CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE

Spring 2026

Nr. 1 | March – May

cercle-diplomatique.com

THE LEADING AUSTRIAN MAGAZINE FOR

DIPLOMACY INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS GLOBAL BUSINESS CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE

PHILIPPINEN

KONTRAST UND VERÄNDERUNG

PHILIPPINES

CONTRAST AND HEAVY CHANGE

CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE

WELCOME TO INTERNATIONAL VIENNA

EDITORIAL

Strangely, everything we build

turns out to be a sports car.

THE NEW CAYENNE TURBO ELECTRIC.

Porsche Zentrum Wien Nord

Leopoldauerstraße 90

1210 Wien

Telefon +43 505 911 11

www.porsche.at/wiennord

Porsche Zentrum Wien-Liesing

Ketzergasse 120

1230 Wien

Telefon +43 505 911 17

www.porsche.at/wienliesing

PHOTO: LUKAS CHARWAT

Liebe Leserinnen, liebe Leser! | Dear Readers!

Diese Ausgabe spannt einen weiten Bogen – geo grafisch

wie inhaltlich. Mit Länderporträts der Philippinen

und Albaniens zeigen wir zwei sehr unterschiedliche

Staaten, die für Dynamik und das Spannungsfeld von

Tradi tion und Aufbruch stehen. Während die Philippinen

mit strategischer Lage, junger Bevölkerung und wirtschaftlicher

Resilienz beeindrucken, zeigt Albanien, wie sich ein

lange unterschätztes Land als europäischer Zukunftsraum

positionieren kann. Die erste Ausgabe des Jahres steht erneut

im Zeichen eines geopolitischen Ausblicks, der die

globale Situation in ihren aktuellen Spannungen und langfristigen

Verschiebungen analysiert.

Daneben beleuchten wir das European Space Policy

Insti tute (ESPI), das 2003 von ESA und FFG gegründet

wurde und seit 2022 von Hermann Ludwig Möller geleitet

wird, der im Interview die strategischen Grundlagen für

Europas Weltraumpolitik und die Rollenteilung zwischen

Forschung und Industrie erläutert.

Im Zentrum der politischen Berichterstattung stehen

zwei Interviews, die Orientierung in bewegten Zeiten geben.

Wirtschaftsminister Hattmannsdorfer spricht im

Exklusiv interview über Standortpolitik, Wettbewerbsfähigkeit

und die Rolle Österreichs in einer fragmentierten

Weltwirtschaft. Ergänzend analysiert der Direktor der

Diplo matischen Akademie Wien, Martin Eichtinger, im

Interview, warum Diplomatie heute mehr denn je intellektuelle

Tiefe und globales Denken erfordert.

CD durfte für diese Ausgabe hinter die Kulissen der

Bundesmobilienverwaltung (dem Wirtschaftsministerium

zugeordnet) blicken, die in eigenen Werkstätten mit großer

Expertise für den perfekten Auftritt des offiziellen Österreichs

sorgt – von der Ausstattung der Präsidentschaftskanzlei

und der österreichischen Botschaften bis hin zum

Staatsbankett.

Thema Kulturpolitik: Sepp Schellhorn, Staatssekretär für

Kunst und Kultur, erläutert im Gespräch seine Vision eines

offenen, zeitgemäßen Kulturverständnisses. Kultur ist dabei

kein Luxus, sondern ein zentrales Element gesellschaftlicher

Identität und tief in der DNA Österreichs verwurzelt.

Dass Österreich kulturell auf einem außergewöhnlichen

Fundament steht, zeigen zwei Jubiläen: 270 Jahre Wolfgang

Amadé Mozart erinnert an ein Erbe von weltweiter Strahlkraft,

das bis heute inspiriert. Mit „20 Jahre Liszt Zentrum“

würdigen wir mit Franz Liszt einen Komponisten, dessen

Leben und Werk Grenzen überschritten und Musikgeschichte

neu definiert hat.

Wir wünschen mit dieser Ausgabe einen schönen Start

in den Frühling!

Andrea Fürnweger

Herausgeberin | Publisher

Mag. Alexander Bursky

Herausgeber | Publisher

This issue spans a broad spectrum—geographically

and

thematically. With profiles of

the Philippines and Albania, we

present two contrasting nations

shaped by dynamism and the

balance between tradition and

progress. The Philippines stand

out for their strategic location and

resilience, while Albania emerges as a forward-looking European

hub. The year’s first issue also offers a geopolitical outlook

on current tensions and global shifts. We also spotlight

the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), founded in 2003

by ESA and FFG and led since 2022 by Hermann Ludwig

Möller, who explains in an interview the strategic foundations

of Europe’s space policy and the division of roles

between research and industry.

At the heart of the political coverage are two interviews

providing guidance in turbulent times. In an exclusive,

Econo mics Minister Hattmannsdorfer discusses location

policy, competitiveness, and Austria’s role in a fragmented

global economy. Complementing this, Martin Eichtinger,

Director of the Diplomatic Academy Vienna, analyses why

diplomacy today demands intellectual depth and global

thinking more than ever. For this issue, CD was granted behind-the-scenes

access to the Austrian Federal Ministration

of Moveables, part of the Federal Ministry for Economic

Affairs, which ensures Austria’s official presence is impeccable—from

furnishing the Presidential Chancellery and

Austrian embassies to organis ing state banquets.

On cultural policy, Sepp Schellhorn, Secretary of State for

Arts and Culture, outlines his vision of an open, contemporary

understanding of culture. Culture, he argues, is not a

luxury but a central element of societal identity, deeply

embed ded in Austria’s DNA.

Austria’s exceptional cultural foundations are highlighted

by two anniversaries: 270 years of Wolfgang

Amadé Mozart cele brate a legacy

of global influence that continues to

inspire.

With “20 Years of the Liszt Centre,”

we honour Franz Liszt, a composer

whose life and work transcended

borders and redefined

music history.

We wish you an enjoyable

start to spring with this issue!

Mag. (FH) Markus Gstöttner

Herausgeber | Publisher

Ein Großteil des

Cercle Diplomatique

Teams bei der

Weihnachtsfeier.

The majority of the

Cercle Diplomatique

Team at the

Christmas party.

Cayenne Turbo Electric (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 20.4 – 22.2 kWh/100 km;

CO 2

emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO 2

class: A; Status 02/2026

CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE –

ECONOMIQUE et TOURISTIQUE

Nr. 346

Ausgabe | Issue 01/2026

March – May

CONTENTS

Cover story

PHILIPPINES

Seite | page 26

Die Philippinen beeindrucken

mit strategischer

Lage, junger Bevölkerung,

wirtschaftlicher Resilienz

und der entwaffnenden

Freundlichkeit der

Menschen. The Philippines

impress with their strategic

location, youthful population

and economic resilience, as

well as the disarming

friendliness of their people.

COVERPHOTO: ADOBE STOCK PHOTO: CHALUK

08

12

26

42

50

58

60

62

66

76

84

90

92

100

104

112

114

LE BULLETIN

Die neuen Botschafter | The New Ambassadors

Akkreditierung durch Bundespräsident Alexander Van der Bellen.

Accreditation 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 Philippinen | Cover Story Philippines

Die strategische und wirtschaftliche Bedeutung des Inselstaates. The strategic and economic

importance of the island nation.

Albanien | Albania

Reformen, Wirtschaft und EU-Beitritt. Reforms, economic and EU accession.

Geopolitik | Geopolitics

Eine geopolitische Analyse der aktuellen globalen Situation. A geopolitical analysis of the

current global situation.

Kommentar | Commentary

Die Bedeutung von Soft Power. The importance of Soft Power.

Kommentar | Commentary

OSZE – Wake-Up Call aus Washington. OSCE—Wake-Up Call from Washington.

News

Neuigkeiten aus aller Welt. Latest update from around the globe.

L’AUTRICHE

Österreichs Wirtschaftsstrategie | Austria’s Economic Strategy

Interview mit Wirtschaftsminister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer. Interview with Austria’s

Minister of Economic Affairs, Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer.

ESPI European Space Policy Institute

Interview mit dem Leiter des ESPI, Hermann Ludwig Möller. Interview with Hermann Ludwig

Möller, Director of ESPI.

Diplomatische Akademie Wien | Vienna School of International Studies

Interview mit dem Direktor der Diplomatischen Akademie, Martin Eichtinger. Interview with

Martin Eichtinger, Director of the Vienna School of International Studies.

