the margins of the city and
even far beyond. These changes in perspective make a visit to the
Danube Tower an unforgettable experience. Learn more about its history,
look forward to culinary highlights and enjoy the thrill at dizzy heights.
20 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
donauturm.at
Donauturmplatz 1
1220 Vienna
T +43 / 1 / 263 35 72
reservierungen@donauturm.at

LE BULLETIN REVIEW
October 2022
Austrian National Day at Heldenplatz
After two years of pandemic-related forced break, the Federal Armed Forces were again represented with their exhibition on Vienna‘s
Heldenplatz, more than 1,000 recruits were sworn in.
November 2022
Kazakhstan
The Republic Day and 30 years of diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan
and Austria were celebrated with a concert at Wiener Konzerthaus.
Below: Rudolf Striedinger
is the new Chief of
General Staff.
The celebrations for National Day 2022 have begun with
the traditional wreath-laying ceremonies by Federal
President Alexander Van der Bellen and Defence Minister
Klaudia Tanner at the Outer Burgtor on Vienna‘s Heldenplatz.
Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer received visitors
at the Federal Chancellery on that day.
PHOTOS: PETER LECHNER/ HBF, DRAGAN TATIC
PHOTOS: KURT PATZAK PHOTOS: KURT PATZAK
Right: H.E. Alibek Bakayev
November 2022
Angola
On the occasion of the 47th Independence Day, a reception was
given at the Hilton Vienna Park.
Left: H.E. Teodolinda Rosa
Rodrigues Coelho
BOOK NOW
and don’t miss
the chance to win
a flight and 2 night stay
for two in Paris!
For info and booking:
22 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

LE BULLETIN REVIEW
November 2022
Belgium
The King‘s Day was celebrated with a reception at the residence.
Left: H.E. Caroline Vermeulen (2nd
right) with her spouse Giuseppe
Bossiner (right) and H.E. Didier
Nagant de Deuxchaisnes (2nd left)
with his spouse Laetitia Spetschinsky
PHOTOS: BOBI PIX
November 2022
Latvia
On the occasion of the 104th National Day, guests enjoyed a screening of a Latvian film at the Urania cinema, followed by a reception.
Left: H.E. Guna Japiņa (right) and H.E.
Katrīna Kaktiņa (left) with CD‘s
publisher Andrea Fürnweger
PHOTOS:KURT PATZAK
24 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

LE
MONDE
HIER FINDEN SIE EINE
REIHE HOCHINTERESSANTER
BERICHTE ÜBER DIE
LÄNDER DIESER WELT UND
IHRE 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.
EXKLUSIVE
EIGENTUMSWOHNUNGEN
im repräsentativen Ambiente eines
historischen Schlossparks in 1190 Wien.
www.schlossparkfreihof.at
Ein Projekt von
Exklusivvermarktung

LE MONDE INDIA
INDIA
A guard of the Golden Temple.
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
After 75 years of independence, Indians and India are more visible
than ever before on the world stage. In a time full of tensions, the
country offers alternatives to the old style the world was run.
Text: Bernhard Ecker
THE RISING
POWER
28 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
29

LE MONDE INDIA
PHOTOS: INCREDIBLE INDIA / MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ADOBE STOCK
From left: The Lotus Temple in Delhi, the marekt in Meghalaya and the Veerabhadra Swamy Temple in Telangana.
These news are more than just symbolic. 75 years
after India’s independence from British
Colonial Rule, a man of Indian origin has become
prime minister of the United Kingdom. And as
Rishi Sunak has taken office in Downing Street No.
10, spotlights are also on his family. Sunak’s father-inlaw,
N.R. Narayana Murthy, is co-founder of Infosys,
the pioneer IT company headquartered in Bangalore.
This brings into one’s mind the impressive gallery of
Indian-born leaders in the global tech world, especially
in Silicon Valley, from Microsoft’s Satya Nadella
to Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai.
As Indian diaspora has taken its place in politics
and business throughout the world, the country itself
is gaining visibility. 2022, besides many other things,
could be remembered as the year when everybody
finally noticed India plays an ever more active role
on the world stage.
2023 could meet an even more self-confident India,
as it will take over G-20 presidency from Indonesia.
In a decisive moment of modern history, Narendra
Modi, India’s prime minister since 2014, will
head the club of the most powerful countries in the
world. One of his topics will be a reform of multilateralism,
as the Indian Ambassador in Austria, Jaideep
Mazumdar, puts it (see interview on page 38): “We
believe in globalisation – but globalisation for all. As
optimism and dynamism is growing, India’s voice
will matter. What India does and how Indians do will
be of great importance for the world.“
The image of the country in the West is finally redrawn,
the tone of the headlines has remarkably
changed. It is not so much about poverty anymore,
which remains a major issue though, as more than
100 million Indians are still living below the poverty
line. And it is not about political turmoil, which dominated
the first decades of independence. Now the
world hears about astonishing progress in economy,
technology and stability.
So, India’s famous tourism slogan "Incredible India",
which was first used exactly 50 years ago, is certainly
also suitable to the current general status of
this enormous country, which is supposed to overtake
China as most populous state of the world in
2023. Unlike China, two thirds of India’s almost 1.4
billion inhabitants are of working age.
Its universities produce 1.5 million engineers per
year, an unvaluable source for being a leader in the
tech and digitalisation decades ahead. There are 108
Indian unicorns so far, as the big bets on the digital
future in the enterprise world are called: companies
with a valuation over 1 billion dollars. This is number
three position in the worldwide unicorn-ranking
behind the USA and China. In the first half year of
2022 even more unicorns were created in India than
in China.
In the post-Covid era no other major economy in
the world attracted as many foreign investments. In a
year stuffed with bad news about wars and damaged
supply chains, everybody was stunned by the GDPgrowth
figure India presented for the quarter from
April to June 2022: 13.5 percent! The current estimates
for the full year are above seven percent, and also
in 2023, India is supposed to be in the lead of the
major economies.
The current geopolitical situation might play into
India’s hands. Russia has got more and more isolated
after its invasion into Ukraine, and as the US and
China are competing for influence in the Indopacific,
India will play a more active role, argues CD expert
Walter Feichtinger in his commentary on page 52.
On the one hand, there is a long way to reach the
strategic autonomy the country is longing for. In a
world of multiple energy crises, India imports 80
percent of its oil and gas. 60 percent of its defence
products now come from Russia, which makes it difficult
to play a calming and neutral role amidst the
shockwaves Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion sent
to the world.
On the other hand, mistrust towards authoritarian
regimes is rising, although the West used to do
good business with them until recently. Therefore,
FACTS &
FIGURES
INDIA
Official name: Republic of India
Form of Government: Parliamentary
Democratic Secular Republic
Capital: New Delhi
Population: 1.39 billion
Area: 3.29 million km 2
Languages: 22 official languages,
most spoken: Hindi, English, Bengali
Currency: Indian Rupee
GDP per capita: 2.277 USD
Bagore ki Haveli
in Udaipur
(Rajasthan).
Street ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of the state
Kerala, India.
Natural Bridge on the Andaman Island, Tata steel
factory - beautiful scenery comes hand in hand with
industrial power.
30
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
31

LE MONDE INDIA
Trade & Investment
ZUKUNFT NEU DEFINIERT.
As growth is sluggish almost
everywhere else, the impressive figures
on the subcontinent attract traders and
investors. Indian merchandise exports
to Austria grew by 25.2 percent to
705.7 million Euros in the first half of
2022, whereas Austrian merchandise
exports to India grew by 14.6 percent to
563.8 million Euros. Another year of
records is as good as certain: For the
first time in bilateral trade history
between the two countries, the
threshold of two billion Euros has been
skipped in 2021.
The framework for easing trade is
constantly improving: After signing
Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with
Australia and UAE and while
negotiating with Great Britain, India
started to negotiate an FTA with the
European Union in June. It is supposed
to be finished by the end of 2023.
For many years, Austrian activities in
India have been in the focus: automotive
supplier AVL List and circuit board
company AT&S have a long track record
in the country. But now also Indian
investments in Austria arouse interest,
as they have constantly grown in the
past decade to a cumulative 1.13 billion
Euros at the end of 2021. After the
landmark alliance between the Austrian
motorcycle group KTM with Bajaj group,
which started in 2007, in 2021 another
remarkable direct investment was
recorded. The acquisition of Viennabased
learning-tool-company GeoGebra
by the Indian Edtech company BYJU’S
for an estimated 100 million US dollars
is sending important signals to the
digital world.
Rishi Sunak, the new British
Prime Minister.
more and more eyes are on India, which is economically
promising and politically closer. Decision making
process in a country as populous and diverse
may be difficult and sometimes lengthy. But being
the biggest democracy in the world and acknowledging
fundamental principles like human rights,
rule of law and press freedom can be a competitive
advange these days.
“There is big potential in the country, and now
India is courted“, remarks Hannes Androsch, former
Austrian vice chancellor and finance minister, who
invested in Indian plants of his circuit board company
AT&S as early as 1998. Still, Androsch sees some
deep rooted adversities that could slow down the expected
acceleration: “protectionism and a de facto
still existent caste system“ for example.
The current geopolitical advantage is mirrored
economically: alternative supply chains are the order
of the day. Apple’s global manufacturing partner Foxconn
has started to produce its iPhone14 models in
India recently – in a move to shift away from China.
And it is not just about production. As the middle
class especially in Indian cities is thriving, consumers
are eager to buy products from the world. As
Stefan Pierer, head of Austrian motorcycle maker
KTM uses to say: “India is a huge market“. KTM’s
close alliance with Indian Bajaj group, established 15
years ago, has turned out as a cooperative and sustainable
Win-win-relationship.
Soft power Indian style has often been reduced to
Sunset in Delhi - the capital of a country
that is continiously gaining
strength and influence.
Bollywood and the astounding success of its cinema
productions throughout the world. But there is more
about it, rooting deeply in its history. The tradition in
non-violence, having become famous with Mahatma
Gandhi, shapes also its current role on the world stage.
The new, self-confident India tries to be a force
for good in solving the big world problems, from
promoting peace to tackling climate change.
With this caring approach even tourism could
change. India does not only want to attract visitors
for its breathtaking landscapes from the snow-covered
Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests
of the south or its beautiful, famous sights like the Taj
Mahal in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which registrates
up to 8 million visitors per year, The Golden Temple
in Punjab or the Red Fort in New Delhi. It wants tourists
to come to India to be treated - for medical or
wellness purposes. The government is actively working
towards positioning India as the most favourable
destination for medical treatments. Ayurveda
and Yoga have already spread out through the world,
why not bringing the world to its sources?
So, also in many terms, India undoubtedly is incredible
and a “Rising Power“. Just after this year’s
independence celebrations were over, the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that India’s
GDP had surpassed that of the former colonial power
Great Britain, making it the fifth largest economy
in the world. The news came just weeks before Rishi
Sunak took office in Downing Street No. 10.
PHOTOS: INCREDIBLE INDIA / MINISTRY OF TOURISM; WIKIPEDIA, ADOBE STOCK
Mit dem EQS SUV startet eine neue Ära im vollelektrischen Luxus-
Segment. Hier trifft ikonisches Mercedes-EQ Design auf die
aerodynamisch perfektionierte Formsprache eines geräumigen SUV.
Elektrische Exzellenz und Ästhetik auf allerhöchstem Niveau.
Mehr Informationen bei Ihrem Mercedes-Benz Partner
und auf mercedes-benz.at
32
Beauty outside and inside (from
left to right):
Indian landmark Gadi Sagar in
Rajasthan, Hampi temple in
Karnataka, Gurudwara Badshahi
Bagh in Ambala.
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
EQS SUV 450+: Stromverbrauch gesamt (kombiniert):
22,7–19,3 kWh/100 km; CO₂-Emissionen gesamt (kombiniert): 0 g/km.
Ermittelt nach WLTP. Tippfehler vorbehalten. Abbildung ist Symbolfoto.
Stromverbrauch und Reichweite wurden auf der Grundlage der VO 2017/1151/EU ermittelt.

LE MONDE INDIA
India in numbers
The country
has a
3,488 kilometre
border to China, involving the states Jammu and Kashmir,
Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
75 years after gaining its independence, the country recently has
overtaken its former colonial power Great Britain in terms of GDP.
It is now at
in the economic world.
number 5 position
March 2022 was the first month in Indian
history that hit export volumes
40 billion US-dollars.
100+
languages are spoken in India, the most common being Hindhi, Bengali and Marathi.
Over
32 million
Indians live overseas, making them the world largest diaspora
of a country. About
Indians live in Europe.
1.3 million
PHOTO: INCREDIBLE INDIA, MINISTRY OF TOURISM
With a median
age of
28.7 years
India‘s population is far younger
than China (38,4), USA (38,5)
and the European countries.
Paradise Beach,
Puducherry.
34
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Brünner Straße 66, 1210 Wien
T +43 1 277 80-0 E wiennord@mvcmotors.at
www.mvcmotors.at
Wiener Straße 152, 2345 Brunn am Gebirge
T +43 2236 31 600-0 E brunn@mvcmotors.at
www.mvcmotors.at

LE MONDE XYX INDIA | INTERVIEW
H.E. Jaideep Mazumdar
“India‘s voice will matter.”
The Ambassador of India about the new political and economic visibility of his country,
nonviolence as a principle - and growing trade and investment ties with Austria.
Interview: Bernhard Ecker Photos: Ralph Manfreda
CD: Your Excellency, India just became the fifth
biggest economy in the world and has good
chances to be number three behind the US and
China by 2030. What are the key drivers behind
this success?
Jaideep Mazumdar: In the last decade or
so, the productive energies of the people of
India have been released through a combination
of factors. Firstly is our talent pool,
our human resources. Perhaps by next year
India will have the largest population in the
world. Two thirds of this population is of
working age. That is a huge demographic
dividend. Secondly, there is an enormous
emphasis on education in India: we want to
learn and skill ourselves. The young people
of India burst with creativity and high aspiration.
We produce 1.5 million engineers
per year, that is even more than China. The
digital age has also taken India forward at
an accelerated pace. This has all come together
at a time when the government has
been very supportive in nurturing an ecosystem
to promote growth and development.
It has become much easier for example
to establish businesses. Much of the
clearances and approvals are possible online.
That has improved India’s ranking in
the global ease of business index by more
than 60 positions within three years.
major economy in the world. India is food
self-sufficient. We are among the top two
producers of rice, wheat, pulses, sugar,
milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables.
Our warehouses are bursting with
grain. However, equitable growth is a challenge.
Over the past 25 years, India, given its history,
had remarkable political stability. Will this
continue?
Every government in the past 25 years
or so has completed its term. This is extraordinary,
especially for a country as large
and diverse as India. Every general election
in India is the largest democratic exercise
in the history of mankind. Will it last? This
is hard to say. But we have faith in our democracy
and that the people will decide
what is best for them.
Today’s geopolitical situation is full of tensions,
with Russia-Ukraine in the centre. The rivalry
between the US and China is getting stronger
alongside. Is this for India a chance to get more
space and influence?
As you know, the geopolitical and geoeconomic
center of gravity of the world is
moving towards Asia. India, positioned at
the heart of this region and as the largest
democracy in the world, it is natural that
our contribution to the world will go up.
India has always considered herself as a
force for peace and beneficial cooperation
with other countries. At the height of the
Covid-pandemic India came to the assistance
of nearly 100 countries with vaccines
and therapeutics. Besides, we are the only
G-20-country that has already achieved its
Paris climate commitments - seven years
ahead of schedule.
How did you manage that?
Today 40 percent of our installed energy
capacity is from renewables. Our plan is for
50 percent renewable energy by 2030, even
though our total installed capacity will
have to double by then. We have extremely
ambitious programmes in non-carbon
sources of energy, for example in green hydrogen.
India launched the International
Solar Alliance (ISA) together with France,
which over a hundred countries have joined.
We launched the Coalition for Disaster
Resilient Infrastructure. Last month,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched
the global movement Lifestyle For Environment
(LiFE) along with the UN Secretary
General. These are the ways we seek to
influence in terms of a better future.
What are the major obstacles on your path to
number three of the world?
We face a lot of challenges, for example
we have huge income disparity. Of course
the Covid-pandemic has set us back, but
now we are above pre-Covid levels. The
high cost of energy and fertilisers as well as
global economic headwinds are all challenges.
In the second quarter of this year, we
had a GDP-growth of 13.5 percent and for
the whole year we expect growth to be over
7 percent. That would be the fastest for any
India‘s Ambassador
Jaideep Mazumdar with
CD-author Bernhard
Ecker.
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
H.E. JAIDEEP MAZUMDAR
Since July 2020 Ambassador of India to Austria, Montenegro
and the Holy See, as well as Permanent Representative
to the UN and International Organisations. He joined the
Indian Foreign Service in 1989 and served in various
diplomatic stations in Hong Kong, Beijing, Chittagong, New
York (UN), Cairo, as Deputy Chief of Mission in Beijing and
in Kathmandu. From 2014 to 2017, he was Chief of Protocol
in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, before
serving as India‘s Ambassador to the Republic of the
Philippines from 2017 to 2020.
He has a Bachelor‘s degree in Economics and a Master‘s
degree in Management.
36 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
37

LE MONDE INDIA | INTERVIEW
Given the fact that India has strong ties to the US,
to Japan, to Australia, do you regard yourself as a
bridge builder between the Western and the
Eastern hemisphere?
India is perhaps in a unique position.
We have traditionally not aligned with any
power bloc. Today we are multi-aligned, as
we call it. We are in a large number of trilateral
and plurilateral groupings. We consider
ourselves to be against no one and wish
to work with all for global peace, security
and prosperity.
You have a long common border with China. As
China is eyed critically from the Western point of
view, does India profit in terms of investment
flows?
The Covid-pandemic has shown that
supply chain resilience is of great import.
There is considerable global interest for India
to contribute to this resilience as a reliable
source. In 2021, we have attracted over
87 billion US dollars of foreign investment
- more than any other country in the post-
Covid-period. For example, there are very
large investments in the semiconductor industry
coming in.
Is there a digital rivalry with China?
In the past decades, China has been
known as the hardware capital of the world
whereas India was considered as the software
capital of the world. In a way we
worked on different objectives. India has
been designing chips for the world whereas
manufacturing is done elsewhere. But we
now place great importance on our own
hardware industries – for example we wish
to become self sufficient in chipmaking.
How do you judge the bilateral investment and
trade situation between India and Austria?
In 2021, our bilateral trade grew by 20
percent, the fastest growth in ten years. In
terms of investment, Indian investments in
Austria went up by 200 percent to more
than a billion dollars last year. There was a
remarkable acquisition of Vienna-based
learning-tool-company GeoGebra by the
Indian Edtech company BYJU’S for an estimated
100 million US dollars. Austrian investment
in India has grown slightly, by 5
to 6 percent. We see very great potential:
Austria has strength in niche areas of high
technology, and Indian companies are very
keen to work with them in areas like green
technology, waste management, transport,
infrastructure etc. This year, we have started
negotiations with the EU for a Free
Trade Agreement. Once that is concluded,
there are no limits to trade and investment
between India and Austria.
India was always a hub for IT-talents the West is
longing for desperately. Now I hear that also
Indian nurses are very much required in Europe.
The German government has signed agreements
with Kerala region, supposedly there is also
interest in Austria. Is this correct?
Just as we have concluded a mobility
and migration agreement with France,
Germany or Portugal, we are also pursuing
an agreement with Austria. When this happens,
you can have managed migration of
skilled people.
How has tourism in India developed in the
post-Covid period?
It is recovering, but it has not yet
reached the pre-Covid levels. This is mainly
because of international air fares which
are higher now. But India has always been a
place of great fascination for Austrians. In
addition to her spirituality and the grandeur
of India’s history – her palaces and
forts, now a new field has opened up, which
is very popular in your country: wellness
tourism with Ayurveda and Yoga. It could
be a niche area for the takeoff of a large
number of tourists. Direct flights from Vienna
to India are re-starting soon.
From your own touristical experience, what do
you like most in Austria so far?
Such a beautiful country, where do I
start? I love the lake districts, just to be in
the countryside itself is a pleasure. It’s almost
picture perfect! The houses, the churches,
the rivers, the hills, the cows on the
hills, as if you were in the movie “Sound of
Music“ - which I first watched when I was 8
or 9 years old!
India now has even become more visible, as Rishi
Sunak, who is the son in law of the co-founder of
Infosys, became British prime minister. Is this a
national topic already?
There is certainly interest in that. Please
consider that the CEO’s of Microsoft, Alphabet
and many other multinationals are
of Indian origin. There is a certain degree of
pride that Indians have managed to do well
abroad. But now there is a generation in the
diaspora that has moved into politics. The
Vice President of the US, Prime Ministers
in Ireland and in Portugal as well as heads
of state and government in Mauritius, Guyana
and Suriname are most notable.
So the title of your recent speech in Austria about
India, “The Rising Power“, is justified?
I didn’t title it, it was asked to speak on
the subject! Indians are by nature modest.
But we are not unhappy that the world recognises
our potential! We will head the
G-20 next year. We are staunch multilateralists
but one of our focus areas is reformed
multilateralism. We believe in globalisation
– but globalisation for all. One out of
every five persons in the world is an Indian.
As optimism and dynamism is growing,
India’s voice will matter. What India does
and how Indians do will be of great importance
for the world.
PHOTOS: RALPH MANFREDA
View of the Vienna
State Opera house -
from the Ambassador‘s
office in the heart of
Vienna.
38
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 39

LE MONDE INTERVIEW
H.E. Yousuf Ahmed Hamed Aljabri
“We embrace dialogue, we seek to listen.”
H.E. Yousuf Ahmed Hamed
ALJABRI presented his
credentials in January 2019 to
the Austrian Federal President
Alexander Van der Bellen.
ENTGELTLICHE EINSCHALTUNG
Interview: Arian Faal
H.E. Yousuf Aljabri, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, talks about
the role of his country in the world.
CD: Excellency, Oman has just celebrated its 52nd Anniversary
of the National Day, the third after the late Sultan Qaboos
passed away. What does this special day mean for your
nation?
H.E. Yousuf Aljabri: The Omanis have celebrated
the 52nd Anniversary of the National Day of the Renaissance,
with ponder about the achievements made
so far and brace for further accomplishments, with
firm resolve, under the astute leadership of His Majesty
Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik Sultan of Oman, who
pledged to hold high the banner of Renewed Renaissance,
since he assumed power in the country on January
11, 2020.
Your country is seen as the most important bridge builder
and mediator in the Middle East, and also has an excellent
reputation around the globe. Other countries try to be Oman,
but you are one of a kind. What is the main secret behind this
philosophy and policy?
There is no secret behind our philosophy. We embrace
dialogue with the aim of understanding the
interests of others. We do not engage with our partners
in order to maximise personal gain, but rather
we seek to listen. This means we are committed to
neutrality, we avoid divisive language, and we endeavor
to reduce conflict by hearing what everyone has
to say. The holy texts of several religions including
Islam speak of ‘loving your neighbour as yourself ’.
This is what we try to do, to get a deep understanding
of the other point of view.
Our foreign policy is founded on a vision of
Oman as a friend to all. Circumstances change over
time, but our core principles endure. They provide
the guiding force, to navigate us through any challenges
we face.
Let‘s go into medias res: Your country affirms that it is
working to consolidate the pillars of security, stability, and
peace in the region. What are the most important steps you
are taking in resolving the Yemeni crisis?
Oman is committed to working with the United
Nations to resolve the conflict, be it by providing a
safe location for negotiations, assisting the return of
detainees, caring for the sick and wounded, or listening
to the concerns of our interlocutor. My dearest
hope is that our efforts have in some way contributed
to a reduction in violence. We fully support the recent
extension of the ceasefire, and international efforts
to enhance humanitarian and economic recovery
in Yemen.
What initiatives by the Sultanate can urge the conflicting
parties in Yemen to sit at the negotiating table and settle the
crisis there?
Oman seeks to support dialogue and provide avenues
for peaceful cooperation. We encourage all Yemeni
parties to listen to each other and be open to
compromise in order to resolve the conflict and for
the best interest of Yemen as a whole. But at the end
of the day, our mantra is non interference. There is a
distinction between encouraging dialogue and tolerance
so that Yemenis can choose their own path,
and forcing our solutions onto them. Ultimately, the
only meaningful and lasting solution will be inclusive
and made by Yemenis, for Yemenis.
When can we witness the beginning of a period of hope for
Yemen?
2022 has seen a significant shift in Yemen, as the
parties have come together to consider the route to a
lasting peace, and the benefits of this for the people
on the ground are irrefutable.
Our evaluation is that it is likely the ceasefire will
endure. The beginning of a period of hope has therefore
already started.
Will the Sultanate of Oman play a pivotal role in restoring
Syrian relations with the Gulf states, how do you see the
position of Damascus towards the Arab League?
I sincerely hope that Oman is able to play a role in
bringing Syria back to the Arab League. Our diplomatic
relations with Damascus have endured, despite
the civil war, because we believe a policy of dialogue,
tolerance and pragmatic multilateralism
provides the best prospect of addressing and resolving
conflict. As such, we encourage our Gulf and
regional partners to engage with Syria; together we
have the best chance of achieving safety, security, and
stability in the region.
Allow me a general question about JCPOA. Many senior
diplomats told me that Oman was a key player to restore the
PHOTOS: RALPH MANFREDA, ADOBE STOCK
deal. Obviously, the Americans and the Iranians were
listening to your advice. So, how important is the JCPOA for
regional stability and peace?
Without the JCPOA, or a similar deal limiting nuclear
proliferation, there is a much greater risk that a
nuclear weapon will be developed in the region. Given
Iran’s isolation from the international community,
the belief that it possesses nuclear weapons could
lead to a regional arms race. So, a nuclear deal is crucial
to regional stability and peace.
A deal would also be a constructive step towards
rapprochement. Oman and its neighbours share
many common security concerns and responsibilities
with Iran, and these can be better addressed if we
work together as a region. The JCPOA provides an
avenue for such cooperation, but other avenues can
also be explored, such as engagement with Iran to
build maritime ties, tackle humanitarian issues, develop
infrastructure projects, and other forms of economic
cooperation.
We are grateful for the role Austria has played in
hosting negotiations and supporting dialogue, and
we remain hopeful that a mutually beneficial nuclear
agreement can be reached. This will contribute to
global peace and the reduction of the tensions which
challenge the prosperity and security of our region.
When do you see Iran completely back as an important actor
in the international community?
Iran is already a very important actor. Iran can
play a valuable role in tackling world challenges such
as climate change, which poses great risks to Iran
and the entire region in the form of extreme weather
events. Also, the current global energy and commodity
shortage can be mitigated with Iran’s help.
The question of when it will be able to play this
role is, unfortunately, uncertain. But we remain
hopeful that a nuclear deal can be reached in final
hour. Through all available channels, we are encouraging
parties to keep the JCPOA alive, even if it means
focusing on other areas of cooperation in the
short term.
How do you see the Iranian Saudi efforts to get back a
trustful bilateral relationship?
We welcome all efforts made by Saudi Arabia and
Iran to establish a positive bilateral relationship. Significant
progress has been made in recent times, with
the opening of a direct dialogue, and we support
both countries in their efforts to talk directly. Their
growing relations are a significant and necessary step
towards regional security, and I believe it will eventually
lead to collaboration in numerous fields which
benefit both countries, their neighbours, and the wider
world.
You emphasised the constants of the Omani peace policy, the
most important of which is “the establishment of an
independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its
capital.” On the other hand, you welcomed the Abrahamic
peace agreements. Will Oman take a step towards normalising
its relations with Israel?
Oman has always supported peace in Israel and
Palestine. Over the years, we have hosted Israeli prime
ministers, backed initiatives such as the Camp
David Accords, and established the Middle East
Desalination Research Center, the only non security
framework within which Palestine and Israel cooperate
officially and as equals.
But we are content with our relations with Israel
at the current level. As you said, we welcomed the
normalisation of ties between Israel and various
Arab states. We hope that future peace initiatives will
include representatives of Palestine. Palestine must
be at the table if a meaningful and lasting peace is to
be achieved.
The Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman during the interview
with CD‘s foreign editor, Arian Faal.
40 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 41

LE MONDE ECUADOR
The capital Quito is located at
an altitude of 2,850 m in the
foothills of the Andes.
Endless diversity in four worlds
Cotopaxi: active volcano and
the second highest mountain in
Ecuador (5,897 m).
FACTS &
FIGURES
The country of Ecuador is inextricably linked with the Galápagos Islands.
The scenic variety and biodiversity of this Latin American Andean
country are unique. Its economy revolves around petroleum,
bananas and shrimps.
Text: Claudia Jörg-Brosche
PHOTOS: MINISTRY OF TOURISM OF ECUADOR, ALEXANDER ZOUBEK
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was one
of the most consequential paradigm shifts in
the history of ideas: it meant nothing less
than a radical departure from the previously held belief
that all species were individually created by God.
During a circumnavigation of the world in 1835,
Darwin reached the Galápagos Islands about 1,000
kilometres off the west coast of the Latin American
country of Ecuador. It was here that he made the crucial
observations that would later make him world
famous: “I was astonished to find that several of the
islands have their own species of turtle, mockingbird,
finch and several plants,” he wrote in his research report.
Darwin understood that the different islands far
out in the Pacific Ocean forced the species living there
to adapt to the different conditions – or face extinction.
Darwin‘s theory of the evolutionary development
process was the result of this basic observation.
The “four worlds” of the smallest of the Andean countries
Continental Ecuador – located between Peru and
Colombia, the country is around three times the size
of Austria – is characterised by its unique geographic,
topographic, climatic and ethnic diversity. The equator,
which gives it its name, runs through its middle.
Ecuadorians rightly speak of “cuatro mundos” (four
worlds): the coastal region, the Andean mountains,
the Amazon lowlands and the Galapagos Islands.
The country’s heartland is the “Costa” with its fertile
coastal alluvial plains. Around half of Ecuadorians
live in the area which makes up roughly a quarter
of the country’s surface. The delta of the Guayas River
forms the largest natural harbour on the South American
west coast. Here lies Guayaquil, with around 1.5
million inhabitants, oil refineries, as well as chemical,
iron and wood industries.
The tropical world is called “Oriente”: The eastern
lowlands, which feature rainforests and extend into
the Amazon basin, are still sparsely populated and
developed. The political will to protect nature and the
environment in the globally significant biodiversity
hotspots is apparent, but as in most developing countries,
financial resources are lacking. Exploitation of
natural resources occurs in some places and the encroachment
on nature is provoking resistance from
indigenous groups.
In complete contrast is the “Sierra” mountain region
with two Andean mountain ranges, the Cordillera
Occidental and the Cordillera Central, as well as
Ecuador’s highest mountain, the Chimborazo volcano
(6,263 m). The Andes mountain range is part of
the Pacific Ring of Fire. Ecuador has around 55 volcanos,
seven of which are active. The risk of earthquakes
is correspondingly high: the country last trembled
on the night of 17 April 2016 (7.8). Around 38
percent of Ecuadorians live on the Altiplano plateau
(1,800 to 3,200 m), most of them with indigenous
roots.
Quito, once a major Inca city and today the capital
of Ecuador (two million inhabitants), is situated
2,850 metres above sea level in front of the Pichincha
volcano (4,776 m). The colonial oldtown dates back
to the Spanish conquerors of the 16th century and has
been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The “baroque jewel of the Andes” blends Moorish
and indigenous architectural styles, among others.
The “Ciudad Mitad del Mundo” (Middle of the World
City) is a monument to the equator and a popular
photo backdrop for tourists: standing with one foot
north, the other south of latitude zero.
The 8,000 m2 Galápagos archipelago with around
120 islands and islets is a world of its own with unique
flora and fauna. Marine iguanas, land iguanas, giant
tortoises, sea lions and countless bird species roam
here.
Ecuador is considered the most biodiverse country
in the world – and its diversity also makes it an
exciting travel destination. Besides the Galapagos Islands,
tourist magnets include four additional
UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 15 national parks.
From 2010 to 2019, the number of international arrivals
doubled (1.05 million USD to 2.1 million) and
revenue from tourism tripled (from 786 million USD
to 2.3 billion).
Turbulent history, weakly structured economy
Thriving Inca Empire, Spanish colony, part of Greater
Colombia. Quito was the first Latin American
capital to demand independence and gained it in
1822 – exactly 200 years ago. After political chaos and
various economic crises in the 19th century, the
country then went through an economic boom
thanks to banana cultivation and industrialisation.
Oil production began to take off in the 1970s.
In 2000, the United States dollar was introduced as
the national currency. Today, the largely agrarian developing
country’s dollarized open economy is based
on fruit exports (14 percent), fish and shrimp (21.4
percent) and mineral fuels (32.3 percent). The count-
Ecuador
Official name:
Republic of Ecuador
Form of government:
Representative democratic
republic
President: Guillermo Alberto
Santiago Lasso (since 24 May
2021)
Population: 17.6 million
(2020 estimate)
Capital: Quito (population of 2
million)
Area: 56,370 km 2
Official language: Spanish;
Recognised regional languages:
Quichua, other local languages
Religion:
73% Catholicism; traditional
indigenous beliefs
Currency: United States dollar
(since 2000)
GDP (nominal) per capita:
6,155 USD
The sea lizard is a species of
iguana endemic to the
Galápagos Islands.
Guayaquil, the most important
port city of Ecuador is the
gateway to the Pacific beaches;
Monument Hemicycle de la
Rotonda at the Simón Bolívar
Promenade in Guayaquil.
42 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
43

LE MONDE ECUADOR
In early 2022, President
Guillermo Lasso signed a
decree for the new
Galapagos Marine Reserve.
The Plaza Vicente
Rocafuerte in the port city
of Guayaquil.
AUTO STAHL
The only multi-brand car dealership
represented in VIC – 3x in Vienna
Photo: Nirmal Singh, Head of Diplomatic Sales
AUTO STAHL with Ing. Gernot Keusch,
Business Owner AUTO STAHL
Baroque colonial splendor at
the church of San Ignacio de
Loyola de la Compañía de
Jesús in Quito.
The Ecuadorian rainforest is
one of the most species-rich
jungle areas in the world
ry heavily depends on oil exports, accounting for
around one-fifth of GDP and one-third of government
revenue.
In mid-2021, the country changed gears politically:
conservative President Guillermo Lasso is
pushing a neoliberal economic policy and opening
the country to foreign investment. The headwinds,
however, are strong: he is fighting a strong centre-left
majority in parliament, underemployment, a shadow
economy, rising crime and social unrest. Successes
include a pledge of 700 million USD from the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), tax reform, tariff cuts
and new free trade agreements. After a pandemic-related
GDP slump of -7.8 percent in 2020, economic
growth in 2021 was 4.2 percent. Ecuador is not immune
to the current global inflation trend, but at two
percent in 2021 and 4.2 percent in the first half of
2022, inflation is far below the regional average.
After Venezuela and Brazil, the oil reserves of the
smallest of the Andean countries (estimated at 4.2
billion barrels) are the third largest in South America.
Ecuador’s land also harbours valuable ores such as
silver, gold, copper and tin. There are plans for new
investments in oil production and mining. By 2025,
Ecuador plans to conclude important trade agreements
to open up new markets, with a focus on China.
A new free trade agreement between the Andean
Community and the EU (since January 2022) gives
Endless beaches on the
Pacific coast of Ecuador.
EU member states – provisionally for now – the right
to partially tariff-free trading.
Economic relations with Austria
For Austria, Ecuador is still a small market characterised
by order fluctuations. Exports from the Alpine
republic to the Andean country grew by an incredible
42.2 percent in 2021. This project-driven increase was
due to an order for mining extraction equipment (export
value 7.3 million euro) and an almost doubling of
paper and cardboard shipments (around 30 percent of
export goods). Other traditionally important products
are machines for metal processing, food and plastics
industries, weaving and printing machines (parts),
electrical appliances and motorbikes. Austrian imports
from Ecuador are not very diversified and increased by
almost 10 percent to 59 million euro in 2021 (from 32
million euro in 2010). A full 86 percent of total imports
to Austria are accounted for by fruit and vegetables
(mainly bananas), fish and shrimps (6.3 percent) as
well as metallurgical ores (three percent).
For the transition to sustainable energy, Ecuador requires
support with technologies such as wind and solar,
hydropower and biomass energy. Knowledge transfers
in this area, as well as in transport infrastructure
and healthcare, are an opportunity for Austrian companies.
The Lasso government has focused on ensuring
legal certainty as an incentive to foreign investors.
PHOTOS: MINISTRY OF TOURISM OF ECUADOR
WIEN
22
Your Diplomatic Sales Contact
Nirmal Singh
T.+43(1) 33 122 111
M.+43(0) 676 353 65 85
E. nsingh@autostahl.com
AUTO STAHL – WIEN 22
1220 Wien • Schillingstraße 4
WIEN
21
Your Car Repair Shop Contact
Michael Bournes
T.+43(1) 33 122 935
M.+43(0) 676 45 18 106
E. mbournes@autostahl.com
AUTO STAHL – WIEN 21
1210 Wien • Prager Straße 278
WIEN
23
AUTO STAHL – WIEN 23
1230 Wien • Brunner Straße 81a
The indigenous groups
cultivate the handicraft of
hat weaving.
Discover our multi-brand offer at AUTO STAHL at three locations in
Vienna and get in touch. Auto Stahl Wien 22 is just 10 minutes from VIC!
44 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
autostahl.com
#autostahl #servicehatvorfahrt

LE MONDE XYX ECUADOR | INTERVIEW
H.E. Mireya Muñoz Mera
“Both countries – Austria and Ecuador – share similar visions.”
The Ambassador of Ecuador about cultural diplomacy, cooperation between Austria and
Ecuador, the relationship to neighbouring states, trade and environmental protection.
Interview: Claudia Jörg-Brosche Photos: Wolfgang Wolak
CD: What connects Ecuador with Austria? Which
relationships exist?
Mireya Muñoz Mera: The relationships
are based on the following pillars: culture,
trade and cooperation. Austria is an important
cultural destination for Ecuadorian artists.
Painters and musicians learn in Austria.
In 2022, we celebrate the 75th
anniversary of diplomatic relations; in October,
there was a commemoration with a
wonderful piano concert. Among other
compositions, the Ecuadorian pianist Andrés
Añazco performed three rhapsodies by
Humberto Salgado, one of the most important
classical composers of Ecuador. His
work merges classical music style with national
folklore. This very successful event has
shown that cultural diplomacy is an important
tool when it comes to forging closer ties
between countries.
Trade between Ecuador and Austria is
based on the Multiparty Agreement signed
by Ecuador and the EU in 2017. The EU is
one of the main non-oil export destinations,
as well as China, USA and Colombia.
Within this framework, Ecuador exports to
Austria tropical fruits, processed fish and
shrimp as well as copper scrap, metallurgical
ores, cocoa and spices. Ecuador is the
first world exporter of bananas and number
two for shrimp. An important niche is
high quality fine and flavour cacao and cacao
beans, followed by flowers. There is a
great opportunity to diversify and increase
trade and investments in different sectors:
agroindustry, aquaculture, tourism, mines
(gas), logistics (transportation).
…and Nr. 3, cooperation?
Ecuador and Austria have developed a
friendly cooperative relationship at a multilateral
level. Both countries share similar
visions in terms of peace and security, freedom,
defense of human rights, sustainable
development and gender, among others.
For instance, there is a mutual support of
the candidacy as non-permanent members
of the UN Security Council. Ecuador will
occupy this position in the beginning of
2023. During the corona crisis, Austria
supported Ecuador with medical supplies.
With which state and neighbouring states does
Ecuador have the best relations? Who are the
most important trading partners?
Ecuador maintains friendly relations
with all countries of the world, including
our neighbouring countries. Along with
Peru, Colombia and Bolivia, we belong to
the subregional integration mechanism
called the Andean Community since 1969.
Ecuador had a territorial dispute with
our neighbouring country Peru. After negotiations
and with the support of four
countries (USA, Brazil, Argentina and Chile),
a final peace agreement was reached on
October 26, 1998. It represents a new chapter
in our bilateral relations.
Who are the most important trading partners for
Ecuador?
Concerning non-oil exports, the biggest
export destination of Ecuador is China. On
the other hand, the United States are our
second trade partner. Number three is the
European Union with Spain, the Netherlands
and Italy as the top three destinations
for Ecuadorian products, followed by Colombia
as the number four.
How has the security situation developed
recently? One reads of increasing crime and social
unrest…
In terms of security, Ecuador faces big
challenges. International organised crime
and drug trafficking groups are involved in
other forms of serious crime such as human
and firearms trafficking, modern slavery
and smuggling of immigrants. The
government of Ecuador is taking all possible
measures to control this situation, but
most of these issues must be fought with
the support of the international community
under the principle of shared responsibility.
Ecuador is working with various countries
as well as with international
organisations.
Due to violent protests of indigenous
groups (October 2019 and June 2022), the
government declared a state of emergency
to ensure safety and protection of citizens.
The government’s commitment to the protection
of human rights and freedom of
expression is strong, and a negotiation process
with indigenous communities has
been initiated afterwards. After only three
months, 218 agreements were reached concerning
economy, health, education, labour
rights and security for the most vulnerable.
What are the biggest current challenges?
Within the framework of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development, the
eradication of poverty, along with the implementation
of 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) is particularly difficult
for developing countries, like Ecuador.
Economic and social recovery as a result of
the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine
are quite challenging too, to prevent
social unrest.
One of the goals of President Guillermo
Lasso’s government is to push chronic child
malnutrition below 10 percent by 2030.
With an annual investment of 350 million
US dollars, 684,000 people receive help, including
144,000 children under two and
34,500 pregnant women.
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
H.E. MIREYA MUÑOZ MERA
Ambassador Mireya Muñoz Mera started
her post as Ambassador of Ecuador to
Austria in November 2021. In 2020, she
was appointed as Ambassador of
Ecuador to Israel. From 2015 to 2017, she
acted as Consul of Ecuador in The Hague
and Deputy Representative of Ecuador to
international organisations.
Environmental protection, biodiversity, mining,
deforestation: Economic interests versus
conservation and indigenous people...
The Ecuadorian Constitution recognises
the rights of nature. However, placing
this principle into practice is a major challenge
due also to the principle of prior consent
to oil and mining exploration which
follows a legislation which aims to protect
the environment and the well-being of the
population. The dilemma between economic
interests versus conservations is no
longer a main issue, due to technology innovations
that companies comply, multilateral
environmental conventions, civil society
involvement, and public policies.
Anyhow, it is a process that needs to evolve
and improve.
The effects of climate change and its relationship
to the conservation of biodiversity
is another challenge, due to Ecuadorian
vast natural resources mainly in the
Amazonia Basin, as Ecuador is one of the
17 megadiverse countries, and fragile ecosystems
in the Galapagos Islands.
In early 2022, President Lasso signed a
decree to create the new Galapagos Marine
Reserve called “Hermandad“, adding additional
60,000 square kilometres to the Galapagos
marine protection zone. Fishing activities
are strictly regulated. The protected
area is part of the vast marine corridor in the
eastern tropical Pacific that stretches from
the Galapagos archipelago across vast marine
areas off Colombia, Panama and Costa
Rica, and is jointly initiated by diverse sectors
such as artisanal and industrial fishermen,
tourism, conservationists, etc. Species
such as sea turtles, manta rays, whales and
sharks pass through this area on their migration
routes. The benefits for the world are
great, thanks to increased CO2 binding, it
mitigates the effects of climate change.
Ambassador Mireya
Muñoz Mera after the
interview with CD‘s
author Claudia
Jörg-Brosche.
46 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
47

LE MONDE COMMENTARY
Who is reliable in the Middle East?
Text: Arian Faal
The Middle East is witnessing turbulent times. Hotspots like Iran, Yemen, the Lebanon and Syria are
having unsolved problems with deep global impact and Riyadh is charting a more independent path.
Mehdi Arian Hamidi Faal
Foreign Editor of CD
studied at the University of
Vienna (​Education, French,
History) and graduated with
distinction in 2000.
Dissertation in History and
Politics, French, 2000-2001 -
finished with distinction. Since
1995, various teaching
assignments at different
education centres such as Dr.
Rampitsch and 18 schools in
Vienna.
From 2004 to 2018: Foreign
politics correspondent at
Wiener Zeitung
2012-2015: Freelance journalist
at APA
For a couple of years, he has
been also lecturer at the
Theresan Military Academy
and at the Diplomatic
Academy Vienna.
It seems like an explosive pressure cooker: Financial
problems in Lebanon, war in Yemen and Syria,
escalation between Israel and the Palestinians,
an unsolved JCPOA (Nuclear Deal between Iran
and the West), over two months of protests in Iran
(called ‘Mahsa Amini movement’ or ‘Iranian Revolution
2022’ with hundreds of victims) and daily human
rights violations in Saudi Arabia. This list could
be continued and shows cloudy perspectives in the
Middle East. As a matter of fact, we must be honest
and admit that there are so many ‘work in progress’-
spots that the region can barely manage them.
From an international view of political priorities,
2022 has been a year of Russian invasion and a tragic
ongoing war in Ukraine. Every other political, economic
and strategic global issue – including the Middle
East – had to wait and take a back seat.
Nevertheless, we can’t ignore one of the most sensitive
issues in the Middle East beside Iran: Saudi Arabia.
Bilateral relations between Washington and the
Kingdom have plunged to a very dry and cold point
since October 5. That was the day when the OPEC+
oil cartel decided to cut the general production by 2m
barrels per day (bpd). Washington was quite angry
that the Saudis act like the stirrup holder for Russia –
less production means higher prices and more income
for Russia as part of OPEC+.
US President Joe Biden felt humiliated one more
time by Riyadh. He went to Jeddah in summer to convince
the Saudi crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed
bin Salman – called and known as MbS – not
to cut the production. As I wrote years ago about the
late Sultan Qaboos of Oman with his unique charisma,
it is all about chemistry in politics. And as a senior
US diplomat said: “Joe and MbS are not becoming
friends anymore in this world.”
Well, the result of all this is devastating: The exchange,
fueled by a dispute over oil production, is a
further blow to a huge alliance which for decades has
been marked by predictability: “The US provides
arms and security to the Saudis, and gains a key strategic
partner in a volatile region in return.” (cf. New
York Times, Washington Post). The Kingdom’s move
is a change driven MbS, who is deliberately snubbing
the US President in an attempt to chart a more independent
path.
“During the last month, the leadership in Riyadh
has been sending many very clear signals to Washington
that the Kingdom will pursue its own national interests
as perceived by Saudi officials, which includes
deepening cooperation with Beijing and Moscow”, an
expert said.
The personal antipathy between Biden and bin Salman
is drawing Americans and Saudis apart. The Saudis
make jokes about Biden and never hide that they
were much happier with Biden’s predecessor Donald
Trump.
His hardline stance against Iran, Saudi Arabia’s key
regional foe, also aligned with Saudi interests, unlike
Biden’s policy of seeking to revive the nuclear deal (JC-
POA) which the Obama White House struck with Iran.
Despite this evident cooling of the relationship under
Biden, the US and Saudis have much to lose from a
deterioration of the alliance. And things could get even
worse in the near future: The so-called ‘Courtroom 30’
in Washington’s district court might seem an unlikely
venue for a diplomatic showdown between Riyadh and
Washington. This case is about the murder in the consulate.
For Hatice Cengiz, it represents the last hope for
justice following the brutal murder of her fiancé, the
Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
According to the CIA, the 2018 killing inside the
Saudi consulate in Istanbul was likely ordered by MbS
himself. Stephanie Kirchgaessner put it very clear in
her article for ‘The Guardian’: “In the coming weeks,
Judge John Bates will determine whether a civil case
brought by Cengiz and Dawn, the organisation founded
by Khashoggi, against Prince Mohammed and his
alleged co-conspirators can proceed. The litigation is
seeking unspecified damages from the crown prince
for Khashoggi’s murder. That judge’s decision hinges
on a complex legal question about whether the heir to
the Saudi throne – widely seen as its de facto ruler –
ought to be treated as a sovereign, and therefore be
granted immunity from US courts, or whether his status
as a king-in-waiting means he is not yet a sovereign,
and should be subjected to the full force of US
law.” The outcome of this case will be historic.
Well, that’s why we face repeated bilateral strains in
recent years, including human rights concerns over
the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the oil decision, ongoing
decapitations in the Kingdom and the mentioned
PHOTO: KREMLIN.RU
2018 murder of Khashoggi.
Can these two countries ‘freeze their bonds’ easily?
Obviously not. There are about 2,500 US forces now
in Saudi Arabia, many of them involved in high-tech
intelligence work and training. The United States is
the supplier of nearly three-quarters of all weapons
systems used by the Saudi military, including constantly
needed parts, repairs and upgrades.
Huge military sales to the Kingdom have been the
subject of repeated controversy in recent years, as
many in Congress have objected to them, including
Republicans. While President Donald Trump, who
boasted of billions in potential US sales to the Saudis,
vetoed congressional attempts to stop particular transactions,
Biden banned Riyadh’s purchase of offensive
US weapons shortly after taking office.
It is very difficult to look into the crystal-ball but as
Biden’s democrats could hold a majority in the Congress,
it is very likely that the tensions between the two
countries will go on.
And the next problem for the region is that Iran
and Saudi Arabia still do not have official bilateral relations.
The current situation in the Islamic Republic
is not very encouraging either.
UN human rights experts condemned the killings
and the crackdown by security forces in Iran on protesters
following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, including
alleged arbitrary arrests and detentions, gender-based
and sexual violence, excessive use of force,
torture, and enforced disappearances. They urged that
the reports be thoroughly and independently investigated
and those responsible held to account.
Thousands of people have been rallying in daily
demonstrations throughout the country after 22-yearold
Amini’s death on September 16, following her arrest
and detention by the morality police for allegedly
wearing her headscarf incorrectly. Protesters have
been demanding accountability for the death of Amini
and calling for an end to the ongoing repression of
women and girls’ fundamental rights (cf.UN).
This important issue will have a huge impact on
the current JCPOA negotiations in Vienna, and it makes
things more difficult. Any solutions and perspectives?
Iran should fulfill its nuclear commitments, and
stop violence against its own people, Riyadh and Tehran
should start direct negotiations about a new bilateral
chapter of diplomacy and the Western countries
need to be much more committed to the people in
Iran. Summoning all Iranian ambassadors in the EU
to FMA’s for a very serious talk would be a start.
According to the CIA, the
2018 killing inside the Saudi
consulate in Istanbul was
likely ordered by Mohammed
bin Salam, aka MbS, himself.
48 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
49

LE MONDE COMMENTARY
The Indo-Pacific as a geopolitical chessboard
While the world is watching the war in Ukraine with bated breath, big geopolitical decisions are currently
being made in the Indo-Pacific.
Text: Walter Feichtinger
You can watch Walter Feichtinger‘s videos on:
cercle-diplomatique.com
Walter Feichtinger
graduated from the
Theresian Military Academy
in 1979, was in command of
Panzer Battalion 10 and
received his doctorate in
political science from the
University of Vienna in
2002. From 2001 on, he was
security and defence policy
advisor in the Federal
Chancellery, Secretary
General of the Austrian
Officers Association and
most recently head of the
Institute for Peacekeeping
and Conflict Management.
The retired Brigadier now
runs the Center for Strategic
Analysis (CSA) in Vienna
with a team, founded in
2008 as an informal
platform for topics of
geopolitical and security
policy relevance.
csa-austria.eu
Geostrategic race
While its war of aggression has visibly deprived
Russia of geostrategic wiggle room, China and the US
are vying for influence in the Indo-Pacific region. India,
however, does not want to leave the area to the
two geopolitical adversaries.
The current status is clear: Washington is anxious
to maintain its position as the dominant hegemon,
which it has systematically built up over decades.
However, US claims are increasingly colliding with
Beijing’s ideas for a new political order in the region.
In particular, China’s claims to the South China Sea
and Taiwan are meeting fierce resistance, not only
from the US.
The stakes are high – it is, after all, a matter of global
leadership. The competition for influence, power
and markets is taking on increasingly threatening
forms. The Indo-Pacific is playing a key role in this.
More than half of the world’s population calls the region
its home which will soon be the largest centre of
economic activity in the world. This also has strong
implications for security policies and it is not a coincidence
that the two global powers are currently spending
the most on defence.
With about 80% of the world’s trade being seaborne,
sea lanes and choke points, so-called bottlenecks,
are taking on increased importance. Deep-sea ports
and naval and air bases make up indispensable infrastructure
to monitor vast areas or, if necessary, to deploy
military forces. The race for strategic nodes and
naval positions has been going on for years and is rapidly
increasing in pace.
US wants to maintain status quo
While still in office, US President Barack Obama
already ordered a strategic pivot to Asia in order to be
able to stand up against China as an emerging global
power. In the National Defense Strategy of October
2022, President Joe Biden emphasised China’s role as a
global competitor. According to his security advisor
Jake Sullivan, the struggle for supremacy will be decided
within the next 10 years, with the Indo-Pacific
being the geopolitical epicentre of the 21st century.
The US is continuing to rely on its strategy, viewing
itself as the “hub” and its regional allies Australia, the
Philippines, Thailand, South Korea and Japan as “spokes”
of a security system (hub and spokes). However,
its Asian partners are set to take on more tasks and
responsibilities in the future. Ultimately, the goal of
the cooperation is to contain China, whose behaviour
in the region, ranging from confident to aggressive, is
increasingly being met with rejection.
The US justifies its activities with the demand for a
free and open Indo-Pacific. Primarily, this is about the
issue of freedom of navigation, but it is also about the
freedom of Taiwan. Furthermore, since 2004, the US
and India have also been suspicious that China is deliberately
setting up ports starting from its own coast
and leading all the way to the Mediterranean, strung
together like pearls.
PHOTOS: ERIC GABA/ WIKIMEDIA COMMONS , BEIGESTELLT
ever, it must push the US back from the South China
Sea. With bases far off its own coast, China could significantly
increase its military clout.
The most attention these days is on Taiwan, which
Beijing wants to reunite with the mainland as quickly
as possible. The island is not only of enormous political
importance but also of extraordinary strategic military
significance. With its annexation, China would
not only gain economic advantages but also control
over the Taiwan Strait. This idea has alarmed Japan’s
government, which would consider it a violation of its
own vital interests.
India wants a say
India does not want to leave the field to its strategic
rival China without a fight. To do so, it needs to be
able to exert as much control as possible over the Indian
ocean. Therefore, Delhi appears to be building a
military base on the island of Mauritius, where even
the largest military aircraft would be able to take off
and land. Something similar is happening on the strategically
located Indian Andaman and Nicobar Islands
in the distant Bay of Bengal. From these archipelagos,
access to the Strait of Malacca can be monitored
very well. India already maintains four air bases and a
harbour for its navy there. Brisk construction activities
show that India is building an important outpost
here.
The primary aim is to put a stop to Chinese ambitions
for unhindered use of the Indian Ocean. Delhi is
alarmed by China’s increase in the number of submarine
and warship voyages in its immediate sphere of
influence. Beijing’s funding of deep-sea ports in Sri
Lanka, Pakistan and Myanmar has also added to
unease among the Indian leadership. In 2014, India
adopted its so-called “East Act Policy”, through which
it seeks intensive economic and military cooperation
with countries in the region in order to counter
China’s rising influence.
Regional dilemma
Countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, South
Korea or Singapore and Indonesia are facing a strategic
dilemma due to the increasing competition between
China and the US. On the one hand, they do not
Indo-Pacific: The green circle
covers ASEAN.
China exploits maritime Silk Road
With the new Silk Road, Beijing has a strategy for
laying out a worldwide network of supply lines and
hubs. The maritime Silk Road is proving its worth in
the struggle in the Indo-Pacific by systematically creating
access to ports or building new ones, such as
Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka. Geopolitical
risks are to be addressed pre-emptively by setting
up alternatives to critical supply lines. The China-Pakistan
Economic Corridor (CPEC), for example, links
to the Gwadar Port in Pakistan, which could enable
China to counteract a possible blockade of the Malacca
Strait on the one hand while outflanking its regional
competitor India on the other.
Beijing has also signed a security agreement with
Honiara, the capital city of the Solomon Islands, in
April 2022. Australia and the US fear that China could
establish military bases there and thus control maritime
traffic between the North and South Pacific. Concerns
were boosted when foreign naval vessels were
barred from docking there in September and a US
ship was turned away.
On top of that, Beijing has been systematically developing
islands and atolls in the South China Sea into
military bases for years. In doing so, it is considerably
increasing the range of its navy and air force. This is of
strategic importance, for China is striving for control
over the so-called first island chain – from the southern
tip of Japan all the way to Brunei. To do so, howwant
to jeopardise relations with China, their most
important economic partner, but on the other hand,
they seek the protection of the US against Beijing’s dominating
approach. Their scope of action is increasingly
shrinking as the two great powers demand loyalty
and thus force them to pick a side.
Courting to increase, tensions to rise
There are currently no signs whatsoever that tensions
between the US and China will decrease – quite
the opposite. Therefore, the race for the favour of the
rulers of the Indo-Pacific and thus for strategically decisive
bases is set to continue. In addition to various
incentives as part of a greater soft power strategy, this
could also result in increased pressure on individual
countries. This, however, would have a very negative
impact on the security situation and the “political
mood” in the region. The greatest uncertainty, however,
emanates from a potential attack by China on Taiwan.
This would topple the unstable security order
and plunge the entire region, and probably the entire
world, into chaos. Trust-building measures, various
cooperation forums, as well as the involvement of external
parties such as the EU, could help prevent escalations
with unintended consequences.
50 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
51

LE MONDE XYX ADA | INTERVIEW
H.E. Friedrich Stift
“We want to make an impact.”
Ambassador Friedrich Stift, director of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) talks about the aims of
Austrian support for eleven priority countries, the effect of climate change and fighting poverty worldwide.
Interview: Otmar Lahodynsky Photos: Ralph Manfreda
CD: Ambassador, how does ADA select the
countries to be supported?
Friedrich Stift: We don‘t do that because it
is a political decision. We only implement it.
The selection of the countries to be supported
is made by the federal government, i.e. the Foreign
Ministry. We have eleven priority countries,
four in Africa – Burkina Faso, Uganda,
Ethiopia and Mozambique, in Europe Kosovo,
Albania and Moldova, then Armenia and
Georgia, plus Palestine and Bhutan.
In the case of Bhutan, I heard that the small
Himalayan state chose Austria as a supporter itself.
That‘s true. Bhutan wanted a smaller country
with mountains and experience in tourism
and renewable energies. They also have an
ongoing cooperation with Switzerland. Unfortunately,
we are closing the office in Bhutan
at the end of next year. This is stipulated
when a country reaches middle-income status.
Then we will have fulfilled our mandate.
water and sanitation, wastewater disposal,
vocational training, sustainable agriculture,
food security, good governance, rural development.
We also implement projects for the
EU with EU funds. The EU-authorities approach
us and ask us to implement for instance
projects in rural development and tourism,
as is currently the case in Georgia. Small
farmers are being trained in organic farming.
We are also helping with marketing and have
supported producers of dried fruits to participate
at a trade fair in Dubai.
Is there no danger of duplicating aid? After all,
the EU can do much more with more funds.
No, there is no duplication because our
development cooperation coincides with the
EU‘s goals. We pay attention to coherence
and complementarity. Sometimes several EU
countries are involved in a single project. We
are, for example, currently cooperating with
Sweden in rural development in Georgia.
So, this is also a success for Austria?
Absolutely. We built the first hydroelectric
power plants there, we helped build up
the judiciary including a faculty of law, and
now we also support the police in Bhutan,
for example in forensics. Some projects will
continue even after the end of 2023. We are
only closing our office there.
In the past, Austria supported the so-called Third
World countries – as it was called at the time – in
development aid according to the watering-can
principle.
This paternalistic approach was abandoned
in the nineties. Now we want to make
an impact, and you can‘t do that by just giving
a little money to projects everywhere in the
world. Now the programmes are selected together
with the partner countries. The areas
in which we will be active are also determined
together. Our expertise lies in the areas of
How much money does Austria spend on
development cooperation in total?
In 2022, ADA will have received 114
million euros from the Foreign Ministry as
a purely operational budget. In addition,
we have received funds at a total amount of
28 million euros from the EU for implementing
EU-projects. We also implementthe
funds from the Austrian Foreign Disaster
Fund. The humanitarian aid of 55
million euros has been doubled this year
because of the war in Ukraine.
Switzerland or individual federal provinces of
Austria also participate in some projects.
Yes, Vorarlberg is co-funding vocational
training for the photovoltaic sector in Burkina
Faso. That is one of our success stories. In
Burkina Faso, only six percent of the rural
population has access to electricity.. With
photovoltaics, electricity can be produced
H.E. FRIEDRICH STIFT
Ambassador Friedrich Stift has been
Managing Director of the Austrian
Development Agency (ADA) since 2021 and
is responsible for development projects in
70 countries, primarily in the eleven priority
countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. He
worked in the Austrian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs from 1989 to 2021 and was
Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Iran and the
People‘s Republic of China. He completed
law studies at the University of Vienna and
postgraduate studies at the Johns Hopkins
University in Bologna and Washington.
PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
52 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
53

LE MONDE ADA | INTERVIEW
autonomously in rural areas. The origin of
the cooperation with Burkina Faso is interesting.
Already in the 1970s, an Austrian
from the young workers‘ movement built a
vocational school there. The school with
around 1000 students still exists. The case of
Uganda is also interesting. In 1985, in a village
in Austria´s Weinviertel region, Ugandan
politicians drew up the Unterolberndorf
Manifesto, which should later lead to
the country‘s constitution. The current President
Yoveri Museveni came from his Swedish
exile to Austria for the meeting. All
these contacts then led to Uganda becoming
one of our priority countries.
There have already been two military coups in
Burkina Faso in recent years. How much does that
affect cooperation?
Basically, we want to continue our cooperation
even if there is political change.
We want to help the people, for example by
fighting poverty. That is why we want to remain
active there. In the north of the country,
however, Islamist terror has put an end
to almost all development cooperation.
Therefore, we are now concentrating on the
region around the capital Ouagadougou.
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
On the ADA website, the project „Rebels of Change“
is currently being advertised. What is meant by this?
According to recent surveys, young people
in particular are very anxious about the
future. There has never been such a gloomy
mood as right now. Climate change, the
pandemic and military conflicts, and especially
the war in Ukraine, are responsible for
this. That‘s where we come in with the Sustainable
Development Goals. Unfortunately,
very few of the 17 UN SDG‘s will be achieved
by 2030. The Covid pandemic has postponed
the achievement of the goals: Covid
drove hundreds of millions of people into
poverty. Schools were closed in many countries,
the longest in Uganda (2 years). There
were also major setbacks in gender equality
and violence against women. More young
girls became pregnant again. With schools
open and running, unwanted pregnancies
do not occur as often.
How is the cooperation with companies developing?
That is an important goal of our development
cooperation. Private companies
create jobs and perspectives, so we are very
interested in getting Austrian companies to
invest in countries in the global South.. We
can support companies with up to 200,000
euros to operate there with a local partner.
There are numerous positive examples,
such as the production of cashew nuts started
by an Austrian company in Tanzania.
How can you prevent the misuse of aid funds?
We work with government agencies, but
also with NGOs. There are regular visits by
the head of the local cooperation office, and
the proper implementation of the contracts
is also checked. We have a well-established
control system, but as everywhere in the
world, something can always happen.
PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
54 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
DASLOFTWIEN.AT

LE MONDE ADA | INTERVIEW
But Tanzania is not a priority country for Austria.
In business partnerships, we can also
work in countries in a regional context.
This means that projects in other parts of
Africa are also possible. These business
partnerships do not have to involve an
Austrian company; it can also be a company
from the European Economic Area,
which is from an EU country, Switzerland,
Liechtenstein or Norway as long as the project
is good and worth to be supported by
us. In the case of the company in Tanzania,
it has just achieved organic certification.
Even the roasting of the nuts takes place
locally for the first time, no longer in Vietnam
with long transport routes. This keeps
the added value in the country.
Are there other success stories like this?
There are many of them to be proud of.
In Georgia, we have been able to establish a
sustainable fish farm or the cultivation of
herbal tea. In Kosovo, an Austrian furniture
company has started a cooperation with a
local carpentry business. This is going very
well now. Machines from Austria were supplied,
along with transfer of know-how, so
that quality standards can be met. The Kosovar
partner now produces sofas and furniture
for the Austrian company with more
than 180 employees. These are mainly used
to furnish hotels. They now also produce
for other EU countries. Another success:
Lenzing AG has started a reforestation project
in Albania, which will then also enable
sustainable timber production.
ADA- Austrian Competence
Centre for Development
Fighting poverty, promoting peace and advocating
sustainability and environmental protection - the
„Austrian Development Agency“ (ADA), as the
agency of Austrian Development Cooperation, is
committed to sustainably improving living conditions
for people in developing countries. In 2021, ADA
supported more than 570 projects and programs with
a total volume of over 640 million euros in countries
with a focus on Africa, Asia, Southeast and Eastern
Europe. Priority is given to projects in which ADA has
many years of expertise: Education, peacebuilding
and human security, good governance, human rights
and migration, water and sanitation, renewable
energy, rural development and food security, business
and development.
Ambassador
Friedrich Stift with
CD-author Otmar
Lahodynsky
Austria is not active in Latin America. For what
reason?
We used to be active in Central America.
There was a coordination office in Nicaragua,
but we are no longer active there.
Some Austrian NGOs, however, are active
there, some of which we continue to support.
And in Guatemala, a school is financed
by the Ministry of Education. Many
of its graduates then study at Austrian universities.
This results in many personal relationships
that have positive effects for
Austria.
PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
BioInspiration
Innovation inspired by nature
Partner Technisches Museum
In cooperation with
56 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
AI generated image

LE MONDE COMMENTARY
Averting nuclear disaster in Ukraine
Text: Stephanie Liechtenstein
Intense fighting in the close vicinity of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in south-eastern Ukraine
has caused the plant’s external power lines to be cut several times, leading to a precarious situation for
essential cooling systems.
An IAEA team observes damage
caused by shelling to the Zaporizhzhia
nuclear power plant during their
mission on 1 September.
Stephanie Liechtenstein
studied History of
International Relations at
the London School of
Economics and Political
Science (LSE). She worked
at the Organisation for
Security and Co-operation
in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna
for several years in various
positions. Has since worked
as a freelance journalist
focusing on multilateral
diplomacy, international
organisations, disarmament
issues and foreign policy.
Writes for various Austrian
and international media,
such as „Die Presse“,
POLITICO, the Independent
and PassBlue.
It all began during the night of 4 March.
Russian forces had launched their illegal invasion
of Ukraine nine days earlier and had begun to strike
almost the entire country with a barrage of missiles,
killing innocent civilians and destroying Ukrainian
infrastructure.
But during the night of 4 March, Russia decided to
up the ante even further in what was going to be an
unprecedented situation during a military conflict in
modern history.
In a reckless operation, the Russian army advanced
on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant – the largest
one in Europe with six nuclear reactors - located in
south-eastern Ukraine. After intense fighting and
shelling that caused a fire to break out right next to the
plant, Russian forces took control of the atomic energy
station in the early morning hours.
Fortunately, the fire was confined to an administrative
building next to the plant – but it was a close
call. If the fire had disabled electricity or if shelling had
damaged the reactors, there would have been a significant
risk of a nuclear accident. The attack on the Zaporizhzhia
nuclear plant therefore caused widespread
alarm across many parts of the world.
Ever since this dramatic assault, Russian forces
have occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station
and representatives from the Russian state nuclear
energy corporation Rosatom are on site to oversee the
Ukrainian staff working at the atomic power station.
Dangerous loss of external power
Safety and security concerns are enormous because
continuous fighting and shelling in the close vicinity
of the nuclear power plant has caused external
power lines to be cut several times. This is very dangerous
because atomic power plants rely on external
electricity to cool reactors to avoid a meltdown. During
a meltdown, the core of the reactor overheats and
hazardous radiological material may be released into
the environment.
If the external power is lost, nuclear plants therefore
have to immediately start using emergency diesel
generators to power the cooling systems. But the generators
rely on a constant flow of diesel – a resource that
may not be so easy to resupply during an active armed
Risk of missiles striking a plant
Apart from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant,
the armed conflict has also affected several other nucconflict
around the plant.
In Zaporizhzhia, staff scrambled to fire up the diesel
generators several times during the past few
months after external power was lost due to shelling
that damaged the power lines. Luckily every time the
plant’s staff was able to reconnect the station to the
external power grid quickly enough, thus averting an
almost certain nuclear accident with severe radiological
consequences for humans and the environment in
Ukraine and maybe even beyond.
Extreme concerns for the Ukrainian staff
In addition, the Ukrainian personnel working at
the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is under severe
stress and pressure from the Russian occupiers. Their
well-being is considered essential so that they can
maintain the complex safety systems of the atomic power
plant.
In a recent investigation, the Wall Street Journal
has detailed detentions, abuse and torture of as many
as 200 of the plant’s staff members at the hands of the
Russian forces. Some of the staff are allegedly being
held in an underground prison near the plant. The accusations
of torture and detention significantly raise
the concern for the safety of the Ukrainian personnel
at the plant.
In October, Russian troops even kidnapped the director
general of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power
plant as well as the site’s deputy head during two different
operations in the course of ten days. They were
both detained for several days before being released
again.
Meanwhile, the nuclear plant’s six reactors have all
been shut down for safety reasons - but the site still
relies on external power for continuous cooling of its
systems and spent fuel pools. And the stress level of
the plant’s personnel continues to be very high.
UN nuclear watchdog takes action
The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) has been working on averting a nuclear
disaster in Ukraine ever since the first day of the
Russian invasion. This was only natural, because since
the agency’s creation in 1957, it has been supporting
its member states to promote safe, secure and peaceful
PHOTOS: PHILIPP HUTTER; FREDRIK DAHL, DEAN CALMA / IAEA
nuclear technologies.
During one of the most visible operations, IAEA
director general Rafael Grossi made a risky trip together
with a team of IAEA experts to the Zaporizhzhia
atomic power station. To reach the plant, the IAEA
team had to drive through an active war zone and was
kept waiting at a military checkpoint for several hours
before taking the decision to move forward despite
shelling and fighting nearby.
During the one-day mission on 1 September, the
group was able to make a first-hand assessment on the
ground. As a result, the IAEA published a summary
report in which it made several recommendations
how to avert a nuclear disaster in Ukraine.
In the report, the IAEA experts stress that “shelling
on site and in its vicinity should be stopped immediately”
to ensure the nuclear power plant’s safe operation.
The experts also called the situation of the Ukrainian
staff at the plant “not sustainable” and said that it
could “lead to increased human error with implications
for nuclear safety.”
Grossi has been working on achieving an agreement
on the establishment of what he calls a “nuclear
safety and security protection zone” around the Zaporizhzhia
nuclear power plant for several months. According
to diplomats, such a zone - if agreed - would
most probably include a ban of stationing heavy weapons
on the site and a ceasefire within a certain radius
of the plant.
Grossi has been negotiating the creation of this
zone with Russia and Ukraine and has met with both
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky. But so far to no avail. At
the time of publication of this article, there is still no
agreement on the details of this zone.
The IAEA has nevertheless kept a small permanent
team of experts at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power
plant, which Grossi believes is “indispensable to stabilize
the situation, and to get regular, reliable, impartial,
neutral updates of what the situation is there,” as he
told reporters.
lear power plants in Ukraine. All in all, Ukraine has
four atomic power plants with a total of 15 reactors.
For example, the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear
power plant, whose reactors are closed permanently
after the terrible disaster in 1986, was occupied
on the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on
24 February. Russian troops entered the exclusion
zone around the plant from Belarus, kicking up partially
radioactive dust. They held the plant’s personnel
as hostages before withdrawing at the end of March.
Ukraine also says that a Russian missile flew over
the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant in April and
another one struck incredibly close to that same plant
in September. The atomic power plant is located in the
Mikolaiv province, around 350 kilometres (220 miles)
south of Kyiv.
Commenting on the April incident, Grossi said:
“Had such a missile gone astray, it could have had a
severe impact on the physical integrity of the plant,
potentially leading to a nuclear accident.”
The situation therefore remains extremely precarious
and volatile.
IAEA director general Rafael Grossi
briefs journalists at Vienna airport
upon his return from the Zaporizhzhia
nuclear power plant on 2 September.
58 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
59

LE MONDE NEWS
Latest update from around the globe
Text: Daniela Pötzl
PHOTOS: SWISS-IMAGE.CH/PHILIPP SCHMIDLI, GRIFFYNDOR, DANIE FERREIRA, ROSEHIP VEGAN BISTRO IN VILNIUS
Tourism
ECO-friendly in Lithuania
63% of people globally believe that climate change is a very serious
issue. As a result, many are making more environmentally-friendly
decisions in their day-to-day lives, and tourism is no exception.
Lithuania, a well-known retreat for lovers of nature, has a lot to offer
for tourists seeking an eco-adventure. This includes eating vegan
versions of the country’s iconic dish šaltibarščiai – a cold beetroot
soup – and getting in touch with sustainable gardening practices by
spending the night on a 600-hectare farm.
lithuania.travel
Book project
OUT IN THE COLD
Approaching mid-life, South African cameraman Danie Ferreira heeded the
call of the wild. He left behind his career in television and trained his eye
towards another challenge: the Arctic and Antarctic. There, he found a
close-knit community of fellow ice chasers, and with every passing nautical
mile, Ferreira fell more in love with the landscape around him – an
unforgiving, yet awe-inspiring terrain which is sadly, and rapidly,
disappearing due to climate change. His extraordinary encounters over 30
years are collected for the first time in the book ”Out in the Cold”. The
limited-edition luxury collector’s item, produced by fine-art book
specialists Hurtwood, is divided into two stunning hand-crafted volumes –
North and South. hurtwood.co.uk
Jubilee
IIASA - 50 Year Anniversary
The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is an
international research institute that advances systems analysis and
applies its research methods to identify policy solutions to reduce
human footprints, and help achieve the Sustainable Development
Goals. The IIASA, which turned 50 in 2022, is located at Laxenburg
Castle in Lower Austria and celebrated the round anniversary with
international lectures, visiting fellows, alumni events, workshops and
conferences. iiasa.ac.at
World record bid
Longest passenger train ever
At 3.35 pm it was done. The world‘s longest passenger train, at 1,910
metres, passed the Landwasser Viaduct on 29 October 2022 - and
the Rhaetian Railway thus achieved the world record, which will be
entered in the Guinness Book. The spectacular journey with the
almost two-kilometre-long train over the Rhaetian Railway‘s
UNESCO-designated Albula and Bernina lines thrilled railway
enthusiasts worldwide. CNN even reported it as an “epic world record
attempt that pushed the boundaries of what is possible“.
rhb.ch
Hereinspaziert …
Genießen Sie den Ball der Offiziere
am 20. Jänner 2023
in der Wiener Hofburg
Kartenreservierungen unter
www.ballderoffiziere.at
60 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

Grafenegg
Where all exists
in harmony
Summer
— 2023
grafenegg
.com
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.

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
Martin Kocher
„Die Teuerung ist die ganz große Herausforderung“
“The wave of cost increases is the biggest challenge.”
Österreichs Wirtschaftsminister über die Eintrübung der Konjunktur, die Auswirkungen
der Russland-Sanktionen und die steigenden Probleme durch den Fachkräftemangel.
Austria’s minister of labour and economy on the economic slowdown, the effects of the sanctions
on Russia and the rising problems caused by the skilled worker shortage.
Interview: Gerhard Bitzan
Photos: Ralph Manfreda
CD: Trotz Corona, Ukraine-Krieg und Energieproblemen
steht Österreichs Wirtschaft noch recht gut
da. Was sind die Gründe dafür und wie wird es im
nächsten Jahr weitergehen?
Kocher: DDie österreichische Wirtschaft
steht tatsächlich nicht so schlecht da,
aber die Konjunktur trübt sich derzeit ein.
Man kann schon deutlich sehen, dass sich
jetzt die Preissteigerungen in den verschiedensten
Bereichen der Wirtschaft widerspiegeln.
Wir haben aber immer noch eine
vergleichsweise relativ gute Lage, was die
wirtschaftliche Entwicklung betrifft und
auch die Arbeitsmarktlage ist gut. Wir gehen
relativ gut aufgestellt in eine schwierige
Phase mit größerer Unsicherheit. Aber klar
ist, wenn das länger dauert, wird erstens
auch die Resilienz gefordert sein. Zweitens
kommt man irgendwann in eine Situation,
wo die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit Europas sich
verschlechtert, besonders was die Industrie
betrifft.
Zur Stärkung der heimischen Exportwirtschaft
gibt es eine relativ neue Initiative namens
ReFocus Austria, bei der sich die Diplomatie
verstärkt für Österreichs Wirtschaft einsetzt.
Wie beurteilen Sie solche Initiativen?
Österreich ist ein exportorientiertes
Land und führt jährlich Waren im dreistelligen
Milliardenbereich aus. Eine aktive
Handelspolitik und die Anstrengungen
rund um ReFocus Austria sorgen dafür,
dass österreichische Unternehmen mit ihren
Produkten weltweit bekannt werden.
Diese internationalen Handelsbeziehungen
sichern in Österreich hunderttausende
Arbeitsplätze und stärken die heimische
Unternehmenslandschaft.
Das Hauptproblem derzeit ist die immense
Teuerung in vielen Bereichen. Ist
ein baldiges Ende absehbar?
Die Teuerung ist sicher die ganz große
Herausforderung in den kommenden Monaten.
Wir haben versucht als erstes Ziel
die Energieversorgungssicherheit für den
Winter herzustellen. Hier sind wir erfolgreich:
Aber natürlich ist die Teuerung für
viele Haushalte und für viele Unternehmen
weiter eine große Belastung und wie sich
das weiterentwickelt, kann man seriöserweise
nicht voraussagen, weil es von geopolitischen
Entwicklungen abhängt. Aber
es ist im Moment nicht zu erwarten, dass
sich die Preise rasch wieder nach unten begeben.
Mit welchen Maßnahmen wollen Sie das
Problem lösen?
Wir brauchen weitere Maßnahmen -
jetzt auf europäischer Ebene. Der Regierung
ging es neben der Versorgungssicherheit
vor allem darum, jenen die besonders
belastet sind, mit spezifischen Programmen
direkt zu helfen. Aber wir brauchen
jetzt aus meiner Sicht auch Maßnahmen,
die die Preise mittelfristig nach unten bringen.
Unser Vorschlag wäre eine Entkoppelung
von Gas und Strompreis. Also eine
Bezuschussung des Gases, das für die
Stromgewinnung verwendet wird, um damit
den gesamten Strompreis in Europa
nach unten zu bringen.
Als Mittel gegen Engpässe und Teuerung wird
immer wieder- auch aus Wirtschaftskreisen -
gefordert, die Sanktionen gegen Russland
zurückzunehmen. Was ist Ihre Meinung dazu?
Im Februar wurde ein souveränes Land
in Europa von einem anderen Land angegriffen.
Das ist aus meiner Sicht eine Zäsur.
Die Frage war, wie reagieren wir darauf?
Europa hat sich auf Sanktionen geeinigt,
die ganz spezifisch die russische Wirtschaft
treffen. Es sind vor allem Militärgüter,
Hochtechnologie, Dual-Use-Güter, die
sanktioniert sind. Und dann gibt es noch
die individuellen Sanktionen, die jene Oligarchen
betreffen, die an der Aggression in
der Ukraine beteiligt sind. Aber auf die
Energieträger, wo die Preise so stark gestiegen
sind – etwa Erdgas – gibt es keine
Sanktionen. Also ist es schwer denkbar,
dass durch ein Aufheben von Sanktionen
die Preise sinken würden.
Haben die Sanktionen wirtschaftlich schon
etwas bewirkt?
Man kann immer diskutieren, ob die
Sanktionen effizient oder treffsicher sind,
aber sie sind auf jeden Fall gerechtfertigt.
Die Effekte auf die russische Wirtschaft
sind massiv. Dieses Jahr wird sie im optimistischen
Fall um drei Prozent schrumpfen,
im pessimistischen Fall um zehn bis
zwölf. Die europäische Wirtschaft wird
dieses Jahr wachsen, natürlich nicht so
stark wie ohne die Sanktionen, aber sie
wird wachsen. Russland ist deutlich stärker
von den Sanktionen betroffen als Europa.
Wegen der vielen Probleme mit stockenden
Lieferketten fordern viele Experten den Ausbau
regionaler Produktionsstätten. Ist dies die
Richtung, in die unsere Wirtschaft gehen soll?
Dazu ist es erstens einmal wichtig zu
wissen, wo echte Abhängigkeiten bestehen.
Bei den Lieferketten von Rohstoffen oder
Grundprodukten ist eine Risikoabwägung
zu treffen: Wo kommen diese Rohstoffe
her, wie zuverlässig sind die Länder, die sie
liefern oder abbauen? Das hat man bisher
zwar auch schon gemacht, aber das sollte
PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
MARTIN KOCHER
studierte Volkswirtschaftslehre und begann dann
eine akademische Karriere mit Professuren an
mehreren Universitäten. 2016 wurde er Leiter
des Instituts für Höhere Studien (IHS). Seit 18.
Juli 2022 ist er Minister für Arbeit und
Wirtschaft.
studied economics and then began an academic
career with professorships at several universities.
In 2016, he became head of the Institute for
Advanced Studies in Vienna. He has been the
minister of labour and economy since 18 July
2022.
64 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
65

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
noch stärker ins Bewusstsein kommen.
Zweitens muss man dann die richtigen
Schlüsse ziehen, was machbar ist; dazu gibt
es auf europäischer Ebene eine umfassende
Diskussion. Ich glaube, dass es eine gute
Balance braucht. Es macht aus meiner Sicht
keinen Sinn, auf die Vorteile der internationalen
Arbeitsteilung zu verzichten. Das
heißt, alles nach Europa zurückzuholen ist
erstens extrem kostspielig, zweitens teilweise
gar nicht möglich, weil wir in vielen
Bereichen gar nicht genug Arbeitskräfte
hätten.
Viele Unternehmen haben sich schon auf die
„Grüne Wende“ eingestellt. Haben Krieg und
Energiekrise den Kampf gegen die Klimakrise
auf Jahre nach hinten verschoben?
Die Prioritäten haben sich verändert.
Jetzt steht die Energieversorgungssicherheit
im Vordergrund. Ich glaube aber, dass
durch die Krise der Übergang zu erneuerbarer
Energie noch viel stärker beschleunigt
wird, als das vorher politisch vorgesehen
war. Weil die Kosten für fossile
Energieträger so hoch sind, haben die Unternehmen
einen großen Anreiz, auf Erneuerbare
zu setzen. Das ist im Moment
der Hauptgrund für Unternehmen, sich
unabhängiger und erneuerbarer bei der
Energieversorgung aufzustellen. Nun müssen
wir es schaffen, dass Genehmigungsverfahren
schneller werden, dass Infrastruktur
rascher ausgebaut wird. Ich bin
überzeugt davon, dass die Erfahrung aus
diesem Krieg den Ausstieg aus fossiler
Energie beschleunigt.
Sie sind auch Arbeitsminister: Wie steht es um
den österreichischen Arbeitsmarkt?
Wir haben einen großen wirtschaftlichen
Aufschwung erlebt. Diese Aufwärtsbewegung
war so stark, dass die Nachfrage
nach Gütern und Dienstleistungen noch
stärker gestiegen ist als das Arbeitskräftepotenzial.
Aber selbst im Tourismus hatten
wir heuer im Juli mehr Beschäftigte als im
Juli 2019. Jetzt, wo es wirtschaftlich etwas
schwieriger wird, haben wir einen gut aufgestellten
robusten Arbeitsmarkt. Derzeit
haben wir die niedrigste Arbeitslosigkeit
seit 14 Jahren bei gleichzeitigem Rekordbeschäftigtenstand.
Ist nicht der Mangel an Fachkräften das größere
Problem?
Wir werden in Zukunft nicht mehr so
stark mit Arbeitslosigkeit, sondern mit
dem Mangel an Fachkräften kämpfen. Dabei
gibt es viele Ansatzpunkte zur Bekämpfung
des Fachkräftemangels. Wir können
die Vermittlung von Arbeitssuchenden beschleunigen
und wir können die Rot-
Weiß-Rot-Karte, also die Beschäftigungsbewilligungen
für Drittstaaten-Angehörige,
forcieren. Es ist natürlich eine Gemeinschaftsaufgabe
aus dem Bildungs-, dem
Gesellschafts- und dem Finanzbereich.
Wir müssen Arbeit attraktiv machen, wir
müssen schauen, Familie und Beruf besser
zu vereinbaren, Menschen freiwillig länger
im Beruf zu halten. All das ergibt ein riesiges
Potenzial.
Zugleich gibt es auch Studien, dass die junge
Generation Arbeit völlig anders sieht als früher:
Nicht mehr volle Arbeitspower mit vielen
Überstunden, sondern Freizeit ist wichtiger als
Geld. Ist das tatsächlich der Trend bei Jungen?
Es ist sicher so, dass sich bei einigen Jugendlichen
der Fokus etwas verändert hat.
Wir sehen am Arbeitsmarkt ein Amalgam
von verschiedenen Phänomenen. Wir haben
viele Menschen, die extrem viel arbeiten,
wir haben aber auch die, die es sich
leisten können, nicht Vollzeit zu arbeiten.
Jedenfalls werden die Unternehmen, die
damit umgehen können, und ihren Mitarbeitern
und Mitarbeiterinnen eine sinnstiftende
Tätigkeit anbieten, es leichter haben.
Unternehmen, die sich keine Gedanken
machen, die werden sich schwerer tun.
Auch angesichts der Teuerung erwarte ich
eigentlich, dass es aufgrund rein ökonomischer
Notwendigkeiten wieder mehr Arbeitsangebot
geben wird, also dass einige
Menschen eher mehr arbeiten werden als
weniger.
CD: Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the war in
Ukraine and the problems with the energy supply,
Austria’s economy is still doing relatively well.
What are the reasons for this and how is it going
to continue next year?
Kocher: The Austrian economy is indeed
doing relatively well but clouds are
beginning to form. You can already see
rather clearly that the rise in costs is being
reflected in a wide range of economic sectors.
But we are still in a comparatively
good situation when it comes to economic
development and the labour market is also
doing well. We are in a good place but are
entering a difficult period with greater
uncertainty. It’s clear that if this is going to
last then resilience will be required. Secondly,
we may end up in a situation where
Europe’s competitiveness could deteriorate,
especially when it comes to heavy industry.
To strengthen the domestic export economy, a
new initiative called ReFocus Austria has been
launched in which diplomacy is to step up its
support for Austria’s economy. How do you assess
such initiatives?
Austria is an export-oriented country
and exports goods in the triple-digit billion
euro range every year. An active trade policy
and the ReFocus Austria initiative will
make sure that Austrian companies and
their products receive attention around the
world. These international trade relations
secure hundreds of thousands of jobs in
Austria and also strengthen the domestic
business landscape.
The biggest problem right now is the vast
inflation we’re seeing in many sectors. Is there an
end in sight soon?
The cost increases will certainly be the
biggest challenge in the coming months.
Our first goal was to secure the energy supply
for the winter. We have been successful
in this. But of course, the increases continue
to be a great burden for many
households and businesses, and it isn’t possible
to reliably predict how it will continue
to develop because it depends on geopolitical
trends and events. However, right now,
we don’t expect prices to start coming
down again quickly.
What measures are you taking to solve the
problem?
We need additional measures – and
now on the European level. Apart from
supply security, the government’s main
concern has been to help those facing significant
hardship with targeted programmes.
But in my view, we now also need
measures that will bring prices down in the
medium term. Our proposal would be to
decouple gas and electricity prices. In other
words, subsidising the gas that is used for
electricity generation in order to bring
down the cost of electricity in Europe.
There are calls – including from business circles –
to lift sanctions against Russia as a measure
against supply bottlenecks and inflation. What’s
your take on this?
In February, a sovereign country in Europe
was attacked by another country. In
my view, that was a watershed moment.
The question was how to respond. Europe
agreed on sanctions that targeted the Russian
economy very specifically. It is primarily
military supplies, advanced technologies
and dual-use goods that have been
sanctioned. And then there are individual
sanctions that affect oligarchs that are involved
in the aggression against Ukraine.
However, there have been no sanctions on
energy sources where prices have risen the
most – for example, natural gas. So, it’s
hard to imagine that lifting the sanctions
would bring prices down.
Have the sanctions already had an effect on the
Russian economy?
One can always debate whether the
sanctions are efficient or targeted but they
are definitely justified. The effects on the
Russian economy have been massive. This
year, the economy is set to shrink by three
percent according to the most optimistic
66
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 67

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
reading and by 10 to 12 according to the
most pessimistic. The European economy
is going to grow this year – of course not as
much as it would have without the sanctions,
but it will grow. Russia is much more
affected by the sanctions than Europe.
Because of the problems with faltering supply
chains, many experts are calling for the expansion
of regional production facilities. Is this the
direction our economy should take?
First, we should identify where there are
real dependencies. When it comes to the
supply chains of raw materials and basic
products, we need to make risk assessments.
Where do the resources come from
and how reliable are the countries that supply
or extract them? This was already being
done before, but it should be done more
consciously. Second, we need to make decisions
based on what’s feasible; there is comprehensive
discussion on this taking place
on the European level. I believe that we
need a good balance. In my view, it makes
no sense to forgo the advantages brought
about by the global division of labour. This
means that bringing everything to Europe
would, first of all, be extremely costly and,
second, not even be possible in part because
we wouldn’t have enough workers in
many sectors.
Many firms have started to adapt to the energy
transition. Have the war and the energy crisis
pushed back the fight against climate change by
years?
The priorities have changed. Now the
focus is on energy security. But I believe
that the crisis will accelerate the transition
to renewable energy much more than was
previously politically intended. Because the
cost of fossil fuels is so high, businesses
have a great incentive to switch to renewables.
Right now, this is the main reason why
businesses are becoming more independent
and renewable-oriented when it comes
to their energy supply. Next, we have
to speed up licencing procedures so that we
can develop the new infrastructure more
quickly. I am convinced that the experience
from this war will accelerate the phasing
out of fossil fuels.
You are also minister of labour – how is the
Austrian labour market doing?
We have seen a great economic upswing.
This upswing has been so strong that
the demand for goods and services has increased
even more than the labour potential.
But even in tourism, we had more people
employed in July of this year than in July
2019. Now that the economy is getting a bit
more challenging, we’ve got a strong and
robust labour market. We currently have
the lowest unemployment in 14 years with
record employment levels.
Isn’t the shortage of skilled workers the bigger
problem?
Going forward, we will no longer
struggle so much with unemployment but
with a lack of skilled workers. There are
many ways to combat the shortage of
skilled workers. We can speed up the placement
of job seekers and we can push the
red-white-red card, i.e., employment permits
for third-country nationals. Of course,
this is going to be a joint task for the education,
social and financial sectors. We have
to make work attractive; we have to make it
easier to reconcile family and work and we
have to keep people in the workforce longer
voluntarily. All of this adds up to a huge
potential.
At the same time, there are also studies that show
that younger generations view work completely
differently than before: they don’t want to give
their all anymore and commit to lots of overtime.
Leisure is more important than money. Is that
really the trend among young people?
It is certainly the case that young
people’s priorities have changed somewhat.
We can see an amalgam of different phenomena
in the labour market. We have many
people who work extremely hard, but we
also have those who can afford not to work
full-time. In any case, companies that will
be able to adapt to this and offer their employees
meaningful work will have an
easier time. Companies that aren’t heading
in this direction will have a harder time.
Also, when looking at inflation, I actually
expect we’ll see an increase in labour supply
again on the basis of purely economic
necessities, i.e., that some people will work
more rather than less.
Angeregtes Gespräch:
Minister Kocher mit
CD-Autor Gerhard Bitzan.
Stimulating conversation:
Minister Kocher with
CD- author Gerhard Bitzan.
AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF SENSES –
AN EXPRESSIVE INTERPRETATION OF
MULTISENSORY CULINARY ART
Experience Vienna’s first immersive, multisensory dining experience
at our culinary studio-the Bristol Laboratory.
Here, historical dishes mingle with re-interpretational cuisine, paired with
artistic live visuals and tuned soundscapes that will take you to dreamy
spheres - happily removed from every day’s reality! You can expect an
exquisite, seasonally adapted 6-course menu - including carefully
selected beverages.
Upcoming Editions
Thursday, 19th January 2023
Thursday, 9th March 2023
Thursday, 27th April 2023
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Reservation: lc.vielc.fbevents@luxurycollection.com
68 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
FOLLOW US
#bristolvienna