Botschafter der Bildung | Ambassadors of Education

CEU – Central European University: Demokratieförderung und Spitzenforschung.

CEU—Central European University: promoting democracy and cutting-edge research.

Private Banking

Die feinen Adressen für Vermögen. The fine addresses for assets.

Wirtschaftsnews | Business News

Neues aus Österreich. News from Austria.

SAVOIR VIVRE

Bundesmobilienverwaltung | Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables

Expertise im Hintergrund für den offiziellen Auftritt Österreichs. Interview mit Alexander

Palma. Background expertise for Austria‘s official appearance. Interview with Alexander Palma.

Vision Dialogue

Sepp Schellhorn, Staatssekretär für Deregulierung und Auslandskultur im Bundesministerium

für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten, im Interview. Interview with Sepp

Schellhorn, State Secretary for Deregulation and Foreign Culture at the Federal Ministry for

European and International Affairs.

270 Jahre Mozart | 270 Years of Mozart

Wir beleuchten das Phänomen Mozart. Exploring the phenomenon of Mozart.

120

122

124

126

130

132

136

144

146

148

152

154

158

162

164

166

170

184

3

4

185

Culture Talk

Exilarte: Wiederaufführung der durch den Nationalsozialismus verfolgten Musik. Exilarte:

revival of music persecuted by National Socialism.

Botschafter der Musik | Ambassadors of Music

Interview mit Natalia Rehling, Chopin-Expertin. Interview with Natalia Rehling, Chopin expert.

Museum Visit

Ein Blick auf das neu gestaltete Liszt Museum in Raiding, Burgenland. A look at the newly

designed Liszt Museum in Raiding, Burgenland.

Arts

Kulturelle Highlights im Herbst. Cultural highlights in autumn.

Connoisseur

Spezialitäten und Lokaltipps. Gourmet highlights and insider tips.

Global Adviser

Verreisen, logieren und besuchen. Travelling, lodging, and visiting.

Immobilien | Real Estate

Wiens neue Top-Residenzen. Vienna’s new prime residences.

Lifestyle

Frühling 2026. Spring 2026.

Made in Austria

Ein Besuch bei Altmann & Kühne. A visit to Altmann & Kühne.

Ambassador’s Drive

Die Botschafterin der Libanesischen Republik testet den neuen Audi Q3.

The Ambassador of the Lebanese Republic tests the new Audi Q3.

Motor

Neuigkeiten aus der Automobil Branche. News from the automotive sector.

Weekender Stadt Salzburg | City of Salzburg

Ideal für einen spannenden Kurzurlaub. Perfect for an exciting getaway.

Weekender Balaton | Balaton

Spaß und Entspannung für die ganze Familie. Fun and relaxation for the whole family.

Upcoming

Anregungen für Ferien und Freizeit. Suggestions for holidays and leisure time.

Buchtipps | Book Tips

Auswahl der interessantesten Neuerscheinungen. Pick of the most interesting new releases.

Mein Österreich | My Personal View of Austria

S.E. Jozef Polakovič, Botschafter der Slowakischen Republik im Interview. Ambassador of the

Slovak Republic, H.E. Jozef Polakovič in an interview.

LES RENDEZVOUS

Veranstaltungen | Events

Exklusive Veranstaltungen im Fokus. Exclusive events in focus.

Etikette | Etiquette

Arlene Castañeda, Gründerin und Leiterin des Kulturzentrums Sentro über gesellschaftliche

Gepflogenheiten auf den Philippinen. Arlene Castañeda, founder and director of the Sentro

cultural center, on social customs in the Philippines

Titelbild | Cover

Insel Pinagbuyutan, Ipil Strand, Philippinen

Pinagbuyutan Island, Ipil Beach, Philippines

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.

Walhai; Oslob,

Philippinen.

Whale shark; Oslob,

Philippines.

56 Internationale Organisationen und über 300 weitere

ausländische diplomatische Vertretungsbehörden, NGOs,

Think Tanks und Quasi-NGOs haben ihren Sitz in Wien.

56 international organisations and more than 300 foreign

diplomatic representations, NGOs, think tanks, and

quasi-NGOs are based in Vienna.

LE

BULLETIN

IN LE BULLETIN ERFAHREN

SIE, WER DIE NEU

AKKREDITIERTEN

BOTSCHAFTER IN

ÖSTERREICH SIND UND

WELCHE OFFIZIELLEN

EMPFÄNGE UND EVENTS

IN DEN VERGANGENEN

DREI 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.

Kennedy Obed

Reyes Lazo

Ambassador of the Republic of

El Salvador

Credentials: January 2026

resident

Arti

Hilpus

H.E.


Estonia

Credentials: November 2025

resident

H.E.

Johanna Rose

Mamiaka

Ambassador of the Gabonese

Republic (Gabon)


non resident

H.E.

Gabriel Orellana

Zabalza


Guatemala

H.E.

Sovannary

Kimsour

Ambassador of the Kingdom of

Cambodia

Mafelile

Christina Molala

Ambassador of the Kingdom of

Lesotho

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

Ingrīda

Levrence


Latvia

Cynthia

Chidiac


Lebanon



Credentials: January 2026 Credentials: November 2025 Credentials: November 2025

resident non resident

non resident

resident resident

Born on December 21, 1988

Married, one child

Born on October 31, 1972

Married

Common-law Partner, two children

Born on January 9, 1978

Born in 1978

Married, one daugther

Two children

Born on May 12, 1964


Professional Career

12/2025 Ambassador Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary of the Republic of El Salvador

to the Federal Republic of Austria

10/2018 – 12/2025 Minister Counsellor/

Alternate Representative Permanent Mission

of El Salvador to the OAS Washington D.C.,

USA

04/2022 – 12/2025 Chief of Mission

Inter-American Defense Board (IADB)

Washington D.C., USA

04/2015 – 10/2018 Director for Asia,

Africa and Oceania, Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, San Salvador, El Salvador

08/2013 – 08/2015 Specialist, Asia,

Africa and Oceania, Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, San Salvador, El Salvador

11/2012 – 08/2013 Specialist, Multilateral

Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

San Salvador, El Salvador

06/2011 – 11/2012 Specialist,

Central American Integration, Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, San Salvador, El Salvador

Education

2020 Master of Social Sciences in

Asia-Pacific Studies, Tamkang University,

Taiwan

2018 Master’s Degree in Diplomacy,

IEESFORD, El Salvador

2011 Bachelor’s Degree in International

Relations, University of El Salvador (UES),

El Salvador

Professional Career

2025 Ambassador of Estonia to the

Republic of Austria and Representative to the

Inter national Organisations in Vienna

2022 – 2025 Director of Arms Contra

Division, NATO and Transatlantic Relations

Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of

Estonia

2018 – 2022 Ambassador of the Republic

of Estonia to the Republic of Latvia (and

non-resident Ambassador to the Republic

of Uzbekistan)


of Estonia to the Russian Federation


of Estonia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the

Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and

the Republic of Serbia (resident in Tallinn)


of Estonia to the Kingdom of Norway and the

Republic of Iceland

2006 – 2008 Director of the Security Policy

Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2005 – 2006 Director of Division,

Common Foreign and Security Policy of the

European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Education

1990-1995 Faculty of Philosophy, University

of Tartu, graduated in history cum laude

1990 Tartu 16th Secondary School

Professional Career


Plenipotentiary of the Gabonese Republic

to the Federal Republic of Austria


Plenipotentiary of the Gabonese Republic

to the Federal Republic of Germany

2015 – 2024 Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the Russian

Federation and non-resident Ambassador

to Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan,

Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania),

Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine

2010 – 2015 1st Councilor (Ottawa, Canada)

2006 – 2010 Embassy Counselor

2000 – 2006 Research Officer at the

General Secretariat

1998 Communication Officer for the

Transgabonais Railway Office (Gabon)

1997 Communication Officer, Town Hall of

Thiais (France)

1996 Public Relations and Advertising Officer,

Zand & Associates (New York, USA)

Education

2025 Training for International Diplomats

(Berlin)