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
S.E. Alexander Kmentt
„Atomwaffen sind nicht akzeptabel und gehören verboten.“
“Nuclear weapons are unacceptable and ought to be banned.”
Botschafter Alexander Kmentt, Leiter der Abrüstungsabteilung im Außenministerium, über den Atomwaffenverbotsvertrag,
die Rolle Österreichs und die Zukunft der österreichischen Sicherheitspolitik.
Ambassador Alexander Kmentt, Director for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation at the
Austrian Foreign Ministry, on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Austria’s own role in it
and the future of Austria’s security policy.
Interview: Stephanie Liechtenstein Photos: Ralph Manfreda
CD: Herr Botschafter, können Sie die Entstehungsgeschichte
des Atomwaffenverbotsvertrags
skizzieren, einschließlich der Rolle die
Österreich dabei zukam?
Alexander Kmentt: Österreich setzt
sich seit Jahrzehnten für nukleare und
konventionelle Abrüstung ein. Dabei sind
wir und viele andere Staaten in den letzten
Jahren zur Überzeugung gekommen, dass
die internationale Gemeinschaft beim
Thema der nuklearen Abrüstung nicht
wirklich weiterkommt. Das liegt vor allem
daran, dass die Nuklearwaffenstaaten die
existierenden Abrüstungsverträge und die
darin enthaltenen Verpflichtungen nicht
umsetzen, und sich nicht vom nuklearen
Abrüstungsparadigma befreien können.
Daher hat Österreich im Jahr 2010 mit
einer Gruppe gleichgesinnter Staaten, sowie
mit dem Internationalen Komitee des
Roten Kreuzes und weiteren NGOs, einen
Prozess gestartet, um den Diskurs zu Nuklearwaffen
auf die tatsächlichen Auswirkungen
von Atomwaffen, und nicht nur
auf einen abstrakten sicherheitspolitischen
Diskurs zu fokussieren.
Dies war das Thema einer Reihe von
Konferenzen, unter anderem im Jahr 2014
in Österreich. Damals haben wir Experten
und Wissenschaftler zusammengebracht,
die die Auswirkungen eines Einsatzes von
Atomwaffen aus verschiedenen Perspektive
analysiert haben, darunter die gesundheitlichen
und sozialen Aspekte, sowie die
Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt und die
globale Nahrungsmittelsicherheit.
Die Hauptschlussfolgerungen waren,
dass die humanitären Auswirkungen noch
wesentlich grösser und dramatischer sind,
als weitgehend bekannt ist. Ebenso sind
die Risiken, dass etwas schiefgeht, durch
Fehlkalkulationen, menschliche oder
technische Fehler beträchtlich hoch.
Daher startete Österreich im Jahr 2014
einen internationalen Aufruf (den sogenannten
Austrian Pledge) mit dem Ziel an
einer völkerrechtlichen Norm zum Verbot
von Atomwaffen zu arbeiten. Diesem Aufruf
haben sich innerhalb von nur wenigen
Monaten 127 Staaten angeschlossen; die
vielleicht signifikanteste österreichische
diplomatische Initiative seit langer Zeit.
Im Sommer 2017 wurden die Verhandlungen
zum Vertrag dann erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
Im Januar 2021 ist der Atomwaffenverbotsvertrag
in Kraft getreten,
und im Juni 2022 fand die erste Vertragsstaatenkonferenz
in Wien unter meinem
Vorsitz statt.
Sie haben nun mehrmals auf die katastrophalen
Auswirkungen von Atomwaffen hingewiesen.
Können Sie diese noch etwas näher beschreiben?
Heute weiß man beispielsweise, dass
bereits ein sogenannter limitierter Atomkrieg
einen nuklearen Winter auslösen
kann. Darunter verstehen Experten, dass
durch die Explosionen große Mengen an
Staub in so hohe Schichten der Atmosphäre
gewirbelt werden, dass sie lange
nicht durch den Regen ausgewaschen
werden können.
Das führt zu einem Rückgang der Sonneneinstrahlung
und zu einem Temperaturrückgang
auf der Erde mit dramatischen
Ernteeinbrüchen in jenen Gebieten,
die hauptsächlich für die globale Nahrungsmittelproduktion
zuständig sind.
Wenn ein Atomkrieg etwa zwischen Indien
und Pakistan eine Hungersnot in Afrika
zur Folge hätte, wirft das profunde
rechtliche und ethische Fragen auf.
PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
ALEXANDER KMENTT
Die Atomwaffenstaaten argumentieren, dass
die nukleare Abschreckung globale Stabilität
und Sicherheit gewährleistet. Wie sehen Sie
das?
Der Glaube, dass Atomwaffen für die
Sicherheit unerlässlich sind, ist in jenen
Staaten, die Nuklearwaffen besitzen, stark
verankert. Aus diesem Grund ist ihre Bereitschaft,
Atomwaffen abzugeben sehr
gering.
Die Theorie der nuklearen Abschreckung,
dass Kriege durch die Androhung
mit Atomwaffeneinsätzen verhindert werden
können, wird unter der Prämisse diskutiert,
dass die Waffen niemals zum Einsatz
kommen. Gleichzeitig verlangt diese
Theorie aber die Glaubwürdigkeit des
Einsatzes. Das Konstrukt der nuklearen
Abschreckung ist äußerst prekär und ihre
Wirksamkeit lässt sich letztlich nicht beweisen.
Sie basiert auf etlichen Annahmen.
Was wir aber sehr wohl beweisen können,
sind die verheerenden Auswirkungen,
die bei einem Einsatz von Atomwaffen
zu befürchten sind, sowie die Risiken,
die durch die Existenz von Atomwaffen
für die gesamte Menschheit bestehen.
Atomwaffen sind so wie andere Massenvernichtungswaffen
völkerrechtlich
nicht akzeptabel und gehören verboten.
Der Atomwaffenverbotsvertrag zielt darauf
ab, eine starke völkerrechtliche Norm
zu etablieren. Man könnte auch sagen,
dass der Vertrag die in Völkerrecht gegossene
Position der überwiegenden Mehrist
Leiter der Abteilung für Abrüstung, Rüstungskontrolle und
Nichtverbreitung im österreichischen Außenministerium und
Präsident der ersten Tagung der Vertragsstaaten des Vertrags
über das Verbot von Kernwaffen (TPNW) im Juni 2022. Er hat
einen österreichischen Abschluss in Rechtswissenschaften und
einen MPhil in Internationalen Beziehungen von der Universität
Cambridge.
is the Director of the Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-
Proliferation Department of the Austrian Foreign Ministry and
President of the June 2022 First Meeting of States Parties to the
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). He holds
an Austrian Law Degree and a MPhil in International Relations
from Cambridge University.
70 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
71

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
heit der UNO-Mitgliedstaaten ist.
Wir wissen natürlich, dass die Atomwaffenstaaten
nicht über Nacht ihre
Atomwaffenarsenale aufgeben, und dem
Vertrag beitreten werden. Es geht im Moment
in erster Linien darum, den blinden
Glauben in nukleare Abschreckung als
das Allheilmittel für die internationale Sicherheit
und Stabilität zu hinterfragen,
und zwar anhand von empirisch nachvollziehbaren
Erkenntnissen zu den Auswirkungen
eines Einsatzes. Wenn man sich
auf diesen Gedankenprozess einlässt, erkennt
man, dass das Konzept der nuklearen
Abschreckung auf extrem wackligen
Beinen steht.
Aber ist es nicht so, dass die jetzige geopolitische
Lage, speziell der russische Angriffskrieg
gegen die Ukraine, eigentlich genau den
gegenteiligen Schluss zulässt, nämlich, dass es
die nukleare Abschreckung und den atomaren
Schutzschirm braucht, um Russland Stärke zu
beweisen und Moskau in Schach zu halten?
Tatsache ist, wir haben eine Risikosituation
wie seit Jahrzehnten nicht mehr. Die
Risiken für die gesamte Menschheit und
Zivilisation sind wesentlich grösser als der
angebliche Nutzen der Abschreckung.
Wir sind tatsächlich nur eine einzige Fehlkalkulation,
einen einzigen Irrtum vom
möglichen nuklearen Armageddon entfernt.
Das kann kein nachhaltiges System
einer kollektiven, internationalen Sicherheit
sein.
Zudem möchte ich anmerken, dass ich
das verniedlichende Gerede eines Einsatzes
von sogenannten taktischen Atomwaffen
– also solchen Waffen, die eine etwas
geringere Sprengkraft haben, deren Auswirkungen
aber dennoch verheerend sind
– sehr bedenklich finde. Niemand weiß
genau wie sich die Eskalationsspirale nach
so einem Einsatz weiterdrehen würde.
Wie U.S. General John Hyten, Leiter des
U.S. Strategic Command schon 2018
warnte: Egal welches Szenario wir uns anschauen,
“It always ends badly.“
Wie hoch sehen Sie die tatsächliche Gefahr,
dass heute Atomwaffen zum Einsatz kommen,
zum Beispiel durch Russland?
Heute sind neun Staaten im Besitz von
Atomwaffen. In der Zeit des Kalten Krieges
war es vor allem die Bedrohung durch
zwei. Die Risiken für nukleare Konflikte
ist heute so groß wie seit Jahrzehnten
nicht, vielleicht größer als jemals zuvor in
der Menschheitsgeschichte. Die Gefahr
von Irrtümern, Unfällen und Missverständnissen
ist ebenfalls enorm hoch. Daher
steht die sogenannte Weltuntergangsuhr
heute 100 Sekunden vor Mitternacht.
Die inakzeptablen russischen Drohungen
verstärken das Risiko noch dramatisch.
Abschließend möchte ich Sie gerne noch einmal
zu Österreich befragen. Warum gibt es in
Österreich keine breite Debatte über die
Sicherheitspolitik des Landes, vor allem
angesichts der veränderten Bedrohungslage
durch den russischen Krieg gegen die Ukraine?
In anderen bündnisfreien Staaten, wie etwa
Schweden oder Finnland, hat ein radikales
Umdenken stattgefunden. In Österreich hat man
jedoch das Gefühl, es ist alles wie immer.
Vor Nuklearwaffen ist Österreich definitiv
nicht sicher. Kein Staat ist vor diesen
Waffen sicher. Aber es stimmt, die Debatte
wird hierzulande nicht sehr breit geführt.
Die Neutralität ist stark im Bewusstsein
der österreichischen Bevölkerung verankert,
mit einer ausgeprägten emotionalen
Bindung. Es wäre trotzdem sicher gut,
wenn es eine breitere, öffentliche Debatte
gäbe.
Sollte man ihrer Meinung nach die österreichische
Sicherheitspolitik in ihren Grundstrukturen
erneuern oder anpassen?
Aus meiner persönlichen Sicht haben
wir einen vorgegebenen verfassungsrechtlichen
Rahmen, nämlich unsere Neutralität.
Unser Ziel sollte daher sein, innerhalb
dieses Rahmens einen so aktiven Beitrag
zur europäischen Sicherheit zu leisten wie
nur möglich. Das tun wir etwa innerhalb
der Europäischen Union sowie innerhalb
der Partnerschaft für den Frieden der
NATO. Die spezielle Nische und Glaub-
würdigkeit, die Österreich über viele Jahrzehnte
aufgebaut hat, ist der starke Fokus
auf das Völkerrecht, auf Menschenrechte,
Abrüstung, Mediation, Amtssitzpolitik
und auf Stärkung der multilateralen Institutionen.
Das sind die zentralen Säulen
der österreichischen Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik.
Im Mai 2021 wurde Botschafter
Alexander Kmentt mit dem „The
Simons Foundation Canada Award
for Distinguished Global Leadership
in the Service of Peace and Disarmament“
ausgezeichnet.
In May 2021, Ambassador Alexander
Kmentt has been awarded “The
Simons Foundation Canada Award for
Distinguished Global Leadership in
the Service of Peace and Disarmament“.
CD: Ambassador, can you outline the history of
the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons,
including Austria’s role in it?
Alexander Kmentt: Austria has been
committed to nuclear as well as conventional
disarmament for decades. In recent
years, we, as well as many other countries,
have come to the conclusion that the international
community is not making
enough progress on the issue of nuclear
disarmament. This is mainly due to the
fact that the nuclear-weapon states are not
implementing existing disarmament treaties
and the obligations contained in them
and are not able to free themselves from
the nuclear disarmament paradigm.
Therefore, Austria, together with a
group of like-minded countries, as well as
with the International Committee of the
Red Cross and other NGOs, launched a
process in 2010 to focus the discourse
concerning nuclear weapons on their actual
effects and not just abstract security
policy matters.
This was the topic of a series of conferences,
including one held in Austria in
2014. We brought experts and scientists
together who analysed the impacts of
using nuclear weapons from different perspectives,
including health and social aspects,
as well as the impacts on the environment
and global food security.
The main conclusion was that the humanitarian
impact would be even greater
and more dramatic than is widely known.
Similarly, the risks of something going
wrong, be it by way of miscalculation or
human or technical error, are also considerably
high.
Therefore, Austria launched an international
appeal (the so-called Austrian
Pledge) in 2014 with the aim of working
towards a norm under international law to
ban nuclear weapons. Within just a few
months, 127 countries joined this call –
perhaps the most significant Austrian diplomatic
initiative in a long time.
Negotiations on the treaty were successfully
concluded in the summer of
2017. In January 2021, the Treaty on the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered
into force, and in June 2022, the first Conference
of States Parties took place in Vienna
under my chairmanship.
You have now several times referred to the catastrophic
effects of nuclear weapons. Could you
describe these in a little more detail?
Today, for example, we know that even
a so-called limited nuclear war could trigger
a nuclear winter. Experts understand
this to mean that large quantities of dust
get whirled into layers of the atmosphere
so high that they cannot be washed out by
the rain for a long time to come.
This would lead to a decrease in sunlight
and a drop in global temperatures
which in turn would lead to dramatic crop
collapses in those regions that are responsible
for the majority of global food production.
If a nuclear war between, say, India
and Pakistan could trigger a famine in
Africa, then this raises profound legal and
ethical questions.
The nuclear-weapon states argue that nuclear
deterrence ensures global stability and security.
What’s your view?
The belief that nuclear weapons are essential
for security is a strongly held one
in countries that possess nuclear weapons.
For this reason, there is very little willingness
to give up nuclear weapons.
The theory of nuclear deterrence, the
idea that wars can be prevented by the threat
of using nuclear weapons, is based on
the premise that these weapons will never
be used. At the same time, however, the
theory requires the credibility of deployment.
The construct of nuclear deterrence
is extremely precarious because its effectiveness
cannot ultimately be proven. It is
based on countless assumptions.
What we can prove, however, are the
devastating consequences that we must
fear if nuclear weapons were to be used, as
well as the risks that the existence of nuclear
weapons poses to all of humanity.
Nuclear weapons, like other weapons
of mass destruction, are unacceptable under
international law and ought to be banned.
The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons aims at establishing a
strong norm under international law. One
could also say that the treaty is the position
of the vast majority of UN member states,
cast in international law.
Of course, we know that nuclear-weapon
states are not going to give up their
nuclear arsenals overnight and join the
treaty. The main goal right now is to challenge
blind faith in nuclear deterrence as
the panacea for international security and
stability based on empirical evidence of
the effects of its use. When one engages in
this thought process, then one realises
that the concept of nuclear deterrence is
on extremely shaky ground.
But isn’t it the case that the current geopolitical
situation, especially the Russian war of
aggression against Ukraine, actually allows for
exactly the opposite conclusion, namely that
nuclear deterrence and the nuclear umbrella are
necessary to project strength towards Russia and
keep Moscow at bay?
The fact of the matter is that we are in a
riskier situation than we have been in decades.
The risks to all of humanity and civilisation
are far greater than the alleged
benefits of deterrence. We are, in fact, only
one miscalculation, one mistake away
from possible nuclear Armageddon. This
cannot be considered a sustainable system
of collective, international security.
In addition, I would like to note that I
find the trivialising talk concerning the
use of so-called tactical nuclear weapons
Botschafter Alexander Kmentt
während des Interviews mit CD-
Autorin Stephanie Liechtenstein.
Ambassador Alexander Kmentt
during the interview with CD-author
Stephanie Liechtenstein.
72
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 73

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
– nuclear weapons with a somewhat lower
explosive yield but whose effects are nevertheless
devastating – very worrying.
No one knows exactly what the escalatory
spiral following the use of such weapons
would look like. As US general John Hyten,
Commander of the United States
Strategic Command, warned in 2018: no
matter what scenario we look at, “it always
ends badly.”
How great do you think the actual danger of
nuclear weapons being used today is, for example
by Russia?
Today, nine countries possess nuclear
weapons. During the Cold War, the threat
was only coming from two. The risk of nuclear
conflicts is greater today than it has
been for decades, perhaps greater than at
any time in human history. The risk of
mistakes, accidents and misunderstandings
is also enormous. That is why the
so-called Doomsday Clock is now 100 seconds
to midnight. Russia’s unacceptable
threats have increased this risk dramatically.
Finally, I would like to ask you again about
Austria. Why is there no broad debate in Austria
about the country‘s security policy, especially
given the changing security environment
following the Russian war against Ukraine? In
other non-aligned countries, such as Sweden or
Finland, there has been a complete shift in
thinking. In Austria, however, one gets the feeling
that it’s still business as usual.
Austria is definitely not safe from nuclear
weapons. No country is. But it is true
that the debate is not very broad here.
Neutrality is strongly anchored in the
consciousness of the Austrian people,
with a strong emotional attachment. Nevertheless,
we would certainly benefit
from broader public debate.
therefore be to make as active a contribution
to European security as possible
within this framework. We do this, for example,
within the European Union as well
as within NATO’s Partnership for Peace.
The special niche and credibility that Austria
has built up over many decades are
based on a strong focus on international
law, human rights, disarmament, mediation,
attracting international organisations
and strengthening multilateral institutions.
These are the central pillars of Austrian
foreign and security policy.
ENTGELTLICHE EINSCHALTUNG PHOTOS: BRAU UNION ÖSTERREICH/VOGUS
Sustainable business for the future
Brau Union Österreich is conscious of its environmental and social responsibilities
Beer has always been a natural beverage and can
therefore only be as good as the raw materials
from which it is brewed. This is one of the reasons
why sustainability is so close to our hearts here
at Brau Union Österreich and why we have put it
into practice in both larger and smaller measures
across all Brau Union Österreich locations. These
measures can be found in all the stages of the
beer life cycle: They start in the fields, where the
raw materials are grown by our partner farms,
continue through production and transport to
our customers in food retail and catering all the
way to the consumer - and even beyond that, for
example, in recycling and reusables. And this is
how our practice comes full circle.
“As Austria’s largest brewery, beer is more than
just a beverage for us. We see and use this opportunity
to approach the challenges of our time
with courage and a pioneering spirit to find solutions
that help to preserve our environment for the
future. At the same time, we continue to develop
the domestic beer industry in line with social and
environmental considerations and thus make the
world a little bit better – sip by sip,” says Gabriela
Maria Straka, director of corporate affairs and
ESG sustainability at Brau Union Österreich.
Sustainability commitment in line with the
United Nations SDGs
Brau Union Österreich’s sustainability commitment
is based on the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals. Initiatives are taken along
the entire value chain and beyond - for example,
through partnerships and third parties - to create
added value.
Gabriela Maria Straka, a long-time member of the
UN Global Compact Steering Committee Austria,
explains: “We are committed to the 17 United
Nations Development Goals and, together with
our stakeholders, setting new standards when
it comes to sustainability. For example, Grüne
Brauerei Göss has committed itself to seven
SDGs at once: quality education, affordable and
clean energy, decent work and economic growth,
industry, innovation and infrastructure, climate
action, life on land as well as partnerships for the
goals.”
Find out which specific aspects of sustainability
Brau Union Österreich is pursuing in particular,
what measures are being implemented at the individual
locations, which milestones have already
been reached and what still lies ahead in the Sustainability
Report at https://www.brauunion.at/
nachhaltigkeit/nachhaltigkeitsbericht/.
Should the basic structure of Austrian security
policy be renewed or adapted in your view?
From my personal point of view, we
have a given constitutional framework,
namely our neutrality. Our goal should
74 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
Harald Mahrer
„Europa muss rasch mit einer Stimme reden.“
“Europe must start quickly to speak with one voice.“
Österreichs Wirtschaftskammerpräsident Harald Mahrer spricht von der größten Krise der Nachkriegszeit
und warnt vor irreparablen Schäden für Europa, wenn die EU nicht mit einer Stimme redet und die
Energieversorgung sichert. Auch die Diplomatie ist gefragt.
The President of the Austrian Economic Chambers (WKÖ), Harald Mahrer, discusses the biggest crisis
of the post-war period and warns of irreparable damage for Europe if the EU does not speak with one
voice and secure its energy supply. Diplomacy is also needed.
Interview: Julia Kistner
CD: Herr Präsident Mahrer, wie würden Sie die
aktuelle Lage der österreichischen Wirtschaft in
einem Wort beschreiben?
Mahrer: Verbesserungswürdig.
Was braucht es jetzt, um die heimische und auch
die internationale Wirtschaft voranzutreiben?
Nachdem sich die Sorgenfalten in der
Zwischenzeit bei sehr vielen Betrieben in
Herzrasen gewandelt haben – und zwar
nicht nur in Österreich, sondern auch bei
unseren Exportpartnern – ist Geschwindigkeit
gefragt. Wir befinden uns in einer
der größten Krisen der Nachkriegszeit, mit
allen negativen Folgen für Wirtschaft und
Gesellschaft. Oberste Priorität hat, die
Energiepreise zu senken. Dafür müssen wir
weg von symbolpolitischen Diskussionen,
hin zu echten Inhalten und Lösungen, die
rasch umgesetzt werden und für die Betriebe
spürbar sind. Abfederungsmaßnahmen
auf nationaler Ebene sind das Eine und mit
dem Energiekostenzuschuss gibt es eine
dringende Ersthilfe. Wir müssen das Problem
aber an der Wurzel bekämpfen und da
ist die EU in der Pflicht. Europa muss jetzt
mit einer Stimme sprechen und rasch handeln,
um potenziell irreparable Schäden
für Europas Wirtschaft und die mit ihr verbundenen
Arbeitsplätze zu verhindern –
insbesondere durch eine rasche Änderung
des Merit-Order-Prinzips*, um Stromund
Gaspreise zu entkoppeln.
Was kann man gegen den Energienotstand noch
tun? Welche Rolle spielt hier die Wirtschafts-
Diplomatie?
Jede Initiative, die dazu beiträgt, unsere
Energieversorgung auf breitere Beine zu
stellen, ist richtig und wichtig. Das muss
mit dem Ausbau der europäischen Energieinfrastruktur
einhergehen. Und genau
hier unterstützen wir Betriebe, damit sie
frühzeitig über geplante Projekte informiert
sind und ihre Produkte und Dienstleistungen
anbieten können.
Mit unserem Netzwerk an Wirtschaftsstützpunkten
rund um den Globus ist die
WKÖ zuverlässiger Partner für heimische
Exportbetriebe und wichtiger Bestandteil
der rot-weiß- roten Wirtschaftsdiplomatie.
Bei Initiativen wie go-international oder
ReFocus Austria arbeiten wir mit Wirtschafts-
und Außenministerium zusammen.
Hier geht es vor allem darum, funktionierende
Strukturen und vorhandene
Synergien bestmöglich im Sinne unserer
Exportwirtschaft zu nutzen. Allein unsere
AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA serviciert
pro Jahr mehr als 23.000 Betriebe
beim Auslandsgeschäft. Einen besonderen
Stellenwert hat für uns auch die enge Kooperation
mit den Botschaften in Österreich.
Mit ,Advantage Austria´ haben wir
eine Marke entwickelt, mit der wir den internationalen
Scheinwerfer auf unser Land
und seine Stärken richten. Dass es sich
auch lohnt, hier zu investieren, kommunizieren
wir täglich in mehr als 70 Staaten.
Und welche Rolle spielt die Diplomatie für den
Wirtschaftsstandort Österreich? Stichwort
UNO, OPEC und der Kongresstourismus.
Laut IHS stehen internationale Einrichtungen
in unserem Land für annähernd
19.000 Arbeitsplätze und eine Wertschöpfung
von 1,35 Milliarden Euro. Bereits vertretene
Institutionen bestmöglich zu betreuen
und weitere für den Standort zu
gewinnen, sollte jedenfalls auf der Agenda
bleiben. Insbesondere, wenn sie sich mit
Zukunftsfragen wie etwa Green Tech oder
KI befassen, bei denen wir über viel Knowhow
verfügen. Durch die Ansiedlung neuer
Organisationen oder internationaler
Events könnte sich Österreich als Hotspot
für wichtige Zukunftsthemen präsentieren
und die talentiertesten Köpfe anziehen.
Sie haben 105 Zukunftstechnologien definiert,
wo Österreichs Unternehmen international
punkten können. Welche sind dies?
In vordefinierten fünf Clustern finden
sich Technologien, in denen global auch
Geschäftschancen und Transformationspotentiale
liegen. Etwa bei künstlichem
3D-gedruckten Gewebe, das mit biologischem
Gewebe kompatibel ist und die
Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Abstoßung drastisch
reduziert. Vorzeigetechnologien aus
Österreich gibt es auch im Bereich Agritech
& Food: Alternative Nahrungsmittel werden
in Zukunft auf Hinblick von Ressourcen
und Nachhaltigkeit immer mehr zum
Thema werden – seien es Lebensmittel aus
PHOTO: WKÖ MICHELE PAUTY
PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
HARALD MAHRER
Der gebürtige Wiener absolvierte sein Betriebswirtschaftsstudium
an der Wirtschaftsuniversität
Wien und beendete 2000 sein Doktoratsstudium
der Sozial- und Wirtschaftswissenschaften.
Anschließend war er als geschäftsführender
Gesellschafter verschiedener Consulting-Unternehmen
tätig. Seit 2010 ist er geschäftsführender
Gesellschafter der HM Tauern Holding Beteiligungsgesellschaft
m.b.H. Von September 2014 bis
Mai 2017 war Harald Mahrer Staatssekretär im
Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung
und Wirtschaft. Bis Ende 2017 war der heute
49-jährige Bundesminister für Wissenschaft,
Forschung und Wirtschaft und auch Präsident des
Österreichischen Wirtschaftsbunds. Seit 18.5.2017
ist Harald Mahrer Präsident der Wirtschaftskammer
Österreich.
Born in Vienna, Mahrer graduated in business
administration from the Vienna University of
Economics and Business and completed his
doctorate in social and economic sciences in
2000. He then worked as managing partner at
various consulting companies. Since 2010, he has
been managing partner of HM Tauern Holding
Beteiligungsgesellschaft m.b.H. From September
2014 to May 2017, Mahrer was State Secretary at
the Ministry of Science, Research and Economy.
Until the end of 2017, the now 49-year-old was
Minister for Science, Research and Economy as
well as President of the Austrian Business
Association (ÖWB). Since 18.05.2017, Mahrer has
been President of the Austrian Economic
Chambers.
76 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
77

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
Insektenprotein oder algenbasierte Lebensmittel.
Das Thema der zukünftigen
Mobilität wird uns alle betreffen. Auch die
Lieferkettenthematik spielen hier eine große
Rolle. Vollautomatisierte Fahrzeuge
oder Drohnentaxis werden auch in Österreich
interessante Geschäftsfelder sein.
Was ist Ihr größtes Anliegen an die Bundesregierung
und an die EU?
Es muss uns bewusst sein, dass wir bei
den Energiepreisen leider noch nicht das
Ende der Fahnenstange erreicht haben.
Viele Betriebe haben Verträge mit ihren
Energielieferanten, die sie die Kostensteigerungen
erst zeitverzögert spüren lassen.
Ich gehe daher davon aus, dass wir auch
künftig nationale Maßnahmen brauchen
werden. Dennoch sind diese sozusagen nur
eine Art Erste Hilfe. Die tatsächliche Behandlung
des Energiepreisproblems muss
auf europäischer Ebene stattfinden. Hier
brauchen wir so rasch wie möglich ein
neues Energiemarktdesign. Es muss – wie
eingangs betont - zu einer Entkoppelung
von Storm- und Gaspreisen kommen.
Wie lautet Ihre Durchhalteparole an Österreichs
Unternehmen und MitarbeiterInnen?
Ich bin kein Freund von Durchhalteparolen,
sondern bin für das aktive Anpacken
der Probleme. Trotz allem nach vorne sehen
und die eigenen Stärken weiter ausbauen.
Denn ich bin überzeugt: Der nächste
Aufschwung kommt bestimmt.
......................
*Energiepreis richtet sich nach dem teuersten
nachgefragten Kraftwerk
turn into heart palpitations at many companies
– and not just in Austria, but also
among our export partners – speed has become
of the essence. We are in one of the
biggest crises of the post-war period, with
all the negative consequences for the economy
and society. The number one priority
right now is to bring down energy prices.
To do this, we’ve got to move away from
symbolic discussions and towards real,
substantial solutions that can be implemented
quickly and be felt by businesses.
Mitigating measures at the national level
are one thing and the energy cost subsidy
has been an important first aid. But we
have to get to the root of the problem and
that is where the EU has a duty. Europe
must speak with a single, united voice now
and act quickly to prevent potentially irreparable
damage to Europe‘s economy and
the jobs associated with it – in particular by
quickly changing the merit order principle*
in order to decouple electricity and gas
prices.
ELEGANCE
What else can be done about the energy crisis?
What is the role of economic diplomacy here?
Every initiative that helps to broaden
our energy sources is right and important.
This must go hand in hand with the expansion
of European energy infrastructure.
And this is precisely where we support
businesses so that they can be in the know
about forthcoming plans from the very beginning
and continue to offer and promote
their products and services.
With our network of business hubs
around the world, WKÖ is a reliable partner
for domestic export businesses and a
key element of Austrian economic diplomacy.
Through initiatives such as go-international
and ReFocus Austria, we work
with the Ministry of Labour and Economy
and the Foreign Ministry. The main objective
here is to make the best possible use of
existing structures and synergies for the
benefit of our export industry. Our agency
AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA assists
more than 23,000 businesses in their foreign
trade operations every year. Close cooperation
with embassies in Austria is also
of particular importance to us. With ‚Advantage
Austria‘ we have developed a brand
through which we can direct the international
spotlight on our country and its
strengths. We spread the word in more
than 70 countries that investing here is
very well worth it.
And what is the role of diplomacy for Austria as a
business destination? Specifically, in terms of the
UN, OPEC and MICE tourism?
According to the Institute for Advanced
Studies, international institutions in our
country account for almost 19,000 jobs and
1.35 billion euro in economic value. We
„Österreich könnte sich als Hotspot für wichtige
Zukunftsthemen präsentieren.“
“Austria could position itself as a hotspot for key
future topics and trends.“
CD: President Mahrer, how would you describe
the Austrian economy right now in a single word
or phrase?
Mahrer: In need of improvement.
What do we need to do to drive the domestic as
well as the global economy forward?
Now that worry lines have started to
PHOTO: WKÖ MICHELE PAUTY
78
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Timeless luxury in the heart of Vienna’s Old Town
Call +43 1 7999 888 or vienna.reservations@rosewoodhotels.com
rosewoodhotels.com
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
79

L’AUTRICHE INTERVIEW
So funktioniert
Wirtschaftsdiplomatie
How economic diplomacy works
Die Diplomatie ist oftmals der
Türöffner für die Wirtschaft
und umgekehrt!
Diplomacy can open doors to
business – and vice versa!
80
Die Wirtschaftskammer hat ein Netz von 570
Expertinnen in rund 100 Stützpunkten auf fünf
Kontinenten und 145 Fachleute im Inland. Bei
Initiativen wie „go international“, die Offensive
für mehr Export oder ReFocus Austria arbeitet
die Wirtschaftskammer eng mit dem
Wirtschafts- und Außenministerium zusammen.
ReFocus Austria hat seit Gründung im
September 2021 über 300 Veranstaltungen und
Projekte in rund 85 Ländern abgehalten.
Österreich wird durch strategische Besuchsdiplomatie,
Vernetzungstreffen, Firmenbesichtigungen
oder Treffen mit lokalen Entscheidungsträgerinnen
im Ausland als attraktiven
Wirtschaftsstandort und Tourismusdestination
präsentiert. Auch wirbt man für die Expertise
heimischer Spitzenunternehmen. Sehr wichtig
für internationale Wirtschaftskontakte sind stets
die Botschaften in Österreich.
The Austrian Economic Chambers have a
network of 570 experts in approximately 100
bases across five continents and more than 145
specialists at home. With initiatives such as go
international or ReFocus Austria, the Austrian
Economic Chambers work closely together with
the Ministry of Labour and Economy and the
Foreign Ministry. Since its creation in September
2021, ReFocus Austria has organised more than
300 events and projects in around 85 countries.
Through diplomatic visits, networking meetings,
business visits or meetings with local
decisionmakers, Austria is presented as an
attractive business location and tourism
destination abroad. The expertise of leading
domestic companies is also promoted.
Embassies in Austria are likewise very important
for making and maintaining international
business connections.
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
should continue to provide the best possible
support for those institutions that are already
here while attracting new ones at the
same time. Especially if they deal with future
trends and topics such as green tech or
AI, where we possess a lot of expertise. By
attracting new organisations and international
events, Austria could become a hotspot
for important future trends and attract
the world’s most talented minds.
You have defined 105 future technologies where
Austrian companies could score internationally.
What are these?
We have defined five clusters for technologies
that offer global business opportunities
and the potential for transformation. For example,
artificial 3D-printed tissue that is
compatible with biological tissue, thereby
drastically reducing the probability of transplant
rejection. There are also Austrian showcase
technologies in the agritech & food sectors:
alternative foods are going to become
more and more important in the future with
regard to resources and sustainability – whether
foods made from insect protein or algaebased
foods. The issue of future mobility will
affect us all. The supply chain issue also plays
a big role here. Fully automated vehicles or
drone taxis are also going to be interesting
business sectors in Austria.
What do you consider the most important issue
for the Austrian government and for the EU?
We have to understand that we have unfortunately
not yet reached the end of the
line when it comes to energy prices. Many
firms work with their energy suppliers on a
contractual basis which means that they
perceive the cost increases with a delay. I
therefore believe that we are going to continue
to require national measures in the future.
Still, these are only a kind of first aid,
so to speak. The real treatment of the energy
price problem must take place at the European
level. Here we need an energy market
redesign as soon as possible. There must
be – as emphasised at the beginning – a
decoupling of electricity and gas prices.
What is your slogan for Austria‘s companies
and employees to hang in there?
I am not a fan of slogans, but I am in
favour of actively tackling problems. Despite
everything that is happening, I believe
that we should continue to build on our
strengths. Because I am convinced that the
next upswing is bound to come.
......................
*Energy price is based on the most expensive
power plant surveyed
PHOTO: WKÖ SEBASTIAN REICH
ENTGELTLICHE EINSCHALTUNG PHOTOS: KRONAUSMITTERERGALLISTER + ISOCHROM,
ZVG, DANIEL HINTERRASMSKOGLER
ecoplus - 60 years of service in Lower Austria
Impressive track record and new possibilities
For 60 years, ecoplus has been a force for offered by the ecoplus clusters have become an
economic growth in Lower Austria - with an integral component of many companies’ long-term
impressive track record: companies enjoy development.
excellent framework conditions across its 16
business parks.
Milestones of a success story
The early days of ecoplus’ success story: in the
Since 1987, ecoplus has successfully supported 1960s, ecoplus began the development of the first
2,623 new businesses and branch expansions. business park in Lower Austria - the IZ NÖ-Süd. In
This has created and secured around 52,900 jobs. 1962, Isovolta became the first company to settle
Furthermore, more than 3,700 regional development
projects have created over 26,000 jobs been continuously adapted to meet the needs of
there. Since then, ecoplus’ range of services has
across various regions. Every 66th euro generated Lower Austrian businesses. With 39 direct and indirect
participations, the business agency’s portfolio
in Lower Austria can be attributed to one of the
four Technopol locations in Krems, Wieselburg, continued to change and grow. ecoplus’ business
Wiener Neustadt or Tulln. More than 950 collaborative
projects demonstrate that the services divisions: Enterprise & Technology, Location &
activities are centred around its three corporate
Services
(investor services, business parks), Projects &
Drivers (regional development, development processing)
and the thematically and organisationally
complementary participations and subsidies.
Innovative, cooperative and reliable
“As a business agency, we support entrepreneurs
in all their activities - and have been doing so with
great commitment for 60 years now. Professional
location services and targeted support for forward-looking
entrepreneurial projects are more
important today than ever,” explains ecoplus managing
director Helmut Miernicki. “Our work is diverse
and wide-ranging. We always have our finger
on the pulse of the times and keep our eyes open
for new possibilities.”
ecoplus.at

SAVOIR VIVRE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Polyglotte Freunde fürs Leben
Polyglot friends for a life time
Text: Daniela Pötzl
Jene Schulen, die das International Baccalaureate-Programm anbieten, sind ein Trumpf in jedem Lebenslauf.
Those schools offering the International Baccalaureate programme, are an asset to any Curriculum Vitae.
Schulen, die das International Baccalaureate
Curriculum anbieten, sind in Österreich bei Expats,
Diplomaten und UN-Angestellten sehr
beliebt. Das IB-System, auch IB genannt, ist dank seiner
internationalen Anerkennung und Übertragbarkeit
eines der beliebtesten Programme auf der ganzen
Welt. Die meisten Schüler lieben das Lernen im IB-
System, weil es den Schülern nicht nur Inhalte oder
Wissen vermittelt, sondern sie auch lehrt, wie man
besser lernt und wie man denkt. Viele Schüler beschreiben
den IB-Lehrplan als anspruchsvoll, aber
lohnend. Das Primary Years Programme (PYP) ist
sehr beliebt, ebenso wie das Middle Years Programme
(MYP). Das IB-Diplom bereitet die Schüler und
Schülerinnen auf die Universität vor. Wir haben Absolventen
und Absolventinnen zu ihren ganz persönlichen
Erinnerungen an ihre Schulzeit in Wien und
Niederösterreich befragt.
Schools offering the International Baccalaureate
curriculum are very popular in Austria
among expats, diplomats and UN employees.
The IB system, also called IB, is one of the most popular
programmes around the world thanks to its
international recognition and transferability. Most
students love learning in the IB system because it
not only teaches students content or knowledge,
but also teaches them how to learn better and how
to think. Many students describe the IB curriculum
as challenging but rewarding. The Primary Years
Programme (PYP) is very popular, as is the Middle
Years Programme (MYP). The IB Diploma prepares
students for university. We asked alumni about
their personal memories of their time at school in
Vienna and Lower Austria.
PHOTO: INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL VIENNA
Wer das Glück hat, internationale
Freunde zu haben, betrachtet die Welt
anders.
Those who are lucky enough having
international friends look at the world
differently.
>>
82 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
83

SAVOIR VIVRE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
A SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE
BG KLOSTERNEUBURG
Fabian Mittermayer
Matura 2021 | Class of 2021
Der junge Klosterneuburger stammt aus einer sehr musikalischen
und viel musizierenden Familie und absolvierte den IB Zweig im
BG Klosterneuburg. Mit bereits 5 Jahren begann er mit dem
Geigenspiel. Mit 6 Jahren besuchte er dann auch die Musikschule,
die nahe dem Gymnasium liegt. „Meine Schulhausübungen habe
ich immer gemacht, das ist sich gut nebeneinander ausgegangen“,
stellt er fest. Wichtig ist es ihm auch zu erwähnen, dass ihn
die Familie sowie auch viele nette Lehrer und Lehrerinnen bei all
seinen musikalischen Ambitionen unterstützt haben. Seit 2021
studiert er nun am Mozarteum und absolviert derzeit seinen
Zivildienst in einem Pflegegeheim. Sein Traum wäre es, von der
Musik leben zu können. „Ich möchte immer noch Konzerte
spielen, Solo oder im Ensemble. Mir macht es Spaß, mit anderen
zu musizieren“, sagt er. Den ersten Schritt dazu machte er bereits
mit 16 Jahren, als er einer der beiden Konzertmeister des
Jugendsynfonieorchesters Niederösterreich wurde.
––––––––––––––––––––––
The young Klosterneuburg native graduated from the IB branch of
the BG Klosterneuburg and comes from a very musical family that
makes a lot of music. He started playing the violin at the age of 5.
At the age of 6, he then also attended the school of music, which
is located close to the grammar school. “I always did my
homework, it worked out well side by side,“ he notes. It is also
important for him to mention that his family as well as many nice
teachers have supported him in all his musical ambitions. He has
been studying at the Mozarteum since 2021 and is currently doing
his civilian service in a nursing home. His dream would be to be
able to make a living from music. “I still want to play concerts,
solo or in an ensemble. I enjoy making music with others,“ he
says. He took the first step towards this at the age of 16, when he
became one of the two concertmasters of the Youth Symphony
Orchestra of Lower Austria.
Aussenansicht des BG
Klosterneuburg, in dem
Fabian Mittermayer den
IB-Zweig wählte.
Exterior view of the BG
Klosterneuburg, where
Fabian Mittermayer chose
the IB branch.
PHOTOS: MARKO ZLOUSIC, TOP-RATED.ONLINE
The American International School Vienna has a long tradition
of striving for excellence in education that spans more than
six decades. While certain values, like fostering a respectful
environment, inspiring students to achieve their goals, and
establishing a sense of community remain, a modern world
needs a modern approach to education. In order to help our
students grow into responsible global citizens, AIS Vienna
is dedicated to making sustainability a part of our identity.
“Environmental friendliness is not only part of classroom
learning across all divisions, but it is also part of the learning
that takes place outside our formal curriculum in various
student clubs and activities,” says Benjamin Kuscher, AIS
Vienna Business Manager.
Our Green Initiatives
Located in the beautiful greenery of the Vienna Woods, AIS
Vienna is inherently linked with nature. We continuously
prioritize sustainability in our vision for the future. Most
recently, we installed charging stations for e-cars and e-bikes.
Members of the AIS Vienna community can now charge
e-bikes cost-free, and employees have easier access to
green options for their daily commute. In addition, two school
vehicles have been replaced with e-cars. These newest green
improvements add to on-campus solar panels (offsetting 75
tons of CO2 annually), LED lighting system (which has reduced
electricity consumption by 20%), heating efficiency measures,
and intuitive cooling systems. We use a campus wide printing
system that limits the overuse of paper. An overall conscious
effort also aims to eliminate as much plastic as possible and
switch to biodegradable alternatives across the premises,
such as on the artificial turf sports field, where olive seeds
have replaced the micro plastic pellets, and in the cafeteria,
where AMA certified local products are prioritized to reduce
transport and CO2 emissions.
New Year, New Gear
At AIS Vienna, we believe technology and innovative
practice stimulates curiosity and creativity, inspires the
joy of discovered passions, and provides students with the
tools and skills to confidently meet future challenges. We
see technology as fundamental in providing equal access to
learning for all students. As of this school year, AIS Vienna is
now a 1:1 Apple device school.
All Eyes on the Future
One of the most important ways we continue to support
student success is by tailoring the school environment
to best suit learning and growth. This past summer, the
school’s administration was hard at work implementing the
latest facilities improvements. This school year we celebrate
renovations of Grade 1, Grade 8, MS Learning Support, our
music rooms, our Outdoor Classroom, installation of 60+ new
LCD SMARTboard screens in all classrooms, along with recent
renovations to our Elementary School Science & Innovation
Lab and both of our libraries. Future projects aim to expand
outdoor learning spaces and build new facilities that will
continue to connect students to nature and the environment
and ensure that this is part of their learning.
Find out more at ais.at

SAVOIR VIVRE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Links:
Freundinnen fürs Leben -
Bianca Prameshuber (rechts)
und Simone Bannister.
Left: Friends for life -
Bianca Prameshuber (right)
and Simone Bannister.
DANUBE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Bianca Prameshuber & Simone Bannister
Matura 2017 | Class of 2017
Bianca und Simone kommen gleich im Doppelpack zum Interview. Die beiden
Studentinnen waren in derselben Klasse, heute studieren sie sogar
gemeinsam an der Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität Wien Psychotherapie.
Biancas Eltern hatten den Wunsch, dass ihre Tochter bilingual aufwachsen
solle. „Die Schule hat mir sehr geholfen, mit den vielen Deadlines, die ich
auch heute habe, umzugehen“, stellt sie fest. Wie eine kleine Community sei
die Schule auch heute noch, und der Kontakt zur Lehrerschaft bestehe nach
wie vor. Die schulischen Veranstaltungen, wie die Sportwoche im Herbst oder
den Segelkurs, haben beide in guter Erinnerung. Das Angebot der After
School Acitivities sei reichhaltig. „Wir waren ja auch beide im Volleyball-
Team“, erzählt Simone. Beeindruckt waren beide vom „Community Service“,
dem gemeinnützigen Dienst. Bei 150 Stunden pro Schuljahr gelte es auch
Berichte zu schreiben. „Wir waren zweimal in Rumänien, das war cool“, sind
sich beide einig. „Wir fanden das toll - sich zu integrieren und auch was
zurückzugeben“, stellen Bianca und Simone fest.
––––––––––––––––––––––
Bianca and Simone come to the interview in a double pack. The two students
were in the same class, and today they even study psychotherapy together at
the Sigmund Freud University Vienna.
Bianca‘s parents had the wish that their daughter should grow up bilingual.
“The school helped me a lot to deal with the many deadlines I also have
today,“ she says. The school is still like a small community today, she says,
and contact with the teaching staff still exists. Both have fond memories of
the school events, such as the sports week in autumn or the sailing course.
The range of after-school activities is extensive. „We were both on the
volleyball team,“ says Simone. Both were impressed by the „Community
Service“. With 150 hours per school year, there are also reports to write. “We
went to Romania twice, that was cool,“ they both agree. „We thought it was
great - integrating and also giving something back at the same time,“ Bianca
and Simone state.
PHOTOS: DANUBE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL VIENNA, DANIELA PÖTZL
LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE VIENNE
French & International School
A GLOBAL WORLDWIDE UNIQUE NETWORK
THE AEFE,
552 schools in 138 countries
PLURILINGUISM
& CULTURAL DIVERSITY
5 taught languages & more than
80 nationalities
A GRADUATION WITH MIT 2 DIPLOMAS,
BACCALAURÉAT & MATURA,
giving access to the best French,
Austrian and international universities
EDUCATIONAL
CONTINUITY & CONSISTENCY
from kindergarten to high school
AN OPEN LEARNING ENVIRONMENT,
that unites outstanding achievements and inclusion
Liechtensteinstraße 37ª
1090 Wien
Tel. : +43 1 317 22 41
ÉCOLE MATERNELLE
DE GRINZING (Kindergarten)
Grinzingerstraße 95
1190 Wien
Tel. : +43 1 370 12 17
ADMISSION:
www.lyceefrancais.at
86 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
www.aefe.fr

*Découvrir la France
SAVOIR VIVRE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Freude beim Graduation Day in der AIS.
A joyful Graduation Day at AIS.
Die Landkarte zeigt die 566 Standorte
französischer Bildungsstätten in 138
Ländern im Schuljahr 2021/22 im AEFE
Netzwerk weltweit.
The map shows the 566 locations of French
educational institutions in 138 countries in
the school year 2021/22 worldwide in the
AEFE network.
RÉSEAU DES ÉTABLISSEMENTS
D’ENSEIGNEMENT FRANÇAIS À L’ÉTRANGER *
Experience
France *
INTERNATIONAL
CHRISTIAN
SCHOOL OF VIENNA
The only K-12 English-speaking Christian school
in Vienna with an American curriculum and the
IB Diploma Programme.
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Ana Tajder Matura 1993 | Class of 1993
Als am 16. September 1991 die ersten Bomben in Zagreb fielen, war es Zeit für die 17jährige Ana Tajder, die Stadt zu
verlassen. Ihr Vater lebte bereits in Österreich und so nahm sie den Mitternachtszug nach Wien. „Ich verlor ein
Schuljahr“, erzählt sie. Aufgenommen wurde sie in der AIS, da die Schule bereit war, ihr ein Stipendium zu gewähren.
Dort freundete sie sich mit vielen Jugendlichen aus dem Iran an. Die meisten Freunde hatte sie jedoch in der Vienna
International School. „Nun spielen unsere Kinder miteinander“, erzählt sie lachend. Reisen gehörte schon jeher zu
ihren Lieblingsbeschäftigungen. Sie erinnert sich: „Als ich 9 war, waren meine Cousins in Holland. Als Kind war das
Reisen einer meiner größten Träume, ein verborgener Segen.“ International zu sein sei eine wunderbare Sache, auch
wenn das mehrere Umzüge zur Folge habe. Nach ihrem Studium der Betriebswirtschaft arbeitete sie in der
Diplomatie, im internationalen Marketing eines Konzerns und bei einer großen Werbeagentur. Heute ist Ana mit dem
amerikanischen Bestseller-Autor Nic Kelman verheiratet und hat einen Sohn.
––––––––––––––––––––––
When the first bombs fell in Zagreb on 16 September 1991, it was time for 17-year-old Ana Tajder to leave the city. Her
father was already living in Austria and so she took the midnight train to Vienna. “I lost a year of school,“ she
recounts. She was admitted to AIS because the school was willing to give her a scholarship. There she made friends
with many young people from Iran. However, she had the most friends at the Vienna International School. “Now our
children play together,“ she says with a laugh. Travelling has always been one of her favourite pastimes. She
remembers: “When I was 9, my cousins were in Holland. As a child, travelling was one of my biggest dreams, a hidden
blessing. Being international is a wonderful thing, even if it meant moving several times“, she says. After studying
business administration, she worked in diplomacy, in international marketing for a corporation and at a large
advertising agency. Today, Ana is married to the American bestselling author Nic Kelman and has a son.
Nach vielen Jahren in den USA, lebt Ana heute
mit ihrer Familie wieder in Wien. Sie betreibt
u.a. einen Podcast und unterrichtet Storytelling.
After many years in the USA, Ana now is
back to Vienna with her family. Among others,
she runs a podcast and teaches storytelling.
PHOTOS: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, ANA TAJDER
PHOTO: EUGENIE SOPHIE
LYCÉE FRANÇAIS
Septembre 2022
138 566
98
390 000
Hannah Lessing Matura 1981 | Baccalauréat en 1981
Als sie das Lycée Français besuchte, verbrachte sie die ersten
Schuljahre noch im Palais Glam Callas in der Währinger Straße, das
inzwischen dem Staat Katar gehört. Die Schule war Familiensache,
denn auch ihre Schwester maturierte an der Schule 1975 und ihr
Bruder 1977. „Für mich war das Lycée paradiesisch“, schwärmt sie
heute noch. Ein schlimmes Kind sei sie gewesen, aber dafür
Mitglied im Schulchor und Schultheater - und damit sogar auf
Tournee in ganz Österreich. Beide Elternteile waren kreativ - der
Vater als Fotograf, der u. a. für das Time Magazine arbeitete, die
Mutter als Journalistin. „Diese kunterbunte Welt mit vielen
Hautfarben und Religionen, das hat sich bei mir bis ins Erwachsenenalter
durchgezogen“, erzählt sie. „Beeindruckt haben mich auch
viele tolle Lehrer, die mich damals geprägt haben“, so Lessing. Bis
heute liest sie auf Englisch und Französisch.
––––––––––––––––––––––
When she attended the Lycée Français, she spent her first years at
the Palais Glam Callas on Währinger Strasse, which now belongs to
the state of Qatar. The school was a family affair, as her sister also
graduated from the school in 1975 and her brother in 1977. “For me,
the Lycée was paradise,“ she still enthuses today. According to her,
she was a bad child, but a member in the school choir and school
theatre - and even toured all over Austria. Both parents were
creative - her father as a photographer who worked for Time
magazine, among others, and her mother as a journalist. “This
colourful world with its many skin colours and religions has stayed
with me into adulthood,“ she says. “I was also impressed by many
great teachers who influenced me back then,“ Lessing says. To this
day, she reads in English and French.
Seit 1995 ist sie
beruflich für den
Nationalfonds der
Republik Österreich für
die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus
zuständig.
Since 1995, she has
been professionally
responsible for the
National Fund of the
Republic of Austria for
the Victims of National
Socialism.
» Kindergarten through Grade 12
- starting from age 5
» 320 Students
» 60 Nationalities
» 10 Faith Backgrounds
APPLY NOW
FOR 2023-2024
88 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
admissions@icsv.at
www.icsv.at
icsvschool
Wagramerstrasse 175/Panethgasse 6a, 1220 Vienna - +43 1 25122 0
IB WORLD
SCHOOL