Advanced Diploma from the National School

of Administration

Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate and

Organisational Communication

Master’s Degree in Corporate and

Organisational Communication

Professional Career

2025 Ambassador of Guatemala to the

Republic of Austria

2023 – 11/2025 Embassy of Guatemala

to the Republic of Austria, and Permanent

Mission of Guatemala to the United Nations

and International Organisations in Vienna,

Minister Counselor

2017 – 2023 Embassy of Guatemala to

Belgium, and Mission to the European Union,

Counselor

2015 – 2017 Permanent Mission of

Guatemala to the United Nations in Geneva,

First Secretary and Consul/Counselor

2012 – 2015 Permanent Mission of

Guatemala to the United Nations in New York,

First Secretary/Counselor

2005 – 2011 Orellana Rojas & Asociados,

Guatemala, Lawyer and Notary Public/

Associate

Education

2008 – 2012 Universität Köln, Doctor in Law

(Dr. iur.), Summa Cum Laude

2006 – 2007 Universidad de Chile,

Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg,

Master in International Law, Trade Law and

Investments (LL.M. int.). Masters Thesis:

The Application of Countermeasures to WTO

Agreements, Summa Cum Laude

2002 – 2003 Diplomatic Academy

“Andrés Bello”, Chile

PHOTOS: KARLOVITS & AMP, LECHNER/HBF


Professional Career

2025 Ambassador Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Cambodia

to Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,

Austria, and the European Union

06/2023 – 01/2025 Deputy Director-

General, General Department of Europe,

America and Africa-Middle East, MFA-IC

07/2019 – 06/2023 Director of Africa and

Middle-East Department, MFA-IC

07/2016 – 07/2019 Director of Planning

Department, MFA-IC

04/2013 – 07/2016 Deputy Director,

International Organisation Department (IO),

MFA-IC

03/2009 – 04/2013 First Secretary,

Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Australia

11/2008 – 03/2009 Deputy Director,

Department IO, MFA-IC

10/2004 – 11/2008 Chief of United Nations’

Bureau, IO Department, MFA-IC

07/2003 – 10/2004 Deputy Chief of United

Nations’ Bureau, IO Department, MFA-IC

Education

2009 Master of Art in International

Relations, Paññāsāstra University of

Cambodia (PUC)

2001 Diploma of High-Ranking Civil Servant

(Diplomacy), Royal School of Administration,

Cambodia

1999 Bachelor of Economic, Faculty of Law

and Economics, Cambodia

Professional Career


Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Lesotho to

the Federal Republic of Germany and to the

Federal Republic of Austria


Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Lesotho

to the Federal Republic of Germany

2021 – 2024 Board Member and part of

Finance, Risk, Audit, and Directors Affairs and

Governance committees, Lesotho

Communications Authority (LCA)

2016 – 2024 Independent Consultant in

Enterprise Development, Lesotho, Zambia,

Kenya and Tanzania

2007 – 2016 Director Royal Business

Consult Trust (RBCT), Zimbabwe

2005 – 2006 Chief Technical Advisor,

International Labour Organisation, Start And

Improve Your Business (SIYB) Project For

Eastern And Southern Africa

1994 – 1997 Lesotho Manufacturers

Association (LMA), Business Development

Officer/Trainer

1991 – 1994 Basotho Enterprises

Develop-ment Corporation (BEDCO),

Business Counsellor

Education

12/2014 Master’s Degree in Development

Finance (MDevF)

06/1989 Bachelor of Arts in Education

(B.A. Ed)

Professional Career

2025 Ambassador Extraordinary and

Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia

to the Republic of Austria

09/2022 – 09/2025 Ministry of Foreign

Affairs of the Republic of Latvia,

Under-Secretary of State for European Affairs

04/2018 – 09/2022 Ambassador

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the

Republic of Latvia to Georgia

02/2016 – 04/2018 Ministry of Foreign

Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Directorate

of Security Policy and International

Organisations, Ambassador-Director General

12/2008 – 04/2016 Non–resident

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

of the Republic of Latvia to the Socialist

Republic of Vietnam

06/2009 – 04/2016 Non–resident

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

of the Republic of Latvia to Mongolia

01/2009 – 01/2016 Ambassador

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the

Republic of Latvia to the People’s Republic of

China

Education

2001 – 2003 University of Latvia, Master of

Humanities in Philology

1982 – 1988 Lomonosov Moscow State

University, Faculty of Philology

Professional Career

2025 Ambassador of Lebanon to the

Republic of Austria and Permanent

Representative to the United Nations in

Vienna

11/2023 – 09/2025 Deputy Head of Mission,

Mission of Lebanon to the European Union,

Brussels, Belgium

07/2021 – 10/2023 Legal Advisor

UN Women, Beirut Office, Lebanon

04/2022 – 11/2023 Senior Research

Assistant & Program Lead on Women’s

Political and Economic Empowerment in

Lebanon Asfari Institute for Civil Society and

Citizenship, American University of Beirut,

Lebanon

09/2020 – 06/2021 Deputy Chief of

Minister’s Cabinet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Lebanon

12/2019 – 09/2020 Legal Expert Center for

Legal Consultations, Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, Lebanon

01/2018 – 12/2019 Counsellor (covering

Human Rights, Budget & UN Reform),

Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United

Nations, New York

Education

2016 – 2017 Master’s in European Studies,

Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

2005 – 2006 Master’s in International

and Comparative Environmental Law,

Université de Limoges, France

8 Cercle Diplomatique 1/2026

Cercle Diplomatique 1/2026

9

LE BULLETIN CREDENTIALS

NEUE ENERGIE

FÜR DEN FRÜHLING.

H.E.

Andrej Jurjewitsch

Grosow

Ambassador of the Russian

Federation


resident

H.E.

Manuchehr

Jobir


Tajikistan


resident

H.E.

Youssouf

Abassalah


Tchad


non resident

H.E.

Arthur

Graham Fisher

Ambassador of the United States

of America


resident

Mit dem elektrischen GLC genießen Sie

leises, kraftvolles Fahren und modernes SUV-Design.

Born 1961


Married, three children

Born on April 1, 1964

Married, 11 children

Born in 1975

Professional Career


Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to

the Republic of Austria

08/2018 – 10/2025 Permanent

Representative of the Russian Federation

to the statutory and other bodies of the CIS

in Minsk

09/2014 – 2018 Deputy Director of the

First Department of CIS Countries

2009 – 2014 Consul General of Russia in

Munich, Germany

2004 – 2005 Minister Counsellor at the

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria

Since 1983 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the

Russian Federation, holding various diplomatic

positions both at the Ministry’s central

headquarters and abroad

Education

1983 graduated from the Moscow State

Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).

Professional Career

12/2025 Permanent Representative of the

Republic of Tajikistan to OSCE, UNOV, and

other International Organisations in Vienna


Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to

the Republic of Austria

2023 – 2025 Head of the External Economic

Cooperation Department, Ministry of Foreign

Affairs, Republic of Tajikistan

2019 – 2023 Counselor of the Embassy of the

Republic of Tajikistan to the French Republic

and the Italian Republic, Paris, France

2017 – 2019 Deputy Head of the International

Organisations Department, Head of the United

Nations Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

Republic of Tajikistan

09 – 10/2017 Counselor of the Department

of Europe and American Countries, Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, Republic of Tajikistan

2014 – 2017 First Secretary of the Embassy of

the Republic of Tajikistan to the Kingdom of

Belgium, Permanent Mission of the Republic of

Tajikistan to the European Union, NATO and

UNESCO, Brussels, the Kingdom of Belgium

Education

2014 – 2015 CERIS-ULB Diplomatic School

of Brussels, the Kingdom of Belgium. Major:

Master of Arts, International Politics

2000 – 2003 Technological University of

Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Major: World

Economy

Professional Career


Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tchad to the

Republic of Austria

12/2025 Presentation of Letters of Credence

to the President of Hungary


to His Serene Highness the Hereditary Prince of

Liechtenstein


to the President of the Federal Republic of

Germany

05/2021 – 01/2025 Secretary-General of the

Prime Minister’s Office

2019 – 2021 Chairman of the Electoral Oversight

and Voters’ Register Commission at the

Independent National Electoral Commission

2018 – 2019 Minister of Mines, Industrial and

Commercial Development and Promotion of

the Private Sector, Minister of Tourism

Development, Culture and Handicrafts

2017 – 2018 Minister of Youth, Sports and

Leisure

2016 – 2017 Minister of Justice, Keeper of the

Seals, with responsibility for Human Rights

2012 – 2016 Ambassador of Tchad to Russia

Education

1990 DEA (postgraduate degree) in

International Law, Taras Shevchenko State

University, Kyiv, Ukraine

Professional Career

2025 Ambassador of the United States of

America to the Republic of Austria

Leader of Fisher Realty, a successful real

estate business in North Carolina

One of the top real estate brokers in the state,

while also developing a number of residential

communities

President of the Association of Collegiate

Entrepreneurs at the College of Charleston

Board of Transylvania Vocational Services

Board of the North Carolina Boys and Girls

Club

Board service on numerous organisations

including Brevard College, The Pisgah Health

Foundation, United Community Bank, and the

North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board

Education

1997 Graduated with a B.Sc. in Business

Administration and a B.A. in Corporate

Communication, College of Charleston,

South Carolina



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NOVEMBER 2025

Presentation of the Winter Issue of “Cercle Diplomatique” at the

Mandarin Oriental Vienna.