SAVOIR VIVRE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
INFO
Die Schulen in alphabetischer
Reihenfolge:
The schools in alphabetical
order:
Amadeus International School
Vienna, 1180 Vienna
amadeus-vienna.com
American International School
Vienna, 1190 Vienna
ais.at
BG Klosterneuburg, 3400
Klosterneuburg
bgklosterneuburg.ac.at
Danube International School,
1020 Vienna
danubeschool.com
Graz International Bilingual
School, 8020 Graz
gibs.at
International Christian School
of Vienna, 1220 Vienna
icsv.at
Lycée Français, 1090 Vienna
lyceefrancais.at
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
VIENNA
Nina Kumar Matura 2016 | Class of 2016
Ihre Eltern wurden in Indien geboren, sie in Wien. „Meine Eltern,
die in Wien ein Restaurant führten, waren auf der Suche nach
einer englischsprachigen Schule für mich, in der die Klassen nicht
so groß konzipiert waren und man persönliche Beziehungen mit
der Lehrerschaft aufbauen konnte“, erzählt Nina. „Sie wurden
fündig und so kam ich in die ICSV, die eine internationale
kulturelle Vielfalt bot. Schüler und Lehrer treffen einander auch
heute noch, das kann man sich wie eine kleine Familie vorstellen.
Diese Diversität gab mir das Fundament für meinen heutigen Job
bei der UNO und Kraft auch weiter zu studieren nach meinem
Online Masters. Mein Ziel ist es, für andere mehr Verständnis zu
haben, zuzuhören und geduldiger zu sein.“
––––––––––––––––––––––
Her parents were born in India, she was born in Vienna. “My
parents, who ran a restaurant in Vienna, were looking for an
English-language school for me where the classes were not designed
to be so large and you could build personal relationships with
the faculty“, says Nina. “They found what they were looking for,
and that‘s how I went to ICSV, which offered international cultural
diversity. Students and teachers still meet each other today; you
can think of it as a small family. This diversity gave me the
foundation for my current job at the UN and strength to continue
studying after my online Masters. My goal is to be more
understanding of others, to listen and be more patient.“
• DISV is an IB World School (with Öffentlichkeits-
recht/public status), established in 1992
• In 2021, and in 7 of the last 8 years, 100% of DISV
graduates in the IB Diploma Program passed.
• Students achieved the average score of 37 IB points in
2021 - the best result in DISV’s 30-Year history.
• DISV IB Diploma Programme results are among
the best results of all IB World Schools worldwide
• Around 500 students (age 3 to 18 years) from
over 60 countries learn together in a
St. Gilgen International
School, 5340 St. Gilgen
stgis.at
Schloss Krumbach
International School, 2851
Krumbach
krumbach.school
Vienna International School
1220 Vienna
vis.ac.at
Weitere IB World Schools
finden Sie unter:
Find other IB World Schools
here:
ibo.org
Auch die Kleinen fühlen sich
in der ICSV wohl.
The little ones also feel at
home at the ICSV.
PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLTL, INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL VIENNA
multicultural setting
• Teachers come to DISV from over 30 countries,
using English as the language of instruction, ensuring
a high academic standard with a human touch
• Small group learning is a priority with a student
to staff ratio of 5:1
• Students graduating DISV are accepted at prestigious
universities all over the world, such as Oxford,
Cambridge, Berkley, NYU, UCLA, McGill,
Imperial College London and many others
• DISV is centrally located near Prater Park, Vienna’s
largest recreation area
90 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
‘Striving for EXCELLENCE, by ENGAGING minds,
EXCITING learners, acting ETHICALLY and showing EMPATHY’

L‘AUTRICHE BUSINESS
Neues aus Österreich
News from Austria
Text: Daniela Pötzl
BUCHTIPP | BOOK TIP
Die vierte Gewalt | The fourth power
UNESCO Kulturerbe | UNESCO Cultural Heritage
Weinviertler Kellerkultur | Cellar culture
in the Weinviertel
Die Weinviertler Kellergassen sind seit Oktober 2022
Immaterielles Kulturerbe. Darunter versteht die UNESCO
verschiedenste Künste, Bräuche, Feste, Naturwissen oder
Handwerkstechniken, die von Menschen ausgeübt,
weitergegeben und weiterentwickelt werden. Mit der
Weinviertler Kellerkultur hat sich eine spezielle Form des
gesellschaftlichen Zusammenlebens entwickelt, so die
UNESCO. Wesentlich ist das Zusammenkommen von
Menschen in Presshäusern und Kellern. Die Traditionen
reichen vom „Köllamaunn“ (Kellermann) über die „Köllastund“
(Kellerstunde) und die „Köllapartie“ (Kellerpartie) bis
hin zur „Köllajausn“ (Kellerjause).
The Weinviertler Kellergassen have been Intangible Cultural
Heritage since October 2022. UNESCO defines this as a wide
variety of arts, customs, festivals, knowledge of nature or
handicraft techniques that are practised, passed on and further
developed by people. According to UNESCO, the Weinviertel
cellar culture has developed into a special form of social
coexistence. Essential is the coming together of people in press
houses and cellars. The traditions range from the „Köllamaunn“
(cellar man) to the „Köllastund“ (cellar hour) and the
„Köllapartie“ (cellar party) to the „Köllajausn“ (cellar snack).
weinviertel.at unesco.at
SALZBURG GLOBAL SEMINAR
75 Jahr-Jubiläum | 75 Year Anniversary
Salzburg Global Seminar ist eine unabhängige Non-Profit-Organisation, die 1947 mit
dem Ziel gegründet wurde, aktuelle und zukünftige Führungskräfte zur Gestaltung
einer besseren Welt herauszufordern. Die Programme sind inklusiv, interdisziplinär,
international und generationenübergreifend und haben seit 75 Jahren einen
bedeutenden Einfluss auf Personen, Institutionen und Ideen. Sitz der Institution ist
Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg. S.E. Martin Weiss (unten rechts), Diplomat und
ehemaliger Botschafter, ist seit August 2022 Präsident und CEO.
Salzburg Global Seminar is an independent non-profit organization, founded in 1947
with a mission to challenge current and future leaders to shape a better world. The
programmes are inclusive, interdisciplinary, international and intergenerational and
have demonstrated significant impact on individuals, institutions and ideas for 75 years.
Seat of the institution is Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg. H.E. Martin Weiss (below,
right), diplomate and former Ambassador, has been President and CEO since August
2022.
salzburgglobal.org
PHOTOS: C. WEINVIERTEL TOURISMUS, DANESHGAR_ARCHITECTS / ARIANA EVENT GMBH, SALZBURG GLOBAL SEMINAR, BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR EUROPÄISCHE UND INTERNATIONALE
ANGELEGENHEITEN/MAHMOUD ASHRAF, FISCHER VERLAG , HELGE KIRCHBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY,
Die vierte Gewalt wird als informeller Ausdruck für die öffentlichen Medien, wie
Presse und Rundfunk, verwendet. Was Massenmedien berichten, weicht oft von
den Ansichten und Eindrücken großer Teile der Bevölkerung ab – gerade, wenn
es um brisante Geschehnisse geht. In ihrem ersten gemeinsamen Buch
analysieren die Bestseller-Autoren Richard David Precht und Harald Welzer die
Mechanismen, die in diese Sackgasse führen: Wie kann eine liberale Demokratie
mit pluraler Medienlandschaft sich selbst so gefährden?
The fourth force is used as an informal term for the public media, such as the press
and radio. What mass media report often deviates from
the views and impressions of large parts of the population
–especially when it comes to explosive events. In their first
joint book, bestselling authors Richard David Precht and
Harald Welzer analyse the mechanisms that lead to this
impasse: How can a liberal democracy with a plural media
landscape endanger itself in this way?
ISBN 978-3103975079
fischerverlage.de
EVENT LOCATION
Vielseitige Ariana | Versatile Ariana
Seit Herbst 2022 verfügt die aspern Seestadt mit ARIANA über eine Veranstaltungslocation
der Sonderklasse, deren Architektur und Technik in Wien neue Standards
setzt. In unmittelbarer Nähe zur U2-Station Seestadt werden insgesamt sechs
individuell kombinierbare Eventflächen für Tagungen, Kongresse, Messen,
Firmenevents oder private Feiern geboten. Der Verwirklichung jeder noch so
ausgefallenen Veranstaltungsidee steht in der Seestadt also zukünftig nichts mehr
im Wege.
Since autumn 2022, aspern Seestadt has had a first-class event location with ARIANA,
whose architecture and technology set new standards in Vienna. In the immediate
vicinity of the U2 station Seestadt, a total of six individually combinable event spaces
are offered for conferences, congresses, trade fairs, corporate events or private
celebrations. In the future, nothing will stand in the way of realising any event idea, no
matter how unusual.
ariana-event.at
92 Cercle Diplomatique 3/2022

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.
12 JULY - 20 AUGUST 2023

SAVOIR VIVRE 150 YEARS VIENNA WORLD‘S FAIR
Der Weg zur Weltmetropole
The path to becoming a world metropolis
Text: Evelyn Rois & Bruno Stubenrauch
Die Wiener Weltausstellung von 1873 jährt sich 2023 zum 150. Mal. Anlass für
diverse Ausstellungen und Events im Geist dieses Großereignisses, das entscheidende
Impulse für Wiens Aufstieg zur Weltmetropole lieferte und die Bühne für
Japans großen Auftritt gab.
2023 will mark the 150th anniversary of the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair – the perfect
occasion to host a number of exhibitions and events in the spirit of the great event
that proved to be a driving force behind Vienna’s rise to become a world metropolis
and set the stage for Japan’s grand entrance.
Nichts weniger als eine umfassende Präsentation
der kompletten technologischen und
kulturellen Errungenschaften der bekannten
Welt war das ambitionierte Ziel, das in einen
Reigen von Superlativen mündete: 53.000 Ausstellende,
233 Hektar Ausstellungsareal mit 116.342 m2
überbauter Ausstellungsfläche, der weltweit größte
Kuppelbau, 194 Pavillons in verschiedenen Landesstilen,
35 teilnehmende Länder. Die Wiener Weltausstellung
von 1873 war ein megalomanischer
Event, der auf ganz Europa und die Welt ausstrahlte
und bis heute die größte Veranstaltung ist, die in
Wien jemals abgehalten wurde. 2023 jährt sich dieser
Megaevent zum 150. Mal. Anlass für Wien, unter
dem Motto „Vision und Aufbruch“, Parallelen zu ziehen
zwischen den Veränderungen der Jetztzeit und
der Aufbruchstimmung in der zweiten Hälfte des 19.
Jahrhunderts.
PHOTOS: WIENTOURISMUS / CHRISTIAN STEMPER; WIEN MUSEUM / O. KRAMER, WIENER PHOTOGRAPHEN-ASSOCIATION
Neues Selbstbewusstsein
Die Wiener Weltausstellung war die fünfte in der
Reihe dieser gigantischen internationalen Leistungsschauen,
welche die Epoche von 1850 bis zum Beginn
des 20. Jahrhunderts entscheidend prägten.
Nach der legendären Great Exhibition von 1851 in
London und drei Folgeausstellungen in London und
Paris gelang es Österreich-Ungarn, diesen Parade-
Event des Zeitalters der Industrialisierung 1873
nach Wien zu bringen. Die Beweggründe dafür waren
unterschiedlich gelagert, wie der renommierte
Historiker und langjährige Vorstand des Instituts für
Geschichte der Universität Wien, Karl Vocelka, ausführt:
„Franz Joseph und einige seiner Verwandten
und Berater waren 1867 bei der Weltausstellung in
Paris, was sie sicherlich animierte, in Wien Ähnliches
zu gestalten.“ Für das Kaiserhaus standen
Imagegewinn und internationale Beziehungen im
Vordergrund, aber auch eine Stärkung der nationalen
Identität, so Vocelka weiter: „Dieses Großereignis
sollte auch ein Gegengewicht zu den Niederlagen
in den Kriegen 1858 und 1866 bilden. Mit der Ausstellung
wollte man für das neue Selbstbewusstsein
der Bevölkerung der Habsburgermonarchie sorgen.“
Wien ist Weltstadt
Als erste Weltausstellung im deutschsprachigen
Raum stellte die im Wiener Prater errichtete, riesige
Planstadt mit ihrer prachtvollen Ausstellungsarchitektur,
eigener Wasserversorgung und einem eige-
AUFBRUCH | AWAKENING
Die Welt zu Gast in Wien 1873. Von
Länderpavillons bis zur Kunsthalle
(rechts).
The world as a guest in Vienna in 1873.
From country pavilions to the Kunsthalle
(right).
96 Cercle Diplomatique 3/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
97

SAVOIR VIVRE 150 YEARS VIENNA WORLD‘S FAIR
Hoher Besuch: Fürst Bismark und
Graf Andrassy auf der Wiener
Weltausstellung 1873.
High-ranking visitors: Prince
Bismark and Count Andrassy at the
Vienna World‘s Fair in 1873.
Neue Architektur von Zaha
Hadid am einstigen Standort
der Weltausstellung, WU-
Campus.
New architecture by Zaha
Hadid at the former site of
the World‘s Fair, WU Campus.
nen Bahnhof alles bisher Dagewesene in den Schatten.
Wien befand sich bereits am Sprung zur
modernen Großstadt, seine Einwohnerzahl explodierte
und schrammte an der Millionenmarke, die
Weltausstellung war eine zusätzliche Gelegenheit,
sich mit allen Mitteln neu zu erfinden. „Die Frage,
was eine Weltstadt ausmacht, hängt an vielen Faktoren“,
so Vocelka zum Stellenwert dieses Events für
Wien. „Bevölkerungszahl, Sehenswürdigkeiten, Kultur,
Wirtschaft, Produktion, Lebensstil. In diesem
Prozess der Inszenierung spielten die Weltausstellungen
eine breite Rolle, denn über dieses Ereignis
wurde – zumindest in Europa – viel berichtet. Eine
solche Ausstellung warf ein glanzvolles Licht auf die
Stadt und die wirtschaftliche Situation des Landes.“
Mit immensen Anstrengungen wurde die Stadt fit
gemacht für den repräsentativen Event. Es ist kein
Zufall, dass die Hochquellwasserleitung ebenfalls
1873 eröffnet wurde. Die große Donauregulierung
war in vollem Gange, die Wiener Ringstraße, ein
weiteres Megaprojekt der zweiten Hälfte des 19.
Jahrhunderts, wurde nur wenige Jahre zuvor feierlich
eröffnet. Die zu erwartenden Besuchermassen
Iösten in der Hotellerie und Gastronomie eine nie
dagewesene Aufbruchsstimmung aus: Das legendäre
Hotel Imperial an der Wiener Ringstraße eröffnete
ebenso 1873 wie das Palais Hansen, heute mit dem
Zusatz Kempinski wieder Luxushotel, oder das Café
Landtmann. Als am ersten Mai 1873 dann die Weltausstellung
ihre Pforten öffnete, triumphierte die
Neue Freie Presse selbstbewusst: „Heute brauchen
wir nicht mehr zu sagen ,Wien wird Weltstadt‘, Wien
i s t Weltstadt.“
Diplomatie im Fokus
Für ein halbes Jahr wurde die Wiener Weltausstellung
rund um die ikonische, 84 m hohe Rotunde
zum Zentrum des gesellschaftlichen und politischen
Lebens der Monarchie. Während aus Sicht der liberalen
Regierung und der teilnehmenden Unternehmen
der Industrie oder des Wiener Kunsthandwerks,
wie etwa des Kristallglas-Herstellers Lobmeyr,
natürlich der wirtschaftliche Aspekt im Vordergrund
stand, lag der Fokus des Kaiserhauses auf der
Diplomatie, wie Karl Vocelka betont: „Diplomatische
Drehscheibe in Europa war Wien schon
1814/15 im Wiener Kongress. Doch die weitere politische
Entwicklung bis ins späte 19. Jahrhundert war
nicht immer erfolgreich, sodass man eine Verbesserung
der Stellung der Hauptstadt der Habsburgermonarchie,
im Inland wie im Ausland, anstrebte.“
Franz Joseph I. selbst besuchte die Weltausstellung
mehr als 40 Mal, oft in Begleitung hoher Staatsgäste
wie des Deutschen Kaisers Wilhelm I, des französischen
Staatspräsidenten Adolphe Thiers oder des
russischen Zaren Alexander II. Insofern war der Impuls
der Weltausstellung für Wien auch politisch
enorm wichtig, so Vocelka weiter: „Die Weltausstellung
war ein bedeutender Platz für die Gesellschaft
der Wiener und der Besucher aus anderen Ländern,
mehr als 30 Herrscher – darunter der Schah von
Persien Naser al-Din und viele andere hohe Adelige
oder Politiker kamen nach Wien. Im Hintergrund
der Schau fanden auch politische Beratungen statt,
die zum Dreikaiserabkommen zwischen Kaiser
Franz Joseph, Zar Alexander II. und dem Deutschen
Kaiser Wilhelm I. führten.“
Japans Tor zur Welt
Das Wiener Großereignis von 1873 strahlte international
aus und wurde weltweit mit großem Interesse
verfolgt. Neben den wichtigen europäischen
Nationen waren unter anderem Siam (Thailand),
PHOTOS: WIENTOURISMUS / CHRISTIAN STEMPER; WIEN MUSEUM / ILLUSTRATION K. SCHWENINGER; K. VOCELKA
Persien (Iran), das Osmanische Reich und Ägypten,
Brasilien oder die USA in Wien vertreten. Einen besonders
bemerkenswerten und nachhaltigen Auftritt
hatte Japan: Das Land stand gerade am Beginn der
großen Erneuerungsphase der Meiji-Ära, nutzte die
Wiener Weltausstellung für seine erste große, offizielle
Präsentation in Europa und schickte eine
Schiffsladung sorgfältig ausgewählter Exponate, begleitet
von einer mehr als 70 Personen umfassenden
Delegation nach Wien. Die enorme Bedeutung der
Wiener Weltausstellung für das Land betont auch S.
E. Akira Mizutani, Botschafter Japans in Österreich:
„Die Weltausstellung 1873 war ein wichtiger Wendepunkt
für Japan. Es war die erste Weltausstellung, an
der der 1868 geborene, moderne Staat Japan teilnahm
und mit der die Einführung japanischer Produkte
auf dem Weltmarkt begann.“ Japans Auftritt
in Wien wurde ein überzeugender Erfolg: Die japanische
Abteilung und speziell der große, japanische
Garten entwickelten sich schnell zu einer der beliebtesten
Attraktionen des Ausstellungsgeländes. Austausch
und Wissenstransfer fand aber auch in die
Gegenrichtung statt, so Botschafter Akira Mizutani
weiter: „Die Weltausstellung 1873 führte in vielerlei
Hinsicht zu Modernisierungsprozessen in Japan.
Mit Blick auf das Entwicklungspotenzial für Japan
nahm die japanische Regierung die Weltausstellung
zum Anlass, Fachkräfte für mehrere Jahre nach Österreich
und in dessen Nachbarländer zu entsenden,
um die fortschrittlichste Technologie und Industrie
der Welt kennen zu lernen und zu studieren. Nach
ihrer Rückkehr nach Japan leisteten diese Experten
einen großen Beitrag zur Entwicklung Japans zu dieser
Zeit.“
Wien im Nachglühen der Weltausstellung
Die Weltausstellung von 1873 wirkt auch in Wien
bis heute auf vielfältigen Ebenen nach – wenngleich
die megalomanische Leistungsschau zum ebenso
rahmensprengenden wirtschaftlichen Misserfolg geriet,
wie auch Historiker Karl Vocelka konstatiert:
„Weder die Zahl der erhofften Besucher noch die
Einnahmen von Verkäufen waren befriedigend.“
Der große Wiener Börsencrash gleich zu Beginn der
EXPERIENCE MOZART
WHERE HE BECAME IMMORTAL.
ENJOY A MULTISENSUAL AND
INTERACTIVE SHOW.
„Mit der Weltausstellung
wollte man für das
neue Selbstbewusstsein
der Habsburgermonarchie
sorgen.“
“The exhibition was intended
to promote the
new self-confidence of
the Habsburg Monarchy.”
Karl Vocelka
Historiker | Historian
MUST SEE
IN VIENNA
98 Cercle Diplomatique 3/2022
MYTHOS MOZART // Kärntner Straße 19 // 1010 Vienna // www.mythos-mozart.com

SAVOIR VIVRE 150 YEARS VIENNA WORLD‘S FAIR
Aufbruchstimmung an der Wiener Ringstaße. Eröffnete im
Jahr der Wiener Weltausstellung: das Hotel Imperial.
A spirit of optimism on Vienna‘s Ringstaße. Opened in the year
of the Vienna World‘s Fair: the Hotel Imperial.
Japanische Galerie
1873. Geschenk Japans:
Porzellanbild „Fuji“,
K. Masukichi (heute
MAK-Sammlung).
Japanese Gallery 1873.
Gift of Japan: Porcelain
painting „Fuji“,
K. Masukichi (today MAK
Collection).
Megaprojekt Wiener
Ringstraße. Auch das Palais
Hansen Kempinski am
Schottenring feiert 2023
sein 150 Jahre Jubiläum.
Vienna Ringstrasse megaproject.
The Palais Hansen
Kempinski on Schottenring
will also celebrate its 150th
anniversary in 2023.
Ausstellung im Mai 1873 und eine Choleraepidemie
drückten die Besucherzahlen, nur 7,25 Millionen Tickets
statt der erhofften 20 Millionen wurden verkauft,
und letztlich ein Schuldenberg von 14,8 Millionen
Gulden (heute umgerechnet rund 190
Millionen Euro) eingefahren. Trotz dieses Fiaskos
kann der Weltausstellung von 1873 ihre Schlüsselrolle
für den rasanten Aufstieg Wiens zur Weltmetropole
auf keinen Fall abgesprochen werden, so Karl
Vocelka weiter: „Dennoch hat die Weltausstellung
für die Stadt Wien eine Reihe von wichtigen Impulsen
gegeben.“ Neben zahlreichen Infrastrukturprojekten
war es vor allem die internationale Aufmerksamkeit
und Anerkennung, die Wien den
entscheidenden Schub brachten, ohne den weder die
Wiener Moderne in ihrer weltweiten Strahlkraft,
noch der heutige Stellenwert der Stadt kaum denkbar
wären.
Der Spirit von 1873
WienTourismus hat die Weltausstellung zum großen
Jahresthema 2023 erkoren. Unter dem Titel „Vision
und Aufbruch“ soll vor allem die energiegeladene
Aufbruchsstimmung von 1873 mit dem Wien
von heute kurzgeschlossen und gefeiert werden.
Mehrere Museen zeigen zudem Ausstellungen mit
Bezug zur Wiener Weltausstellung: Etwa das MAK
mit einer Schau zum Orientalistikboom, den die
Weltausstellung auslöste, sowie einer Ausstellung
über den renommierten Kristallglas-Hersteller J. &
L. Lobmeyr, der 1873 auch Teil der Weltausstellung
war. Das technische Museum Wien zeigt ab Mai
„Women at Work. 150 Jahre Frauenpavillon der Wiener
Weltausstellung“. Auch im Weltmuseum Wien,
das einen Raum seiner Schausammlung permanent
dem Auftritt Japans bei der Weltausstellung 1873 gewidmet
hat, wird es ein eigenes Programm geben.
Das Thema soll sich als feines Netz über das Jahr
spannen, weniger historisierend, sondern auf die
Stärken Wiens der Gegenwart wie Lebensqualität
oder Innovationsgeist fokussiert, und vorausschauend
auf Entwicklungen, die – wie die Weltausstellung
1873 – für Wien auch in 150 Jahren noch nachwirken
werden.
The ambitious goal of the Vienna World’s Fair
was to be nothing less than a comprehensive presentation
of the complete technological and cultural
achievements of the known world. The results were
a series of superlatives: 53,000 exhibitors, 233 hectares
of exhibition grounds with 116,342 m2 of covered
exhibition space, the world’s largest domed
building, 194 pavilions in various national styles, 35
participating countries. The 1873 Vienna World’s
Fair was a gargantuan undertaking that radiated
throughout Europe and the world and remains to
this day the biggest event ever held in Vienna. 2023
will mark its 150th anniversary – the perfect occasion
for the city to draw parallels between present-day
changes and the spirit of awakening in the second
half of the 19th century under the motto “Vision and
Awakening”.
New confidence
The Vienna World’s Fair was the fifth in the series
of these gigantic international exhibitions that had a
decisive influence on the epoch lasting from 1850 to
the beginning of the 20th century. After the legendary
Great Exhibition of 1851 in London and three
subsequent exhibitions in London and Paris, Austria-Hungary
succeeded in bringing the most prestigious
event of the industrial age to Vienna in 1873.
There were several motives behind this endeavour,
as Karl Vocelka, renowned historian and former
head of the Department of History of the University
of Vienna, explains: “Emperor Franz Joseph and
PHOTOS: HOTEL IMPERIAL; WIENTOURISMUS / CHRISTIAN STEMPER, PALAIS HANSEN KEMPINSKI; WIEN MUSEUM / WIENER PHOTOGRAPHEN-ASSOCIATION; MAK; EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN AUSTRIA
several of his relatives and advisers had been to the
International Exposition of 1867 in Paris, which inspired
them to do something similar in Vienna.” For
the imperial house, prestige and international relations
were the most important factors, it was also
about strengthening the sense of national identity,
Vocelka continues, “This great event was also intended
to counterbalance the defeats in the wars of 1858
and 1866. The exhibition was intended to promote
the new self-confidence of the people of the Habsburg
Monarchy.”
Vienna, world city
As the first World‘s Fair in the German-speaking
world, the huge site built in Vienna’s Prater park,
with its magnificent architecture, independent water
supply and its own railway station, eclipsed anything
that had come before it. Vienna was already on the
verge of becoming a modern metropolis; its population
was exploding and edging towards the one million
mark – the World’s Fair was an additional opportunity
for the city to reinvent itself. “The question
Three cultural highlights
in Flanders 2023/24
Visit the newly opened Museum of
Fine Arts KMSKA in Antwerp
Since autumn 2022, it has been shining in new splendour: the ‚Koninklijk
Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen‘, reopened after a long renovation.
An absolute ‚must‘ when visiting the cultural metropolis of Antwerp.
www.kmska.be
Art Nouveau Year in Brussels -
with new Art Nouveau Passport
New and inclusive museum programmes, numerous large-scale exhibitions,
festive events, guided tours and conferences make the cultural heritage of
Art Nouveau accessible to a wide audience as part of the ‚Year of Art Nouveau‘
proclaimed by the Belgian government. Including the adapted Art
Nouveau Pass with discounts for temporary exhibitions and guided tours:
artnouveau.brussels
of what makes a world city depends on many factors,”
says Vocelka on the significance of the event
for the history of Vienna. “Population size, sights,
culture, economy, production, lifestyle. The World’s
Fair certainly played a large role in this process, for
the event was widely discussed and reported – at
least in Europe. The exhibition threw a brilliant light
on the city and the country’s economic prowess.”
With immense efforts, the city was made ready for
the once-in-a-lifetime event. It is no coincidence
that the First Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline was
also opened in 1873. The Vienna Danube regulation
was in full swing and Vienna’s Ringstrasse boulevard,
another big project in the second half of the
19th century, had been opened with lots of pomp
just a few years earlier. The anticipated masses of visitors
triggered an unprecedented spirit of optimism
in the hotel and restaurant industry: the legendary
Hotel Imperial on Vienna’s Ringstrasse opened in
1873, as did the Palais Hansen, today again a luxury
hotel under the Kempinski banner, as well as the
Café Landtmann. When the World’s Fair opened its
„Die Weltausstellung
1873 war ein wichtiger
Wendepunkt für
Japan.“
“The 1873 Vienna World‘s
Fair was an important
turning point for Japan.”
H.E. Akira Mizutani
Japans Botschafter in Österreich
| Japanese Ambassador to Austria
Ensor Year 2023/24 -
Contemporary Art by the Sea
From the end of 2023, the Mu.Zee in Ostend will dedicate a major exhibition
to the city‘s famous ‚son‘. Immerse yourself in the world of James
Ensor and also visit the former home where the artist lived and worked
from 2017 until the anniversary of his death.
www.visitoostende.be/jamesensor
More information
on the destination:
100 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE 150 YEARS VIENNA WORLD‘S FAIR
1873 prominent vertreten: Traditionsunternehmen
Lobmeyr. Fächer
mit Darstellung der Rotunde.
Prominently represented in 1873:
Traditional company Lobmeyr. Fan
with depiction of the rotunda.
„Women At Work“, Schau
zur Wiener Weltausstellung
im TMW. Der Industriepalast
in Bau.
„Women At Work“, show on
the occasion of the Vienna
World Exhibition at the TMW.
The Palace of Industry under
construction.
doors on the first of May 1873, the newspaper Neue
Freie Presse confidently declared: “Today we no longer
have to say that Vienna is going to become a
world city; Vienna is a world city.”
Diplomacy in focus
For half a year, the Vienna World’s Fair centred
around the iconic 84-metre-high rotunda and became
the focal point of the monarchy’s social and political
life. From the point of view of the liberal
government and the participating businesses, as well
as Vienna’s art and crafts scene, such as crystal glass
manufacturer Lobmeyr for example, the focus was of
course on the economic aspects. The imperial house,
however, was more interested in diplomacy, as Karl
Vocelka emphasises. “Vienna had already become a
diplomatic hub in 1814/1815 due to the Congress of
Vienna. But the attempts at continuing this development
into the late 19th century weren’t always successful,
so efforts were made to improve the position
of the capital of the Habsburg Monarchy, both at
home and abroad.” Franz Joseph I himself visited the
World’s Fair more than 40 times, often accompanied
by high-ranking state guests such as German Emperor
Wilhelm I, French President Adolphe Thiers
or Russian Tsar Alexander II. In this respect, the Vienna
World’s Fair was also a force for political
change, as Vocelka continues, “The World’s Fair was
an important place for Vienna’s elite and for foreign
visitors. More than 30 rulers – among them Persian
Shah Naser al-Dina and many other high-ranking
nobles and politicians – came to Vienna. Political
consultations continued to take place behind the
scenes of the event, culminating in the creation of
the League of the Three Emperors between Emperor
Franz Joseph, Tsar Alexander II and German Emperor
Wilhelm I.”
Japan’s gateway to the world
Vienna’s great event of 1873 reverberated internationally
and was followed with much interest around
the world. Next to key European nations, Siam
(Thailand), Persia (Iran), the Ottoman Empire and
Egypt, Brazil and the USA were also among those
represented in Vienna. Japan made a particularly remarkable
and lasting appearance: the country was
just at the beginning of its great renewal era, the
Meiji era, and took advantage of the Vienna World’s
Fair for its first major, official presentation in Europe,
sending a shipload of carefully selected exhibits
to Vienna, accompanied by a delegation of more
than 70 people. The enormous importance of the Vienna
World’s Fair for Japan is also recognised by
H.E. Akira Mizutani, Ambassador of Japan to Austria:
“The 1873 Vienna World’s Fair was an important
turning point for Japan. It was the first World’s Fair
in which the modern state of Japan, born in 1868,
participated and which introduced Japanese products
to the world market.” Japan’s appearance in
Vienna was a clear success: the Japanese section and
especially the large Japanese garden quickly developed
into one of the most popular attractions on the
exhibition grounds. Exchange and knowledge transfers
also took place in the opposite direction, as Ambassador
Akira Mizutani continues, “The 1873 Vienna
World’s Fair triggered several modernisation
processes in Japan. With an eye on Japan’s development
potential, the Japanese government took the
World’s Fair as an opportunity to send skilled workers
to Austria and its neighbouring countries to
learn about and study the world’s most advanced
technologies and industries for several years. Upon
their return to Japan, these experts made a great
contribution to Japan‘s development at that time.”
Vienna in the afterglow of the World‘s Fair
The 1873 World’s Fair continues to shape Vienna
in many ways to this day – despite the fact that the
gargantuan exhibition proved to be an equally unprecedented
economic failure, as historian Karl
PHOTOS: TECHNISCHES MUSEUM WIEN; WIEN MUSEUM / G. JÄGERMAYER, WIENER PHOTOGRAPHEN-ASSOCIATION; J. & L. LOBMEYR; WIEN MUSEUM
Vocelka notes. “Neither the number of visitors hoped
for nor the income from sales were satisfactory.”
The crash of the Vienna Stock Exchange right at the
beginning of the exhibition in May 1873 and a cholera
epidemic suppressed attendance. In the end, the
event sold only 7.25 million tickets instead of the expected
20 million, resulting in a debt of 14.8 million
guilders (the equivalent of about 190 million euro
today). Despite this fiasco, it cannot be denied that
the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair played a key role in
Vienna’s rapid rise to become a world metropolis,
Karl Vocelka continues, “Despite everything, the
World’s Fair provided a number of important incentives
for the city of Vienna.” In addition to numerous
infrastructure projects, it was above all the international
attention and recognition that gave Vienna the
decisive push without which neither Viennese modernism
and its worldwide appeal nor the city’s current
status would be conceivable.
The spirit of 1873
WienTourismus has chosen the world’s fair as its
FILL YOUR
WINTER WITH
ADVENTURE
DISCOVER BUDAPEST NOW!
main theme for 2023. Under the title “Vision and
Awakening”, the energetic spirit of awakening of
1873 will be linked and celebrated with the Vienna
of today. Several museums are also showing exhibitions
related to the Vienna World’s Fair: the MAK,
for example, is running an exhibition on the orientalism
boom that followed the World’s Fair, as well as
one on the renowned crystal glass manufacturer J. &
L. Lobmeyr, which was also part of the World’s Fair
in 1873. From May, the Vienna Museum of Science
and Technology will be showing “Women at Work
–150 Years of the Women’s Pavilion of the Vienna
World’s Fair”. The Weltmuseum Wien, which has dedicated
a permanent exhibition to Japan’s appearance
at the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair, will host a
whole programme on the topic. The theme and
events will be spread out across the year, with less
historicising and a greater focus on Vienna’s present
strengths, such as the city’s quality of life and innovative
spirit, and a look at future developments that
– like the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair – will still have
an impact on Vienna in 150 years from now.
visithungary.com
102 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE VISION DIALOGUE
„Wir brauchen Unterhaltung, die Haltung zeigt.“ |
“We need entertainment with attitude.”
Stefan Herheim | MusikTheater an der Wien
Interview: Rois & Stubenrauch
INFO
STEFAN HERHEIM
ist neuer Intendant des MusikTheaters an der Wien. In
einer Musikerfamilie in Oslo aufgewachsen, inszeniert
Herheim seit 1999 an den wichtigsten Opernbühnen
Europas ebenso wie bei den Salzburger und Bayreuther
Festspielen.
Sie starten Ihre erste Saison als Intendant des MusikTheaters
an der Wien im Ausweichquartier in der Halle E, das Theater an
der Wien wird bis 2024 generalsaniert. Ist es anders, auf
dieser modernen Bühne im MuseumsQuartier zu inszenieren
als im altehrwürdigen Stammhaus?
Es ist nicht von Nachteil, wenn man anlässlich der
Neuaufstellung der Intendanz in einer Aufbruchszeit
wie dieser sich an einem neuen Ort neu erfindet. Hierfür
scheint mir die attraktive Halle E im Zentrum des
MuseumsQuartiers mitten in der Stadt geradezu optimal.
Es handelt sich um die ehemalige Reithalle des
Kaisers, und obwohl wir hier ohne die Technik eines
herkömmlichen Opernhauses mit Seiten-, Ober- und
Unterbühnen auskommen müssen, haben wir genug
Erfindergeist und spannende, unorthodoxe Voraussetzungen,
große Opernerlebnisse zu bewerkstelligen.
Bereits der große Erfolg unserer Eröffnungsproduktion
„Das schlaue Füchslein“ hat gezeigt, dass wir hier
eine sehr aufregende Spielzeit gestalten können.
Sie kommen von der Regie, haben an fast allen großen
Opernbühnen Europas inszeniert – wie können Sie in Ihrer
neuen Aufgabe die Synergien von Regie und Intendanz nutzen?
Viele Theaterleitungen orientieren sich zunehmend
an marktwirtschaftlichen Betriebsstrategien, ohne auf
das Zusammenwirken der vielen Fachkräfte zu achten,
von dem die Oper als Gesamtkunstwerk abhängig ist.
Das höhlt sie von innen aus, denn mit der sinkenden
Kommunikationskultur sinkt auch der künstlerische
Anspruch eines Hauses. Als inszenierender Intendant
kann ich dieser Entwicklung entgegenwirken und
habe dank des Stagione-Systems am MusikTheater an
der Wien gute Voraussetzungen, das Schaffen von
Kunst in den Mittelpunkt des Betriebes zu stellen.
Die zweite Spielstätte des MusikTheaters an der Wien, die
Kammeroper, soll stärker ins Rampenlicht rücken.
Vom künstlerischen Anspruch und von der Programmierung
wollen wir die Kammeroper der großen
Bühne gleichstellen. Dabei setzen wir weiterhin auf
den Nachwuchs, doch statt eines festen, jungen Ensembles
laden wir nunmehr für jede Produktion Studierende
aus aller Welt ein und bringen sie mit renommierten
Künstlerinnen und Künstlern zusammen.
Dies setzt Synergien frei, die allen zugutekommen.
Sie starten zeitgleich mit Lotte de Beer an der Volksoper, mit
Bogdan Roščić hat auch die Staatsoper seit zwei Saisonen
einen neuen Chef – ist Wien derzeit das Opern-Eldorado
Europas?
PHOTOS: LISA EDI; HERWIG PRAMMER; KATHARINA SCHIFFL; JOS KUKLEWSKI; HAGEN SCHNAUSS; PAUL SCHWEINESTER
Wiens Dichte an Musik und Theater ist kaum zu
überbieten und gerade jetzt blickt die ganze Opernwelt
auf die drei neu aufgestellten Opernhäuser der Stadt.
Daher müssen Lotte, Bogdan und ich uns programmatisch
näher abstimmen als unsere Vorgänger. In diesen
Zeiten ist ein offenes Miteinander auf Augenhöhe
wichtiger denn je zuvor – auch diesbezüglich sollte die
Oper vorbildlich sein!
Wir befinden uns in Zeiten multipler Krisen – kann die Kultur
und speziell das Medium Musiktheater dem etwas entgegensetzen?
Angesichts der Krise fordern viele, dass die Kunst
Seidenhandschuhe anzieht und die Menschen nur
noch sanft streichelt. Wir brauchen aber keine seichte
Unterhaltung, sondern eine, die Haltung zeigt und
Halt gibt. Mein Anliegen ist es, Schönheit zu vermehren
und Menschen dafür zu sensibilisieren, dass es
Hoffnung für die Welt gibt, wenn jeder ein Stück Verantwortung
für sie übernimmt.
You’re heading into your first season as artistic director of the
MusikTheater an der Wien – temporarily at the MuseumsQuartier
Halle E while the Theater an der Wien is undergoing renovations
which will last until 2024. How is staging a production at such a
modern venue different compared to doing so at the venerable
original building?
In a time of change like this, when a theatre’s artistic
direction is being restructured, it’s not disadvantageous
to be given the chance to reinvent oneself in a different
location. I think that the very charming Halle E
in the middle of the MuseumsQuartier in the heart of
the city is the perfect place for this. The venue actually
used to be the emperor’s riding hall and although we
have to manage here without the conventions of a traditional
opera house with side, upper and lower stages,
we’ve got enough inventiveness and exciting, unorthodox
approaches to create a great opera experience. The
great success of our inaugural production of The Cunning
Little Vixen has already demonstrated that we will
be able to pull off a very exciting season here.
Your background is in directing and you have staged productions
at almost all of Europe’s major opera houses – in your new role,
how do you plan on synergising directing and artistic direction?
Many theatre managers are increasingly looking at
market-based business strategies without paying attention
to the interactions between the many professionals
on whom the opera as a complete work of art depends.
This erodes it from the inside, because as the
culture of communication declines, so do a theatre’s
artistic standards. As artistic director, I can counteract
this development and, thanks to the Stagione system at
the MusikTheater an der Wien, we’ve got excellent prerequisites
in place to put the creation of art at the centre
of everything.
The second venue of the MusikTheater an der Wien, the
Kammeroper, is to receive more attention going forward.
In terms of artistic standards and programming, we
want the Kammeroper to be on an equal footing with
our main stage. We will continue to focus on young
talent, but instead of a permanent, young ensemble, we
will start inviting music students from all over the
world to each production and have them work with
renowned established artists. This will release synergies
that will benefit everyone.
You’re starting at the same time as Lotte de Beer at the Vienna
Volksoper, and with Bogdan Roščić, the Vienna State Opera has
also had a new director for the last two seasons – is Vienna
currently Europe’s El Dorado for opera lovers?
Vienna’s dense music and theatre scene is hard to
beat and right now the whole opera world is watching
what is happening at the three opera houses. That is
why Lotte, Bogdan and I have to coordinate our programmes
more closely than our predecessors. In times
like these, open cooperation on an equal footing is
more important than ever — in this respect, too, the
opera should set an example!
We are in a time of multiple crises. Can culture and specifically
the medium of musical theatre do anything to counter this?
In view of said crises, many are calling for art to put
on silk gloves and gently caress people. We don’t need
shallow entertainment, but entertainment that shows
attitude and offers support. My goal is to create more
beauty and to sensitise people to the fact that there is
hope for the world if everyone takes a little bit of responsibility
for it.
L’arbore di Diana
Vicente Martín y Soler
Kammeroper
03.12.–31.12.2022
Amahl und die nächtlichen
Besucher
Gian Carlo Menotti
MuseumsQuartier | Halle E
15.12.–27.12.2022
Magnificat
Werke von J. S. Bach & Scarlatti
MuseumsQuartier | Halle E
19.12.2022
La Périchole
Opéra-Bouffe von Jacques
Offenbach
MuseumsQuartier | Halle E
16.01.–31.01.2023
Orfeo ed Euridice
Joseph Haydn
MuseumsQuartier | Halle E
24.01.2023
Der goldene Drache
Péter Eötvös
Kammeroper
14.02.–03.03.2023
„L‘arbore di Diana“, Maayan Licht.
„Amahl“, Dshamilja Kaiser, Paul
Schweinester.
is the new artistic director of the MusikTheater an der
Wien. Having grown up in a family of musicians in Oslo,
Herheim has been directing productions at Europe’s most
important opera houses, as well as at the Salzburg Festival
and the Bayreuth Festival, since 1999.
Zwei Spielorte: Kammeroper
(„La Liberazione“) und Halle E
im Museumsquartier (rechts).
Two venues: Chamber Opera (“La
Liberazione“) and Hall E in the
Museum Quarter (right).
INFO:
theater-wien.at
104 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 105