Left: Andrea Fürnweger (left) and

Alexander Bursky (3rd from right),

publishers of Cercle Diplomatique,

together with General Manager

Mario Habicher (2nd from right),

welcomed around 200 guests from

diplomacy, business, politics,

military and society at the new

hotels’ first event. Following

addresses of the above, the guest

of honour, H.E. Zenon Kosiniak

Kamysz, Ambassador of Poland

(3rd from left), spoke, as well as

H.E. Maximilian Hennig (right).

Delicacy baskets from Schenkel

and the famous handmade

chocolates from Altmann&Kühne

were presented.

PHOTOS: EVA PAIJENS, RENE BRUNHÖLZL



13

LE BULLETIN REVIEW

NOVEMBER 2025

Oman

National Day of the Sultanate of Oman at the Park Hyatt Vienna.

NOVEMBER 2025

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Commemoration of the Armed Forces Day of Bosnia and

Herzegovina

THE GRAND HOTEL OF THE KVARNER RIVIERA

Left: H.E. Yousuf Ahmed

Aljabri, Ambassador and

Permanent Representative

to the International

Organisations of the

Sultanate of Oman in Austria

(right), hosted a reception at

the Park Hyatt Vienna to

mark the National Day.

Left: H.E. Siniša Bencun,

Ambassador of Bosnia and

Herzegovina (left), and H.E. Danka

Savić, Ambassador and Permanent

Representative to the OSCE and

UN (centre), as well as Colonel

Herman Jerman, Defence Attaché

of Bosnia and Herzegovina and

Military Advisor to the Permanent

Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina

at the OSCE and UN (2nd from

right), invited to a reception at the

Gartenhotel Altmannsdorf.

NOVEMBER 2025

Belgium

The celebration of the Belgian King’s Day was hosted at the Ambassador’s Residence.

Left: On the occasion of King’s Day, H.E. Caroline Vermeulen,

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Austria (centre),

H.E. François Delhaye, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of

Belgium to the OSCE (right), and Colonel Benny Vos (left) hosted

a reception.

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LE BULLETIN REVIEW

NOVEMBER 2025

Palestine

Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Palestine at the Diplomatic

Academy.

NOVEMBER 2025

United Arab Emirates

The 54th Eid Al Etihad (National Day) was hosted at the Grand Hotel Vienna.

Left: H.E. Salah Abdel Shafi, Ambassador of the State

of Palestine to Austria (right), hosted a reception

at the Diplomatic Academy to mark the anniversary

of the Declaration of Independence and the UN’s

“International Day of Solidarity with the People of

Palestine”.

Left: On the occasion of the 54th Eid Al

Etihad of the United Arab Emirates,

which was celebrated under the motto

“United”, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of

the Embassy of the United Arab

Emirates in Vienna, Shaikha Alkaabi

(2nd from right), hosted a reception at

the Grand Hotel Vienna. The seven

emirates united under one flag to form

the United Arab Emirates on

2 December 1971.

NOVEMBER 2025

Albania

To mark the 113th Flag and Independence Day of the Republic of Albania a reception was held at the Diplomatic Academy.

DECEMBER 2025

Thailand

The celebration of the National Day took place at the Vienna Marriott Hotel.

Left: To celebrate the 113th Flag

and Independence Day of the

Republic of Albania, the


Albania to the Republic of

Austria, H.E. Fate Velaj (left),

and the Ambassador and

Permanent Representative of

the Republic of Albania to the

International Organisations in

Vienna, H.E. Eglantina Gjermeni

(right), hosted a reception at

the Diplomatic Academy.

PHOTOS: BELOW RENE BRUNHÖLZL | ABOVE RENE BRUNHÖLZL

PHOTOS: BELOW CARO STRASNIK | ABOVE BOBI ZIVADINOVIC

Left: On the occasion of the National Day

of the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. Pattarat

Hongtong, Ambassador and Permanent

Representative of the Kingdom of

Thailand to Austria (right), hosted a

reception at the Vienna Marriott Hotel.


17

LE BULLETIN REVIEW

DECEMBER 2025

Qatar

The National Day was celebrated at the Park Hyatt Vienna.

Left: On the occasion of Qatar’s National

Day and the 50th aniversary of the

establishment of diplomatic relations

between Qatar and Austria, H.E. Jassim

Yaaqob Al Hamadi, Ambassador of

Qatar and Permanent Representative to

the United Nations and International

Organisations in Vienna (2nd from

right), hosted a reception.

DECEMBER 2025

Romania

The National Day was celebrated at the Embassy.

Left: On the occasion of the National Day, Chargé

d’Affaires a.i. Andrea Amza-András (left) and

H.E. Stelian Stoian, Ambassador and Permanent

Representative of Romania to the International

Organisations (right), hosted a reception at the

embassy. Guests of honour included Romanian

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan (2nd from right), and

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu (2nd from

left), as well as the Austrian Chancellor Christian

Stocker (below, left).

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DECEMBER 2025

Finland

The Independence Day was celebrated at the Ambassador’s Residence.

Left: On Finland’s Independence Day, H.E.

Nina Vaskunlahti, Ambassador to Austria

and Permanent Representative to

International Organisations in Vienna

(centre), H.E. Vesa Häkkinen, Permanent

Representative to the OSCE and Chair of

the Permanent Council (left), and

Defence Attaché Colonel Tero Savonen

(right) hosted a reception at the

Ambassador’s Residence.

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PHOTOS: RENE BRUNHÖLZL

Graben 30

1010 Vienna

Austria


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LE BULLETIN REVIEW

JANUARY 2026

New Year’s Reception

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen hosted a reception for the

Diplomatic Corps at the Hofburg, Vienna.

Left: Federal President Alexander

Van der Bellen welcomed the

Diplomatic Corps to the traditional

New Year’s reception in the

Ceremonial Hall of the Hofburg. In

his speech, he called for “Europe

patriotism” and stressed unity. He

appealed to the representatives of

embassies from countries outside to

have faith in the noble art of

diplomacy: to speak, listen, and

prioritise negotiation over power

politics.



LE BULLETIN REVIEW

JANUARY 2026

India

On the occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India, a reception was held at the

Hotel InterContinental Vienna.

FEBRUARY 2026

Kuwait

On the occasion of the 65th Anniversary of Independence and the 35th Anniversary

of the Liberation, a reception was held at the Park Hyatt Vienna.

Left: H.E. Shambhu Santha Kumaran, Ambassador

and Permanent Representative of the Republic of

India, hosted a reception at the InterContinental

Vienna on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day of

India.

Left: On the occasion of the 65th

Anniversary of Independence and the

35th Anniversary of the Liberation of

the State of Kuwait, H.E. Talal

Alfassam, Ambassador of the State of

Kuwait to Austria and Permanent

Representative to the United Nations

and International Organisations (2nd

from left), hosted a reception at the

Park Hyatt Vienna.

FEBRUARY 2026

Iran

The National Day was celebrated at the Ambassador’s Residence.

FEBRUARY 2026

Serbia

National Day and Armed Forces Day were celebrated at the Wiener Börsensäle.

Left: On the occasion of the

National Day, H.E. Asadollah

Eshragh Jahromi, Ambassador

of the Islamic Republic of Iran

to Austria (2nd from right), and

H.E. Reza Najafi, Permanent

Representative to the United

Nations and other International

Organisations (centre), hosted

a reception.

PHOTOS: BELOW EVA PAIJENS | ABOVE BOBI ZIVADINOVIC

PHOTOS: BELOW RENE BRUNHÖLZL | ABOVE RENE BRUNHÖLZL

Left: H.E. Marko Blagojević, Ambassador of the

Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Austria (2nd

fom left), and H.E. Žarko Obradović, Permanent

Representative of the Republic of Serbia to the

OSCE and other International Organisations (3rd

from right), hosted a reception at the Wiener

Börsensäle on the occasion of the National Day and

the Day of the Serbian Armed Forces.

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.

a modern asian symphony

C O M P O S E D I N V I E N N A

LE MONDE PHILIPPINES

PHILIPP INES

7,641 islands, beautiful nature, great hospitality and

enormous economic potential: The Philippines is a

dynamic country—and it holds the chairmanship

of ASEAN in 2026, and maintains diplomatic relations

with Austria for 80 years.

A NATION OF

CONTRAST AND

RAPID CHANGE

Text: Gerhard Bitzan

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

Sunset in El Nido, Palawan.



27


FACTS &

FIGURES

Skyline of the capital Manila.

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK

Fascinating nature and dancing ceremonies in El Nido on the island Palawan.

Maria Theresia Parreño Lazaro is an outspoken

expert on global politics, a seasoned

diplomat—and the Secretary Foreign Affairs

of the Philippines. She also has a clear fondness

for Austria. During a recent multiday visit to Vienna,

she held political talks, met with the Filipino community,

and even attended the famous Vienna Opera

Ball as the guest of her Austrian counterpart, Beate

Meinl-Reisinger.

One highlight of her visit was a well-attended lecture

at the Raiffeisen Forum. Foreign Minister Lazaro

spoke about Philippine–Austrian diplomatic relations,

established 80 years ago in October 1946, a few

months after the Philippines gained independence

from the United States. She praised the strong ties between

the two countries and emphasised their shared

commitment to multilateralism—a principle embodied

by Vienna’s many international institutions.

Beyond bilateral relations, the Philippines holds a

pivotal role this year as chair of ASEAN, the Association

of Southeast Asian Nations. Today a successful

regional bloc, ASEAN began modestly in 1967, when

five Southeast Asian countries formed an organisation

to promote peace, stability, and cooperation

dur ing the Cold War. It has since expanded to include

all 11 Southeast Asian nations (Philippines,

Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei,

Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar—with

Timor-Leste joining in October 2025).

According to Minister Lazaro, the Philippine

chairmanship is guided by three priorities: peace and

security, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment.

Security and regional stability remain pressing

concerns amid turbulent times and intensifying geopolitical

rivalry between China and the US. China’s

pursuit of dominance in the region repeatedly fuels

tensions, particularly in the South China Sea.

ASEAN is therefore working with Beijing on a

Code of Conduct (CoC)—a crucial framework for

managing disputes in the region. The Philippines

aims to finalise negotiations this year. There are also

issues posed by military junta rule in Myanmar, a

member of ASEAN; this is no easy task for the Philippine

Chair. Dialogue and diplomacy, Foreign Minister

Lazaro stressed, must remain the primary

tools for resolving regional challenges.

Promoting prosperity is also a pillar of Manila’s

chairmanship. ASEAN’s economic significance is

equally important for the Philippines. With more

than 680 million people, the region is one of the

world’s most dynamic growth engines—a fact often

underestimated in the West. Many global partners,

including the European Union, have intensified their

engagement with ASEAN in recent years.

EU–ASEAN relations have evolved from loose

dia logue in the late 1970s into one of the world’s

most structured interregional partnerships. Both

blocs see each other as strategic anchors: the EU

values ASEAN’s role in Indo-Pacific stability, while

ASEAN views the EU as a major economic and regulatory

power. In 2020, the EU and ASEAN elevated

their relationship into a “Strategic Partnership”.

Besides the strategic aspects, the economic advantages

are worth mentioning. As part of the

“ASEAN family”, the Philippines benefits from increased

trade and investment opportunities. In 2024,

total trade in goods between the Philippines and the

European Union reached approximately €16.8 billion,

marking a 3.8 per cent increase from the previous

year.

What makes the Philippines so attractive as trade

partner and as an investment destination? According

to Asian business experts, several factors are in the

foreground.

First: Situated at the heart of Asia, the Philippines

offers unparalleled access to major ASEAN cities. Its

central position makes it an ideal launchpad for

companies targeting fastgrowing regional markets.

Second: The Philippines is known for its strong

work ethic and resilience. Its workforce is young

and dynamic—52 million people with a median age

of 26. Each year, around 700,000 English speaking

graduates enter the labour market, making Filipino

talent highly sought after worldwide.

PHILIPPINES

Official name:

Republic of the Philippines

(Republika ng Pilipinas)

Form of Government: Unitary

presidential constitutional

government

Capital: Manila

Population: 117 million

Area: 300,000 km²

Official language: Filipino (based on

Tagalog) and English.

More than 170 regional languages

and dialects are spoken in the

country.

Currency: Philippine peso

GDP per capita: $4,100 (2024)

Independence Day: 12 June

(declaration of independence from

Spanish colonial rule 1898)

Manila and map of the

Philippines.

Willy’s Rock on the island of

Boracay: a rock with a statue of

the Virgin Mary on top.



29


A waterfall on the island

of Siquijor. One of

Palawan’s beaches.

15 %

Impressions of the

Philippines: Malapascua

Island, the market in

Cebu, a retreat on Siargao

Island.


The Chocolate hills in

Bohol Province are a

special geological

forma tion and a wellattended

attraction.

Third: With 108 million consumers and average

GDP growth near 6%, the Philippines enjoys strong

domestic demand, which drives roughly 75% of GDP.

Fourth: The legal framework for investors and

trade partners is good. A double taxation agreement

(1982) and an investment protection agreement

(2003) provide legal stability. Recently, the Philippines

and Austria signed a bilateral financing cooperation

agreement, providing opportunities for

Austrian companies to participate in the Philippine

Government’s infrastructure flagship projects and

the “Build Better More” programme. It highlights the

shared commitment between the two governments

to boost socio-economic growth and sustainable

develop ment.

Additionally, it should be mentioned, that just a

few months ago, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

also signed new laws extending longterm lease contracts

to attract more foreign investors.

All these conditions also make it interesting for

Austria’s economy to become more involved in the

Philippines. In 2024, Austrian exports to the Philippines

reached €157 million, primarily in electronics,

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In addition, China Airlines operates daily flights

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Amsterdam, London, Prague, and Rome, offering

seamless interline connections to destinations

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A Class for every budget

With its exclusive Business Class, excellent Premium

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Free ÖBB rail connections

Business Class features direct aisle access for

every passenger and seats that convert into an

almost two-meter-long fully flat bed, complemented

by turndown service. Noise-canceling headphones

and elegant Moschino amenity kits further

enhance the onboard experience.

Passengers also benefit from complimentary

ÖBB first-class rail travel within Austria to Vienna

Airport, as well as a limousine service within a 40

km radius of the airport.

Premium Economy Class on the Airbus A350

features 31 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration. Each fixed-shell

seat is 51 cm wide with up to 129° recline,

without affecting the passenger seated behind.

China Airlines also offers more free baggage allowance

than other airlines in Premium Economy

Class, with 2 x 28 kg included.

Economy Class is arranged in a 3-3-3 layout and

includes personal entertainment screens and a

free baggage allowance of 2 x 23 kg. Economy and

Premium Economy passengers receive complimentary

second-class train tickets.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available on A350,

A321neo, and B777 aircraft. Economy passengers

can use messaging services free of charge, while

Business and Premium Economy guests enjoy unlimited

internet access.

Culinary delights onboard

China Airlines also elevates the onboard dining

experience through new culinary partnerships.

T+T, led by Michelin-starred chef Kai Ho, represents

a modern interpretation of Asian cuisine —

delivering a refined and surprising taste experience

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Little Tree Food, one of Taiwan’s leading brands

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31


Touristic attractions:

watching whale sharks,

visiting an adventure park

on Cebu Island.

Cagsawa Ruins, the remains

of an old church; mini masks

sold in Kaliba.

FACTS

Rizal and Blumentritt:

Strong Personal Ties

Eighty years ago, formal

diplomatic relations between

Austria and the Philippines were

established in October 1946.

However, the connections go far

beyond that. Philippine Ambassador

Evangelina Lourdes Bernas

tells CD: “Our strong people-topeople

ties are older than our

formal relations. The Philippines’

national hero, Jose Rizal, and

Austrian professor Ferdinand

Blumentritt shared a deep

friendship and exchanged

correspondences for ten years.