SAVOIR VIVRE FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES
Inspirationsquelle Natur
Nature as a source of innovation
Text und Interview: Rois & Stubenrauch
Der Bionik gehört die Zukunft. Die aktuelle Ausstellung „BioInspiration“ des
Technischen Museums Wien zeigt das enorme Potenzial dieses noch jungen
Wissenschaftszweiges.
Bionics is the future. The exhibition “BioInspiration” at the Vienna Museum of
Science and Technology reveals the enormous potential of this still very young
branch of science.
PHOTOS: TECHNISCHES MUSEUM WIEN / HEIMAT WIEN; PARQUE DE LAS CIENCIAS GRANADA
Der Klettverschluss, erkennbar schon am charakteristischen
Geräusch, ist der Inbegriff
und das wahrscheinlich bekannteste Beispiel
für die Übertragung eines Wirkungsprinzips
aus der Natur auf eine technische Anwendung. Ausgehend
von der Beobachtung, wie sich die Früchte
der Klettenpflanze mit winzigen elastischen Häkchen
an Fell oder Stoffen festklammern, wurde der
Klettverschluss vom Schweizer Ingenieur Georges de
Mestral in den 1950-er Jahren zum serienreifen Produkt
entwickelt und ist heute eine globale Erfolgsstory
mit Anwendungen vom Turnschuh bis zur Raumfahrt.
Mit „BioInspiration - Die Natur als Vorbild“
gibt das Technische Museum Wien in seiner aktuellen
Sonderausstellung einen spannenden Einblick in
Highlights und aktuelle Entwicklungen der Bionik.
Auf 800 m2 werden in zahlreichen Themeninseln
bionische Anwendungen mit mehr als 200 Objekten,
Medieninstallationen und interaktiven Stationen aus
Bereichen wie der Architektur und Stadtplanung
über Medizin, Sport oder Materialkunde bis hin zur
Robotik und Weltraumtechnik vorgestellt.
Keine Zukunft ohne Bionik
Die Ausstellung zeigt viele Klassiker der Bionik –
eine Wortkreation abgeleitet aus Biologie und Technik:
von Winglets bei Passagierjets, die den langen
und biegsamen Schwungfedern des Kondors und
anderer Raubvögel abgeschaut sind, über die Übertragung
der besonderen Oberflächenstruktur der
Haifischhaut auf Bootsrümpfe und Schwimmanzüge
zur Verringerung des Strömungswiderstandes bis
zum Saugnapf, der sein Vorbild in den Fangarmen
des Oktopus hat. Als eigener, interdisziplinärer Wissenschaftszweig
steht die Bionik – die systematische
Erforschung biologischer Systeme auf ihre technische
Anwendbarkeit – jedoch erst am Anfang. Peter
Aufreiter, der Generaldirektor des Technischen Museums
Wien, ist allerdings fest davon überzeugt, dass
die Bionik in den nächsten Jahrzehnten noch viele
weitere essenzielle Technologien liefern wird, die der
Menschheit dabei helfen, den gegenwärtigen und zukünftigen
Herausforderungen zu begegnen. Zahlreichen
neuen und noch in Entwicklung befindlichen
Anwendungen der Bionik wird in der umfangreichen
Ausstellung im Technischen Museum Wien
ebenso gebührend Platz eingeräumt: Etwa dem Wirkungsprinzip
nanometerkleiner Ausstülpungen zur
Verminderung der Reflexion des Sonnenlichts nach
dem Vorbild der Flügel des Glasflügelfalters, das mithilfe
von Nanotechnologie für die Herstellung reflexionsfreier
Bildschirme genutzt wird. Oder dem faszinierenden
Aufbau des Panzers des
Eisenplattenkäfers, der dem unglaublichen,
39.000-fachen Druck seines eigenen Körpergewichts
standhält und bei der Entwicklung belastbarer, ultraleichter
Materialien für die Raumfahrt zum Einsatz
kommt. Welch riesiges Potenzial der Bionik für zukünftige
Entwicklungen innewohnt, gerade auch für
einen nachhaltigeren Umgang mit den Ressourcen
unseres Planeten, wird einem spätestens bei der Station,
die sich der Nutzung der speziellen Form der
Buckelwalflosse für die Verbesserung der Leistungsfähigkeit
von Windkraftwerken widmet, bewusst.
Europäische Synergien
„BioInspiration“ wurde vom Parque de las Ciencias
in Granada, einem der größten Wissenschaftsmuseen
Europas, konzipiert und ist nun im Rahmen
der zukunftsweisenden „Alliance4Science“ von Spanien
nach Wien gekommen. Die internationale Zusammenarbeit
mit Partnermuseen ist Teil des Fokus
auf Nachhaltigkeit und Innovation des Technischen
Museums Wien. Dritter Partner der „Alliance4Science“
ist die deutsche DASA in Dortmund, wo gerade
die vom Technischen Museum Wien gestaltete
Schau „FOODPRINTS“ gezeigt wird. Luis Alcalá,
Direktor des Parque des las Ciencias, sieht die Bildung
von Allianzen ohnehin als essenzielle Strategie
der Gegenwart an, wie er bei der Präsentation der
106 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Neueste Technologien.
Latest technologies.
Bionik, gesehen durch die Brille von
KI, eigens generiert als Sujets zur
Ausstellung.
Bionics as seen through the eyes of AI,
specially generated as subjects for the
exhibition.
Klassiker der Bionik: Die Klettenpflanze
als Blaupause für den Klettverschluss.
Bionic classics: the burdock plant as a
blueprint for velcro fasteners.
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 107

SAVOIR VIVRE FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES
NACHGEFRAGT | ENQUIRED
Termitenbauten liefern das
Funktionsprinzip für energieeffiziente
Lüftungssysteme.
Termite nests provide the working
principle for energy-efficient
ventilation systems.
Peter Aufreiter „Wir rücken den Museumsbegriff in die Zukunft.“ | “We’re bringing the notion
of what a museum can be into the future.”
Die aktuelle
Ausstellung
„BioInspiration“ des
Technischen Museums
Wien thematisiert
innovative und
nachhaltige Lösungsansätze
der Bionik.
Bionische Innovationen bestechen durch ihre
herausragende Funktionalität, sie sind effektiv,
effizient und anpassungsfähig. Dementsprechend
birgt die Bionik ein immenses Potenzial für Innovation
und Nachhaltigkeit, denn was könnte ressourcenoptimierter
und besser der Umwelt angepasst sein als die
Erfindungen und Systematiken der Natur selbst?
Warum bemerken wir einen Mückenstich erst, wenn
es zu spät ist oder wieso landen Katzen immer sanft?
Die Beobachtung dieser Mechanismen erlaubt
Forscherinnen und Forschern, schmerzfreie
Injektionsnadeln oder spezielle Dämpfsysteme für die
Raumfahrt zu entwickeln.
Bionik per se ist jedoch noch nicht zwingend
nachhaltig. Wie schätzen Sie das Potenzial der
Bionik zur Lösung dringender Probleme wie
etwa dem Klimawandel ein?
In puncto Energieeffizienz sind bionische
Entwicklungen sehr vielversprechend. Da zeigen wir
aktuelle Anwendungen wie eine Turbine, die die Form
des Flamingoschnabels imitiert oder der Buckelwalflosse
nachempfundene Rotorblätter, die die
Leistungsfähigkeit von Windkraftanlagen verbessern.
Auch in der Architektur haben bionische Formen
enormes Potenzial: Ausgeklügelte Belüftungssysteme,
die von der Systematik eines Termitenbaus inspiriert
sind, können Gebäude ohne Klimaanlage kühlen und
auf diese Weise viel Energie und CO2 einsparen. Und
es gibt auch sehr spannende Forschungsansätze, die
darauf abzielen, CO2 wieder aus der Atmosphäre zu
extrahieren.
Die Ausstellung ist Teil des Projektes „Alliance-
4Science“...
Ziel der Kooperation ist es, internationalen
Austausch und nachhaltige Museumspraxis zu
fördern. So können alle teilnehmenden Ausstellungen
einen globalen Horizont einnehmen, ein größeres
europäisches Publikum erreichen und eine
internationale Sichtweisen einbringen. Für uns als
Der Generaldirektor des Technischen Museums Wien, über zukünftige bionische Anwendungen und nachhaltige Museumspraxis. | Peter
Aufreiter, general director of the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology, on future bionic applications and sustainable museum practice.
Grünes Museum eröffnet die Kooperation aber auch
Potenzial für Ressourcenschonung und Perspektiven
für eine nachhaltige Museumspraxis. Auch als
Institution profitieren wir durch die international
vernetzte Denkweise und die Einblicke in die Prozesse
und Arbeitsweisen der Partnermuseen.
Die 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
der UNO stehen im Leitbild des Museums. Ist
das Technische Museum Wien speziell geeignet
als Multiplikator der SDGs?
Indem wir unsere Objekte und Expertise mit
aktuellen Fragestellungen rund um die Nachhaltigkeitsziele
verknüpfen, bieten wir unserem Publikum
kritische Denkanstöße und Raum für Dialog und
Diskurs. So rücken wir auch den Museumsbegriff viel
stärker in die Gegenwart und Zukunft und laden ein,
gemeinsam das historische als auch das gegenwärtige
Potenzial von technischen Innovationen zu
erkunden. Wir haben 100 Objekte aus der Schausammlung
mit aktuellen Fragestellungen entlang der
SDGs verknüpft. Ab Frühjahr 2023 zeigen wir
außerdem eine Sonderausstellung zur Energiewende
sowie eine neue Dauerausstellung zu nachhaltigen
Handlungsoptionen in der Klimakrise. Wir wollen
unser Publikum ermutigen und ermächtigen, aktiv an
den großen Herausforderungen unserer Zeit
mitzuarbeiten.
The current “BioInspiration” exhibition at the
Vienna Museum of Science and Technology
explores innovative and sustainable bionic
solutions.
Innovations from the field of bionics impress with their
outstanding functionality; they are efficient, effective and
adaptable. Accordingly, bionics holds immense potential
for innovation and sustainability, for what could be more
resource-optimised and better for the environment than
the inventions and structures of nature itself? Why do we
only notice a mosquito bite when it is too late or why do
cats always land on their feet? Observing these
mechanisms allows researchers to develop painless
hypodermic needles or special damping systems for space
travel.
Bionics per se isn’t necessarily sustainable yet,
however. How do you assess the potential of
bionics to solve urgent problems such as climate
change?
In terms of energy efficiency, bionic developments are
beginning to look very promising. At our exhibition, we
demonstrate existing applications such as turbines that
imitate the shape of a flamingo’s beak or rotor blades
modelled on the fins of humpback whales that improve
the performance of wind turbines. Bionic forms also have
enormous potential in architecture: sophisticated
ventilation systems inspired by the structure of termite
nests can cool buildings without the need for air
conditioning and thus save a lot of energy and CO2. And
there are also very exciting projects that aim to extract
CO2 from the atmosphere.
The exhibition is part of the “Alliance4Science”
initiative.
The aim of the collaboration is to foster international
dialogue and sustainable museum practice. This allows all
participating exhibitions to take a global perspective and
reach a larger European audience. For us as an
environmentally conscious museum, however, the
cooperation also creates the potential for resource conservation
and new approaches to sustainable museum
practice. As an institution, we also benefit from being part
of an international network and the insights into the
processes and working methods of our partners.
The UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) are written into the museum’s mission
statement. What makes the Vienna Museum of
Science and Technology an effective SDG
facilitator?
By linking our objects and expertise with current issues
pertaining to the SDGs, we offer our audience critical food
for thought and provide space for dialogue and discourse.
In this way, we’re bringing the notion of what a museum
can be into the present and future and invite people to
explore the historical and present potential of technical
innovations with us. We have linked 100 objects from our
exhibition collection with current issues relevant to the
SDGs. From spring 2023, we will also be showing a special
exhibition on the energy transition and a new permanent
exhibition on sustainable action items for the fight against
climate change. We want to encourage and empower our
audience to actively work on the great challenges of our
time.
PHOTO: TECHNISCHES MUSEUM WIEN / WILKE
PHOTOS: PARQUE DE LAS CIENCIAS GRANADA; ROIS & STUBENRAUCH
Ausstellung „BioInspiration“ in Wien unterstrich.
Auch die großen Entdeckungen und wissenschaftlichen
Fortschritte sind heute nur noch durch eine
Zusammenarbeit der Länder und Institutionen
möglich. Die Zeiten, in denen wissenschaftliche
Durchbrüche von einzelnen Genies gemacht wurden,
so Alcalá, sind längst vorbei. Austausch und
Zusammenarbeit auf internationaler Ebene ist heute
der einzige zeitgemäße Weg.
Nachhaltigkeit
Die Ausstellungen der „Alliance4Science“ wurden
denn auch von Beginn an gemeinsam auf die
Anforderungen und Möglichkeiten der teilnehmenden
Museen abgestimmt. Entscheidender Unterschied
und Innovation gegenüber einer herkömmlichen
Wanderausstellung und wichtiger Beitrag für
eine nachhaltigere Museumsarbeit, wie auch die
Wirtschaftliche Geschäftsführerin des Technischen
Museums Wien Karin Skarek herausstreicht - und
sich erhofft, dass diese Art der Ressourcenschonung
und Synergienfindung auch für andere Museen
Schule machen wird. Im Bestreben, über den nationalen
Tellerrand hinauszuschauen, hat sich das
Technische Museum Wien bereits seit vielen Jahren
den 17 Sustainable Development Goals (kurz SDGs)
der Vereinten Nationen verpflichtet. Zahlreiche Objekte
der Schausammlung eröffnen über Hinweistafeln
und ein spezielles Vermittlungsprogramm erhellende
Perspektiven auf die gesellschaftsrelevanten
Fragen der Agenda 2030 der UNO. Der Klimakrise
wird ab Frühjahr 2023 mit einem eigenen Ausstellungsbereich
Raum gegeben, eine Sonderschau widmet
sich der Energiewende. Das Technische Museum
Wien definiert sich heute in erster Linie als
Bildungsinstitution und Plattform für kritische Reflexion
und visionäre Entwicklungsstrategien. Man
versteht sich als Schnittstelle zwischen Wissenschaft,
Bildung, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft. All diese Ansätze
sollen letztlich, so Generaldirektor Peter Aufreiter,
den Gästen des Museums nachhaltige Handlungsoptionen
für die Herausforderungen des 21.
Jahrhunderts in die Hand geben. Oder, wie bei der
Präsentation der Ausstellung „BioInspiration“ formuliert:
Möge sich vom Besuch des Technischen
Museums Wien ein zukünftiger Anton Zeilinger -
bzw. eine zukünftige Nobelpreisträgerin – inspiriert
fühlen.
Velcro fasteners, easily recognisable by the
characteristic sound they make, are the ultimate
example of the transfer of a mechanism
from nature to a technical application. Based on the
observation of how the burs of the burdock plant attach
themselves to fur or other fabrics with tiny elastic
hooks, those fasteners were developed into a
mass-marketable product by Swiss engineer Georges
de Mestral in the 1950s and are now a global success
story with applications ranging from trainers to
space travel. With the exhibition “BioInspiration –
Innovation Inspired by Nature”, the Vienna Museum
of Science and Technology is offering fascinating insight
into some of the highlights and current developments
in the field of bionics. Spread across 800
m2, bionic applications are presented in groups of
numerous thematic islands with more than 200 objects,
media installations and interactive stations
from areas ranging from architecture and urban planning
to medicine, sports and materials science to
robotics and space technology.
No future without bionics
The exhibition features many classic applications
from the world of bionics – a portmanteau from biology
and electronics – from winglets on passenger
jets, inspired by the long and flexible wing feathers of
condors and other birds of prey, to the application of
the special surface structure of shark skin to boat
hulls and swimsuits to reduce flow resistance, to the
suction cup, modelled on the tentacles of the octo-
Inspiration Schneckengehäuse:
Bauweisen der Natur
finden in der Architektur
Verwendung.
Inspirational snail shells:
nature’s construction
methods can be used in
architecture.
Technisches Museum Wien
supports the UN Sustainable
Development Goals.
108 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 109

SAVOIR VIVRE FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES
Stichwörter der Bionik, mit KI zu Bildern
visualisiert: die Ausstellungssujets.
Keywords from the field of bionics,
visualised into images with the help of AI:
the exhibition subjects.
Das Technische Museum Wien
setzt als Grünes Museum auf
erneuerbare Energien.
As an environmentally conscious
museum, the Vienna Museum of
Science and Technology relies on
renewable energy.
INFO
Weidenbäume oder Oktopus: Die Evolution hat perfekte
Lösungen entwickelt.
Willow trees or octopuses: evolution has developed the perfect
solutions.
pus. As a separate, interdisciplinary branch of science,
however, bionics – the systematic research of
biological systems for their technical applicability –
is still in its infancy. Peter Aufreiter, general director
of the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology, is
firmly convinced, however, that over the coming decades
bionics will provide many new and essential
technologies that will help mankind to meet present
and future challenges. The extensive exhibition at
the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology also
reserves plenty of space for numerous new and still
developing applications: for example, nanometresized
protuberances to reduce the reflection of sunlight,
modelled on the wings of the glasswing butterfly,
which is used with the help of nanotechnology to
produce reflection-free screens. Or the fascinating
structure of the armour of the diabolical ironclad
beetle, which can withstand a pressure of 39,000
times its own body weight and is studied in the development
of resilient, ultra-light materials for space
travel. The huge potential of bionics for future developments,
especially for a more sustainable use of
our planet’s resources, becomes clear no later than at
the station dedicated to using the special shape of the
humpback whale’s fin to improve the performance of
wind power plants.
European synergies
BioInspiration was conceived by the Parque de las
Ciencias in Granada, one of the largest science museums
in Europe, and has now come from Spain to Vienna
as part of the pioneering “Alliance4Science”.
International cooperation with partner museums is
part of the Vienna Museum of Science and
Technology’s focus on sustainability and innovation.
The third partner in the “Alliance4Science” is the
German DASA in Dortmund, which is currently featuring
the FOODPRINTS show, created by the Vienna
Museum of Science and Technology. Luis Alcalá,
PHOTOS: ROIS & STUBENRAUCH (2); TECHNISCHES MUSEUM WIEN / HEIMAT WIEN (2); APA-FOTOSERVICE / JUHASZ
Director of the Parque des las Ciencias, considers the
creation of alliances an essential strategy for contemporary
museums, as he emphasised at the launch of
the BioInspiration exhibition in Vienna. Even the
greatest discoveries and scientific advances today are
only possible through cooperation between countries
and institutions. The times when scientific
breakthroughs were made by individual geniuses,
Alcalá said, are long gone. International exchange
and cooperation are the only way forward today.
New Year‘s Eve
Gala at the hotel
Warmbaderhof
Spend your New Year‘s Eve with us
and welcome the New Year in Warmbad.
NEW YEAR‘S
EVE
from 633,00 € p.P.
30.12. - 02.01.2023
3 nights with gourmet half-board/
Amazing New Year`s Eve Gala,
New Year’s day brunch &
3x thermal experience
Sustainability
From the very beginning, the exhibitions organised
by the Alliance4Science have been tailored to the
means and requirements of the participating museums.
A decisive difference and innovation compared
to conventional touring exhibitions and an important
contribution to more sustainable museum work,
as Karin Skarek, managing director of the Vienna
Museum of Science and Technology, also emphasises
– and hopes that this way of conserving resources
and finding synergies will also set an example for
other museums. In an effort to think outside the national
box, the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology
has been committed to the United Nations’
17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for several
years now. Numerous objects in the display collection
open up illuminating perspectives on the socially
relevant issues of the UN’s Agenda 2030 via
dedicated information panels and a special educational
programme. From spring 2023, climate change
will be given its own exhibition area and a special
show will be dedicated to the energy transition. Today,
the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology
defines itself primarily as an educational institution
and platform for critical reflection and visionary development
strategies. It sees itself as an interface between
science, education, business and society. All
these approaches are ultimately intended, according
to general director Peter Aufreiter, to provide the
museum’s visitors with sustainable actions to take to
meet the challenges of the 21st century. Or, as put
during the launch of the BioInspiration exhibition:
may a future Anton Zeilinger – or a future Nobel Prize
winner – feel inspired by a visit to Vienna Museum
of Science and Technology.
BioInspiration. Die Natur als
Vorbild
BioInspiration. Innovation Inspired
by Nature
bis August 2023
Energiewende. Wettlauf mit
der Zeit
Ausstellungsreihe „weiter_gedacht_“
Energy Transition. A Race Against
Time
From the “thinking_forward_”
exhibition series
ab Frühjahr 2023
Women at Work
150 Jahre Frauenpavillon der Wiener
Weltausstellung
150 Years of the Women’s Pavilion at
the Vienna World’s Fair
ab 02.05.2023
Science Corner: Caring Robots
Forschungsprojekte der TU Wien.
Research projects by TU Wien.
technischesmuseum.at
110 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Hotel Warmbaderhof***** | Kadischenallee 22-24 | A-9504 Warmbad-Villach
RESERVATION | T: +43 (0) 4242 3001-10 | reservierung@warmbad.at | www.warmbaderhof.com
A company in the Thermal Resort of Warmbad-Villach

SAVOIR VIVRE AMBASSADORS OF MUSIC
„Nicht jeder Klang muss schön sein.“ | “Not every sound is meant to be beautiful.”
Lukas Sternath. Der Klaviervirtuose über Beethoven und Jazz. | The piano virtuoso on Beethoven and jazz.
Interview: Rois & Stubenrauch
INFO
PERSONAL DETAILS
4
PHOTOS: WOLFGANG FRANZ, DANIEL DELANG
Beim ARD-Musikwettbewerb im September haben Sie den
1. Preis in der Kategorie Klavier, den Publikumspreis und
weitere sechs Preise gewonnen. Ist das der Beginn Ihrer
großen Solokarriere?
Natürlich geht es jetzt in Richtung große Weltbühne, das ist ja auch
der Weg, den ich gehen möchte. Mein Abend mit dem Mozarteum
Orchester im Großen Festspielhaus in Salzburg im Dezember 2023
etwa ist eines der Konzerte, die sich durch den Preis ergeben haben.
Eine tolle Sache! Wichtig ist aber auch, dass man erstmal am Boden
bleibt nach so einem Erfolg. Und sich selbst treu bleibt, sodass das
Feuer der Leidenschaft immer weiter köchelt!
Sie scheuen nicht, das Schwermütige, Sperrige, das den
Werken innewohnt, in Ihrer Interpretation hervorzuheben.
Ja, das spricht mich persönlich einfach am meisten an. Ein Werk
eines Komponisten ist ein bisschen wie ein eigenes Lebewesen. Und
wenn da etwas Sperriges, etwas Aneckendes darin ist, dann finde
ich genau das interessant. Ich will nicht die Kanten glätten. Nicht
jeder Klang ist schön, oder: Nicht jeder Klang soll schön sein.
Ästhetisch gesprochen. Es gibt auch brutalen Klang, brutale Stellen
in der Musik, oder Aggression. Das ist ja nichts Schönes, aber das
gibt es genauso zu erleben in der Musik. Genauso wie pure Freude
oder Euphorie, oder sanfte Klänge oder sehr Zartes. Es gibt ja alles.
wie im Leben. Das versuche ich widerzuspiegeln.
Sie haben das Klavierspiel mit Jazz begonnen. Beeinflusst
dieser musikalische Beginn im Jazz Ihre Spielweise?
Bestimmt! Ich höre immer noch sehr gerne Jazz. Dieses improvisatorische
Element, das dem Jazz innewohnt, ist auch in der Klassik, die
ich jetzt spiele, enthalten. Es ist wichtig, dass man durchlässig
bleibt, dass man offen dafür ist, was im Moment alles passieren
kann. Wenn man auch einmal andere Wege geht und das zulässt,
passiert die Magie! Dieses Prinzip will ich auch bei Beethoven oder
Schubert vertreten. Dass dieser Moment über den Klang auf
direktestem Wege in die Herzen der Zuhörer findet.
Am 1. März 2023 geben Sie Ihr Debüt im Wiener
Musikverein - u.a. mit der Hammerklaviersonate, die als
Beethovens schwierigstes Werk gilt.
Beethovens Hammerklaviersonate ist einfach ein Brocken. Es ist ein
bisschen wie eine Gipfelbesteigung. Eine ganz besondere Reise,
auch für den Zuhörer und die Zuhörerin. Weil die Hammerklaviersonate
einen auch ein stückweit überfordert. Es ist alles zuviel. Aber
irgendwie reizt mich gerade das. Und es bedeutet mir wirklich sehr
viel, dass ich dieses ganz besondere Stück gerade im Musikverein
aufführen werde.
Sie sind 21 Jahre alt. Hat Ihre sehr junge Generation etwas
Neues beizutragen im Musikbetrieb?
Ganz sicher! Ich will nicht einfach tun, was vorgefertigt ist, einfach
auf einen faden Zug springen und alles so übernehmen, wie es
bisher war. Das betrifft die Art des Spielens definitiv auch. Aber
auch das Format, dass ein Konzert nicht aus Ouvertüre, Klavierkonzert,
Pause, Symphonie bestehen muss, sondern auch ganz anders
sein kann. Ich will als Künstler auf die Bühne gehen und eine
Verbindung mit dem Publikum eingehen. Und nicht starr dasitzen,
eine Wand aufbauen und mein Ding abrufen.
At the ARD International Music Competition in September, you
won the 1st prize in the piano category, the audience award and
six additional prizes. Is this the beginning of a great solo career?
Now I am heading for the world stage, of course, which is the path I’d
like to pursue. My evening with the Mozarteum Orchestra at the
Grosses Festspielhaus in Salzburg in December 2023 is the direct
result of my winning the prize. It’s great! But it is also important to
stay grounded for a while after achieving something like that. And to
stay true to oneself so that the fire of passion can continue to
simmer!
You don’t shy away from emphasising the melancholy, the
unwieldiness inherent in the works you interpret.
Yes, that’s what appeals to me personally the most. A composer’s
work is a bit like its own living thing. And if there’s an unwieldy,
disconcerting quality to it, then that is exactly what I find most
interesting. I don’t want to smooth out the edges. Not every sound is
beautiful – or perhaps I should say not every sound is meant to be
beautiful. Aesthetically speaking. There are also violent sounds,
violent points in the music, or aggressive ones. Those moments may
not be beautiful, but they are still part of the musical experience. Just
like pure joy or euphoria, or gentler and tender sounds. Music has
everything. Just like life. That’s what I try to reflect.
You started playing the jazz piano. Do your musical origins
influence the way you play?
Definitely! I still like to listen to jazz. The improvisational element
that is key to jazz can also be found in the classical music that I play
now. It’s important to stay permeable, to be open to whatever
happens in the moment. If you’re open to taking different paths and
letting things happen, then that’s where the magic happens! I also
want to put this idea forward when I play Beethoven or Schubert.
That such moments can find their way directly into the heart of every
listener through sound.
On 1 March 2023 you will perform your debut at the Wiener
Musikverein – including, among pieces, your rendition of
Beethoven‘s Piano Sonata No. 29, which is considered his most
difficult work.
Beethoven‘s Piano Sonata No. 29 is a piece of work. It’s a bit like
climbing a summit. A very special journey, also for the listener.
Because Piano Sonata No. 29 also overtaxes you to some extent. It
can be a little too much. But somehow that is exactly what appeals
to me. And it really means a lot to me that I will be performing this
very special piece at the Wiener Musikverein.
You are 21 years old. Does your generation, which is still very
young, have something new to contribute to the music business?
Most certainly! I don’t want to do only things that have been done
before me, to jump on a bland bandwagon and continue doing
everything the way it’s been done before. This definitely applies to
the way I play as well. But also to the format itself – that a concert
doesn‘t have to consist of an overture, a piano concerto, an
intermission and a symphony but could also be something entirely
different. I want to walk onto the stage as an artist and create a
connection with the audience. And not sit there rigidly, create a wall
between myself and the audience and just do my thing.
Schubert, Strauss, Beethoven
Maxim Tzekov, Lukas Sternath
Altes Rathaus, Wien
05.12.2022
Brahms: Zwei Gesänge,
Klavierquintett
A. Druml, S. Druml, Mittermüller,
Engelich, Treitner, Sternath
Ehrbar-Saal, Wien
13.01.2023
Schubert, Brahms, Rabl
Ensemble Spielraum
Altes Rathaus, Wien
27.01.2023
Beethoven: Chorfantasie
Junge Künste Orchester Wien,
Treitner, Sternath
Ehrbar-Saal, Wien
21.02.2023
Schubert, Beethoven
Lukas Sternath Solorecital
Wiener Musikverein
01.03.2023
Sein tiefgründiges Spiel macht
Lukas Sternath zum neuen
Stern am Pianistenhimmel.
His profound playing makes
Lukas Sternath the new star in
the pianist‘s sky.
Lukas Sternath. Der in Wien geborene Pianist gilt nach seinem überzeugenden
1. Platz beim international renommierten ARD-Musikwettbewerb im September 2022
als neuer Stern der Pianistenszene. Derzeit arbeitet Sternath mit dem Star-Pianisten
Igor Levit an der Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. Nach
zahlreichen Konzertauftritten im deutschsprachigen Raum und im Ausland, gibt Lukas
Sternath im März 2023 sein Debüt im Wiener Musikverein.
The Vienna-born pianist is considered one of the new stars of the piano scene after
winning 1st place at the renowned ARD International Music Competition in September
2022. Sternath is currently working with star pianist Igor Levit at the Hanover
University of Music, Drama and Media. Following numerous concert performances in
the German-speaking region and abroad, Sternath will make his debut at the Wiener
Musikverein in March 2023.
lukassternath.com
112 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 113

SAVOIR VIVRE ARTS
100
MI
Was Sie nicht versäumen sollten | Not to be missed
Kunst & Kultur Winter 2022/23 | Arts & Culture Winter 2022/23
Text: Evelyn Rois
Musik als Medizin! |
Music as medicine!
Blomstedt dirigiert Brahms.
Blomstest conducts Brahms.
Die transformierende, heilende Kraft der Musik ist das Thema des Musikverein Festivals 2023 „Beethovens
Medizinlöffel“. Martha Argerich, Herbert Blomstedt, Gautier Capuçon, das Bach Consort Wien, Black Page Orchestra,
Orchestre de Paris oder das Altenberg Trio tauchen vom 25.02.2023 bis 01.04.2023 ein in Werke von Beethoven,
Schumann oder Smetana bis Brahms und Bruckner.
The transformative and healing power of music is the theme of the Musikverein’s 2023 festival titled “Beethoven’s
Medicine Spoon”. Martha Argerich, Rudolf Buchbinder, Gautier Capuçon, Bach Consort Wien, Black Page Orchestra,
Orchestre de Paris and the Altenberg Trio will delve into the works of Beethoven, Schumann, Smetana, Berg and
Bruckner from 25.02.2023 until 01.04.2023. musikverein.at
UN
DER
STND
INGS
Friedl Dicker, Collage, 1930.
Bauhaus in Wien |
Bauhaus in Vienna
114
Shechen Kloster, Nepal,
2007.
Equestrian competition,
2004.
Universelle Schönheit | Universal beauty
Unter dem Titel „Ode an die Schönheit“ zeigt das Forum am Schillerplatz Fotografien des
französischen Essayisten, Fotografen und buddhistischen Mönches Matthieu Ricard. Zu den
ausdrucksstarken schwarz-weißen Fotoarbeiten, die mit Unterstützung des Institut français
d’Autriche erstmals in Österreich zu sehen sind, meinte der berühmte Fotografenkollege Henri
Cartier-Bresson: „Matthieus spirituelles Leben und seine Kamera sind ein und dasselbe – daraus
entstehen diese zugleich flüchtigen und ewigen Bilder.“ Bis 29.01.2023.
Under the header “Ode to Beauty”, the Forum am Schillerplatz is currently displaying photographs
by French essayist, photographer and Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard. Fellow photographer
Henri Cartier-Bresson said of the expressive black-and-white photographs, which are being
shown for the first time in Austria with the support of the Institut français d’Autriche: “Matthieu’s
spiritual life and his camera are one and the same – this is what gives rise to these images, which
are at once fleeting and eternal.” Until 29.01.2023 klv-artprojects.com
PHOTOS: MATTHIEU RICARD (2); MARTIN U. K. LENGEMANN; PRIVAT; WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART / K. ROTHKO PRIZEL & C. ROTHKO,
BILDRECHT, WIEN, 2022
Multifunktionale Möbel,
geometrische Formen und kräftige
Farben – die Ateliergemeinschaft
Dicker-Singer realisierte im Wien
der Zwischenkriegszeit zahlreiche
innovative Design-Entwürfe.
Raumökonomie und Nutzungsvielfalt
waren die – auch heute
aktuellen – Prämissen der beiden
Bauhaus-Schüler. „Atelier Bauhaus,
Wien. Friedl Dicker und Franz
Singer“ präsentiert im MUSA noch
bis 26.03.2023 die wichtigsten
Arbeiten des Ateliers.
Multifunctional furniture, geometric
shapes and strong colours – the
Dicker-Singer studio ensemble
implemented numerous innovative
design concepts during Vienna’s
interwar period. Economy of space
and diversity of use were the
guiding principles of the two
Bauhaus students – and they are
still relevant today. “Atelier
Bauhaus, Vienna. Friedl Dicker and
Franz Singer” is showcasing the
studio’s most important works at
the MUSA until 26.03.2023.
wienmuseum.at
Mark Rothko, Untitled,
1954.
Befreiungsschlag Abstraktion | Abstraction as
liberation
Nach 1945 vollführte die Kunst einen Befreiungsschlag – der abstrakte
Expressionismus der New York School wurde zur Weltsprache der Malerei.
„Ways of Freedom. Jackson Pollock bis Maria Lassnig“ zeigt auf 1.500
Quadratmetern der Albertina Modern wichtige Werke dieses ungestümen
künstlerischen Aufbruchs von Pollock bis Rothko in spannender Gegenüberstellung
zu europäischen und österreichischen Positionen von Staudacher,
Prachensky oder Lassnig. Bis 22.01.2023.
After 1945, art began to serve a new, liberating purpose – and the abstract
expressionism of the New York School became the new lingua franca of
the visual arts. “Ways of Freedom | Jackson Pollock to Maria Lassnig” at
the Albertina Modern will show important works at 1,500 sqm from the
boisterous artistic movement from Pollock to Rothko in exciting
juxtaposition with European and Austrian works by masters such as
Staudacher, Prachensky or Lassnig – until 22.01.2023.
albertina.at
ABOUT
AD
AMONG
JES
Till June 4, 2023
Sun. – Fr. 10 am – 6 pm
Dorotheergasse 11
1010 Vienna • www.jmw.at
Kultur
© Benyamin Reich

SAVOIR VIVRE ARTS
G. Jahn: Im Mont Blanc Massiv.
Refugium eines Feldherrn und Diplomaten
| The field marshal’s refuge
Sehnsucht Alpen | Alluring Alps
Die Alpen und speziell die Gegend um die Rax gewannen zu
Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts zunehmende Strahlkraft für den
noch jungen Wintersport. Wesentlich daran beteiligt: Gustav
Jahn und Otto Barth, zwei bergbegeisterte Künstler, die in ihren
Gemälden und Werbesujets die Faszination der winterlichen
Berglandschaft festhielten. Die Ausstellung „Alpine
Seilschaften“, bis 08.10.2023 in der Landesgalerie Niederösterreich,
erzählt von dieser Faszination und gleichzeitig von der
fortschreitenden Erschließung des Alpenraums.
The Alps, and especially the area around the Rax mountain
range, started gaining popularity in the early 20th century
thanks to the still budding winter sports scene. This was in
large part due to Gustav Jahn and Otto Barth, two mountainloving
artists who captured the allure of the mountainous
winter landscape in their paintings and advertisements. The
exhibition “Alpine Rope Teams”, on display until 08.10.2023 at
the State Gallery of Lower Austria, tells the story of this allure
and at the same time that of the development of the Alpine
region. lgnoe.at
Die Schau „Das Belvedere. 300 Jahre Ort der Kunst“ läutet das große
Belvedere-Jubiläumsjahr 2023 ein: Die kritische Hommage zeichnet die
historischen Entwicklungen nach, von der Sommerresidenz von Wiens
berühmtestem Diplomaten und Feldherrn Prinz Eugen von Savoyen über
die Eröffnung der kaiserlichen Gemäldegalerie 1777 und die Unterzeichnung
des österreichischen Staatsvertrags im Oberen Belvedere bis zum
modernen Kunstmuseum. 02.12.2022 - 07.01.2024.
The exhibition “The Belvedere. 300 Years a Place of Art” heralds the
arrival of the 2023 Belvedere anniversary year: the critical homage
traces the institution’s historical development
from a summer residence of Vienna’s most
famous diplomat and field marshal Prince
Eugene of Savoy to the opening of the Imperial
Picture Gallery in 1777 and the signing of the
Austrian State Treaty in the Upper Belvedere to
becoming a modern art museum. 02.12.2022-
07.01.2024.
belvedere.at
Meilensteine der Fotografie |
Milestones of photography
Der in Wien geborene Ernst Haas hat die Blütezeit
des Fotojournalismus entscheidend mitgeprägt, war
Präsident der legendären Fotoagentur Magnum und
einflussreicher Pionier der Farbfotografie. Das
Fotomuseum Westlicht widmet dem österreichischamerikanischen
Fotografen die umfassende
Werkschau „Ernst Haas. The Art of Seeing“ (bis
12.02.2023) mit rund 130 Arbeiten, darunter rare
Vintage-Prints aus dem Wien der Nachkriegszeit.
Vienna-born Ernst Haas played a decisive role in
shaping the heyday of photojournalism, was the
president of the legendary Magnum photography
agency and an influential pioneer of colour
photography. The WestLicht photography museum
is dedicating a comprehensive exhibition to the
Austrian-American photographer titled “Ernst Haas.
The Art of Seeing” (until 12.02.2023), featuring
around 130 of his works, including rare vintage prints
from post-war Vienna. westlicht.com
Weltbürger Haas: Vom Nachkriegs-Wien
zur US-amerikanischen Provinz der 1970er.
Cosmopolitan Haas: From Postwar Vienna to
the US Province of the 1970s.
Geschichten aus Korea | Stories from Korea
Mit selbstbewusstem Minimalismus und in zunehmend langen,
ruhigen Einstellungen umkreist der koreanische Filmemacher
Hong Sang-soo seine filigranen Beobachtungen des Alltags. Das
Österreichische Filmmuseum zeigt, in Kooperation mit der
Botschaft der Republik Korea in Wien und dem Filmmuseum
München, vom 01.12.2022 bis 09.01.2023 den zweiten Teil der
Retrospektive mit neuen Arbeiten Hongs, der mit 28 Filmen und
drei Kurzfilmen in 26 Jahren zu den produktivsten und
interessantesten Stimmen des aktuellen Kinos zählt.
With confident minimalism and increasingly longer, quieter
shots, Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo circles his detailed
observations of everyday life. The Austrian Film Museum, in
cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in
Vienna and the Münchner Filmmuseum, is set to show the
second part of this great retrospective from 01.12.2022 to
09.01.2023, featuring new works by Hong, whose 28 films and
three short films over a career spanning 26 years have made him
one of the most productive and interesting voices in
contemporary cinema. filmmuseum.at
PHOTOS: ERNST HAAS / GETTY IMAGES (6); ÖTK; ÖSTERREICHISCHES FILMMUSEUM; BELVEDERE WIEN / J. G. AUERBACH, 1730 / J. STOLL; DAVID PAYR
Erhebende Klänge | Uplifting sounds
Das Adventkonzert der Wiener Symphoniker im Stephansdom ist in
seinem zweiten Jahr bereits zu einem Fixpunkt im dichten musikalischen
Kalender der Hauptstadt geworden. Die Sopranistin Elsa Benoit, Tenor
Stanislas de Barbeyrac, die ukrainische Geigenvirtuosin Diana Tishchenko,
Ausnahmetrompeterin Selina Ott und die Wiener Sängerknaben spannen
zusammen mit den Symphonikern am 14.12.2022 den musikalischen
Bogen von Bach über Händel bis Jules Massenet.
Though only its second year, the Wiener Symphoniker’s Advent concert,
staged at Vienna’s St. Stephen‘s Cathedral, has already become a fixture
in the capital’s packed musical calendar.
Together with the Wiener Symphoniker,
Soprano Elsa Benoit, tenor Stanislas de
Barbeyrac, Ukrainian violin virtuoso Diana
Tishchenko, exceptional trumpeter Selina Ott
and the Vienna Boys‘ Choir will cover a broad
musical spectrum from Bach to Händel to Jules
Massenet on 14.12.2022.
wienersymphoniker.at
Oceans.
Collections.
Reflections.
George Nuku
Bis 31. Jänner 2023
www.weltmuseumwien.at
116 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE CONNOISSEUR
Essen und trinken mit Stil | Wine and dine in style
Text: Daniela Pötzl
HOTELLERIE | HOSPITALITY BUSINESS
Avantgardistisches zum 130er |
Avant-garde to mark the 130th anniversary
„Das Bristol zeigte schon bei seiner Eröffnung im Jahr 1892 Pioniergeist und ganz auf diesen Spuren gehen wir auch heute wieder neue Wege“, so Simone Dulies, General
Managerin des Hotels Bristol anlässlich des 130-jährigen Jubiläums des Hauses. Ein multisensorisches experimentelles Dinner mit Live-Regie und künstlicher Intelligenz ist
das Kernelement der Feierlichkeiten, die auch 2023 fortgesetzt werden. Die nächsten Termine finden im Jänner, März und April statt.
“The Bristol already showed a pioneering spirit when it opened in 1892 and, following in these footsteps, we are once again breaking new ground today,” says Simone Dulies,
General Manager of the Hotel Bristol on the occasion of the hotel’s 130th anniversary. A multi-sensory experimental dinner with live direction and artificial intelligence is the
core element of the celebrations, which will continue in 2023. The next dates will be in January, March and April.
bristol-lounge.at/laboratorium
GETRÄNKE | BEVERAGES
Im Zeichen der Donauauen | In the name of the Danube floodplains
Ein sehr spezieller Waldlebensraum und eine weltberühmte Kulturregion, die Wachauer Donau-Auen, veredelt mit jungen Zweigen der Silberweide und
Blütenextrakten des Echten Mädesüß, prägen das Waldbier 2022. „Wir möchten mit dem Waldbier die Vielfalt unserer heimischen Wälder samt ihrer
erstaunlichen Ökosysteme und ihrem schützenswerten Artenreichtum aufzeigen. Dass diese auch einen kulinarischen Reichtum bieten, beweisen wir
seit zwölf Jahren mit dem Waldbier“, so Bundesforste-Vorstand Rudolf Freidhager, im Bild rechts mit Braumeister Alex Kiesbye.
The Wachau Danube floodplains, a very special forest habitat and a world-famous cultural region refined with young branches of the silver willow
and flower extracts of the meadowsweet, characterise the Waldbier 2022. “With the Waldbier, we want to show the diversity of our native forests
together with their amazing ecosystems and their richness of species worthy of protection. For twelve years now, we have been proving that these
also offer a culinary wealth with the Waldbier,” says Bundesforste CEO Rudolf Freidhager, pictured right with brewmaster Alex Kiesbye.
waldbier.com bundesforste.at
GENIESSEN UND SHOPPEN | INDULGING AND SHOPPING
Wunderbare Welt | Wonderful world
Sabrina Abrahams betreibt ihren „Wunderladen“ ganz nahe der Karlskirche. Inspiriert
wurde sie durch einen längeren London-Aufenthalt und ihre Arbeit als Flugbegleiterin.
Heute ist ihre kongeniale Mischung aus Gastronomie und Geschäft, in der sie jungen
österreichischen Designern eine Plattform für deren Schmuck, Taschen, Postkarten und
Sonnenbrillen bietet, sehr beliebt. Neben vielen Stammgästen können sich hier auch
Touristen bei selbstgemachtem Kuchen und hervorragendem Kaffee heimelig fühlen.
Wunderbar ist auch der „British Afternoon Tea“, mit ebenso selbstgemachten Scones,
original Clotted Cream und allem, was dazugehört. An Sonntagen kann man das Lokal
für bis zu 12 Personen mieten, zum ganz privaten Afternoon Tea mit Fixpreis pro
Person. Ideal für Geburtstage, Babypartys oder einfach mal so, um liebe Freunde und
Freundinnen zu treffen.
Sabrina Abrahams runs her “wonder shop” very close to Karlskirche church. She was
inspired by an extended stay in London and her work as a flight attendant. Today,
her congenial mix of gastronomy and shop, where she offers young Austrian
designers a platform for their jewellery, bags, postcards and sunglasses, is very
popular. Besides many regulars, tourists can also feel at home here with homemade
cakes and excellent coffee. The “British Afternoon Tea” is also wonderful, with
equally homemade scones, original clotted cream and everything that goes with it.
On Sundays, you can hire the restaurant for up to 12 people, for a very private
Afternoon Tea with a fixed price per person. Ideal for birthdays, baby showers or
just to meet dear friends.
wunderladenmodecafe.at
PHOTOS: TOMMASO BONFIGLIO, THE VIENNESE GIRL, SOCIETY LIMONTA, WEIN & CO, HERBERT LEHMANN, PICHLER VERLAG, GABRIELA KOCH
TISCHWÄSCHE & GESCHIRR | TABLE LINEN & TABLEWARE
Edles für die Tafel | Classy threads for the table
Society Limonta ist eine italienische Marke, die Haushaltswäsche und
Geschirr mit einem „Design“-Twist revolutioniert und in Italien produziert,
mit selbst erzeugtem Solarstrom. Mit großer Leidenschaft werden
unzählige Material- und Farbkombinationen für Bett, Tisch und Bad kreiert.
Die Kollektionen erneuern sich mit jedem Saisonwechsel, so wie in der
Mode. Flagship-Store in Wien: Lerchenfelder Straße 15, 1070.
Society Limonta is an Italian brand that revolutionises household linen
and tableware with a design twist and is produced in Italy, using
self-generated solar power. With great passion, countless material and
colour combinations are created for bed, table and bathroom. The
collections are renewed with every change of season, just like in
fashion. Flagship store in Vienna: Lerchenfelder Strasse 15, 1070.
societylimonta.com
TOP 5 OPENINGS
Neu in Wien | New in Vienna
Exklusive Weinviertler
Focacce, 1030 / Exclusive
Weinviertel focacce
oefferl.bio
Veganes mit zero waste,
1160 / Vegan food with zero
waste
schlichtvegan.at
Hausmannskost, 1010 /
Home cooking
servus-restaurant.at
Urbane Cocktailbar, 1010 /
Urban cocktail bar
treehaus.at
Neugestaltet beim
Schottentor, 1010 /
Redesigned at Schottentor
weinco.at
Wein & Co Schottentor
BUCHTIPP | BOOK TIP
Backe mit Liebe! | Bake with love!
So lautet Eveline Wilds Devise für alle Naschkatzen
und Liebhaber von Süßem. Sie lädt mit wunderbaren
Kreationen und opulenten Fotos alle Backbegeisterten
zum Ausprobieren und Genießen ein. Profitipps zu
praktischen Arbeitsabläufen erleichtern das
Nachbacken von Kuchen, Torten, Tartes und anderen
Gaumenfreuden. Die mehrfach ausgezeichnete
Bestsellerautorin, Fernsehköchin und Meisterpatissière
betreibt mit ihrem Mann Stefan Eder das Hotel DER
WILDe EDER im steirischen St. Kathrein am Offenegg.
This is Eveline Wild’s motto for all those with a sweet
tooth. All baking enthusiasts are enticed to try out and
enjoy after seeing her wonderful creations and opulent
photos. Professional tips on practical work processes
make it easy to bake cakes, pies, tarts and other delicacies.
The multi-award-winning bestselling author, TV
chef and master pastry chef runs the hotel DER WILDe
EDER in St. Kathrein am Offenegg in Styria with her
husband Stefan Eder.
ISBN 978-3-222-13711-2
styriabooks.at/pichler
118 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 119

SAVOIR VIVRE CULINARY TREATS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
Best of Christmas Shopping
Text: Daniela Pötzl
Schenken ist schwer geworden. Außer, wenn jemand
wenig hat. Da ist dann auch die Freude groß
über eine Kleinigkeit. Auch Charity ist gut und wichtig,
besonders in diesen Zeiten. Aber manchmal, bei
Freunden, grübelt man doch ohne Ende.
Was man vermeiden will, sind Sätze wie: „Oh, wie
schön, ein Set mit Küchenmessern! Was für ein
Prachtstück, Danke! Ich stell es gleich zu den anderen
drei!“ Das ist ja nicht der Sinn der Sache. Was
schenken Sie denn heuer den Eltern / den Geschwistern
/ Kindern / der Frau / dem Mann / den gemeinsamen
Freunden?
Weil uns klar geworden ist, dass Schenken nicht
nur unser privates Thema ist. Sondern das von praktisch
jeder Familie, von jedem Menschen mit Freunden,
Kindern und Kollegen und Kolleginnen. Die
Liste hat sich dann fast von selbst geschrieben, weil
ja jede und jeder schon darüber nachgedacht hatte.
Das macht Freude!
Gift giving has become difficult. Except when someone
has little. Then there is also great joy about a
little something. Charity is also good and important,
especially in these times. But sometimes, with
friends, you think about it endlessly.
What you would like to avoid are sentences like:
"Oh, how nice, a set of kitchen knives! What a gem,
thank you! I'll put it with the other three right away!"
After all, that's not the point. So what are you giving
parents / siblings / children / wife / husband / mutual
friends this year?
Because we have realised that gift giving is not
only our private issue. But that of practically every
family, every person with friends, children and colleagues.
The list almost wrote itself, because everyone
had already thought about it. That's a joy!
PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK
120 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 121