Blumentritt greatly influenced our

national hero’s thoughts on

nationhood. Rizal also visited Vienna

from 20 to 24 May 1887, where

he met with Blumentritt.” Today a

railway station in Manila

is named after the professor, and

there is also a monument to him in

a park in Manila. There are further

people-to-people ties. Ambassador

Bernas continues: “Our oldest

Western-style orchestra, the

Manila Symphony Orchestra, was

founded by an Austrian, Alexander

Lippay. We also welcomed several

Austrians who were admitted to

the Philippines as Jewish refugees

in the late 1930s and who

contributed greatly to our

scientific and cultural life. This

includes Mona Lisa Steiner, who

met her husband in the Philippines,

as both were Jewish refugees, and

who established the Philippine

Orchid Society. She lived in Manila

from 1938 to 1962, when she

moved back to Vienna.”

“This friendship is reflected in

the Filipino community in Austria,

known for its professionalism and

hard work. Filipinos in Austria are

well-integrated into Austrian

society and continue to contribute

to the Austrian economy and

society,” says the Ambassador.

The famous rice

terraces of Batad are

many centuries old.

machinery and in wood and wood products. This is

due to a general deforestation ban, which makes the

construction and furniture industry dependent on

wood imports.

Interest continues to grow. Dozens of Austrian

companies have already discovered the potential of

the Philippine market. A few examples: the logistics

and transport firm Gebrüder Weiss, which opened

its own national company in Manila last summer.

The reason is that “the Philippines is a high-growth

market, especially for the high-tech, automotive, and

consumer goods industries”.

The company Doppelmayr, globally known for its

cablepropelled transit systems, sees great potential in

the Philippines and operates a sales office in the capital

to tap into future urban mobility projects.

Tyrol-based Innio Jenbacher is also active in the

Philippines, focusing on sustainable energy solutions.

Its biogas powered combined heat and power

plants align with Manila’s priority of expanding renewable

energy. The government is investing heavily

in digitalisation, infrastructure upgrades—includ ing

airports and rail systems—and especially green

energy.

The urgency is clear: the Philippines is among the

countries most affected by climate change, facing increasingly

severe typhoons and rising sea levels. At

the same time, the nation must meet its rapidly

grow ing energy demand. It remains heavily depen-

Austrian professor

Blumentritt influenced

national hero Jose Rizal.

Though the revolution briefly secured independence

in 1898, the Treaty of Paris transferred control of the

islands to the USA. American influence brought new

educational and governmental systems, but Filipinos

continued to strive for independence.

World War II saw Japanese occupation, and after

the war, the Phi lippines finally gained independence

from the United States on 4 July 1946. Today, the

Philippines is a democratic republic, its culture reflecting

a rich and diverse heritage.

After 1946 the relationship with the USA became

a complicated but enduring partnership. Through

the Cold War, American bases in the Philippines

symbolised protection and controversy, shaping

poli tics and public opinion.

In the early 1990s, those bases closed. However, as

mentioned above, new geopolitical challenges in the

South China Sea pulled the two nations back together.

The current government under President

Marcos maintains a closer relation ship with the United

States than the previous administration. Culturally,

the Philippines stands apart from other Southdent

on coal, but recent developments offer hope. A

major discovery of natural gas reserves near Palawan—the

first in a decade—was recently welcomed

as a pro mising step towards greater energy security.

But one should not view the Philippines solely

from strategic or economic perspectives. While

those dimensions are undoubtedly important, there

is so much more to discover about this vibrant

country. Spread out over more than 7,600 islands,

the Philippines is defined by contrast—bustling

mega cities and remote rural communities, deeprooted

traditions and global modernity, persistent

challenges and remarkable resilience. Its people, culture,

politics, and economy form a complex mosaic,

evolving continuously and at a rapid pace.

This fascinating portrait of the Philippines is

shaped by its history. Long before European contact,

Austronesian peoples inhabited the islands, establishing

diverse communities and kingdoms. The

Spanish colonial era began in the 16th century; in

1565, Spain commenced its colonisation of the

Philip pines, naming the islands after King Philip II.

Spanish rule spanned more than three centuries, introducing

Christianity, new governance structures,

and European customs.

During the colonial period, a Filipino identity

began to emerge—alongside resistance to Spanish

rule. In 1896, the Philippine Revolution erupted, led

by figures such as José Rizal and Andrés Bonifacio.

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east Asian nations. Centuries of Spanish rule left an

enduring Catholic legacy, while American influence

shaped language, education, and popular culture.

Indigenous traditions are still existing, especially in

Min danao and the north ern highlands, resulting in a

lively cultural blend.

This layered history is vividly reflected in the

tourism industry, which has become increasingly

signi ficant to the nation’s economy. Visitors enjoy a

wide range of cultural events—from colourful fiestas

and karaoke to basketball courts in every village—

and a cuisine that reflects the country’s complex

heri tage, whether Spanish, Asian, or American. The

influence of Spanish colonial power is also apparent

in big cathedrals and churches, while vibrant Catholic-rooted

festivals are attended by millions of visitors.

Vigan, a city renowned for its well-preserved

Spanish architecture, offers a step back in time.

Nature remains the Philippines’ primary draw for

tourists, thanks to its 7,641 islands. Most visitors

seek extraordinary beaches and crystal-clear waters,

ideal for relaxation and water sports such as snorkel-

Ultra-modern skyscrapers in

Fort Bonifacio, Metro

Manila.

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Traditional Filipino food. Colourful

StoBoSa Hillside Homes artwork in

La Trinidad, Benguet Province.

INFO

The Central Role

of the President

The Philippines has been a

republic with a presidential form

of government since 1899 (First

Republic), after gaining

independence from Spain in

1898. The Philippines’ Second

Republic (1943-1945) was

established during the Japanese

occupation in World War II,

while the Third Republic was

inaugurated after the country

gained independence from the

United States in 1946.

The president is directly

elected by the people and holds

a powerful position: he serves as

head of state, head of

government, and Commander-in-

Chief of the Armed Forces. This

office carries substantial

authority, including enforcing

laws, shaping national policy,

and representing the country in

international affairs. The

president serves a single six-year

term and cannot be re-elected.

The next presidential

election will take place 2028.

The current president, Ferdinand

“Bongbong” Marcos Jr., won the

2022 election with high approval

ratings. His administration has

initiated a notable political

realignment: in foreign policy, he

has taken a firmer stance

towards China while strengthening

ties with the USA; in

economic policy, he prioritises

attracting foreign investment

and advancing infrastructure

modernisation and digitalisation.

He is the son of former President

Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., whose

20-year rule ended with the

People Power Revolution.

Former President Marcos

was succeeded by Corazon

Aquino. Since 2022, the vice

president has been Sara Duterte,

daughter of the former president

Rodrigo Duterte.

In February 2026,

Foreign Minister

Lazaro met in Vienna

with her counterpart,

Meinl-Reisinger, and

held a well-attended

lecture.

ling, scuba diving, surfing, or sailing. Boracay, for

example, is celebrated for its powdery white sands;

Palawan for its stunning lagoons, limestone cliffs,

and hidden beaches; and Cebu for its blend of sands,

culture, and lively nightlife—the birthplace of beach

tourism in the eighties.

Beyond romantic sandy beaches, the Philippines

offers rainforests, majestic mountains, impressive

waterfalls, and national parks. Among the top sights

are the magnificent rice terraces of Banaue and

Ifugao in the north, carved by hand centuries ago

and regarded as cultural treasures as well as UNESCO

World Heritage sites. Luzon, with its volcanic landscapes,

adds dramatic scenery.

A few days in Manila, the capital, is worth the visit.

The City of Manila is only one of sixteen cities

that constitute the Metro Manila region, home to a

population of up to 15 million—possibly up to

20 million in a few years. At first glance, Manila may

seem chaotic, but this is part of its unique charm,

with main attractions easily accessible. The capital

blends colonial history, modern urban life, and a

vibrant everyday culture that visitors quickly come

to appreciate.

Begin with Intramuros, the historic walled city

from the Spanish era, featuring stone fortifications,

cobblestone streets, and landmarks such as Fort

Santiago and San Agustin Church—a perfect place

to explore Manila’s origins. Rizal Park, located in the

heart of Manila, is a spacious green area with a national

monument honouring José Rizal. Nearby,

the National Museum Complex houses several museums

dedicated to art, archaeology, and natural

history. The bayfront promenade, famous for its

sunsets, invites visitors to enjoy evening strolls and

waterfront dining. Street food in Manila is diverse

and widely available. Shopping in modern districts

such as Makati or Bonifacio Global City offers a

strong contrast to historic Manila, with large malls

reflecting the city’s contemporary spirit.