SAVOIR VIVRE CULINARY TREATS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
caviar für
jeden anlass
Süßer Geschenkkorb |
Sweet gift basket
Wer es gerne süß schon zu Tagesbeginn hat, wird diesen Geschenkkorb lieben.
Neben Cantuccini und Marmelade, gibt es auch Kaffee und Rosenhonig neben
anderen Köstlichkeiten.
Who likes it sweet already at the beginning of the day, will love this gift basket.
Besides cantuccini and jam, there is also coffee and rose honey among other
delicacies.
meinl.at
Italienische Spezialität | Italian specialty
Ein handwerklich gefertigter flaumiger
Panettone, langzeitgeführt, mit Lievito
Madre, ganz ohne Früchte oder andere
Zutaten, für alle, die den puren
Geschmack am liebsten mögen.
An artisan fluffy panettone, long
lasting, with Lievito Madre, completely
without fruit or other ingredients, for
those who like the pure taste best.
krusteundkrume.at
Süße Versuchung | Sweet temptation
Gleich zwei Stück Mandeltorten mit Fairtrade-Kakao befinden sich in
der kultigen Blechdose.
Two pieces of almond cake with Fairtrade cocoa are in the iconic tin.
heindl.co.at
Nur 4% | Just 4%
Gutes aus dem Vulkanland | Good produce from the
Vulcano region
Hier verwöhnen gleich sieben Produkte: Vulcano Schopf, Salami Pfeffer, Trüffel
Filet, Schinken, Saubier Schokolade, Gölles Alter Apfel und Auersbach Perle.
Here spoil no less than seven products: Vulcano Crested, Salami Pepper, Truffle
Fillet, Ham, Saubier Chocolate, Gölles Old Apple and Auersbach Pearl.
vulcano.at
Dank eines innovativen
Brauverfahrens ist das neue
Gösser NaturHell herrlich
vollmundig und süffig im
Geschmack – bei nur 4%
Alkohol.
Thanks to an innovative brewing
process, the new Gösser
NaturHell is wonderfully
full-bodied and quaffable in
taste - with only 4% alcohol.
brauunion.at
PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT
Exklusive Jause | Exclusive snack
Die Wiener Lebensmittelmanufaktur Hink hat nach ihrem exklusiven
Corned Beef nun auch Corned Deer und Corned Boar auf den Markt
gebracht. Originell ist auch die Verpackung.
After its exclusive Corned Beef, the Viennese food manufacturer Hink
has also launched Corned Deer and Corned Boar. The packaging is also
a treat.
hink.wien
122 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
AUS LIEBE ZUM GUTEN ESSEN
WWW.SCHENKEL.AT
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 123

SAVOIR VIVRE CULINARY TREATS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
Beauty comes from within
It starts with your cells
Imperialtorte mit Kuss | Imperial cake with a kiss
Die Torte des Traditionshauses am Ring ist nun als Limited Edition Wiener
Kaffee erhältlich. Die Verpackung ziert das berühmte Klimt-Motiv "Der Kuss".
The cake from the traditional house on the Ring is now available as a Limited
Edition Wiener Kaffee. The packaging is decorated with the famous Klimt motif
"The Kiss".
imperialtorte.com
Feines Champagner-Tasting | Fine champagne
tasting
Das wird ein Abend mit Luxus: Monatlich wechselnd präsentieren die
renommiertesten Champagnerhäuser Frankreichs ihre erlesenen Sorten
in einer großen geführten Champagner-Verkostung im Wiener Hotel
Sans Souci.
This will be an evening of luxury: on a monthly basis, France's most
renowned champagne houses will present their exquisite varieties in a
grand champagne tasting at Vienna's Hotel Sans Souci.
sanssouci-wien.com
Black is back!
Das edle Set besteht aus einer 20g Dose
Caviar vom Eißen Stör und einem Caviarlöffel
aus Perlmutt.
The noble set consists of a 20g tin of white
sturgeon caviar and a mother-of-pearl caviar
spoon.
schenkel.at
Support your cells with
spermidineLIFE® Original Pro+ 1 ,
containing 100% natural and
clinically tested spermidine. 2
Im Namen der Biene | In the name of the bee
Der Steirer Ronald Royer bekam von seinem Großvater 2015 die ersten
Bienenvölker und produziert nun auch einen Honiglikör.
Styrian-born Ronald Royer got his first bee colonies from his
grandfather in 2015 and now also produces a honey liqueur.
vomreiter.at
PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT
www.spermidineLIFE.com
124 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
1 Zinc contributes to normal DNA and protein synthesis, as well as to normal cognitive function and the protection of cells from oxidative stress and has a role in the process of
cell division. Zink trägt zu einer normalen DNA- und Eiweißsynthese, dem Schutz der Zelle vor oxidativem Stress bei und hat eine Funktion bei der Zellteilung.
2 Aging (Albany NY). 2018;10(1):19-33 doi: 10.18632/aging/101354

SAVOIR VIVRE CULINARY TREATS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
THOSE WHO ALWAYS SEARCH NEVER FIND THEIR ROOTS.
Those who keep moving never arrive.
Trink Pink! | Drink Pink!
Zu einem Dinner passt auch mal ein Cava - der Freixenet Cava Carta Rosado
ergänzt auch gut das Dessert.
A Cava goes well with a dinner - the Freixenet Cava Carta Rosado also
complements the dessert well.
henkell-freixenet.at
Edle Süße | Noble sweetness
Der Wiener Salon Nougat ist in verschiedenen Geschmacksrichtungen
erhältlich. Probieren Sie doch mal Kokos-Mandel!
The Viennese Salon Nougat is available in different flavours.
Why not try coconut almond?
wienersalonnougat.at
Lady Gaga Limited
Edition
Der Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage
2008 zeigt sich schwungvoller
als der Champagner aus weißen
Trauben und besticht durch
farbenfrohe Intensität.
The Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage
2008 is more spirited than the
champagne made from white
grapes and impresses with
colourful intensity.
domperignon.com
Oststeirisches in der Genussbox |
East Styrian pleasure box
Mit einem gut zusammengestellten Potpourri aus diversen Köstlichkeiten
wie Kürbiskernöl oder Tee und Salz, kann man nie falsch liegen.
With a potpourri of various delicacies well put togethe, like pumpkin
seed oil or tea and salt, you can never go wrong.
steiermark.com/de/Oststeiermark
PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT
The Thierseerhof in Hinterthiersee offers pure relaxation.
A place to reconnect with yourself and the natural world.
Let the pleasant surroundings guide you to your inner peace
of mind.
Our hotel meets the highest quality standards — generous
rooms and suites with garden views, as well as a gorgeous,
light-flooded wellness area, invite you to relax and unwind.
The hotel furnishing takes inspiration from the natural
world, providing a serene ambience. Nothing distracts. Instead,
everything is focused on ensuring that you get to enjoy a
relaxing holiday experience in the Tyrolean mountains.
In addition to the quiet location and our wellness philosophy,
which runs like a thread through the entire establishment,
our family-run four-star hotel also impresses when it comes
to space with enough room for 100 guests. The restaurant
boasts 120 seats, while the terrace also provides plenty of
room for everyone. The large spa features a sauna area, a
heated pool and plenty of loungers spread across several
relaxation areas, while the large, adjacent garden is a true
oasis of peace. The many outdoor activities available in the
cycling and hiking region surrounding the hotel will make
sure that you get to enjoy deep, relaxing sleep, while our
large collection of books and magazines round off our offer.
The guiding principles of our four-star hotel are peace,
lasting relaxation and joie de vivre all year round. Our
accommodation and wellness programme are perfectly
complemented by our award-winning cuisine run in accordance
with the Green Chefs Association and the “Bewusst
Tyrol” (“Tyrol Conscious”) standard, featuring predominantly
local and seasonal produce. Electric charging stations for EVs
further underline our dedication to sustainability.
Pure relaxation — pause, breathe in deeply and leave your
everyday woes behind. This is what the Thierseerhof in the
idyllic village of Hinterthiersee near Kufstein, around one
hour from Munich, Innsbruck and Salzburg, invites you to do.
126 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Familie Juffinger
Hinterthiersee 74, A – 6335 Thiersee
+43 (0)5376 / 5510
hotel@thierseerhof.at

SAVOIR VIVRE CHECK IN
Elegant wie ein Schmetterling | Elegant as a butterfly
Das Hotel The Ring wandelte sich zum The Amauris. | The Hotel The Ring has turned into The Amauris.
NICOLE ZANDT
ist im Weinviertel in
Niederösterreich aufgewachsen
und absolvierte
die Höhere Lehranstalt für
wirtschaftliche Berufe in
Hollabrunn. Nach Jahren
in Spanien, auf Kuba, Gran
Carania und Lanzarote,
folgte der Ruf ins Mélia
Vienna. Ab März 2019 war
sie General Manager im
Hotel The Ring, das nun
zum Hotel The Amauris
wurde.
grew up in the Weinviertel
region of Lower Austria
and completed secondary
college in Hollabrunn. After
years in Spain, Cuba, Gran
Canaria and Lanzarote,
her vocation brought her
to the Meliá Vienna. Since
March 2019, she has been
the General Manager of The
Ring Hotel, which has now
been turned into the Hotel
The Amauris.
PHOTOS: THE AMAURIS
Wie wurde das Hotel The Ring, schräg gegenüber der
Wiener Staatsoper, in The Amauris umgestaltet?
Die Wiener Familie Breiteneder hat das Gebäude 2020
übernommen. Beim Umbau wurden nur hochwertigste Materalien
verwendet, wie z.B. der italienische Marmor Calacatta viola. Wir
haben nun 62 Zimmer, davon sind 17 Suiten. Alle haben ein
Marmorbad, sogar die Zimmertüre ist mit Marmor verkleidet, das
ist einzigartig. Und es gibt nun einen gelungenen Mix aus
Echtholzböden sowie Maßanfertigungen italienischer Möbel.
Zudem hängen nun Kunstwerke aus der Privatsammlung der
Familie Breiteneder in den Suiten und den eleganten, monochromatisch
angehauchten Zimmern, die allesamt über ein
Smart-Room-System verfügen.
Warum heißt das Hotel nun The Amauris?
Der Name kommt von einem Schmetterling, der auf dem
afrikanischen Kontinent vorkommt und mit seinen eleganten
schwarz-weißen Flügeln einen langen Weg zurücklegen kann. Das
trifft sicher auch auf viele unserer Gäste zu, die eine längere
Anreise haben. Reisende aus der ganzen Welt kommen zu uns und
tauchen dann hier in Wien in die lokale Kultur mit unserem
Imperialen Erbe voll inspirierender Schönheit ein. Unser Motto
heißt daher auch „Explore Beauty“, wie z.B. beim alten Stuck an
den Decken, der erhalten werden konnte. In Zukunft sind auch
neue The Amauris-Projekte in Split, Mailand und Zagreb geplant.
Gibt es einen Spa-Bereich?
Unser Spa-Bereich verfügt nun nach dem Umbau über einen
neuen Indoor-Pool mit Gegenstromanlage, einer Jacuzzi-Ecke und
einem Wasserfall und hat zudem ein Dach, das öffenbar ist. Im
Fitness-Bereich stehen die neuesten Techno Gym-Geräte bereit.
Der Sauna- und Dampfbadbereich sowie der Treatment-Bereich
stehen auch unseren externen Gästen gerne zur Verfügung.
Welche Möglichkeiten können Sie im Veranstaltungsbereich
bieten?
Die Loft Suite befindet sich auf der 7. Etage und verfügt über eine
Terrasse. Die Opera Suite auf 120 m2 ist im zweiten Stock in der
Beletage gelegen und hat einen Balkon zur Ringstraße. In beiden
können Meetings, aber natürlich auch Private Dinners, veranstaltet
werden.
Was ist im Gastronomie-Bereich geplant?
Das neue Gourmetrestaurant samt Bar und Bistro heißt
„Glasswing“ und soll Wiens neuer Hotspot werden. Küchenchef
ist Alexandru Simon, der schon zuvor als Chef de Cuisine im
Hause tätig war. Serviert wird typisch österreichische Küche mit
französischer Basis und asiatischen Akzenten. Wir servieren
Qualität auf höchstem Niveau und bieten auch ein Angebot an
Salzwasserfischen. Die Vorratskammer, in der z.B. Fleisch gereift
wird, befindet sich im Keller und wir bauen unsere Kräuter am
Dachgarten selbst an.
How was The Ring Hotel, opposite the Vienna State Opera,
transformed into The Amauris?
The Viennese family Breiteneder took over the house in 2020.
Only the highest quality materials were used in the renovation,
such as the Italian Calacatta viola marble. We now have 62
rooms, 17 of which are suites. All of them have a marble
bathroom, even the room door is covered with marble, which
boasts a unique touch. And there is now an elegant combination
of real wood floors and custom-made Italian furniture. In
addition, various works of art from the Breiteneder family‘s
private collection now hang in the suites and the elegant,
monochromatic rooms, all of which have a smart room system.
Why is the hotel now called The Amauris?
The name comes from a butterfly to be found on the African
continent that can travel a long way with its elegant black and
white wings. This is certainly also true for many of our guests
who have a longer journey. Travellers from all over the world
come to us and then immerse themselves here in Vienna in the
local culture with our imperial heritage full of inspiring beauty.
Our motto is therefore also “Explore Beauty“, as for example
with the old stucco on the ceilings, which could be preserved.
In the future, new The Amauris projects are also planned in
Split, Milan and Zagreb.
Is there a spa area?
After the renovation, the new spa area offers a new indoor pool
with a roof that can be opened as well as a counter-current
system, a Jacuzzi corner and a waterfall. The latest Techno Gym
equipment is available in the fitness area. In adition, there is
also a sauna and steam bath area as well as a treatment area,
which are also available to our external guests.
What about the event area?
The Loft Suite is located on the 7th floor and offers also a
terrace. The Opera Suite with 120 m2 in size is located on the
second floor at the Beletage and has a balcony facing the
Ringstrasse. Both can be used for meetings, but of course also
for private dinners.
What is planned in the gastronomy area?
The new gourmet restaurant, bar and bistro is called
“Glasswing“ and is set to become Vienna‘s new hotspot. The
chef of the restaurant is Alexandru Simon, who previously
worked as chef de cuisine at the hotel. Typical Austrian cuisine
with a French base and Asian accent is served. We offer quality
at the highest level and also a range of saltwater fish. The
pantry, where for example meat is aged, is located in the
basement and we grow our own herbs on our rooftop garden.
INFO:
THE AMAURIS VIENNA
Kärntner Ring 8
1010 Wien
Tel.: +43 1 221 22
theamauris.com
Oben: Grand Deluxe Room.
Rechts: Das „Glasswing Restaurant“ sowie
das „Glasswing Bistro“ (ganz rechts).
Above: Grand Deluxe Room.
Right: The “Glasswing Restaurant“ and the
“Glasswing Bistro“ (far right).
128 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE TABLE TALK
Ein Juwel in Eisenstadt | A jewel in Eisenstadt
Markus Ernst, Head of Hospitality bei Esterhazy, setzt auf das Konzept Hotel, Kultur und Kulinarik.
Markus Ernst, Head of Hospitality at Esterhazy, believes in the unity of hotel, culture and cuisine.
Text: Daniela Pötzl
Treffen in der Rooftop Bar „The Top“ - Markus Ernst
und CD-Chefredakteurin Daniela Pötzl.
Meeting at the rooftop bar “The Top“ - Markus Ernst
and CD‘s Editor in Chief, Daniela Pötzl.
Seit Anfang September 2022 hat das Burgenland
einen wunderbaren Ort der Gastlichkeit: Das
Hotel Galántha, vis-à-vis von Schloss Esterhazy
gelegen, bietet 120 Zimmer inklusive drei Suiten
mit je 55m2 sowie ein kleines Spa mit Dampfbad,
Sauna, Salzraum, Fitness und Ruheraum. Markus
Ernst fühlt sich seit Mai 2022 „zu Hause angekommen“
und erfreut sich am „sehr wertschätzenden Arbeiten“.
Lukullisch wird man von der Showküche mit
offenem Grill und pannonischer Küche verwöhnt.
„Wir arbeiten mit einer intelligenten Gebäudeleittechnik,
die im Sinne eines „Smart Hotels“ diverse
Parameter außen und innen miteinbezieht“, erzählt
er. So werden z.B. Beleuchtung, Raumheizung und
-kühlung digital gesteuert. In Zukunft möchte er
verstärkt die Kräfte bündeln und in die richtige Richtung
lenken: „Die Hospitality soll Konzernstruktur
bekommen und als Einheit von Hotel, Kultur – mit
der Oper im Steinbruch im Sommer wie auch dem
HERBSTGOLD – Festival – sowie der Kulinarik als
geglückte Symbiose agieren.“
Mit diesem Frühstück
startet man gerne in den
Tag. Abendliche Ansicht
der Rooftop Bar „The
Top“(unten rechts).
This breakfast is a great way
to start the day. Evening view
of the Rooftop Bar “The Top“
(bottom right).
MARKUS ERNST
PHOTOS: GREGOR HOFBAUER, BEIGESTELLT , ANDREAS TISCHLER
Since early September 2022, Burgenland has had
a wonderful new hospitality hotspot; Hotel Galántha,
located directly across from Esterhazy
Palace, boasts 120 rooms, including three suites of 55
m2 each as well as a small spa with a steam bath, sauna,
salt room, gym and relaxation room. Markus
Ernst feels like he’s “arrived home” since May 2022
and enjoys the “very appreciative work environment”.
Epicurean delights are available via the open kitchen
and grill serving Pannonian cuisine. “We’ve got an
intelligent building control system that, a bit like a
‘smart hotel’, provides an overview of various parameters
both inside as well as outside our hotel,” Ernst
explains. For example, lighting, room heating and
cooling can all be controlled digitally. In the future,
he would like to combine different elements and steer
them in the right direction. “I want to put hospitality
at the core of our business so that it can function as a
successful symbiosis of hotel, culture and cuisine –
with the Opera in the Quarry in the summer and the
HERBSTGOLD festival in autumn.”
IN SHORT
Als Kind wollte ich…
Schauspieler werden.
Ein guter Gastgeber…
ist immer präsent und begrüßt seine Gäste.
Energie tanke ich…
bei meinen Hobbies Schwimmen und Surfen.
Mein letzter großer Urlaub war…
schon vor 5 Jahren.
As a child, I wanted to…
become an actor.
A good host...
is always present and welcomes his or her
guests.
I recharge my battery by…
pursuing my hobbies swimming and surfing.
My last big holiday was...
5 years ago.
Kein Frühstück ohne…
Ei.
Ich esse gerne…
Italienisch.
An der Bar bestelle ich…
Gin Tonic.
Was ich noch lernen möchte, ist…
intensivere Leadership-Kultur, die stete
Weiterbildung inkludiert.
Can’t do breakfast…
without an egg.
I like to eat…
Italian food.
At the bar, I usually order…
a gin and tonic.
I would still like to learn…
a more profound leadership culture that values
continued training and education.
wurde im deutschen Essen geboren, wo er eine Kochlehre absolvierte. Danach folgten Wanderjahre in Frankreich, der Schweiz, in
Österreich und auf Sylt. Nach der Ausbildung zum Küchenmeister und Diätkoch war er auf verschiedenen Schiffen tätig. Danach
arbeitete er sechs Jahre für Falkensteiner, viereinhalb Jahre für die Therme Linsberg Asia und sieben Jahre für die VAMED Gruppe.
was born in Essen, Germany, where he completed an apprenticeship as a chef. This was followed by several years spent in France,
Switzerland, Austria and the German island Sylt. After training as a head chef and dietary chef, he was employed on various ships. He
then worked for Falkensteiner for six years, for Therme Linsberg Asia for four and a half years and for the VAMED Group for seven years.
INFO:
hotelgalantha.at
esterhazy.at
Eine der drei Suiten, mit
Wohnkomfort auf 55 m2.
One of the three suites, with
living comfort on 55 m2.
130 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
131

SAVOIR VIVRE TOP HOTELS IN VIENNA
Suite Dreams
Family Suite, O11
Interview: Daniela Pötzl
Wer steht hinter dem Hotel-Projekt?
Die Horst Group wurde 2017 gegründet und ist zu einem
Schwergewicht in Wiens Gastronomieszene gewachsen: Mit dem
Techno-House Club „Horst“, dem „O-der Klub“ in der früheren
Albertina Passage sowie dem Hip-Hop Club „Inc.“ am Schwarzenbergplatz
und der preisgekrönten Bar „Hannelore“ in der
Dorotheergasse sowie seit März mit dem Champagner-Club „Heidi“
mit seinem alpinen Flair an der Ringstraße, wurden erfolgreiche
Akzente gesetzt. Nun wurde die Gastronomie um ein wunderbares
Hotel-Projekt erweitert.
Wie hat sich das Haus, das davor auch ein Hotel war, denn
verändert?
Wir verfügen nun über 49 Zimmer, davon sind 31 Classic Zimmer.
Zudem haben wir verschiedene Kategorien von Suiten: vier Junior
Suiten, vier Suiten, drei Family Suiten, sechs Deluxe Suiten und eine
President Suite. Dabei ist es uns wichtig, zu erwähnen, dass lokale
Firmen beim Umbau zum Zug gekommen sind. Ganz speziell sind
die Böden – sie wurden aus Sojabohnen gefertigt und sind daher
völlig schadstofffrei. Wir verwenden zudem Bio Fairtrade
Bettwäsche und unterstützen damit eine Schule in Afrika.
and one presidential suite. We would like to highlight that we
used local companies for the renovation. The floors are very
special – they are made from soybeans and are therefore
completely free from harmful substances. We also use organic
Fairtrade bed linen and in doing so support a school in Africa.
What do you see as your USP?
The hotel is called O11 in reference to our address on Opernring 11
– a brilliant location that was once home to the first Sacher Café.
Many people appreciate the small French balconies, with a view
of the Vienna State Opera, and have stayed with us two or three
times. It’s interesting to note that guests tend to say with us for
longer than two nights at a time. In terms of style, we combine
Art Nouveau with modern aesthetics – a good symbiosis,
expressed in our rooms with the colours beige, green, anthracite
and blue. We provide 24-hour room service and breakfast until
2.00 pm. You can charge your computer in the laptop safe and
borrow Dyson Airwraps. Our reception team holds hospitality
very dearly and is very international, with German, English,
Russian, Slovenian, French, and Portuguese speakers, among
others. The O11 is a place where you should truly feel welcome.
Worin sehen Sie den USP?
Das Hotel heißt O11, mit Bezug auf die Adresse Opernring 11, hat
eine wunderbare Lage und beheimatete einst das erste Sacher Café.
Viele schätzen die kleinen französischen Balkone, mit Blick auf die
Wiener Staatsoper und waren bei uns schon zwei- oder dreimal zu
Gast. Interessant ist die Tendenz, dass Gäste mehr als zwei Nächte
bei uns bleiben. Vom Stil her verbinden wir den Jugendstil mit der
Moderne. Da ist eine gute Symbiose gelungen – die mit den Farben
Beige, Grün, Anthrazit und Blau in den Zimmern zum Ausdruck
kommt. Wir bieten einen 24 Stunden-Roomservice und Frühstück
bis 14 Uhr. Im Laptop Safe wird der Computer gleich aufgeladen und
Dyson Airwraps kann man sich ausborgen. Unser Rezeptions-Team
sieht das Gastgebertum als Herzenssache, ist sehr international und
spricht u.a. Russisch, Slowenisch, Deutsch, Englisch, Französisch
und Portugiesisch. Das O11 ist ein Ort, an dem man sich willkommen
fühlen soll.
PHOTOS: 011, BEIGESTELLT
Who is behind the hotel project?
The Horst Group was founded in 2017 and has grown into a
heavyweight in Vienna’s hospitality scene: it gained recognition
with the techno-house club “Horst”, the “O-der Klub” in the
former Albertina Passage, the hip-hop club “Inc.” on Schwarzenbergplatz,
the award-winning bar “Hannelore” on Dorotheergasse
and, since March, the champagne club “Heidi” with its Alpine
atmosphere on Ringstrasse. Now, the hospitality scene has been
upgraded with a brilliant new hotel.
How has the house, which also housed a hotel before,
changed now?
We now have 49 rooms, 31 of which are classic rooms. In addition
to those, we’ve also got various categories of suites: four junior
suites, four regular suites, three family suites, six deluxe suites
Hotel Manager Sina Nikolussi über
die Suiten im O11. Hotel Manager Sina
Nikolussi on the suites at O11.
INFO:
O11 BOUTIQUE HOTEL VIENNA
Opernring 11
1010 Wien
Tel.: +43 1 587 55 18
o11-hotel.com
Schöne Aussicht auf die Wiener Staatsoper (oben) und
Außenansicht des Hotels (links). Great view of the Vienna
State Opera (above) and exterior view of the hotel (left).
132 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 133

SAVOIR VIVRE GLOBAL ADVISER
Verreisen, besuchen und lesen | Travelling, visiting and reading
Das Beste aus aller Welt. | The best from around the world.
Text: Gerald Sturz
London
Lucian Freud
Zum 100. Geburtstag von Lucian Freud zeigt die Londoner
National Gallery bis 23. Jänner Arbeiten dieses bedeutenden
Porträtmalers. Diese Ausstellung gibt einen hervorragenden
Überblick über das sieben Jahrzehnte dauernde Schaffen des
Künstlers, der wie kaum ein anderer die Kunst der Porträtmalerei
in der zweiten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts geprägt hat
und dessen ikonische, ungeschönte und unverwechselbare
Arbeiten einen tiefen Blick in die Künstlerszene und
Gesellschaft Londons gewähren.
To mark the 100th anniversary of Lucian Freud’s birth, London’s
National Gallery will be showcasing works by the important
portrait painter until 23 January. The exhibition offers an
excellent overview of the seven-decade career of the artist who
helped shape the art of portraiture like few others in the second
half of the 20th century, and whose iconic, unembellished and
distinctive works offer deep insight into London’s art scene and
society.
nationalgallery.org.uk
Peloponnes | Peloponnese
Gialova Hills
Die Costa Navarino an der Westküste der griechischen Halbinsel Peloponnes ist vor allem
aus drei Gründen bekannt. Erstens, weil sich hier mit der Bucht von Voidokilia jene
Meeresbucht befindet, die sehr vielen als die schönste Griechenlands, wenn nicht gar des
ganzen Mittelmeerraumes, gilt. Zweitens, weil sich hier sehr sehenswerte Ausgrabungen
aus mykenischer und frühhellenistischer Zeit befinden. Und drittens, weil hier ein Cluster
von erstklassigen Luxushotels entstanden ist, der anspruchsvolle Gäste anzieht. Wer
jedoch seinen Urlaub in der Privatsphäre einer Villa verbringen will, der kann nun eines
von sechs Häusern buchen, die unweit dieser Luxusresorts oberhalb der Ortschaft Gialova
errichtet wurden. Sie bieten auf 136 m2 Wohnfläche, Terrasse, privaten Pool und allen
Komfort und bilden die Basis für eine perfekte Auszeit – für Familien, Paare oder
Freundesgruppen.
The Costa Navarino on the west coast of the Greek peninsula Peloponnesus is famous for
three reasons: First, because many consider Voidokilia Beach to be the most beautiful beach
in all of Greece – if not in the whole Mediterranean. Second, because one can find
fascinating excavations from the Mycenaean and early Hellenistic periods here. And third,
because a cluster of first-class luxury hotels has sprung up here that caters to the most
discerning guests. Those who prefer to spend their holidays in the privacy of their own villa
can now book one of six homes that have been built not far from said luxury resorts and
overlook the village of Gialova. With 136 m2 of living space, a terrace and a private pool,
they offer all the comforts and amenities one would expect and form the basis for a perfect
getaway – for families, couples or groups of friends.
gialovahills6.com
PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT
Kenia | Kenya
Secluded Africa
„Barefoot Luxury“ verspricht der Reiseveranstalter Secluded Africa.
Die fünf Lodges befinden sich in Kenia an speziell ausgewählten
Orten, fernab der Touristenmassen. So werden die einzigartigen
Safari-Ausflüge zu exklusiven Erlebnissen. Das Besondere: Fixe Zeiten
für Aktivitäten im Busch gibt es nicht. Secluded-Gäste teilen sich den
Tag individuell nach ihren Wünschen ein, unternehmen Pirschfahrten,
Buschwanderungen u.v.m. dann, wenn sie Lust darauf haben.
“Barefoot luxury” is what tour operator Secluded Africa promises its
guests. The five lodges are located in Kenya in carefully selected
locations far off the beaten tourist track. This turns the unique safari
excursions into exclusive experiences. What’s special is that there are
no fixed times for activities in the bush. Secluded Africa guests can
divide their days individually as they like and go on wildlife drives,
bushwalks and other adventures whenever they feel like it.
secludedafrica.com
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 135

SAVOIR VIVRE GLOBAL ADVISER
München | Munich
Max Beckmann
Das Ausstellungsereignis der kommenden
Monate: die große Max Beckmann-Schau, die in
der Münchner Pinakothek der Moderne bis
12. März zu sehen ist. Beckmann war einer der
bedeutendsten Künstler in der ersten Hälfte des
20. Jahrhunderts, seine Arbeiten sind geprägt
von Krieg und Entwurzelung, von Transit und Exil.
„Departure“ ist der Titel der Ausstellung – benannt
nach seinem berühmten Triptychon aus
dem Jahr 1935, das selbstverständlich auch hier
zusehen ist.
The must-see exhibition event of the coming
months – the large-scale Max Beckmann
exhibition, on display at the Pinakothek der
Moderne in Munich until 12 March. Beckmann was
one of the most important artists of the 20th
century; his works are marked by war and
rootlessness, by transit and exile. The exhibition’s
title is “Departure” – named after his famous
triptych from 1935, which will, of course, also be on
display.
pinakothek.de
Bangkok
The Standard Mahanakhon
Mit sehr viel Freude und Vorfreude nimmt man zur Kenntnis, dass sich
Südostasien wieder dem Tourismus öffnet. Es gibt kaum eine bessere
Gegend, um dem europäischen Winter zu entkommen. Es ist viel Neues
aus der Region zu berichten. Neue Resorts, neue Hotels, neue
Attraktionen. Eines dieser sehenswerten neuen Hotels ist das The
Standard Mahanakhon in Bangkok. Mit einem Design, das schnell fröhlich
und entspannt stimmt, und das soeben mit dem prestigereichen „Ahead
Award for the Best Hotel, New Build in Asia“ ausgezeichnet wurde.
It is with great pleasure and anticipation that we note that Southeast
Asia is opening up to tourists again. There may be no better place to
escape the European winter. A lot has been happening in the region –
new resorts, new hotels and new attractions. One of said new hotels is
the Standard Mahanakhon in Bangkok – with a design that is as cheerful
as it is relaxing and which has just won the prestigious “Ahead Award for
the Best Hotel, New Build in Asia”.
standardhotels.com
Buchtipp | Book tip
Thomas Hoepker: The Way It
Was. Road Trips USA
Gerademal 27 Jahre alt war der Fotograf Thomas
Hoepker, als ihn die Illustrierte Kristall 1963 nach
Amerika schickte mit dem Auftrag: „Schauen Sie
sich um“. Die Reportage-Serie, die so entstand,
machte ihn mit einem Schlag bekannt. 57 Jahre
später hat sich Hoepker, der lange Präsident der
Fotoagentur Magnum war, noch einmal auf eine
Reise durch die USA gemacht. Das Buch, das so
entstanden ist, kombiniert alte und neue Fotos.
Es ist eine Reise nicht nur quer über einen
Kontinent, sondern auch durch die Zeit. Von der
Ära JFK zur Ära Trump.
Photographer Thomas Hoepker was merely 27
years old when the magazine Kristall sent him to
America in 1963 with the assignment “Take a look
around.” The resulting series of reports made him
famous in an instant. 57 years later, Hoepker, who
since was president of the photography agency
Magnum for many years, once again embarked on
a journey across the US. The resulting book
combines old and new photographs. It is a
journey not just across a continent, but also
through time. From the JFK era to the Trump era.
teneues.com steidl.de
PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT
136 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE REAL ESTATE
Mondäne Immo-Trends
Fashionable residential trends
Text: Michaela Hocek
Moderne und unaufdringliche Architektur in Kombination mit Services wie
einem mobilen Concierge sind aktuell stark tonangebend.
Modern and unobtrusive architecture combined with services such as a mobile
concierge is starting to become the new standard when it comes to premium living
in Vienna.
PHOTOS: CHRISTIAN PICHLKASTNER
Die Wohnqualität in Wien ist durch architektonische
Kreativität bei historischen Gebäuden
und hohen Ansprüchen punkto Ausstattungskomfort
gekennzeichnet. Nach wie vor ist es so,
dass Lagen im Grünen ebenso nachgefragt sind wie
Domizile in hippen Stadtteilen. Wir haben fünf Projekte,
entsprechend den aktuellen Trends, recherchiert,
die genau in diese Wunschmatrix nationaler
wie internationaler Wohnungssuchender oder Immobilieninvestoren
fallen.
Trend 1 — Private Park Living
Ein Stadthaus mit Altbauflair und drei elegante
Neubauvillen mit Panoramafenstern im noblen Hietzing
entstehen in der Jagdschlossgasse 23 unter dem
Namen „Floriette“. Kompromisslos werden hier von
Trivalue Nostalgie und Gegenwart in Einklang gebracht.
Zur Verfügung stehen insgesamt 12.000 Quadratmeter
Grünfläche, die von 63 Wohnungen flankiert
werden. Der Park wurde mit unterschiedlichen
Erholungszonen entwickelt. Vom Secret Garden über
Kneippbecken, Sitzgruppen und Picknickinseln mit
Hockern und Bänken, einem Nutzgarten mit Hochbeeten
bis zur Silent- und Hundezone, Ziergarten
sowie Kinderspielplatz wurde an alles gedacht, was
die Freizeit vor der Haustüre besonders attraktiv
macht.
Die Wohnungen inklusive der Terrassen und Balkone
liegen auf einer einzigen Ebene und wurden bewusst
großzügig gestaltet. Die Raumhöhen variieren
zwischen ca. 2,70 bis zu 3,60 Meter. In Sachen Energieeffizienz
wurde auf Fußbodenheizung, Bauteilaktivierung
zur Kühlung, Luft-Wärmepumpe, hochwertige
Beschattung, Holzalufenster mit
3-Scheibenisolierverglasung und ein Smart Home
System geachtet. Für das persönliche Wohlbefinden
stehen ein Fitnessbereich mit Sauna, Dampfbad, Infrarotkabine
und Ruheraum sowie ein privat buchbarer
Yoga- und Massageraum zur Verfügung. Der Zugang
ist barrierefrei. Die hauseigene Tiefgarage
wartet mit bis zu zwei Stellplätzen pro Wohneinheit
auf, auch die Installation einer Ladevorrichtung für
E-Autos ist möglich. Wer so viel wie möglich seiner
privaten Organisationspflichten abgeben möchte,
kann auf den mobilen Concierge zählen.
Trend 2 — Immobilien mit Charakter
Das historische Tivoliviertel östlich von Schönbrunn
in der Meidlinger Ehrenfelsgasse 12 ist der
Standort von „Gloria“. Hier trägt die 3SI Immogroup
Sorge, dass auf Fundamenten aus dem 19. Jahrhundert
33 exklusive Eigentumswohnungen, darunter
acht Dachgeschoßwohnungen, mit Terrassen, Balkonen
und Gärten im weiter pulsierenden Gründerzeitcharme
mit innovativem Know-how rund um moderne
Technik realisiert werden. Beispiele dafür sind
hochwertiger Eichenparkett mit Fußbodenheizung,
Soundsystem im Badezimmer, Vollklimatisierung sowie
elektrischer Sonnenschutz und Smart-Home-
System im Dachgeschoß. Auch hier sorgen große
Fenster mit Isolierverglasung für optimale Lichtverhältnisse.
Positiv sind auch die fußläufigen Erreichbarkeiten
von U-Bahn, Schönbrunner Schlosspark,
Meidlinger Hauptstraße und Markt innerhalb weniger
Minuten. Zum Westbahnhof und in die Innenstadt
gelangt man mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln
innerhalb einer Viertelstunde.
Trend 3 — Hippe, urbane Lage
Im sechsten Bezirk – inmitten des lebhaften Stadtlebens
rund um Gumpendorfer und Mariahilfer Straße
– entstehen Apartments, ein Penthouse mit mehr
als 300 Quadratmetern inklusive Pooldeck und ein
Townhouse nach dem Motto „Gründerzeit trifft auf
Industrial Vibes“. Crownd Estates verwirklicht mit
„Hay Joe“ in der Haydngasse 17 eine Symbiose aus
Wiener Jahrhundertwende-Charme und New Yorks
Industrial-Flair und zeigt eindrucksvoll, dass Backsteinfassade,
Stuck, Glas und Metall sowie offene
Grundrisse auf avantgardistische Art harmonieren
können. Selbst auf Freiflächen und hauseigene Garagenplätze
wird nicht verzichtet, was in diesem Teil
der Stadt keine Selbstverständlichkeit ist – ebenso wie
die Stille, die die Hofruhelage zu bieten hat. Freunde
FLORIETTE IN HIETZING
Repräsentative Innenausstattung und
großzügige Freiflächen werden ergänzt
durch luxuriöses Parkambiente.
Stylish interiors and generous open
spaces are complemented by a luxurious
park ambience.
138 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 139

SAVOIR VIVRE REAL ESTATE
GLORIA IN MEIDLING
Das 1886 vom damaligen
Stadtbaumeister Ludwig
Sonnenburg geplante
Baujuwel wird hochwertig
revitalisiert.
This architectural jewel,
designed in 1886 by the
then-city architect Ludwig
Sonnenburg, is being
revitalised to the highest
standard.
edler Tropfen werden den Weinkeller im historischen
Gewölbe schätzen. Jedes Apartment verfügt über ein
abschließbares Weinregal. Eine gemütliche Lounge
und Bar schaffen Raum für private Gesellschaften.
Besonderer Bedacht wird auf Materialien, Designs
und Oberflächen sowie Farben gelegt und die zukünftigen
Bewohner können aus drei Designlinien
wählen. In der Nachbarschaft wird mit Hotspots für
Feinschmecker, Café- und Bar-Fans sowie Kulturinteressierte
Abwechslung geboten und auch Erholungszonen
wie der Wienfluss und der Esterhazypark
sind nicht weit entfernt. Auf Wunsch kann auf einen
mobilen Concierge-Service zugegriffen werden, der
sich um Sicherheit und Sauberkeit im Haus und individuelle
Dienstleistungen wie Wäsche-, Schlüssel-,
Doggy- und Urlaubsservice oder auch die Autoreinigung,
die einzeln oder als Pauschale gebucht werden
können, kümmert. Wellnessbegeisterte können Personaltrainer,
Beautyservices und Massagen nutzen.
Trend 4 — Wohnen am Wasser
2024 wird „Das Artmann“ in der Oberen Donaustraße
19 im zweiten Bezirk am Donaukanal von Cuubuus
Architects & Developer fertiggestellt. Zwischen
Augarten und Wiener Innenstadt entstehen im
denkmalgeschützten Backsteingebäude mit Treppenhaus
im Jugendstil 75 hochwertige Eigentumswohnungen
und vier Penthäuser auf 8.500 Quadratmetern.
Ergänzt werden diese durch Tiefgarage,
Fitness- und Wellness-Bereiche, Gästeapartments,
Office-Räumlichkeiten und einen persönlichen Concierge-Dienst.
Die rasche Erreichbarkeit der Autobahn
und die öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel sorgen für
rasches Vorankommen. Die ursprüngliche Bausubsxdsysxstanz
wird mit moderner Ausstattung und
intelligenten Raumkonzepten heutigen Bedürfnissen
gerecht. Das äußert sich in hohen Räumen, Fischgrätparkett,
Stuck, hofseitigen Terrassen und Balkonen
sowie nachhaltiger Gebäudetechnologie mit Heizung
und Klimatisierung mittels Wärmepumpe, die
in einer klimaaktiv-Zertifizierung gipfeln soll, kontrolliertem
Be- und Entlüftungssystem sowie Photovoltaikanlage
auf dem Dach.
Trend 5 — Residieren im denkmalgeschützten Ambiente
In Döbling, genauer gesagt Nussdorf/Freihofgasse
1, werden mit dem „Schlosspark Freihof “ dank Soravia
royale Wohnträume wahr. Auf der Agenda steht
die Revitalisierung des denkmalgeschützten Schlosses
(1346 erstmals urkundlich erwähnt) mit eleganten
Altbauwohnungen, zeitlosen Townhouses und
Lofts sowie modernen Apartments ergänzt. Der
prachtvolle Schlosspark (5.000 Quadratmeter) und
nachhaltige Energieversorgung mit Blackout-Sicherung
durch Photovoltaik, Erdwärme, Notstromversorgung,
Nutzwasserbrunnen und Kaminanschlüssen
sind weitere Top-Assets. Ein Degustations- sowie
private Weinkeller, ein exklusives Spa mit Indoor-
Pool und Sauna sind die besten Voraussetzungen für
die häufig gesuchte Entschleunigung im stressigen
Alltag. Kahlenberg, Weingärten und der Donauradweg
sind ebenso nah wie das Stadtzentrum, der Flughafen
und das Wiener Umland.
Premium buying and renting in Vienna is so often
characterised by living in historic buildings
with a touch of architectural creativity and
high standards when it comes to amenities. Properties
near green spaces and parks continue to enjoy
just as much demand as places in hip neighbourhoods.
We have looked at five projects that are in line
with current trends and appeal to both domestic as
well as international prospective buyers and investors.
Trend 1 — Private park living
On Jagdschlossgasse 23 in the classy Hietzing district,
a townhouse with historic character and three
PHOTOS: 3SI IMMOGROUP | JAMJAM, CROWND ESTATES
elegant new villas with panoramic windows are being
built under the name “Floriette”. Developer Trivalue
is bringing nostalgia and the present into perfect harmony.
There is a total of 12,000 square metres of
green space, flanked by 63 flats. The park features different
recreational areas — from the secret garden to
Kneipp facilities, seating areas and picnic islands with
stools and benches, a kitchen garden with raised
beds, a dog area, an ornamental garden and a
children’s playground. A lot of thought has gone into
making leisure facilities right at the house as attractive
as possible.
The flats, including the terraces and balconies, are
all on a single level and were consciously designed to
feel spacious. Room heights vary from approximately
2.70 m to 3.60 m. In terms of energy efficiency, the
residences feature underfloor heating, thermal component
activation for cooling, air-source heat pumps,
high-quality shading, timber-aluminium composite
windows with triple glazing and smart home systems.
For personal well-being, there is a fitness area with a
sauna, steam bath, infrared cabin and relaxation
room, as a well as yoga and massage room that can be
booked privately. Access is completely barrier-free.
The building’s in-house underground car park provides
up to two parking spaces per residential unit with
the option to install an electric vehicle charging point.
Those who wish to delegate as many of their errands
as possible can always count on the mobile concierge.
Trend 2 — Properties with character
On Ehrenfelsgasse 12, in Vienna’s historic Tivoli
quarter to the east of Schönbrunn, you will find the
“Gloria” development. Here, 3SI Immogroup offers
prospective buyers 33 exclusive flats, including eight
penthouses, with terraces, balconies and gardens,
built on foundations dating back to the 19th century,
combining the still vibrant Gründerzeit charm with
innovative use of state-of-the-art technology. Examples
of this include high-quality oak parquet flooring
with underfloor heating, a sound system in the bathroom,
full air conditioning as well as electric sun
awnings and a smart home system on the top floor.
Here, too, large windows with double glazing provide
optimal lighting. Another positive feature is that the
U-Bahn stations Schönbrunner Schlosspark, Meidlinger
Hauptstraße and Markt are all within a few minutes’
walk. Wien Westbahnhof railway station and
the city centre can be reached by public transport
within a quarter of an hour.
HAY JOE IN MARIAHILF
Industrial- und Gründerzeitcharme sowie eine Melange aus
Shopping-, Gastro- und Kulturmöglichkeiten überzeugen.
Industrial and Gründerzeit charm as well as a blend of shopping,
gastronomic and cultural opportunities prove very compelling.
140 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
141

SAVOIR VIVRE REAL ESTATE
DAS ARTMANN IN
LEOPOLDSTADT
Am Donaukanal sticht ein
Backsteingebäude mit 75
Eigentumswohnungen und
vier Penthäusern ins Auge.
Located right on the Danube
Canal, this listed brick
building with 75 flats and
four penthouses definitely
catches the eye.
cafe and bar fans as well as those interested in culture,
while recreational areas, such as the Vienna river and
Esterhazypark, are also not far. A mobile concierge service
is available on request to take care of safety and
tidiness in the building as well as individual services
such as laundry, key, dog, holiday and even car cleaning
services, which can be booked individually or as part
of a package. Wellness enthusiasts can take advantage
of personal trainers, beauty services and massages.
SCHLOSSPARK FREIHOF
IN DÖBLING
Denkmalschutz, Weinkeller,
Spa-Bereich und Blackout-
Sicherung sind entschleunigende
Faktoren im
historischen Gebäude.
Listed status, wine cellar, spa
area and blackout protection
are some of the decisive
factors that speak in favour
of this historic building.
Trend 3 — hip, urban location
In the 6th district – in the midst of the urban vibrancy
surrounding Gumpendorfer Strasse and Mariahilfer
Strasse – several flats, a more than
300-square-metre penthouse with a pool deck and a
townhouse are currently being constructed in keeping
with the motto “Gründerzeit meets industrial”.
With “Hay Joe” on Haydngasse 17, Crowned Estates
is realising a fusion of Viennese turn-of-the-century
charm and New York’s industrial flair, demonstrating
that brick facades, stucco glass and metal as well as
open floor plans can live together in harmony in an
avant-garde way. There are even open spaces and inhouse
underground car parking, which are not a given
in this part of the city –just like the peace that the
quiet courtyard location has to offer. Friends of fine
wine will appreciate the wine cellar in the historic
vault. Each flat has a lockable wine rack. A cosy
lounge and bar provide space for private parties.
Special attention is being paid to materials, designs,
surfaces and colours and future residents will be able to
choose from three different design concepts. The
neighbourhood offers a lot variety for connoisseurs,
Trend 4 — living on the waterfront
“Das Artmann” on Obere Donaustrasse 19 in the
2nd district on the Danube Canal is expected to be
completed by Cuubuus Architects & Developers by
2024. Between Augarten Park and Vienna’s city centre,
75 premium flats and four penthouses spanning
8,500 square metres will be built in the listed brick
building with its Art Nouveau staircase. These will be
completed by an underground car park, fitness and
wellness areas, guest flats, office spaces and a personal
concierge service. Quick access to the motorway and
public transport ensures rapid travel. The original
building structure has been updated to meet today’s
needs with modern furnishings and intelligent room
concepts. This is reflected in the high ceilings, herringbone
flooring, stucco, courtyard-side terraces
and balconies and sustainable building technologies
featuring, for example, heating and air conditioning
via heat pump, which is expected to result in a klimaaktiv
certificate, as well as a controlled ventilation
system and a photovoltaic system on the roof.
Trend 5 — residing in listed ambience
In Döbling, more precisely on Freihofgasse 1 in
Nussdorf, royal residential dreams are coming true
with the “Schlosspark Freihof ” thanks to developer
Soravia. The endeavour includes the revitalisation of
the listed palace (first mentioned in a document in
1346) with elegant flats, timeless townhouses, lofts as
well as modern flats. The magnificent palace park
(5,000 square metres) and sustainable energy supply
with blackout protection through photovoltaics, geothermal
energy, emergency power supply, a water well
and fireplaces are additional premium assets. A tasting
room and private wine cellar and an exclusive spa
with an indoor pool and sauna are the best prerequisites
for winding down after a stressful day. The Kahlenberg
mountain, vineyards and the Danube cycle
path are just as closely located as the city centre, the
airport and Vienna’s surrounding countryside.
PHOTOS: CUUBUUS ARCHITECTS & DEVELOPERS, ZOOM VP
2500 Baden:
Exklusive Residenz vor den Toren Wiens
Villa aus der Kaiserzeit, Grund ca. 2.240 m², Wohnfläche ca. 600 m².
Obj. Nr. 960/55952, HWB 90 kWh/m²a, Miete auf Anfrage.
2340 Mödling: Rarität – Stadtgeflüster
in historischer Mödlinger Fußgängerzone
Jahrhundertwendehaus nahe dem Standesamt, 1.100 m² Grund, 215 m² Wohnfläche,
ausbaubarer Dachboden. Obj. Nr. 960/61882, HWB 167 kWh/m², fGEE 2,83,
Kaufpreis auf Anfrage.
142 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Karin Bosch, MBA
Leitung NÖ-SÜD &
Leitung Exklusivimmobilien W/NÖ/Bgld/Sbg
T +43 5 0100 - 26231
karin.bosch@sreal.at