Beyond sightseeing, shopping, and relaxation,

there are many opportunities to connect with the

people of the Philippines. Filipino society is characterised

by warmth, adaptability, and a strong sense of

community. The population is young, ambitious, and

increasingly connected; social media plays a significant

role in public discourse, influencing everything

from political debates to cultural trends. Above all,

family ties remain at the heart of Philippine life.

To conclude, it is worth mentioning a very interesting

cultural phenomenon that often confuses

visitors—whether in tourism or business—and that

apparent ly exists only in the Philippines: the use of

nicknames. Business cards often include the nickname;

highranking individuals use nicknames; even

the president has one.

Nicknames are deeply woven into everyday life in

the Philippines. People often shorten given names,

repeat syllables, or invent playful variations, and

these informal names are used not only among

family and friends but also in professional settings.

The custom creates a sense of warmth, familiarity,

and social closeness that reflects the country’s friendly

communication style.

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK, EMBASSY OF THE PHILIPPINES, ROB DETOYATO, BEIGESTELLT

Urban

Transformation

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been

President of the Philippines since

June 2022.

Doppelmayr is rethinking mobility in cities — multimodal, elevated to the Plus-1 level. With smart, forward-looking solutions,

we aim to enhance the quality of urban life. This takes true innovation: applying proven technologies in new and creative ways.

Together, we can shape cities that are ready for the future.

Urban Ropeways are the Next Level of Mobility.


doppelmayr.com

LE MONDE XYX PHILIPPINES

Philippines in Numbers

16 mately

cities and one municipality form Metropolitan

Manila. One of them is the City of Manila

(simply called Manila), the capital. Approxi-

20 million people live in Metro Manila.

42,000

celebrated

major and minor festivals and fiestas are

in the Philippines every year.

170

and

languages and dialects are spoken in the Philippines

—probably more. The official languages are English

Filipino (Tagalog).

1565

Cebu

is the year when the oldest city

in the Philippines was founded—it was

City on Cebu Island.

7 papal

million people attended a Mass celebrated

by Pope Francis in Rizal Park, Manila, on

18 January 2015. It was also the largest

gathering in the world.

6.3

degrees Celsius (plus!) is the lowest temperature ever

recorded in the Philippines (in Baguio). The city is located

in northern Luzon and lies 1,500 metres above sea level.

is the official number of islands in the Philippines.

4,000 have no official name; only 1,000 to 2,000

7,641islands are permanently inhabited.

2.71

million Carabaos (Philippine water buffaloes) live across

the country. The Carabao is considered the national

animal and symbolises hard work.

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

Seascape of Coron Islands.



37

LE MONDE XYX PHILIPPINES | INTERVIEW

H.E. Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo Bernas

“Our Relations are Robust and Excellent”

Interview: Gerhard Bitzan Photos: Ralph Manfreda

The Philippine Ambassador praises the ties to Austria, speaks about economic opportunities in

her country and the importance of Filipinos for the healthcare system.

CD: This year Austria and the Philippines

celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations. How

do you, as Ambassador of the Philippines,

evaluate the current status of these relations?

H.E. Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo

Bernas: The Philippines and Austria have

en joyed robust and excellent ties for eight

decades now. Our relations have grown

steadily since the establishment of our

formal diplomatic relations on 17 October

1946. Our relations are underpinned by

mutual respect, shared values, and strong

people-to-people ties. We cooperate in

wide-ranging sectors, including political,

trade and investment, infrastructure, agriculture,

science and technology, culture,

education, and people-to-people exchanges.

We are also both committed to multilateralism

and the rules-based international

order. We have close cooperation in multilateral

fora, including on nuclear non-proliferation

and disarmament, climate change,

and sustainable development. Our countries

are also campaigning for our respective

non-permanent seats on the UN Security

Council at elections at the UN Headquarters

in New York this year, and we’ve had joint

campaign activities towards this end.

The economic relations are also very promising.

Can you give details in which areas Austrian

companies can be successful?

Bilateral trade between the Philippines

and Austria is growing. We have surpassed

our pre-pandemic trade figures, with total

trade of USD 313 million in 2024. There is

certainly a lot of room for improvement and

we are working to further boost this number

in the coming years. There are many Austrian

companies which have established a

presence in the Philippines such as AMS

Asia Inc., Andritz, Evolantis Inc., Gebrüder

Weiss, Head Sport Philippines Inc., KTM

Asia Motorcycle Manufacturing Inc., Metrodeal

Inc., Rubner Holzbau, and Tann Philippines,

among others. The Philippines welcomes

Austrian investments, such as that of

Head Sport, which established a tennis ball

manufacturing plant in Davao del Norte.

There are six companies with significant

Austrian equity operating in the Philippine

Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), covering

sectors such as high-tech manu facturing,

software development, motor vehicle assembly,

and export-oriented rubber and paper

production.

The Philippines is positioning itself as a

regional hub for innovation-driven and

carbon-reducing industries. Of interest to

Austrian investors could be Philippine sectors

on IT-BPM, renewable energy, infrastructure

through public-private partnerships,

and green manufacturing.

We encourage Austrian companies to

consider investing in our semiconductor

and electronics industry, noting the Philippines’

value in the semiconductor and electronics

packaging value chain, with a 5%

market share worldwide.

There is a special agreement between the two

countries regarding Philippine skilled workers.

What is the reason that especially Filipino

workers are so popular in Austria?

Throughout the years, Filipino workers

in Austria have shown their hard work,

professionalism, and excellence. We have a

young, educated population of about

112 million, with about 10 percent of our

citizens working overseas. Most Filipino

workers in Austria are in healthcare, hospitality,

IT, and skilled industries. Filipino

nurses and healthcare professionals have

become indispensable members of the

Aus trian health-care system. Filipinos are

naturally warm and compassionate, making

us excellent carers to patients and the elderly,

whom we treat as our own family.

Filipinos grow up speaking at least two or

three local languages and English, so acquiring

another language like German in the

accent and dialect of Vienna or Bregenz is

not so difficult for us. Whenever I meet

Austrians, they always tell me about the excellent

care they receive from Filipino nurses.

They are our ambassadors of the Filipino

brand of caring and have contributed

significantly to the growth of Philippine

bilateral relations with Austria, especially in

deepening people-to-people ties.

When did this special relation start?

Filipino migration to Austria began in

the 1970s when the city government of

Vien na launched a program to hire Filipino

nurses to address the shortage of nursing

professionals. It started in 1974 when batches

of Filipino nurses arrived in Vienna following

a Memorandum of Understanding

between the Philippine Department of

Labor and Employment and the City of

Vienna. Around 150 nurses arrived that

year. This program continued until the late

1980s. The Philippines and Austria signed

two labor agreements in 2023, namely the

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on

the Recruitment of Filipino Nurses signed

on 7 July 2023 and the MOU on the Recruitment

of Professionals and Skilled Workers

signed on 25 October 2023. Through these

agreements, we want to ensure that Filipino

workers in Austria are protected and enjoy

the full benefits offered here in the host

country. The implementations of these two

agreements are moving well.

What are the tasks of the Migrant Workers

Office?

We opened a Migrant Workers Office

(MWO) in Vienna headed by a Labor Attaché,

in recognition of the growing number

of Filipino workers in our jurisdiction. The

MWO facilitates the accreditation of Austrian

employers and at the same time ensures

the protection and welfare of Filipino

FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

H. E. EVANGELINA

LOURDES

ARROYO BERNAS

is the Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of

Austria, and Permanent Representative to the

United Nations and other International Organisations

in Vienna, a position she has held since June

2023. She also serves as the non-resident

ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, the

Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic.

Before her diplomatic appointment she held

different posts in the Philippine business sector,

culture, and international politics. Born in 1971 she

studied in Manila and in Washington DC (USA).

She is the daughter of former Philippine President

Arroyo.

workers. We are pleased that Austria is a

like-minded partner which shares the same

view that recruitment should be fair, ethical,

and sustainable.

The Philippines are also famous for its touristic

beauty. What can your country offer for visitors

from Europe? Which attractions can you

recommand?

The Philippines has a lot to offer for all

types of travellers. Austrian tourists will enjoy

the mix of white-sand beaches, breathtaking

natural landscapes, and rich cultural

heritage. Our archipelago of more than

7,600 islands is home to at least 70 distinct

languages and over 100 dialects that reflect

our diverse cultures. Our beaches in Boracay,

Palawan, and Cebu consistently rank

among the world’s best—perfect for swimming,

diving, snorkelling, surfing, and other

water sports or island activities. We are

proud to host six UNESCO World Heritage

Sites such as the historic city of Vigan, the

Banaue Rice Terraces, the Baroque churches

of the Philippines, Tubbataha Reefs Natural

Park, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River,

and Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife

Sanctuary.