SAVOIR VIVRE LIFESTYLE
Winterfreuden | Winter delights
Schönes für mehr Lebensgefühl. | Beautiful for a better attitude to life.
Text: Michaela Hocek
Fine hotels
selected by
CERCLE
DIPLOMATIQUE
ECONOMIQUE et TOURISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL
can also be found in these exclusive hotels:
PREMIUM
PARTNER
Thierseerhof
CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE
© Thierseerhof
Luxuriöse Giftsets | Luxurious gift sets
Kuschelweich | Lasting warmth
Die „Sport Style“-Serie des österreichischen
Unternehmens Eisbär ist perfekt für aktive und
gemütliche Stunden im Winter. Die Kollektion
„Senen“ Hauben und Loops in dezenten Farben
aus Kaschmir und Wolle – ein Großteil davon
aus Recyclingmaterial – ist als wärmendes und
nachhaltiges Accessoire auch eine nette
Geschenkidee.
The “Sport Style” range by the Austrian
company Eisbär is made for both active and
casual winter times. The “Senen” collection of
beanies and scarves in subdued colours made of
cashmere and wool – and largely recycled – is
also a perfect warming as well as sustainable
Christmas gift.
myeisbaer.com
Zehn-Jahr-Jubiläum | Ten-year anniversary
Mit der limitierten Edition wird ein neues Kapitel bei Refished
aufgeschlagen. Erstmals ist die „Soulmate“-Kollektion auch in
kuscheligem Tweed und einem Innenleben aus recycelten
Fischfuttersäcken erhältlich. Die winterfeste Tasche macht in der
Freizeit wie beim Business-Termin gute Figur.
The new limited edition marks a new chapter for Refished – for
the first time, the “Soulmate” collection of leisure bags will also
be available in cosy tweed and with an interior made from upcycled
fish food sacks. The winter-proof bag cuts a fine figure
whether used for business or pleasure. refished.com
Chic und funktional | Chic and
functional
Die stylischen „Bogner Sport“-Modelle für
Damen und Herren sind beliebt für ihre
Schnitte und praktischen Details. Luxuriöse
Materialien wie bayrische Wolle und
High-Performance-Stretch-Nylon sind für die
Piste ebenso wie für Wanderungen und
Punschstand-Besuche bestens geeignet.
The stylish “Bogner Sport” models for men and
women are popular for their cuts and practical
details. Luxurious materials such as Bavarian
wool and high-performance stretch nylon are
perfect for the slopes and hikes as well as for
visits to mulled wine stands.
bogner.com
Rituals Cosmetics hat für die festliche Zeit die „Classic
Collection“ in edles Packaging, inspiriert von der
japanischen Kultur des Schenkens, gehüllt. Bath-, Bodyund
Home-Produkte sind im einzigartigen Origami-
Design in den Größen Small, Medium und Large
erhältlich.
To mark the festive season, Rituals Cosmetics has
wrapped its “Classic Collection” in elegant new
packaging inspired by Japanese gift-giving culture. Bath,
body and home products are now available in the unique
origami design in the sizes small, medium and large.
rituals.com
Exklusive Tischkultur | Exclusive
tableware
Hier treffen einander handwerkliche Kompetenz und
opulente Dekorentwürfe: Mehr als drei Jahre Entwicklung
stecken im Tableware-Debüt des Modeschöpfers
Giambattista Valli, die in Kooperation mit der Porzellanmanufaktur
Augarten Wien entstanden ist. Mit der
Anfertigung eines Sets der GBV X Augarten Rosenteller
ist eine Malerin einen Monat beschäftigt.
Where craftsmanship and opulent decorative design
meet: more than three years of development have gone
into fashion designer Giambattista Valli’s tableware
debut – created in cooperation with the Augarten
Porcelain Manufactory in Vienna. It takes each painter
one month to make one of the GBV X Augarten
Rosenteller sets.
augarten.com
PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT
Passion für Musik | Passion for music
Mit der Technologie „Spiriocast“ schlägt Steinway & Sons ein neues
Kapitel in seiner prestigeträchtigen Firmenhistorie auf. Hochauflösende
Musikdaten können in perfekter Synchronisierung auf „Spirio I r Flügeln“
weltweit gestreamt werden, was ein identisches und ungefiltertes
Musikerlebnis ermöglicht. Video- und Audioaufnahmen des Künstlers
werden via iPad übermittelt. So können Live-Konzerte in Echtzeit
empfangen werden. Die Präsentation ging in der Hamburger
Elbphilharmonie mit Weltstar Lang Lang, der allerdings in dem
Steinway & Sons Spirio Studio in der Manufaktur ganz in der Nähe
spielte, über die Bühne.
Auch in Wien gibt es mit dem Grand Re-Opening des Flagship Stores
am Opernring eine wohlklingende Neuheit zu verkünden. Mit viel Liebe
zum Detail wurde er von Architekt Sören Gross gestaltet und bringt
klassische Stilelemente der Wiener Architekur mit zeitgemäß-modernem
Shopdesign in Einklang, um den Instrumenten die passende Sphäre
und Kunden ein Erlebnis in verschiedenen Musiksituationen – Konzert,
Studio, Wohnzimmer, Spirio Lounge – zu bieten.
With its “Spiriocast” technology, Steinway & Sons is opening a new
chapter in its prestigious company history. High-resolution music data
can be transmitted in perfect synch across the world on “Spirio I r
Flügeln”, providing an identical and unfiltered musical experience. The
artist’s video and audio recordings are transmitted via iPad. In this way,
live concerts can be enjoyed in real time. The presentation was held at
the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg with world star Lang Lang, who was
actually performing at the Steinway & Sons Spirio studio close-by.
In Vienna, too, there is melodious news to be announced with the grand
re-opening of the Steinway & Sons flagship store on Opernring.
Designed with great attention to detail by architect Sören Gross, the
new store combines elements of classical Viennese architecture with
contemporary retail store design, providing the right setting for the
instruments and giving customers the ability to try them in different
settings – at concerts, in the studio, the living room or the Spirio
Lounge.
eu.steinway.com/de/haendler/steinway-wien/
Owner
Juffinger family
Thierseerhof
Hinterthiersee 74
6335 Thiersee
+43 5376 5510
thierseerhof.at
These selected hotels offer
CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - ECONOMIQUE et TOURISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL
as a special service:
Almdorf Seinerzeit l Hotel Altstadt Radisson Blu l The Amauris Vienna l Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere l
Arcotel Kaiserwasser l Ayurveda Resort Mandira l Hotel Astoria l Astoria Relax & Spa-Hotel l Hotel Bristol -
A Luxury Collection Hotel Vienna l Austria Trend Hotel Bosei l Austria Trend Hotel Europa l Chaletdorf Prechtldorfgut
l Chaletdorf Priesteregg l Das Kronthaler l Die Josefine Hotel l European Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof l
Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden l Feriendorf Holzlebn l Fleming‘s Deluxe Hotel l Golden Hill Country Chalets
& Suites l Grand Ferdinand - Hotel am Ring l Grand Hotel Wien l Hotel de France Wien l Hotel Goldener
Hirsch l A Luxury Collection Hotel Salzburg l Good Life Resort Riederalm l Gradonna****s Mountain Resort l
G’schlössl Murtal l Hilton Danube l Hilton Vienna Park l Hilton Vienna Plaza l House of Time Vienna l Hofwirt
Seckau l Hotel Imperial A Luxury Collection l Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof l Imperial Riding School Renaissance
Hotel Vienna l Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol l Kitzbühel Country Club l Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort
l Hotel Hochschober l Hotel Lamée l Hotel Schloss Leopoldskron l Le Meridien Vienna l Luxuslodge „Zeit
zum Leben“ l MGallery by Sofitel Hotel am Konzerthaus Vienna l Miramar Adria-Relax-Resort l O11 Boutique
Hotel l Naturresort Puradies l Park Hyatt Vienna l Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna l Kempinski Hotel Das
Tirol l Austria Trend Hotel Park Royal Palace Vienna l Travel Charme Fürstenhaus am Achensee l Austria
Trend Parkhotel Schönbrunn l The Ritz-Carlton Vienna l Rosewood Vienna l Sacher Wien l Hotel Sans Souci l
Austria Trend Hotel Savoyen Vienna l Schloss Fuschl, A Luxury Collection Resort & SPA l Schloss Gabelhofen l
Schlosshotel Seevilla l Hotel Schloss Mönchstein Salzburg l Sheraton Grand Salzburg l Steigenberger Hotel &
Spa Krems l Steirerschlössl l The Guesthouse Vienna l Thermalhotel Fontana l Lebenberg Schloss-Kitzbühel
l Hotel Topazz l SO/ Vienna l Stanglwirt l Vienna Marriott Hotel l Vila Vita Pannonia l Hotel Warmbaderhof
Would you like to belong to these exclusive hotels?
If so, please contact us! l office@firstclassmedia.at
144 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE AMBASSADOR'S DRIVE
Von Rio nach Schladming | From Rio to Schladming
Der Botschafter von Brasilien auf CD-Testfahrt mit dem BMW X1 | The Ambassador of Brazil performs a test drive for CD with a BMW X1.
Interview: Stephan Burianek | Photos: Ralph Manfreda
Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira tritt gut gelaunt aus dem Botschaftsgebäude
in der Pestalozzigasse. Die Sonne blitzt durch die
Wolkendecke, gerade rechtzeitig für unsere Testfahrt mit dem
neuen BMW X1 hat blauer Himmel den Regen vertrieben. Der Botschafter
der Föderativen Republik Brasilien sitzt gerne selbst hinter dem Steuer,
wie er erzählt. Seine ersten beiden Autos stammten aus den USA, mittlerweile
werden in Brasilien sogar europäische Marken gefertigt. Nicht
unbedingt zur Freude seiner Frau, sitzt er zudem regelmäßig auf zwei
Rädern: Als er Botschafter in Schweden wurde, tauschte er seine Harley
Davidson gegen eine Triumph, mit der er nun auch in Wien, wo er sein
Amt im April antrat, zwei- bis dreimal in der Woche unterwegs ist.
Unser Testwagen ist mit einem 23i ausgestattet, dem stärksten
BMW-Benzinmotor. Seine Gesamtstärke von 218 Pferden werden wir
freilich nicht voll auskosten, denn wir bleiben in der Stadt. Auf dem
Weg zum Fotoshooting vor dem Lusthaus im Prater schwärmt Tabajara
de Oliveira von Österreich. Mit seiner Familie ist er kürzlich ins Salzkammergut
gefahren, dort genoss er die landschaftlich reizvollen Straßen
durch die Täler und um die Seen. Tabajara de Oliveira, der in Wien
ein „phantastisches Team“ aus sechs weiteren Diplomaten anführt,
schätzt zudem die österreichische Küche, speziell die Knödel, und die
guten Weine. Rund 30 Prozent der brasilianischen Exporte nach Österreich
machen Fruchtsäfte aus, so erzählt er, aber beim Rebensaft könnten
die Brasilianer von den Österreichern noch etwas lernen. Dabei
brauchen sich die preisgekrönten Schaum- und Weißweine, die im Süden
seiner Heimat produziert werden, nicht verstecken. Leider ist ihr
Export in die EU aufgrund der geltenden Einfuhrbestimmungen unrentabel.
Unabhängig davon möchte er „seinen“ Winzern einen Know-
How-Austausch mit den Österreichern ermöglichen.
Brasilien und die Alpenrepublik sind historisch eng miteinander
verbunden, und in einer steirischen Gemeinde steht ein Symbol dafür:
„Das heutige Rathaus von Schladming war früher einmal das Schlösschen
eines Urenkels von Leopoldina von Habsburg.“ Maria Theresias
Tochter gilt als die Mutter der brasilianischen Unabhängigkeit, deren
200-jähriges Bestehen erst kürzlich gefeiert wurde. „Ich durfte eine Gedenktafel
enthüllen, die auf dem Rathaus angebracht wurde, auf der
steht: ‚Von Rio nach Schladming‘“, so der Botschafter amüsiert.
Im kommenden Jahr möchte Tabajara de Oliveira seinen Kontakt zu
Brasilianern in Österreich erweitern: „Wir schätzen, dass rund 8.000 Brasilianer
in Österreich leben. In den größeren Städten haben wir insgesamt
fünf Honorarkonsule.“ Es gibt bereits Partnerschaften zwischen den
beiden Ländern, so der Botschafter, beispielsweise zwischen der Stadt
Gmünd und dem brasilianischen Bundesstaat Pernambuco im Norden
des Landes, solche Verbindungen möchte er schaffen und ausbauen.
Auf dem Weg zurück zur Botschaft würdigt er den sanften Fahrkomfort
des BMW, dessen Antrieb jeder Kunde vor dem Kauf selbst
wählen kann. „In Brasilien werden alle Taxis mit Erdgas betrieben“,
wirft der Botschafter ein, „und in den 1980er-Jahren wurden in Brasilien
spezielle Motoren entwickelt, die von hochprozentigem Alkohol
angetrieben werden. Mein Auto, das ich zuletzt in Brasilien hatte,
konnte entweder mit Benzin oder mit Alkohol fahren.“ Von den Brasi-
146 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE AMBASSADOR'S DRIVE
lianern könnten die Europäer vielleicht noch etwas
lernen.
Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira steps out
of the Brazilian embassy building on
Vienna’s Pestalozzigasse street in a visibly
good mood. The sun shimmers through the dense
clouds and just in time for our test ride in the new
BMW X1, the blue sky chases away the rain. The
Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil
likes to take the wheel into his own hands, as he tells
us. His first two cars were made in the US, but now
even European carmakers build their cars in Brazil.
Not necessarily to the delight of his wife, Tabajara de
Oliveira also likes to drive on two wheels: When he
became ambassador to Sweden, he exchanged his
Harley Davidson for a Triumph, which he still rides
at least two to three times a week here in Vienna,
where he took up his post in April.
Our test car is equipped with a 23i, BMW’s most
powerful petrol engine. Admittedly, we won’t be making
full use of its total power of 218 horses today,
because we’re staying in the city. On the way to the
photo shoot in front of the Lusthaus building in Prater
park, Tabajara de Oliveira raves about Austria. Together
with his family, he recently drove to the Salzkammergut
region, where he especially enjoyed the
scenic roads through the valleys and around the lakes.
Tabajara de Oliveira, who leads a “fantastic team” of
six other diplomats in Vienna, also appreciates Austrian
cuisine, especially dumplings and the good wines.
Fruit juices account for about 30 per cent of Brazilian
exports to Austria, he says, but when it comes to
grape juice, the Brazilians could still learn a thing or
two from the Austrians – despite the fact that the
award-winning sparkling and white wines produced
in the south of his homeland hold up pretty well. Unfortunately,
their export to the EU is currently unprofitable
due to existing import regulations. Irrespective
of this, he would like to enable “his” winemakers to
look over the shoulders of the Austrians.
Brazil and Austria are closely linked by history –
there is a symbol of this in one specific Styrian municipality:
“Today's Schladming town hall used to belong
to one of the great-grandsons of Leopoldina von
Habsburg.” Maria Theresia’s daughter is considered
the mother of Brazilian independence, the 200th anniversary
of which the country recently celebrated. “I
INFO:
bmw.at
bmw-wien.at
Der Botschafter Brasiliens im Gespräch mit CD-Autor Stephan
Burianek. The Brazilian Ambassador in conversation with CD's author
Stephan Burianek.
Zukunftsweisende Generation | Pioneering generation
Gemäß BMW-Philosophie entscheidet der Kunde sein Glück und kann zwischen drei verschiedenen
Ausstattungslinien – Basisvariante, xLine und M-Sportpaket – sowie allen BMW-Motoren bzw. allen
verfügbaren Antrieben – Diesel, Benzin, vollelektrisch und hybrid – wählen. Was neu ist: Der Wagen
ist um ein paar Zentimeter länger, breiter und höher, kommt in einem neuen, markanten Design mit
eingelassenen Türgriffen und herausschauenden Rückenleuchten und ist mit dem aktuellen
Entertainment-System OS8 mit großem, zum Fahrer hin gebogenem Touchscreen ausgestattet.
In line with the BMW philosophy, every customer gets to create their own joy and can choose
between three different configuration lines – the basic model, xLine and M Sport, and between
every BMW engine and available drive system – diesel, petrol, fully electric or hybrid. What’s
changed is that the X1 is now a few centimetres longer, wider and taller, comes in a new striking
design with recessed door handles and protruding rear lights and is equipped with the latest OS8
entertainment system with a large touchscreen that curves towards the driver.
Technische Daten | Technical data
Antriebsart | Engine type
Leistung | Power
Gepäckraumvolumen | Luggage compartment capacity
Beschleunigung 0-100 km/h (sek.) |
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (in seconds)
Verbrennungsmotor | Combustion engine
bis zu 160 kW (218 PS) | up to 160 kW (218 PS)
500 Liter | 500 litres
7,1 Sekunden | 7.1 seconds
Preis | Price ab | from € 50.900,- (X1 sDrive 18i: ab | from 43.200,-)
was given the honour of unveiling a commemorative
plaque that was placed on the town hall, which says:
‘From Rio to Schladming’,” the Ambassador says
with amusement.
In the coming year, Tabajara de Oliveira would
like to expand his interaction with Austria’s Brazilian
population. “We estimate that there are around 8,000
Brazilians living in Austria. We have a total of five
honorary consuls across the bigger cities.” There already
are partnerships between the two countries,
says the Ambassador, such as between the town of
Gmünd and the Brazilian state of Pernambuco in the
north of the country. He would like to create and expand
such links.
On the way back to the embassy, he praises how
smoothly the BMW drives, and whose drive each
customer can select him or herself before buying. “In
Brazil, all taxis run on natural gas,” the Ambassador
interjects, “and in the 1980s, special engines were developed
in Brazil that are powered by high-proof alcohol.
My last car in Brazil could run on either petrol
or alcohol.” Perhaps, Europeans, too, could learn a
thing or two from the Brazilians.
YOUR FIRST STEP
TO ASIA
täglich ab Wien nach Asien
BR62 Di, Mi, Fr, So via Bangkok nach
Taipeh und weiter
BR66 Mo, Do, Sa nach Taipeh und weiter
NEU: 4x pro Woche ab München
BR72 Mo, Di, Do, Sa nach Taipeh und weiter
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 149

SAVOIR VIVRE MOTOR
Ziel: emissionsfreie Mobilität! | Goal: emission-free mobility!
Mit Stil in den Winter | Into winter with style
Text: Rois & Stubenrauch
Polestar 3: Elektromobilität one step ahead|
Electromobility, one step ahead
Motor Engine
2 bzw. 3 Elektromotoren
Antrieb Drive
Allrad
kW (PS) kw (HP) 250-370 (340-503)
Reichweite Range
491-600 km
Energieverbrauch Energy consumption kWh/100km 26,1-21,0
Preis Price ab | from: € 59.990,-
Überzeugende Performance, hochwertige Ausstattung, markantes Design und großartige Reichweite – der neue Polestar 3 spielt in allen Bereichen in der obersten Liga. 489 PS,
mit Performance-Paket sogar 517 PS, lassen keine Wünsche an Agilität und Fahrdynamik offen, neueste Batterietechnologie ermöglicht bis zu 610 km Reichweite. Features wie
die adaptive Luftfederung gehören beim luxuriösen Elektro-SUV selbstredend zur Serienausstattung. Nachhaltigkeit wird zudem groß geschrieben bei Polestar: Bis 2030 sollen
nur noch Autos mit neutraler CO2 Bilanz hergestellt werden. Ausgeliefert wird zwar erst ab Herbst 2023, konfiguriert und bestellt kann der Polestar 3 aber schon jetzt werden.
Compelling performance, premium features, striking design and great range – the
new Polestar 3 plays in the top league of every category. 489 hp – or 517 hp in the Motor Engine
2 Elektromotoren
Performance Package – leaves nothing to be desired in terms of agility and driving Antrieb Drive
Allradantrieb
dynamics, while state-of-the-art battery technology enables a range of up to 610 kW (PS) kw (HP) 360-380 (489-517)
km. Features such as the adaptive air suspension of course come standard in the Reichweite Range
560-610 km
luxury electric SUV. Sustainability is also a top priority for Polestar: the goal is to Energieverbrauch Energy consumption Noch keine Angabe
only produce CO2-neutral cars by 2023. Although deliveries won’t start until
Preis | Price ab | from: € 89.900,-
autumn 2023, you can already configure and order the Polestar 3 right now.
Volvo EX90: Flaggschiff-SUV unter Strom| Electrified SUV
flagship
AUDI Q8 E-TRON: Elektrisierende Premiumklasse | Electrifying premium segment
Vor vier Jahren trat Audi mit dem e-tron in die Welt der Elektromobilität ein. Anfang November präsentierte der deutsche
Premiumhersteller mit dem Q8 e-tron den überzeugenden Nachfolger seines elektrischen Top-SUVs: verbessertes Antriebskonzept,
optimierte Aerodynamik, deutlich mehr Batterieleistung für eine auf 582 Kilometer für den SUV und bis zu 600 km für den
Sportback gesteigerte Reichweite, sowie erweiterte Assistenzsysteme. Fast 3 m Radstand sorgen für großzügige Beinfreiheit, neue
Designakzente für einen unverwechselbaren Auftritt. Audi geht seinen Weg Richtung rein elektrischer Marke sehr konsequent
weiter.
Four years ago, Audi entered the electric arena with the e-tron. At the beginning of November, the German premium carmaker introduced
the Q8 e-tron, the compelling successor to its high-end electric SUV, featuring an improved drive system, optimised
aerodynamics, significantly more battery power for a range increased to up to 582 kilometres for the SUV and up to 600 km for the
Sportback, as well as enhanced assistance systems. A wheelbase of almost 3 metres ensures generous legroom and the new design
elements deliver an unmistakable appearance. Audi continues to pursue its path towards becoming a fully electric carmaker.
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
PHOTOS: AUDI AG; POLESTAR PERFORMANCE AB; VOLVO CAR CORPORATION; JAGUAR LAND ROVER AUTOMOTIVE PLC
Range Rover PHEV: Nachhaltiger off-road Luxus |Sustainable
off-road luxury
2021 brachte Land Rover die bestechende 5. Generation seines High-End-Geländewagens
Range Rover. Ab 2022 ergänzt nun ein Plug-in Hybrid mit Ingenium
Sechszylinder-Benzinmotor in Kombination mit einem 105 kW starken Elektromotor
und 113 km elektrischer Reichweite die Modellpalette des luxuriösen britischen
Performance-SUV. Am minimalistischen Design mit edlen Details wie den
versenkten Türgriffen und der überragenden Geländegängigkeit des Range Rovers
hat sich selbstredend nichts geändert. 2024 soll dann auch ein vollelektrisches
Modell folgen.
In 2021, Land Rover launched the 5th generation of its striking high-end Range
Rover. In 2022, a new plug-in hybrid with an Ingenium six-cylinder petrol engine
combined with a 105-kW electric motor and 113 km electric range will complement
the British luxury SUV maker’s popular range. Of course, nothing has changed
when it comes to the Range Rover’s minimalist design approach, with elegant
details such as the recessed door handles, while boasting the typical, outstanding
off-road capabilities. An all-electric model is set to follow in 2024.
Motor Engine
R6 Benziner und Elektromotor
Antrieb Drive
Allrad
Hubraum Engine displacement
2.996 ccm
Systemleistung kW (PS) kw (HP) 324-375 (440-510)
Elektrische Reichweite Range
113 km
Verbrauch Consumption
0,9-0,8 l/100km / 29,2-28,7 kWh/100km
Preis | Price ab | from: € 138.958,-
Der mit Spannung erwartete Nachfolger für Volvos größten SUV wurde ebenfalls
Anfang November der Weltöffentlichkeit vorgestellt: Gemäß der zukunftsgewandten
Strategie des schwedischen Autoherstellers gibt es den neuen Volvo EX90
ausschließlich elektrisch mit überzeugenden 585 km Reichweite und satten 517
PS in der Topausstattung – wem das bekannt vorkommen sollte: Ja, der EX90 teilt
mit dem Polestar 3 Plattform und Batterie. Für sein Äußeres übt sich der EX90
allerdings in nobler Zurückhaltung und im Innenraum gibt es den 5,04 m langen
Edel-SUV auch mit drei Sitzreihen. Ab Ende 2023 soll der EX90 dann auch für
autonomes Fahren upgegradet werden können.
The beginning of November also saw the launch of the eagerly awaited successor
to Volvo’s largest SUV: in line with the Swedish carmaker’s forward-thinking
strategy, the new Volvo EX90 is fully electric and boasts a range of 585 km and a
whopping 517 hp in the top trim. If this sounds familiar, you’re right – the EX90
and the Polestar 3 share the same platform and battery. On its exterior, however,
the EX90 practices noble restraint, while in the interior, the 5.04-metre-long luxury
SUV is also available with three rows of seats. Towards the end of 2023,
owners will also be able to upgrade their EX90 for autonomous driving.
Motor Engine
2 Elektromotoren
Antrieb Drive
Allrad
kW (PS) kw (HP) 300-380 (408-517)
Reichweite Range
bis 585 km
Energieverbrauch Energy consumption kWh/100km 21,1-20,9
Preis | Price ab | from: € 102.600,-
150 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 151

SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER
FLANDERN / FLANDERS
Ein Fest aller Sinne
A celebration of all senses
Text: Gerald Sturz
Im Rahmen der langjährigen
Renovierung wurde auch die
Fassade des KMSKA wieder
hergestellt.
The façade of the KMSKA
was also restored as part
of the many years of renovation.
Nicht nur die Wiedereröffnung des Königlichen Museums der Schönen Künste in
Antwerpen ist ein guter Grund, nach Flandern zu reisen. Die Region hat auch
darüber hinaus viel zu bieten.
The reopening of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp is not the only good
reason to visit Flanders. The region also has a lot to offer beyond that.
Flämische Meister.
Flemish Masters.
PHOTOS: KMSKA, SANNE DE BLOCK, KARINBORGHOUTS (5)
Elf Jahre lang wurde das Königliche Museum
der Schönen Künste in Antwerpen renoviert,
erweitert und umgebaut. Nun hat es im vergangenen
September wiedereröffnet. Was für ein
prächtiger, gelungener Museumsbau es nun ist! Und
was für eine famose Sammlung hier untergebracht
ist. Das Königliche Museum der schönen Künste,
kurz KMSKA genannt, beherbergt nämlich ein großartige
Sammlung der Meister der flämischen und der
niederländischen Malerei: Peter Paul Rubens, Jan van
Eyck, Anthony Van Dyck, Hans Memling, James Ensor
und noch viele, viele andere. Es ist das größte Museum
in Flandern und verfügt über eine Sammlung
von über 8000 Werken, von denen etwa 650 permanent
in der neuen Aufstellung zu sehen sind.
In diesen elf Jahren wurde das KMSKA einem
kompletten Relaunch unterzogen. Die Fassade wurde
wiederhergestellt und bekam ein neues Mosaik
am Eingang, ein neuer, stattlicher Museumsgarten
wurde geschaffen, der das Gesamterlebnis perfekt
abrundet, die vier historischen Innenhöfe des bestehenden
Gebäudes wurden zu einem sehr modern
wirkenden Museumsvolumen umgestaltet. Eines der
Highlights des erneuerten KMSKA ist der Rubenssaal;
hier sind die Altarstücke des Barockmalers Peter
Paul Rubens ausgestellt. Eine Hommage der Stadt
Antwerpen an den berühmtesten ihrer Söhne.
Aber es ist auch noch Platz genug für viele seiner
bekanntesten Kollegen. James Ensor, zum Beispiel.
Er gilt als einer der wichtigsten belgischen Künstler
des späten 19. und frühen 20. Jahrhunderts und als
Erneuerer in zahlreichen modernistischen Strömungen.
Das KMSKA verfügt über die weltweit größte
Sammlung dieses Meisters. Das trifft sich gut, denn
2024 wird zum 75. Todestag des Künstlers in Belgien
ein „Ensor-Jahr“ begangen; mit Ausstellungen nicht
nur im KMSKA, sondern auch in Ensors Heimatstadt
Ostende und natürlich in Brüssel.
Selbstverständlich ist Antwerpen nicht nur wegen
des neunen KMSKA eine Reise wert. Wer sich für
Mode interessiert, wird garantiert ein Fan der „Antwerp
Six“ sein, jener Gruppe von Modedesignern,
die in den 1980 Jahren mit ihren avantgardistischen
Entwürfen die Mode revolutioniert haben. Ann Demeulemeester,
Dries Van Noten and Walter Van Beirendonck
waren und sind ihre bekanntesten Mitglieder.
Ihre Arbeiten und das ihrer avantgardistischen
belgischen Kollegen kann man im MoMu, dem Mode-Museum,
besichtigen.
Zu sehen gibt es in Antwerpen ohnehin genug:
den Grote Markt, die Liebfrauenkathedrale, die
Sankt-Karl-Borromäuskirche, den Hauptbahnhof,
das Museum aan de Stroom, die Gassen und Plätze
der Altstadt. Ein neues Wahrzeichen ist das Havenhuis,
das ehemalige Feuerwehrhaus im Alten Hafen,
dem die Architektin Zaha Hadid eine spektakuläre
gläserne Dachkonstruktion aufgesetzt hat, die wie
ein außerirdisches Flugobjekt oder ein glitzernder
Kristall aussieht.
Es tut gut, sich in Erinnerung zu rufen, dass Flandern
während gut 250 Jahren, vom 15. bis weit ins
späte 17. Jahrhundert, eine der führenden, wenn
nicht gar die bedeutendste Region in Sachen Schöne
Künste war. Es war die Zeit der sogenannten flämischen
Meister. Und ihre Werke findet man hier allerorts,
in Museen selbstverständlich, aber auch in Kirchen
und Palästen. Dicht gedrängt sind die Städte,
die man als kunstinteressierter Mensch besucht haben
sollte. Neben Antwerpen sind das vor allem
Gent und Brügge.
Doch nicht nur Kunst- und Kulturliebhaber werden
in Flandern auf ihre Rechnung kommen. Flandern
ist darüber hinaus ein Paradies für Genussmenschen.
Hervorragende Restaurants gibt es hier im
Überfluss, aber auch exzentrische Chocolatiers, ultrastylische
Hotels, avantgardistische Boutiquen. Da
ist zum Beispiel das „The Jane“ in Antwerpen, ein
Restaurant, das sich in der Kapelle eines ehemaligen
Militärkrankenhauses befindet und das sehr eindrucksvoll
kulinarische Höchstleistungen mit einem
Nach seinem Relaunch verbindet
das KMSKA klassische und moderne
Gestaltungselemente.
After its relaunch, the KMSKA
combines classic and modern design
elements.
Das Königliche Museum der Schönen
Künste in Antwerpen hat nach einer
gründlichen Renovierung neulich
wiedereröffnet.
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp
recently reopened after a thorough
renovation.
Ein Flügel des KMSKA ist dem
belgischen Maler James Ensor
gewidmet.
One wing of the KMSKA is dedicated
to the Belgian painter James
Ensor.
152 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 153

SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER
Zu den Orten, die man in Antwerpen
unbedingt gesehen haben sollte, zählen
auch das futuristische Havenhuis und das
Restaurant The Jane (rechts).
Among the must-see places in Antwerp
are the futuristic Havenhuis and The Jane
restaurant (right).
Ein Spaziergang durch
Antwerpen: Straßenszene
mit Café und die Sankt-Karl-
Borromäuskirche.
A walk through Antwerp:
street scene with café and
Saint Charles Borromeo
Church.
INFO:
Visit Flanders
visitflanders.com
faszinierenden Ambiente verbindet.
Flandern ist also ein sehr lohnendes Reiseziel.
Vor allem wegen der Kunst und der Architektur.
Aber eben nicht nur wegen der Kunst und der Architektur.
But that is just one of many reasons to visit
Flanders. Over the past 11 years, the Royal
Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp has been extensively
renovated, expanded and rebuilt. What a
magnificent and superb museum it is now! And
what a brilliant collection it houses. The Royal Museum
of Fine Arts Antwerp, or KMSKA, features a
fantastic collection of works by the Flemish and
Dutch masters: Peter Paul Rubens, Jan van Eyck,
Anthony Van Dyck, Hans Memling, James Ensor
and many, many more. It is the largest museum in
Flanders and boasts a collection of over 8,000 works,
of which around 650 are on permanent display.
Over said 11 years, the KMSKA has undergone a
complete relaunch. The façade was fully restored
and given a new mosaic at the entrance, while a new,
impressive museum garden rounds off the overall
experience. The building’s four historic courtyards
were completely transformed to create a more modern
ambience. One of the highlights of the renewed
KMSKA is the Rubens Hall, where the altarpieces by
baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens are on display. A
tribute by the city of Antwerp to the most famous of
its sons.
But there is also plenty of room for many of Rubens’
best-known colleagues – James Ensor, for example.
He is considered one of the most important
Belgian artists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
and an innovator in several modernist movements.
The KMSKA houses the world’s largest collection
of his works. And this is rather fitting, for the
year 2024 is going to celebrate the master’s life and
work as part of an “Ensor Year” in Belgium, marking
the 75th anniversary of his death; exhibitions will
not only be held at the KMSKA, but also in Ensor’s
hometown of Ostend and, of course, in Brussels.
The new KMSKA isn’t the only reason to visit
Antwerp. Anyone with an interest in fashion is guaranteed
to be a fan of the “Antwerp Six”, the group of
fashion designers who revolutionised fashion in the
1980s with their avant-garde designs. Ann Demeulemeester,
Dries Van Noten and Walter Van Beirendonck
were and remain their most famous members.
Their works, as well as those of their
avant-garde Belgian colleagues, can be seen at the
MoMu, the fashion museum.
There is so much more to see and do in Antwerp:
Grote Markt, the Cathedral of Our Lady, Saint
Charles Borromeo Church, Antwerpen-Centraal
railway station, the Museum aan de Stroom, the alleys
and squares of the old town. A new landmark is
the Port Authority Building, the former fire station
in the old harbour, onto which architect Zaha Hadid
added a spectacular glass roof construction that
looks like an extraterrestrial flying object or a glittering
crystal.
One should keep in mind that for a good 250 years,
from the 15th to well into the late 17th century,
Flanders was one of the leading – if not the most important
– regions for the fine arts. It was the time of
the so-called Flemish masters. And their works can
be found everywhere here – in museums, of course,
but also in churches and palaces. The cities that art
enthusiasts have to visit are densely packed. Besides
Antwerp, these are above all Ghent and Bruges.
But in Flanders, it isn’t just art and culture enthusiasts
who will get their money’s worth. Flanders is
also a paradise for fine dining aficionados. Excellent
restaurants abound here, as do eccentric chocolatiers,
ultra-stylish hotels and avant-garde boutiques.
In Antwerp, for example, you’ll find “The Jane”, a
restaurant located inside the chapel of a former military
hospital, which impressively combines culinary
excellence with a fascinating ambience.
So, Flanders is very much worth a visit – especially
because of all the art and architecture. But, clearly, not
only because of the art and architecture.
PHOTOS: VISIT ANTWERP, HAVENHUIS ANTWERPEN | ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS
Zeitloser Klassiker: Das CEWE FOTOBUCH
Die Weihnachtszeit ist Erinnerungszeit und damit die perfekte
Gelegenheit, das Jahr Revue passieren zu lassen. War es die
gemeinsame Reise im Sommer, das unvergessliche Fest im
Kreise der Liebsten oder einfach kleine Augenblicke, die zu
großen Glücksmomenten wurden? Mit dem eigenen, individuellen
CEWE FOTOBUCH lassen sich all diese besonderen
Erinnerungen festhalten und verschenken. Kreative Designvorlagen
und eine große Auswahl an Layouts unterstützen
bei der Gestaltung. Veredelungen in Gold, Silber, Roségold
oder Effektlack sowie Cliparts und Schriftzüge sorgen für den
letzten Schliff. So erzählt jedes CEWE FOTOBUCH seine ganz
persönliche Geschichte.
Ein besonderer Blickfang ist das CEWE FOTOBUCH XL. Optional
gibt es dazu seit heuer einen stabilen, personalisierbaren
Schuber, derdas Innere des Buches schützt. Er bietet zudemnoch
mehr Platz und Raum für Kreativität. So lassen sich alle
gemeinsamen Glücksmomente auf den hochwertigen Seiten
verewigen.
Ein Geschenk für das ganze Jahr: Der CEWE Kalender
Ein Geschenk für die Lieblingsmenschen, das ein ganzes Jahr
lang Freude bereitet: Der persönliche CEWE Fotokalender
zaubert Monat für Monat ein Lächeln ins Gesicht der Beschenkten.
So schnell und einfach geht’s: Foto-Highlights des
Jahres auswählen und direkt in der CEWE Fotowelt App, auf
cewe-fotoservice.at oder über die kostenlose Bestellsoftware
gestalten. Ein persönliches Geschenk, das gleich mehrmals
für besondere Momente sorgt.
↑ Schuber für das
CEWE FOTOBUCH XL
Individuell gestaltet
Bestellen Sie Ihre persönlichen Fotoprodukte unter
cewe-fotoservice.at
154 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER
ACHENSEE
Das Tiroler Meer
The Tyrolean Sea
Text: Gerald Sturz
Eine Fahrt mit einem Heißluftballon
ermöglich tolle Ausblicke auf den See
und die ihn umgebende Gebirgslandschaft.
A hot air balloon ride offers great
views of the lake and the surrounding
mountain landscape.
Die Gegend rund um den Achensee in Tirol ist ein Winterparadies für Groß und Klein.
The region surrounding Lake Achen in Tyrol is a winter paradise for young and old.
Schnee und Eis.
Snow and ice.
PHOTOS: ACHENSEE TOURISMUS
Tirol ist bekannt, beliebt und geschätzt als Land
der Berge, als Land der Täler und der Gletscher.
Aber als Land der Seen? Nein, das ist
nichts, was man mit dem Bundesland assoziiert. Und
dennoch gibt es hier einen See, der zu den schönsten,
zu den romantischsten und zu den dramatischsten
Österreichs zählt: den Achensee. Nicht ohne Grund
gehört die Region zu den beliebtesten Urlaubszielen
im beliebten Urlaubsland Tirol.
Schon die Anfahrt kann sehr schön sein. Wer mit
dem Zug aus Wien kommt, der steigt im Inntal, im
Bahnhof Jenbach, in die historische Achenseebahn
um. Diese dampfbetriebene Zahnradbahn schnauft
dann Richtung Achensee hoch und legt dabei 400
Höhenmeter auf einer kurzen Strecke von 6,7 Kilometern
zurück. Und plötzlich liegt er vor einem. Der
Achensee. Tiefblau das Wasser, beeindruckend die
Bergkulisse, glorios das Panorama. Es ist kein kleiner
See. 720 Hektar groß, fast zehn Kilometer lang und
bis zu einem Kilometer breit. Die Einheimischen
nennen ihn gerne „Das Tiroler Meer“. Oder auch,
weil er auf allen Seiten von hohen Gebirgszügen
flankiert ist, „Tirols Fjord“.
Eine Reise zum Achensee ist wie ein Eintauchen
in eine intakte Welt. Die Natur wird hier zur atemberaubenden
Kulisse. Fünf Orte gruppieren sich um
den See: Achenkirch, Maurach, Pertisau, Steinberg
und Wiesing mit ihren rund 8.000 Einwohnern. Wer
im Winter kommt, findet abwechslungsreiche und
überschaubare Skigebiete, die sich vor allem perfekt
für Familien mit Kindern oder auch für Neu- und
Wiedereinsteiger eignen. Auch Carving-Freunde
und Snowboarder schätzen das Angebot. 28 Aufstiegshilfen
erschließen 53 Pistenkilometer bis in
eine Höhe von knapp 1.900 Metern.
Vor allem aber zählt die Region Achensee zu den
schönsten Langlaufgebieten in Österreich. Ein ausgedehntes
Loipennetz mit mehr als 200 Loipenkilometern,
perfekter Infrastruktur und viel Erfahrung
hat ihr den Ruf des „Langlaufzentrums Tirols“ eingebracht.
Darüber hinaus erstrecken sich rund um den
See mit dem Rofangebirge und dem Karawendel
zwei hervorragende Skitourengebiete.
Abseits der Pisten findet der Gast ein traumhaftes
Winterparadies für Groß und Klein: Gemütliches
Rodeln auf sechs Naturrodelbahnen, entspannte
Wanderungen auf 150 Kilometern geräumter Winterwanderwege,
eine Fahrt mit der Pferdekutsche
oder im Heißluftballon über den Achensee machen
die Ferien zu etwas ganz Besonderem.
Doch nicht nur im Winter ist die Region rund um
den Achensee ein Paradies für aktive Gäste. Über 50
Sportarten lassen sich in der Region das ganze Jahr
über betreiben – von anspruchsvollen Abenteuern
am Berg über Skifahren, Snowtubing und Winterreiten
bis hin zu Kitesurfen, Segeln, Genusswandern
und einer Schifffahrt über den See im Sommer.
Wellness spielt da auch eine große Rolle. Im
„Achensee – Tirols Sport & Vital Park“ werden ganzjährig
als Gesamtkonzept Schlafberatung und Aktivprogramme,
fernöstliche Entspannungs- und Meditationstechniken
angeboten. Eine große Rolle spielt
dabei das bewährte Tiroler Steinöl, ein fossiles Öl,
das nur am Achensee gewonnen und hier zu Pflegeprodukten
verarbeitet wird. Man nennt es auch: das
„dunkles Gold“. Durch den hohen Gehalt an natürlich
gebundenem Schwefel hat es nachweislich eine
wohltuende Wirkung auf Bewegungsapparat, Haut
und Haare.
Ein Erlebnis für die ganze Familie ist das „Atoll
Achensee“ in Maurach. Es bietet sowohl Erholung
als auch Abenteuer. Die über 6500 Quadratmeter
große Freizeitanlage punktet bei den Kleinen vor allem
mit den Fun- und Outdoor-Pools samt Strömungskanal,
Elefanten- und Reifenrutsche. Für die
Eltern ist Entspannung im Penthouse-Spa mit Infinity-Pool
und Saunalandschaft mit Berg- und Seeblick
angesagt. Im Winter gibt es neben der Atoll-Freizeitanlage
direkt am See einen Eislaufplatz. Tagsüber
wird hier Eisstockschießen gespielt und werden Pirouetten
gedreht.
Es gibt also eine gewaltige Menge an Argumenten,
die für einen Urlaub am Achensee sprechen.
Egal ob im Winter oder im Sommer. Bleibt uns noch,
darauf hinzuweisen, dass eine sehr hochwertige Hotellerie
den Aufenthalt besonders angenehm macht.
33 Hotels gibt es rund um den See, die zumindest
vier Sterne, wenn nicht gar fünf Sterne haben, darüber
hinaus viele weitere ausgezeichnete Hotels, Gasthöfe,
Pensionen, Privatzimmer und Ferienwohnungen.
Und damit auch die Kulinarik nicht zu kurz
kommt: über 60 Restaurants befinden sich in der
Gegend und sie sorgen dafür, dass auch alle lukullischen
Wünsche ihre Erfüllung finden.
Alpine Skiabfahrten, Ausflüge mit
einem Pferdeschlitten und Schneewanderungen
- all das bietet die Region um
den Achensee.
Alpine ski runs, excursions on a horsedrawn
sleigh and snow hikes - the region
around Lake Achen offers all this.
Es ist ein Traum, mit einem Kayak
auf dem stillen Wasser des Achensees
durch ein Winterwunderland zu
gleiten.
It‘s a dream to glide through a winter
wonderland on the still waters of Lake
Achen in a kayak.
156 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 157

SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER
A place as unique
as precious.
Der Achensee gilt zu Recht
als das Langlaufzentrum
Tirols. Und nach dem Sport
geht es zur Entspannung in
die Sauna.
Lake Achen is rightly
considered the cross-country
skiing centre of Tyrol. And
after the sport you can relax
in the sauna.
Tyrol is known, loved and appreciated as the
land of mountains, valleys and glaciers. But
as the land of lakes? No, that isn’t something
one would associate with the Austrian province.
And still, there is a lake here that is one of the most
beautiful, romantic and dramatic in all of Austria:
Lake Achen. It is not without reason that the region
is one of the most popular holiday destinations in
Tyrol.
The arrival journey itself is a sight to behold.
Those coming by train from Vienna can change at
Jenbach railway station and transfer to the historic
Achensee Railway. This steam-powered rack railway
huffs and puffs its way up, covering 400 metres in
altitude over a short distance of 6.7 kilometres. And
then, suddenly, there it is right in front of you – Lake
Achen. The water is deep blue, the mountainscape
stunning and the panorama glorious. It’s not a small
lake. It spans 720 hectares, is nearly 10 kilometres
long and up to one kilometre wide. The locals like to
call it their “Tyrolean Sea”. Or, because it is flanked
on all sides by tall mountains, they also call it
“Tyrol’s Fjord”.
A trip to Lake Achen is like immersing yourself
in an unspoilt paradise where nature turns into a
breathtaking backdrop. Five municipalities congregate
around the lake: Achenkirch, Maurach, Pertisau,
Steinberg and Wiesing, with a total population
of approximately 8,000 inhabitants. Those coming
during winter will find varied and straightforward
ski resorts that are especially suitable for families
with children and novices.
Above all, the region surrounding Lake Achen is
also one of the best cross-country skiing destinations
in Austria. An extensive cross-country skiing
network that’s more than 200 kilometres long, excellent
infrastructure and lots of fun experiences to be
had have earned it the reputation of being Tyrol’s
cross-country skiing hub. In addition, there are two
excellent ski touring areas, the Rofan mountains and
the Karwendel mountain range.
Off the pistes, visitors will find a brilliant winter
paradise for young and old: from leisurely tobogganing
on six natural toboggan runs, relaxing hikes on
150 kilometres of cleared winter hiking trails and
horse-drawn carriage rides to hot air balloon flights
over Lake Achen, activities like these will make any
visit here truly memorable.
But the Lake Achen region isn’t just a paradise for
sports enthusiasts over the winter. More than 50 dif-
Wer sich dieses Foto ansieht, wird verstehen, warum der
Achensee eines der beliebtesten Ferienziele Österreichs ist.
Anyone looking at this photo will understand why Lake Achen is
one of Austria‘s most popular holiday destinations.
ferent types of sport can be practiced in the region
all year round – from challenging mountain adventures
to skiing, snowtubing and winter riding to kitesurfing,
sailing, hiking and boat trips across the
lake in the summer.
Wellness is very important around here, too. At
“Achensee – Tirols Sport & Vital Park”, sleep counselling,
various activity programmes and Eastern
relaxation and meditation techniques are on offer all
year round. The tried and tested Tyrolean stone oil,
a fossil oil that can only be extracted at Lake Achen
and is processed into care products locally, also
plays a key role in this. It’s also called “dark gold”.
Thanks to its high content of organically bound
sulphur, it has a proven effect on the musculoskeletal
system, skin and hair.
The “Atoll Achensee” aquatic centre in Maurach is
an experience for the entire family. It offers relaxation
and adventures alike. The 6,500-square-metre leisure
complex is especially popular with the little ones because
of the fun and outdoor pools which feature a
current canal as well as an elephant and a tyre slide.
Parents can escape the hustle and bustle by checking
into the Penthouse Spa which includes an infinity
pool and a sauna area with mountain and lake views.
Over the winter, there is an ice-skating rink right
next to the leisure complex on the lake. During the
day, people play curling and make pirouettes.
So, there are really a lot of reasons for a holiday
on Lake Achen – both during winter and summer.
Additionally, we can’t pass at pointing out the highquality
hotels in the area which will make a visit especially
pleasant. There are 33 hotels around the
lake that have at least 4 if not 5 stars, as well as many
other excellent hotels, inns, guesthouses, private
rooms and holiday apartments. And to make sure
that the culinary offer gets a mention as well: There
are more than 60 restaurants in the area – more than
enough to satisfy even the most demanding of
epicureans.
PHOTOS: ACHENSEE TOURISMUS
Be inspired and discover your very own winter pole position with
exclusive SKI.IN-SKI.OUT. Enjoy your winter holidays at the
adults only hotel at lake Achensee in Tyrol.
INFO:
Achensee Tourismus
achensee.com
daskronthaler.com
158 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE UPCOMING
Wo es uns gefällt | Where we love to be
Ideen für eine Auszeit | Ideas for a time-out
Text: Daniela Pötzl
NEUES WASSER-HIGHLIGHT | NEW WATER HIGHLIGHT
Auszeit mit Weitblick | Time out with a view
Im Herzen des Pinzgaus lädt das Priesteregg Premium ECO Resort
zum Wohlfühlen und Genießen ein. Harmonisch fügen sich die 18
Chalets und Villen sowie Huwi’s Alm in die umliegende Landschaft
ein. Exquisiter Wohnkomfort trifft dort auf absolute Privatsphäre.
Wellness mit Wow-Faktor genießen Gäste im Priesteregg, das mit
seinem Himmelbecken einen beeindruckenden Alpenblick
verspricht. Das neueste Highlight seit Ende November 2022 ist die
Villa Wossa, die sich ganz dem Thema Wasser widmet. Dicht
umwachsen von üppigen Gräsern und Schilf, befindet sich die Villa
am Fuße eines 500 m2 großen Biotops mit integriertem,
beheizbarem Infinitypool.
In the heart of the Pinzgau region, the Priesteregg Premium ECO
Resort invites you to feel good and enjoy. The 18 chalets and villas
as well as Huwi‘s Alm blend harmoniously into the surrounding
landscape. Exquisite living comfort meets absolute privacy.
Guests can enjoy wellness with the wow factor at Priesteregg,
which promises an impressive view of the Alps with its sky pool.
The latest highlight since the end of November 2022 is Villa
Wossa, which is entirely dedicated to the theme of water. Closely
surrounded by lush grasses and reeds, the villa is located at the
foot of a 500 m2 biotope with an integrated, heatable infinity
pool. priesteregg.at
PHOTOS: GÜNTER STANDL
ALPENGLÜCK DIREKT AM SEEUFER!
Im Travel Charme Fürstenhaus am Achensee erleben die Gäste eine aufregende Welt zwischen
See und Bergkulisse. Das Vier-Sterne-Superiror-Hotel direkt am Seeufer überzeugt nicht nur durch
seine ausgezeichnete Lage. Das 3.000 m² große PURIA Spa verspricht nachhaltige Regeneration
für Körper und Geist. Besondere Highlights sind die Panorama-Seeblicksauna, der Whirlpool direkt
am Seeufer und das ganzheitliche Angebot an Massagen und Anwendungen. Wen der große oder
kleine Hunger überkommt, der erlebt im Fürstenhaus am Achensee eine kulinarische Reise durch
die Region. Im Restaurant Laurentius werden Regionalität und Tiroler Gastfreundschaft ganz groß
geschrieben. Ein Cocktail in der Lounge Furisto bietet den perfekten Tagesabschluss.
Informationen und Buchungen unter:
+43 5243 / 5442-0
fuerstenhaus@travelcharme.com
Reservierungshotline: +43 5243 / 5442-678
www.travelcharme.com/hotels/
fuerstenhaus-am-achensee
Travel Charme Fürstenhaus am Achensee
Seepromenade 26, A-6213 Pertisau am Achensee
160 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

SAVOIR VIVRE UPCOMING
URLAUBSERLEBNIS | HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE
Feriendorf mit Familienvergnügen | Holiday village with
family fun
Der ideale Ort für Familien im Winter: Im Narzissendorf Zloam kann man gemeinsam Spaß
haben, sporteln und das Ausseer Land genießen. Vom Skilift geht es im Narzissendorf direkt
bis zur Rodelstrecke, von der Eishalle und dem Natureisplatz über die Holz- & Kreativwerkstatt
bis zur Pferderanch bietet das Narzissendorf Zloam seinen großen und kleinen Gästen
ein unvergleichliches Urlaubserlebnis. Von der Kleinfamilie bis zum Freunde- oder Generationenurlaub
mit bis zu zwölf Personen findet hier jeder sein passendes Haus.
The ideal place for families in winter: In the Narzissendorf Zloam you can have fun
together, play sports and enjoy the Ausseer Land. From the ski lift to the toboggan run,
from the ice rink and the natural ice rink to the wood & creative workshop and the horse
ranch, the Narzissendorf Zloam offers its big and small guests an incomparable holiday
experience. From a small family to a holiday for friends or generations with up to twelve
people, everyone will find a suitable house here.
zloam.at
FÜR ERWACHSENE | FOR ADULTS
Loslassen und neue Kraft tanken | Let go and recharge your
batteries
Das innovative 4-Sterne Superior-Thermalhotel Fontana für Erwachsene in Bad Radkersburg
begeistert mit seinem umfassenden Gesundheits-Angebot und seinem Team, das sich mit
großer Freude um das Wohl seiner Kur- und Privatgäste gleichermaßen kümmert. 111 Grand
Lit-Zimmer, 45 Doppelzimmer und 2 Junior-Suiten, fast alle mit Balkon oder Terrasse,
sorgen für entspannten Schlaf. Ein Innen- und Außenbecken mit einer Wasserfläche von
jeweils 150 m2 – gefüllt mit Thermalwasser – kann man ebenso genießen wie die
umfangreiche Saunawelt im In- und Outdoor-Bereich mit 450 m2 auf zwei Ebenen. Die
neue Sauna-Lodge mit sechs Einzelkabinen für maximal zwei Personen ist ein besonderes
Highlight.
The innovative 4-star superior thermal hotel Fontana for adults in Bad Radkersburg
delights with its comprehensive health offer and its team, which takes great pleasure in
looking after the well-being of its spa and private guests alike. 111 Grand Lit rooms, 45
double rooms and 2 junior suites, almost all with balcony or terrace, ensure relaxed
sleep. An indoor and outdoor pool with a water surface of 150 m2 each - filled with
thermal water - can be enjoyed as well as the extensive sauna world in the indoor and
outdoor area with 450 m2 on two levels. The new sauna lodge with six single cabins for
maximum two persons is a special highlight.
hotelfontana.at
OUTDOOR-GENUSS | OUTDOOR PLEASURE
Neue Pool Luxury Lodge | New Pool Luxury Lodge
Seit Dezember 2022 wird Luxus im Bergdorf Prechtlgut noch einmal neu
definiert: Denn nun ist die zweistöckige Pool Luxury Lodge mit drei
Schlafzimmern und zwei Schlafemporen fertiggestellt – mit 140 m2 Wohnfläche,
eigenem Garten und privatem, 14×4 Meter großem, ganzjährig auf 34
Grad Celsius beheiztem Infinity Edelstahl Outdoor-Pool samt Liegebereich.
Der Innenbereich ist geprägt von Naturstein, Alt- und Zirbenholz, Leder,
Loden und Leinen. Ein weiteres Highlight ist das private Alm-Spa (Spa Award
2022 auf relax-guide.com) mit Sauna-Dampf-Infrarotkabine, Panoramawanne,
Rainforest-Dusche und Hot Tub auf der Terrasse.
Since December 2022, luxury has been redefined once again in the
mountain village of Prechtlgut: The two-storey Pool Luxury Lodge with
three bedrooms and two sleeping lounges has now been completed - with
140 m2 of living space, its own garden and a private 14×4 metre infinity
stainless steel outdoor pool heated to 34 degrees Celsius all year round,
complete with sunbathing area. The interior is characterised by natural
stone, old and Swiss stone pine wood, leather, loden and linen. Another
highlight is the private alpine spa (Spa Award 2022 on relax-guide.com)
with sauna-steam-infrared cabin, panoramic tub, rainforest shower and
hot tub on the terrace. prechtlgut.at
AUSFLUGSZIEL | EXCURSION DESTINATION
Im magischen Lichterpark | In the magical park
of lights
REDISCOVER WIENER NEUSTADT
Bis 8. Jänner 2023 ist „Lumagica“ im Golfclub Murhof bei Frohnleiten
geöffnet. Der 1,5 km lange Rundweg führt durch ein idyllisches Ambiente,
über Wiesen und Felder durch kleine Wälder vorbei an zwei Seen bis zu
einer kleinen Kapelle, gesäumt von leuchtenden Waldbewohnern und
majestätischen übergroßen Figuren. Interaktive Lichtinszenierungen laden
zum Verweilen und Mitmachen ein und entführen Groß und Klein für rund
eineinhalb Stunden in eine magische Welt mit mehr als 300 Lichtobjekten
mit stimmigem Musikkonzept.
“Lumagica“ at Murhof Golf Club near Frohnleiten will be open until 8
January 2023. The 1.5 km long circular path leads through an idyllic
ambience, across meadows and fields through small forests past two
lakes to a small chapel, lined with glowing forest creatures and majestic
oversized figures. Interactive light shows invite visitors to linger and
join in, transporting young and old for around one and a half hours into
a magical world with more than 300 light objects, accompanied by a
harmonious musical concept.
lumagica.at
HOLISTISCHER ANSATZ | HOLISTIC APPROACH
Einklang von Körper und Geist | Harmony of body and mind
Im idyllischen Bad Waltersdorf bringt Christina Mauracher, Hotelbesitzerin und Pionierin des
„Holistic Ayurveda“, im Ayurveda Resort Mandira den Einklang von Körper und Geist zur
Entfaltung, indem sie jahrtausendealtes Wissen aus Indien mit schul- und komplementärmedizinischen
Methoden ergänzt. Mitten im Steirischen Hügelland kann man hier das
Immunsystem stärken und seelisch wie körperlich wieder in Balance kommen. Durch die
besondere Kombination der regenerierenden Kraft des Thermalwassers und der harmonisierenden
Wirkung von Yoga, kann der Gast bei entschlackenden und regenerierenden Kuren
Vitalität und Energie neu erleben. Kulinarische Köstlichkeiten – sowohl steirisch-frische
Lebensfreude-Küche als auch ayurvedische Ernährung – unterstützen dabei.
In the idyllic Bad Waltersdorf, Christina Mauracher, hotel owner and pioneer of “Holistic
Ayurveda“, brings the harmony of body and mind to fruition in the Ayurveda Resort
Mandira by supplementing millennia-old knowledge from India with conventional and
complementary medical methods. In the middle of the Styrian Hills, you can strengthen
your immune system here and regain your mental and physical balance. Through the
special combination of the regenerating power of the thermal water and the harmonising
effect of yoga, guests can experience vitality and energy anew during purifying and
regenerating cures. Culinary delicacies - both Styrian-fresh joie de vivre cuisine and
Ayurvedic nutrition - support this.
mandira-ayurveda.at
PHOTOS: WWW.HUBER-FOTOGRAFIE.AT, LUMAGICA, BARBARA MAJCAN, BEIGESTELLT
from
€ 199 50
per person
A Weekend in
Wiener Neustadt
CULTURE AND CUISINE FOR CONNOISSEURS
» 3 days/2 nights including breakfast at Hotel Zentral ***,
Hilton Garden Inn **** or Le Parc ****
» 2 tickets for the Museum St. Peter an der Sperr, the casemates,
the military academy and the historical city walk
» 3-course meal for 2 (excl. drinks)
at the „Altes Backhaus“ and the „Einhorn“
» Souvenir of Wiener Neustadt
CONTACT AND INFORMATION
+432622373934
tourismus@wiener-neustadt.at
www.tourismus-wn.at/packages
Photos © Red Bull Mediahouse / Christian Kremser / Busy Shutters
162 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
163

SAVOIR VIVRE MY AUSTRIA
H.E. Lindsay Skoll
Botschafterin des Vereinigten Königreichs Großbritannien und Nordirland | Ambassador of the United Kingdom Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Interview: Daniela Pötzl Photos: Ralph Manfreda
Sie haben Ihren Posten als Botschafterin im November 2021
angetreten. Welche Bundesländer haben Sie bereits besucht?
Es ist ein absolutes Privileg, in einem so schönen Land arbeiten zu
dürfen. Ich hatte das Glück, fast alle Bundesländer zu besuchen und
bis nach Bregenz zu reisen, und ich habe es geliebt, die regionalen
Unterschiede bezüglich Dialekt, Landschaft, Essen und Geschichte
aus erster Hand zu erfahren. Da ich in den schottischen Highlands
aufgewachsen bin, fühle ich mich jedes Mal, wenn ich Berge und
Seen sehe, „wie zu Hause“. Ein echtes Zuhause vom Zuhause!
Gibt es viele britische Staatsbürger, die in Österreich leben
– wie groß ist die Gemeinschaft?
Rund 12.000 Briten haben Österreich zu ihrer Heimat gemacht. Nach
dem Brexit mussten die meisten von ihnen neue Aufenthaltsdokumente
beantragen, aber wir sind der österreichischen Regierung dankbar, dass
dieser Prozess so reibungslos verlief. Zusätzlich zu den ständigen
Einwohnern gibt es jedes Jahr etwa 1 Million britische Besucher, vor
allem während der Wintersaison..
Wie sind die bilateralen Beziehungen zwischen unseren
beiden Ländern, auch in wirtschaftlicher Hinsicht?
Lebendig, gesund und stark. Österreich und das Vereinigte Königreich
haben vieles gemeinsam – insbesondere unsere Werte. Wir arbeiten
bei so vielen globalen Herausforderungen konstruktiv zusammen, von
der Terrorismusbekämpfung bis zum Klimawandel, von der illegalen
Migration bis zur Religionsfreiheit, von der Sicherheit von
Journalisten bis zur geschlechtsspezifischen Gewalt. Besonders
wichtig ist, dass wir uns gemeinsam gegen den unprovozierten und
abscheulichen russischen Krieg in der Ukraine und für die Unterstützung
der ukrainischen Bevölkerung einsetzen. Darüber hinaus,
engagieren wir uns beide für die Förderung der akademischen
Beziehungen und Forschungsbeziehungen, des bilateralen Handels
und der Investitionen, die Unterstützung und Stabilisierung der
westlichen Balkanregion und die Würdigung der reichen Vielfalt
unserer beiden „kulturellen Supermächte“.
Sie sprechen verschiedene Sprachen. Welche deutschen
Wörter sind Ihre Lieblingswörter?
Ich habe in der Schule angefangen, Deutsch zu lernen, und es hat
Spaß gemacht, einen österreichischen Akzent und Wiener
Redewendungen zu lernen! Meine Lieblingssprüche sind: „Passt
scho“ und „Schau ma mal“. Ich habe an der Universität Russisch
studiert und spreche auch Japanisch, Französisch und etwas Spanisch
und Koreanisch.
Welchen Aktivitäten gehen Sie in Ihrer Freizeit nach?
Leider habe ich nicht oft die Gelegenheit, meiner größten Leidenschaft
nachzugehen – dem Reiten, aber ich liebe lange Spaziergänge
mit meinem kleinen Dackel Dave. Ansonsten bin ich ein echter
„Kulturfan“. Opern-, Konzert- und Theaterbesuche sowie Klavierspielen
sind für mich der beste Weg, um nach einer langen Arbeitswoche
abzuschalten. Und dann ist da natürlich noch all das fabelhafte
österreichische Essen und der Wein... himmlisch!
You started your post in Vienna in November 2021. Which
provinces of Austria have you already visited?
It is an absolute privilege to be serving in so beautiful a country. I’ve
been fortunate to visit nearly all of the Bundesländer, travelling as far
as Bregenz, and have loved experiencing first-hand the regional
variations of dialect, scenery, food and history. Having grown up in
the Scottish highlands, whenever I see mountains and lakes I feel
“wie zu Hause”. A true home from home!
Are there many British citizens living in Austria – how big is the
community?
Around 12,000 Brits have made Austria their home. Following Brexit
most of them had to apply for new residency documents, but we are
grateful to the Austrian government for ensuring that process ran
very smoothly. In addition to permanent residents, there are around 1
million British visitors every year, mostly during the winter season.
How are the bilateral relations between our two countries, also
economy wise?
Vibrant, healthy and strong. Austria and the UK share much in
common – in particular our values. We are working constructively
together on so many global challenges, from counter-terrorism to
climate change; illegal migration to the freedom of religion; and from
the safety of journalists to gender-based violence. Crucially, we stand
united against the unprovoked and heinous Russian war in Ukraine
and in supporting its people. We are also both committed to
furthering academic and research links, bilateral trade and
investment, supporting and stabilising the Western Balkans region,
and celebrating the rich diversity of our two “cultural superpower”
countries.
You speak various languages. Which German words are your
favourite?
I started learning German at school, and it’s been fun to pick up an
Austrian accent and Viennese sayings! My favourite ones are: “Passt
scho” and “Schau ma mal”. I studied Russian at university and also
speak Japanese, French and some Spanish and Korean.
What activities do you indulge in during your free time?
Sadly I don’t often get the opportunity for my number one passion
– horse riding, but I love long walks with my little Dackel Dave. Other
than that I am a real “culture vulture”, so going to the opera, concerts,
theatre and playing the piano is the best way for me to unwind after
a long work week. And then of course is all the fabulous Austrian
food and wine… Heaven!
PERSONAL DETAILS
H.E. Lindsay Skol wurde 1970 geboren und besuchte die Universität von Nottingham, die sie 1992 mit einem BA in Geschichte und
Russisch abschloss. Von 2017 bis 2020 war sie als Gesandte und Stellvertretende Leiterin der Gesandtschaft in Moskau tätig. Sie ist
verheiratet und Mutter dreier Kinder.
H.E. Lindsay Skoll was born in 1970 and graduated in 1992 with a BA in History and Russian from the University in Nottingham. She
served as Minister and Deputy Head of Mission in Moscow from 2017 to 2020. She is married and the mother of three children.
164 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 165

Dozent Dr. Johannes Matiasek
Beauty doc and specialist for plastic, reconstructive &
aesthetic surgery in Vienna and Schladming
His areas of expertise include minimally invasive treatments such as filiere, thread and vampire
lifts, as well as surgical eyelid lifts, breast corrections and the entire ränge of body
contouring. He also specialises in the treatment of lipoedema. Always as per the following
principle: Defining and preserving natural beauty.
For the treatment of local fat deposits, Dr Matiasek öfters „Cryolipolysis“, a non-invasive body sculpting
treatment in which fat cells are frozen and destroyed through medical cooling, a method developed
by Harvard Medical School. In addition to aesthetic treatments and procedures, Dr Matiasek
also performs hand surgeries and tumour removals in the facial area.
A RADIANT START INTO A NEW YEAR
An eyelid lift can turn the clock back by years
Over time, our natural aging process, coupled
with a not so healthy lifestyle, can
cause our eyelids to sag and droop. Bags
and circles Start to form under our eyes.
We constantly look tired and exhausted -
and worst of all, we look years older than
we really need to.
Dozent Dr Johannes Matiasek, beauty doc &
specialist for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic
surgery in Vienna and Schladming has
years of experience when it comes to eyelid
lift surgeries, both for the upper
and lower eyelids. „The prerequisite for a
successful eyelid lift is a precise analysis of
the tissue structure. Only then can the eyelids
be gently adjusted to open up one s
gaze again and allow for a very natural radiance,“
says Matiasek.
Upper eyelid lift
In an upper eyelid lift, an incision is made
directly in the fold of the eyelid, so that the
scar is barely visible later on. In addition to
the removal of excess skin and excess fatty
tissue, an inner brow lift may also be useful
to achieve an optimal result. The 45-minute
procedure is performed on an outpatient
basis under a local anaesthetic or in twilight
sleep. Stitches are removed after six to seven
days, and the result lasts up to 10 years.
Lower eyelid lift
There are two methods available for lower
eyelid lifting. If the lower eyelid is only
affected by an excess of fatty tissue then a
non-scarring procedure is performed transconjunctivally
through an incision in the inner
mucosa. If there is also significant skin and
muscle laxity, the incision is made in the area
of the eyelash line so that the scar is hidden
underneath the eyelashes. Downtime following
the approximately 90-minute procedure
is one to two weeks. The long-lasting
result, however, turns the clock back by years.
Facelift
A facelift helps with overall facial rejuvenation,
where the skin of the face, forehead and
neck is also made smoother.
Dozent Dr. Johannes Matiasek
Specialist for plastic, reconstructive &
aesthetic surgery
1010 Wien I Kärntner Ring 14/13 (top floor)
8971 Schladming I Europaplatz 585 (1st floor)
Phone: +43 1 997 1532
www.drmatiasek.at
LES REN-
DEZVOUS
EIN RÜCKBLICK AUF
GESELLSCHAFTLICHE
EREIGNISSE DER
JÜNGSTEN
VERGANGENHEIT.
A REVIEW OF SOCIAL
EVENTS OF THE RECENT
PAST.
ENTGELTLICHE EINSCHALTUNG

LES RENDEZVOUS EVENTS
Popping of Flashbulbs
Find more
photos online
cercle-diplomatique.com
September 2022
The PaN Prize Lower Austria was awarded to the Austrian-Slovak
Society at the Congress Casino Baden.
September 2022
Under the title “...also colourful? | ...prav tako barvita?“ artists from Lower Austria and
Slovenia were exhibiting at the ecoplus premises in Palais Niederösterreich.
ecoplus Managing Director Helmut Miernicki
(left) opened the ecoart special exhibition
together with former Governor Erwin Pröll,
Honorary Consul of Slovenia.
Very top, left: H.E. Provincial Councillor
Martin Eichtinger (2nd right),
President of the European Forum
Wachau, and PaN President Hermann
Mückler (2nd left) presented the newly
endowed PaN Award of the Province of
Lower Austria to Federal Minister (ret.)
Werner Fasslabend (very left),
President of the Austrian-Slovak
Society, and Ambassador (ret.)
Maximilian Pammer (very right), its
Executive Vice President. The
ceremony was attended by H.E. Peter
Mišík, Ambassador of the Slovak
Republic to Austria.
September 2022
Major General Erwin Hameseder was awarded the highest military distinction of the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Left: H.E. Günther Granser (very right), Permanent
Representative of the Sovereign Order of Malta,
hosted a reception on the occasion of the presentation
of the Order to the Militia Commissioner of the
Austrian Armed Forces and Advocate General of the
Raiffeisen Association, President and Major General
Erwin Hameseder (middle) with Rudolf Striedinger,
the new Chief of Staff. He was awarded the highest
military distinction of the Sovereign Order of Malta
in the rank of Grand Officer with Swords for his
special civilian and military services.
PHOTOS: EFW/BOLLWEIN
PHOTOS: ELEPHANTANDPORCELAIN - DANIEL PRIETO TALADRID
PHOTOS: MENTORY CLUB PHOTOS: JANA MADZIGON
October 2022
Happy Birthday - the Mentory Club turned 15 years!
Right: H.E. Aleksander Geržina, Ambassador of
Slovenia to Austria
On the occasion of the 15th birthday of the Mentory Club,
former Federal Minister Maria Rauch-Kallat (left picture, to
the right), pictured here with Doris Schmidauer, spouse of
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, invited to a
special club evening with a panel discussion on the topic
“Time is a strange thing“.
With a breathtaking view at the Raiffeisen Bank International
- Sky Conference, Henrietta Egerth-Stadlhuber, Nina Kaiser,
Karin Meier-Martetschläger and Elisabeth Geyer-Schall shared
their extensive experiences as businesswomen in top
positions in a career talk with Maria Rauch-Kallat.
168 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Paul Pasquali, Executive Director Group European and Public
Affairs Raiffeisen Bank International AG (above, middle)
Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022 169

LES RENDEZVOUS EVENTS
A
A
Event
Event
October 2022
CD and Alexander Lahmer, Managing Director of Rosewood Vienna, invited Personal Assistants
and Protocol Officers to an exclusive dinner at the newly opened Rosewood Vienna.
Managing Director
Alexander Lahmer (right)
October 2022
Cercle Diplomatique invited together with the Burghauptmannschaft of Austria and Henkell Freixenet to a
special “Backstage Tour“ of the Hofburg under the motto “From the attic to the basement“.
Burghauptmann Reinhold Sahl (pictured in front in the middle) personally
guided the group of ambassadors not only into the cellar vaults under the
Hofburg, but the group was also able to go up into the attic and onto the roof,
from where they had a fantastic view of Michaelerplatz and Kohlmarkt. This
interesting tour was rounded off by a small reception with the original Vienna
Hofburg sparkling wine from Henkell Freixenet.
After a guided tour of the hotel, the guests
were able to fortify themselves with
oysters, caviar and other specialities from
the brasserie and rooftop bar “Neue Hoheit“
and enjoy the beautiful ambience for a cosy
get-together.
PHOTOS: KURT PATZAK
PHOTOS:: PHILIPP HUTTER
170 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022

LES RENDEZVOUS EVENTS
October 2022
Member of Parliament Reinhard Eugen Bösch invited to the annual
reception of the National Defence Commission.
November 2022
Deputy Head of Mission Emma Baines invited to the traditional „Bonfire
Night Reception“ at the Ambassador‘s Residence.
Left: H.E. Lindsay Skoll with her pet,
Dave the dachshund.
Below: Deputy Head of Mission Emma
Baines
Above: Member of Parliament Reinhard Eugen Bösch (very right)
asked on the occasion of his retirement as chairman of the National
Defence Committee and the birthday of Cav. Marco Mercuri (very left)
to a reception for diplomats and military personnel in the Hall of Fame
of the Museum of Military History, pictured here with Andrea
Fürnweger (2nd left) with her spouse Peter (2nd right).
PHOTOS: PHILIPP HUTTER
PHOTOS: PHILIPP HUTTER
November 2022
Welcome Lunch of the new Ambassadors at Patara - Fine Thai Cuisine
A
Event
October 2022
The Natural History Museum Vienna and the Embassy of the Netherlands invited to the presentation of a Mars meteorite.
Left: Director General Katrin Vohland
(middle), Ludovic Ferrière from the NHM
(very left), the donor of the “Meteorite
NWA 12323“ Ben Hoefnagels (2nd right)
and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands, H.E. Aldrik Gierveld
(very right).
Andrea Fürnweger and Alexander Bursky (below, 2nd right and
third left), the publishers of Cercle Diplomatique, invited the
newly accredited Ambassadors in Austria to the traditional
“Ambassadors‘ Lunch“ at the renowned restaurant at
Petersplatz. Getting to know each other in an informal
atmosphere as well as excellent Thai cuisine in one of the best
Thai restaurants in the city, were the focus of this meal.
PHOTOS: NHM
PHOTOS: PHLIPP HUTTER
172 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
The Natural History Museum
Vienna houses the largest and
oldest meteorite exhibition in the
world with more than 1,100
meteorite pieces on display.
Right: Yury Revich provided the
musical accompaniment.

LES RENDEZVOUS EVENTS
VOLLELEKTRISCH
IN DIE ZUKUNFT.
October 2022
The PaN prize 2022 of the Federal Ministry for European and International
Affairs went to the Austrian-Ukrainian Society.
The ceremony was opened by H.E. Teresa Indjein, Head of the Section for
International Cultural Relations; on behalf of the Embassy of Ukraine,
Envoy Vadym Kovalevskyi expressed his thanks. The laudatory speech
was held by PaN President Hermann Mückler, the acceptance speech by
Alois Woldan, President of the Austrian-Ukrainian Society.
The Ukrainian opera singer Zoryana Kushpler, accompanied by Iryna
Nikolayeva, provided the musical framework.
PHOTOS: PAN/WOLFGANG VOGLHUBER
October 2022
The Austrian Belgian Society visited the Dorotheum for a house tour and a preview of the autumn auctions.
The Dorotheum Vienna and the Board of the Austrian
Belgian Society invited members and friends of the
Society, as well as diplomats of the Belgian Embassy
and the IAEA to an exclusive house tour and preview
of the autumn auctions at the Palais Dorotheum.
After the guided tours, Karin Saey, Prokurist (Head of
Trading) gave a reception for the guests.
Left: Bruno Demol (middle), President of the Austrian
Belgian Society, and Brigitte Beidinger (right), Vice
President of the Austrian Belgian Society.
PHOTOS: DOROTHEUM JUWELIER
ab EUR
61.900,– **
**
VORSTEUER-
ABZUGS-
BERECHTIGT! ***
SO EINFACH WIE DAS AUFLADEN IHRES SMARTPHONES
Das erste vollelektrische SUV von Ford wird Sie mit seinem revolutionären Design,
wegweisenden Technologien und einer maximalen elektrischen Reichweite von
bis zu 610 km * begeistern.
* Gemäß Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) können bis zu 610 km Reichweite bei voll aufgeladener Batterie erreicht werden
– je nach vorhandener Konfiguration und gegen Aufpreis. Die tatsächliche Reichweite kann aufgrund unterschiedlicher Faktoren (Wetterbedingungen,
Fahrverhalten, Fahrzeugzustand, Alter der Lithium-Ionen-Batterie) variieren. ** Unverbindlich empfohlener, nicht kartellierter Listenpreis inkl. USt, NoVA und
2 Jahre Garantie (beginnend mit Auslieferungsdatum), unbegrenzte Kilometer. Auf Batterie und Hochvoltkomponenten 8 Jahre, unbegrenzte Kilometer.
*** Für nähere Informationen zur Vorsteuer wenden Sie sich bitte an Ihren Steuerberater.
MUSTANG
MACH-E
Ihr MVC MOTORS Verkaufsteam berät Sie gerne!
www.mvcmotors.at
174 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Brünner Straße 66
1210 Wien
Simmeringer Hauptstraße 261
1110 Wien
Guldengasse 1A
1140 Wien
Wiener Straße 152
2345 Brunn am Gebirge

SAVOIR VIVRE
ETIQUETTE
202021021
Österreichisches Kulturgut Wein | Wine – an Austrian cultural asset
Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer, Leiter der Tanzschule Elmayer in Wien | Head of the Elmayer Dance School
Interview: Daniela Pötzl
IMPRESSUM
Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer
studierte Wirtschaftswissenschaften
in Wien und St.
Gallen mit Abschluss als lic.
oec. HSG. Danach war er 17
Jahre lang in leitenden Funktionen
bei internationalen
Industriekonzernen tätig.
Seit 1987 leitet er in dritter
Generation die Tanzschule
Willy Elmayer-Vestenbrugg
in Wien. Er ist Autor von 9
Büchern zum Thema
Etikette. Zuletzt 2018
erschien sein Ratgeber „Der
große Elmayer“ im ecowin
Verlag. In seinen Seminaren
in Business Etikette schöpft
er aus seiner internationalen,
jahrzehntelangen
Berufspraxis in Industrieund
Dienstleistungsunternehmen.
studied economics in Vienna
and St. Gallen, graduating as
lic.oec. HSG. Afterwards, he
worked in leading positions
at various multinational
industrial groups for 17 years.
Since, 1987, he has been the
third-generation head of the
Elmayer Dance School in
Vienna. He is the author of
nine books on the subject of
etiquette. In his seminars on
business etiquette, he draws
from his long, international
experience of working at
major firms.
etikette.at
elmayer.at
176 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
Rund 11.000 aktive Weinbaubetriebe bescheren uns gute Tropfen.
Around 11,000 active wine-growing businesses in Austria provide us with the finest wines.
CD: Wein ist ein Teil unserer Kultur in Österreich, das laut
der Österreich Wein Marketing GmbH hervorragende
Lagen für international bekannte Sorten bietet.
Schäfer-Elmayer: Österreich ist ein traditionelles
Weißweinland, mit Sorten wie dem Grünen Veltliner
(aus den Regionen DAC Weinviertel, Kremstal,
Kamptal, Wachau), Riesling, Welschriesling, Weißer
Burgunder (Pinot Blanc), Chardonnay (in der Steiermark
Morillon genannt), Sauvignon Blanc (Muskat-
Sylvaner) und Muskateller. Aus dem Osten und Süden
kommen großartige Rot- und erfrischende Rosé-Weine,
der intensiv rosafarbene Schilcher und der Individualist
der Weine, der burgenländische Uhudler. Dieser
darf übrigens nur im Südburgenland erzeugt
werden, aus weißen und roten Direktträgersorten.
Welchen Wein trinkt man zum Essen in einem Restaurant?
Die alten Regeln, Weißwein zu Fisch und hellem
Fleisch, Rotwein zu dunklem Fleisch sind längst
nicht mehr verpflichtend. Jede Farbe passt zu jedem
Essen, was speziell für all jene wichtig ist, die gerne
nur Rot- oder nur Weißwein trinken. Fragen Sie in
allen Belangen den Sommelier, einen Ihnen kompetent
erscheinenden Kellner oder den Wirt persönlich.
Wie in allen Lebenslagen ist Unkenntnis keine
Schande, das Darüber-Hinwegspielen kann hingegen
eine Weinbestellung zur Folge haben, mit der niemand
glücklich ist.
Einige Weingüter in Österreich füllen auch standardmäßig
geringe Mengen in den Großgrößen
Magnum, Jeroboam und Methusalem ab.
Some wineries in Austria also bottle small quantities
in the large sizes Magnum, Jeroboam and
Methusalem as standard.
Was tut man, wenn beim wunderbaren Essen im Restaurant
der Wein korkt?
Das kann schon mal passieren, wenn die Flasche
mit einem Korken verschlossen war, der zu viel Eigengeschmack
abgegeben hat. Beim Probeschluck könnten
Sie den Korkgeschmack wahrnehmen. Sind Sie
sich nicht sicher, so bitten Sie eine zweite Person vom
Tisch oder den Einschenkenden, den Wein zu kosten,
um Ihre Wahrnehmung zu bestätigen. Sollte Ihr Wein
also korken, bitte sofort reklamieren. Der Wirt ist verpflichtet,
den Wein zurückzunehmen und eine neue
Flasche vor Ihren Augen zu öffnen. Es ist jedoch nicht
akzeptabel, jede Menge Wein zu trinken und sich danach
zu beschweren.
Eine spezielle Besonderheit sind die „Übergrößen“ bei
Wein- und auch Champagnerflaschen.
Die ersten Großflaschen entstanden ca. Mitte des
17. Jahrhunderts. Namentlich erwähnt wurde erstmals
eine „Jéroboam“ Flasche (5 Liter) um 1725 in Bordeaux.
Schaumwein, vor allem Champagner, ist vielen
Weinliebhabern auch aus größeren Flaschen bekannt.
Eine Magnumflasche mit einem Fassungsvermögen
von 1,5 Litern wird gerne zu besonderen Anlässen verschenkt.
Es gibt aber auch Flaschen mit weitaus größerem
Volumen, auch für Rotwein und Weißwein. Einige
Weingüter füllen aber auch standardmäßig geringe
Mengen in Magnum, Jeroboam und Methusalem (6
Liter) ab. Eine beeindruckende Zahl an Großflaschen
lagert übrigens unterirdisch unter dem bekannten
Hospiz Alm Restaurant in St. Anton am Arlberg.
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY
PHOTOS: TANZSCHULE ELMAYER, ÖWM/ANNA STÖCHER, ÖWM/PHILIPP LIPIARSKI, ÖWM/ARMIN FABER
SUMMER
2023
CD: Wine is part of our Austrian culture. According to Wein
Marketing GmbH, our country offers excellent conditions for
growing internationally beloved varieties.
Schäfer-Elmayer: Traditionally, Austria
has been a white wine country, with
varieties like Grüner
Veltliner
(grown in the Weinviertel DAC, Kremstal,
Kamptal and Wachau regions), Riesling, Pinot Blanc,
Chardonnay (known as Morillon in Styria), Sauvignon
Blanc and Muscat Blanc (known as Muskateller).
In the east and south, we’ve got brilliant red and refreshing
rosé wines, the intensely pink Schilcher and
the “nonconformist” of the wine world, the Uhudler
– which may only be produced in southern Burgenland
and from red and white direct carrier varieties.
Which wine should one drink with a meal at a restaurant?
The old rules – white wine with fish and light meat,
red wine with dark meat – are no longer obligatory.
Every colour goes with every kind of meal, which is
especially good news for those who prefer either red
or white wine. Always ask the sommelier, a competent
waiter, the host or proprietor. As with anything in life,
there is no shame in ignorance, but disregarding the
matter altogether could result in a pairing that no one
is happy with.
What do you do when the wine starts tasting corky during a
great meal at a restaurant?
This could happen if the bottle was closed with a
cork that gave off too much flavour. You might notice
the corky taste while sampling the wine. If you aren’t
sure, ask a second person from your group or the pourer
to taste the wine and confirm your suspicion. If
your wine is indeed corked, please complain right
away – the host is obliged to take the wine back and
open a new bottle in front of you. However, it is not
acceptable to drink a significant amount of wine and
then complain afterwards.
An interesting phenomenon is the “plus-sized” wine and
champagne bottles.
The first larger bottles were created around the
middle of the 17th century. A “Jéroboam” bottle (5 litres)
was first mentioned in 1725 in Bordeaux, France.
Many wine lovers also know sparkling wine, especially
champagne, from larger bottles. Magnum bottles with
a volume of 1.5 litres are popular gifts on special occasions.
But there are also bottles with significantly larger
volumes, including for red and white wine. Some
wineries also fill regular quantities into Magnum, Jeroboam
and Methusalem (6 litres) bottles. Incidentally,
an impressive number of large bottles is stored
underground under the Hospiz Alm restaurant in St
Anton am Arlberg.
COMEDY · CONCERTS · THEATRE · STAND UP
IN THE GARDENS OF THE PALAIS SCHWARZENBERG
Simone Kopmajer & radio.string.quartet • Mark Seibert •
Wiener Comedian Harmonists • Philharmonix • Ernst
Molden & Hans Theessink • Jazz on a summer’s day • Missy
May, André Bauer, Ramesh Nair & Maya Hakvoort • Solisten
der Wiener Philharmoniker • Wiener Sängerknaben
PROGRAM IS CONTINUOUSLY EXPANDED
ALL FURTHER DATES AND INFO AT
Von oben nach unten:
Wien ist die einzige Hauptstadt der Welt, die
seit Jahrhunderten Wein anbaut.
Großflaschen werden von Weinfreunden sehr
gerne zu Jubiläen und runden Geburtstagen
verschenkt.
From top to bottom:
Vienna is the only capital city in the world that
has been growing wine for centuries.
Large bottles are very popular with wine lovers as
gifts for anniversaries and round birthdays.
SHAKESPEARES
THEATERIMPARK.AT
CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE – ECONOMIQUE et
TOURISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL
International Affairs • Global Business • Exclusive Lifestyle
Seit 51 Jahren das führende Magazin Österreichs für das
Diplomatische Corps, Internationale Organisationen, Wirtschaft,
Unternehmen, Tourismus, Lifestyle & Kultur sowie Events
CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE is Austria‘s leading and only bilingual
medium for the diplomatic corps, leading officials of international
organisations and for the majority of decision-makers from
politics, business, tourism and art & culture in Austria for 51 years.
Publisher: Andrea Fürnweger, Mag. Alexander Bursky
Media Owner, Publisher & Producer:
FCM firstclassmedia GmbH
Pokornygasse 17/2, A-1190 Wien
Tel.: +43 1 934 65 94, Fax: -4
E-mail: office@firstclassmedia.at
cercle-diplomatique.com
Managing Directors: Andrea Fürnweger, Mag. Alexander Bursky
Advertising Sales: Mag. Alexander Bursky, Andrea Fürnweger,
Mag. Tzvetana Tomova, Monika Athanasiadis,
Susanne Rehulka-Drechsler
Back Office, Production & Print Documentation:
Elisabeth Schweighofer, BA
Editors:
Mag. Daniela Pötzl (Editor in Chief)
dani.poetzl@firstclassmedia.at
Mag. Gerald Sturz (Editorial concept)
Mag. Michaela Hocek
Evelyn Rois & Bruno Stubenrauch
Dr. Gerhard Bitzan, Mag. Stephan Burianek,
Otmar Lahodynsky, Dr. Arian Faal (Foreign policy), Brigadier a.D.
Dr. Walter Feichtinger, Dr. Claudia Jörg-Borsche,
Mag. Bernhard Ecker, Mag. Stephanie Liechtenstein, Mag. Julia
Kistner
Art Director: Ralph Manfreda Graphic Design: Lukas Charwat
Proofreading: Transvox Language Services
Translations: Transvox Language Services
Photographers: Ouriel Morgensztern, Philipp Hutter,
Lukas Charwat, Rois & Stubenrauch, Kurt Patzak, Bobi Zivadinovic
Print: Berger Druck, Wiener Strasse 80, 3580 Horn
Frequency of Publication: 4 x p.a., 40,000 copies
Subscription: Issue price € 10, annual subscription € 36 (within
Austria)
All articles in CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE are copyrighted. Further
utilisation and reproduction of text, photographs and layout
without written permission of the publisher and the designers
is prohibited and punishable by law. No liability is assumed for
unsolicited manuscripts, pictures, etc. received. The author bears
responsibility for articles which identify anyone or anything by
name. The views expressed in the articles do not necessarily
reflect those of the publishers or editors. The published essays and
commentaries do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publishers
or editors. All articles contained in this magazine serve informational
purposes and freedom of expression only.
Price list valid from 1 January, 2022.
Disclosure:
Published according to § 25 media law and always available at
www.cercle-diplomatique.com/impressum
KOMÖDIE VON NIAVARANI
NACH SHAKESPEARE
EIN POLTERABEND
MIT POLTERGEIST,
ELFEN UND KOBOLDEN.
AB 25. MAI

AU REVOIR
Ingenious view!
Technisches Museum Wien | Mariahilfer Straße 212 | Wien, 14. Bezirk | Vienna, 14th district
Text & Photo: Rois & Stubenrauch
Erhebender Ausblick.
Vom ovalen Dachfenster
im Direktionsbüro des
Technischen Museums
Wien geht der grandiose
Blick über die Bäume des
Auer-Welsbach-Parks
hinüber zum Schloss
Schönbrunn und weiter bis
zur Gloriette. Der 1908
eröffnete Museumsbau mit
28.500 m² Ausstellungsfläche
ist eines der ersten
repräsentativen
Stahlbetongebäude in
Österreich und steht heute
unter Denkmalschutz.
Bild: Kästenbauer/Ettl
Uplifting view
From the oval skylight in
the director’s office of the
Vienna Museum of Science
and Technology, the
magnificent view extends
over the trees of the Auer
Welsbach Park to
Schönbrunn Palace and on
to the Gloriette. Opened in
1908, the museum features
28,500 m² of exhibition
space, was one of Austria’s
first reinforced concrete
buildings and is now a
listed building.
technischesmuseum.at
Teilchenstrahlen gegen Krebs: Hoffnung durch Hightech
Particle Beams to Fight Cancer: Hope Through High Tech
Ein Teilchenbeschleuniger ist jene Spitzentechnologie,
die bei MedAustron zur Bekämpfung
von Krebserkrankungen eingesetzt
wird. Dieser sorgt dafür, dass Patient*innen
mit hochenergetischen, geladenen Teilchen
bestrahlt werden können und dadurch eine
vergleichsweise nebenwirkungsarme Form
der Strahlentherapie erhalten.
Die sogenannte Ionen- oder Partikeltherapie
ist besonders vorteilhaft, wenn es gilt, sensible,
gesunde Organe oder Gewebe zu schonen.
Weil das Risiko für Nebenwirkungen und
Spätfolgen der Behandlung minimiert werden
kann, kommt die Ionentherapie auch
verstärkt bei Kindern zum Einsatz. Ziel der
Therapie ist es nicht nur, die Erkrankung wirkungsvoll
zu bekämpfen, sondern auch die
Lebensqualität der Betroffenen zu erhalten.
MedAustron ist das einzige Zentrum für
Ionentherapie in Österreich und sogar weltweit
eines von nur sechs, dessen Anlage verschiedene
Teilchenarten für die Behandlung
bereitstellen kann: Protonen und Kohlenstoffionen
werden zur Tumorbekämpfung
eingesetzt. Bei MedAustron wurde die eingesetzte
Technik gemeinsam mit dem europäischen
Teilchenphysiklabor CERN entwickelt.
Seit Ende 2016 ist das Ambulatorium südlich
von Wien in Wiener Neustadt bereits in Betrieb.
Weiterführende Informationen über die Therapiemethode
und dafür geeignete Krankheitsbilder
bieten unsere Website und Social
Media Kanäle.
Therapieanfragen • Therapy Inquiries:
patient@medaustron.at
02622 / 26100 – 300
A particle accelerator is the cutting-edge
technology used at MedAustron to fight cancer.
It ensures that patients can be irradiated
with high-energy, charged particles and thus
receive a form of radiation therapy with comparatively
few side effects.
The so-called ion or particle therapy is particularly
beneficial when sensitive, healthy
organs or tissues need to be spared. Since the
risk of side effects and late effects of the treatment
can be minimized, ion therapy is also
frequently used in children. The goal of the
therapy is not only to effectively combat the
disease, but also to preserve the quality of life
of those affected.
MedAustron is the only center for ion therapy
in Austria, and even one of only six in
the world, whose facility can provide different
types of particles for treatment: protons
and carbon ions are used to fight tumors. At
MedAustron, the technology used was developed
jointly with the European Laboratory
for Particle Physics CERN. The outpatient
center south of Vienna in Wiener Neustadt
has already been in operation since the end
of 2016.
Further information about the therapy method
and suitable diseases can be found on
our website and social media channels.
178 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2022
www.medaustron.at

Freude am Fahren
Denzel Wien Erdberg
Erdbergstraße 189-193, 1030 Wien
Tel.: 01/740 20-0, office@denzel.at
www.denzel.at
BMW X1: von 100 kW (136 PS) bis 240 kW (326 PS), Kraftstoffverbrauch gesamt
von 0,7 l bis 7,2 l/100 km, CO 2 -Emissionen von 15 g bis 163 g CO 2 /km.
Angegebene Verbrauchs- und CO 2 -Emissionswerte ermittelt nach WLTP.
Symbolfoto