The Philippines are a paradise for divers…

For diving enthusiasts, the Philippines is

a world-class diving destination at the centre

of the Coral Triangle, the world’s epicenter

of marine biodiversity. Divers can go to

Cebu, Apo Reef, Apo Island, Puerto Galera,

Anilao, Coron, and Moalboal, among

others. Tubbataha Reef is for serious divers

who can stay at the heritage site on a liveaboard

in the months of March to June,

when it is open to tourists.

We have a unique tourist attraction in

Donsol developed together with WWF,

where one snorkels with whale sharks during

the months of February to May. The

guides are former whale shark hunters who



39

LE MONDE XYX PHILIPPINES | INTERVIEW

OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION

four decades of Institutional Welfare

Protection for Overseas Filipino Workers

PHOTOS: RALPH MANFREDA

voluntarily gave up their old trade to protect

the endangered species instead of hunting

them. There are strict rules, like no feeding

or touching the whale sharks, so that

tourists don’t disturb their natural cycle. We

also have surfing all year round—up north

in La Union and Aurora provinces from

October to June, and down south in Siargao

from June to October.

What about the Filipino gastronomy?

Austrian tourists will also enjoy the vibrant

Filipino gastronomy. We have as many

different cuisines as our cultures, so each

province has its own culinary style. Iloilo is a

UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and

my mother’s home province of Pampanga is

known for its cuisine that stems from its

royal precolonial roots. The Michelin Guide

recently awarded 108 establishments across

Metro Manila, its nearby cities and Cebu,

featuring one- and two-stars Michelin restaurants

and many others with Bib Gourmands

and Selected status. The launch of

the Michelin Guide Philippines highlighted

the country’s rich culinary tradition. Austrians

should try our adobo, lumpia, sisig,

lechon, inasal, and halo-halo, and if they are

brave enough to try our nutritious street

food, they should also try balut.

This year the Philippines hold the chairmanship of

ASEAN. What does this organisation mean for

your country in economic and political terms?

As one of the founding members of the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

(ASEAN), the Philippines considers the association

as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.

In ASEAN, the Philippines pursues

initiatives that will ensure regional peace,

stability, and cooperation. We closely engage

our fellow ASEAN member states on key

concerns such as maritime security, disaster

management, sustainable development, and

climate change. The Philippines has consistently

promoted ASEAN Centrality in

addressing regional concerns.

With a population of more than 680 million

people, ASEAN has become one of the

world’s most dynamic regions. As a member

of ASEAN, the Philippines benefits from

market access and enhanced economic opportunities.

ASEAN is also one of the largest

economies in the world, making it attractive

for foreign investments.

What are your main priorities as ASEAN-Chair?

The Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN

will focus on 3Ps—Peace, Prosperity, and

People. We advance regional peace and stability

by promoting dialogue, upholding international

law, and enhancing cooperation

on non-traditional security challenges.

We aim to create integrated connections

towards a shared prosperity through economic

integration, digital innovation, and inclusive

and sustainable development that

benefits all ASEAN communities.

We empower ASEAN’s people by fostering

social inclusion, safeguarding vulnerable

groups, and promoting a sense of shared

identity and regional solidarity. These three

priorities—PEACE AND SECURITY Anchors,

PROSPERITY Corridors, and

PEOPLE Empowerment—serve as our

compass, guiding ASEAN toward a future

where peace, prosperity, and people are at

the heart of everything we do.

Guided by the theme, “Navigating our

Future, Together,” the Philippine Chairship

of ASEAN aims to steer the association safely

through regional and global uncertainties,

relying on the group’s strength and unity.

FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

IN THE PHOTO: Elderly Filipino nurses, midwives, and hospital workers in Vorarlberg,

Austria, celebrating their 50th anniversary with a commemorative banner.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is the

Philippines’ national government agency dedicated to protecting

and promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)

and their families.

As an attached agency of the Department of Migrant Workers,

OWWA administers and manages a member-funded trust

mechanism that ensures structured and sustainable protection

and support across the entire migration cycle.

OWWA stands as a pillar of responsible migration governance,

ensuring that labor mobility is anchored in protection,

sustainability, and mutual development.

For decades, Filipino professionals and skilled workers have

contributed to global health systems, care institutions,

hospitality, engineering, maritime services, technology, and other

industries.

More than 50 years ago, Filipino health professionals first arrived

in Vienna, laying the foundation for a sustained labor

partnership between the Philippines and Austria built on trust,

competence, and shared responsibility. This partnership has

continued to deepen through bilateral labor cooperation. In 2023,

the Philippines and Austria signed two bilateral labor agreements

reinforcing commitments to ethical recruitment, responsible

skills mobility, and worker protection. In 2024, the establishment

of the Migrant Workers Office in Vienna, with a Labor Attaché

and an OWWA Welfare Officer stationed at the Philippine

Embassy, strengthened on-site coordination, labor governance,

and welfare protection.

IN THE PHOTO: OWWA Administrator PY Caunan during the signing of a Memorandum

of Understanding (MOU) with Austrian officials, supporting the deployment of highly

qualified Filipino nurses to Vienna, Austria.

OWWA DEVELOPS AND DELIVERS

WELFARE PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE

Pre-departure orientation and preparedness

On-site welfare and legal assistance

Emergency response and crisis intervention

Medical and financial assistance

Repatriation during conflict or global emergencies

Reintegration and skills upgrading

Scholarships and family support initiatives

OWWA AT A GLANCE

2.6 million active members worldwide

Trust fund valued at approximately USD 400 million

National agency mandated to protect OFWs' welfare

Institutionalized protection throughout migration

Migrant Workers Office in Vienna, 2024

OWWA personnel in over 40 overseas posts

IN THE PHOTO: OWWA Officials with our

Kababayang OFWs in Austria during the

Alagang OWWA Serbisyo Caravan.

IN THE PHOTO: Welfare Officer Ling Caceres on two

different OWWA-led activities.

Ambassador Bernas

with CD-Author

Gerhard Bitzan.

OWWA HOTLINE 1348

METRO MANILA: 1348

PROBINSYA: 02 1348

ABROAD: +632 1348

www.owwa.gov.ph


LE MONDE ALBANIA

Ksamil beach in the

South. Traditional

costumes.

Albania: Front Position in EU Accession

FACTS &

FIGURES

Albania is impressing with reforms and successes in building up its economy.

It could join the EU as early as 2030. But Brussels is still calling for efforts to

combat corruption and crime.

Text: Otmar Lahodynsky

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK, EMBASSY OF ALBANIA, ARDIAN FEZOLLARI, OTMAR LAHODYNSKY

In his last novel “The Enlargement” Albania and

its path to EU membership play a principal role.

Austrian novelist Robert Menasse sees this

country as “dazzlingly contradictory”. “For me, it is

fascinating, as gentle as Albania’s south, as rough as

Albania’s north. So cheerfully Western-oriented.” (see

box page 44)

Albania is truely fascinating and often described

as a hidden gem on the Adriatic coast. For decades

until the political change in 1991, this country was

largely isolated from the outside world because the

communist dictator Enver Hoxha broke with all his

allies and established close relations only with the

People’s Republic of China under Mao Tse-tung.

Fearing military attacks, he covered the country

with hundreds of thousands of small reinforced concrete

bunkers from which Albanians were supposed

to repel aggressors with nothing but rifles. It was the

world’s first officially atheist country, where all religions

were banned. The Stalinist Hoxha broke off

relations with Tito’s Yugoslavia, with the Soviet

Union and, in 1978, even with China, viewing these

states as renegades from the pure doctrine of

Stalinism. In doing so, he led the Albanians into total

isolation and bitter poverty. He secured his rule with

a regime of terror that ruthlessly executed or imprisoned

opponents.

The Albanians, also known as Skipetars, are an

ancient people with Illyrian roots and a large diaspora.

Even today, more Albanians live abroad than the

roughly three million at home—and there is an Albanian

minority in every neighbouring country.

Their Indo-European language is also unique, as it is

not related to any other.

After the late transition in 1991, the “Land of the

Skipetars” caught up astonishingly quickly and

showed the fastest economic growth in Europe. Investors

from the EU and the USA participated in

modernising Albania. With an investment volume of

900 million euros to date, Austria was one of the

pio neers, for example in the financial sector and in

the construction of hydroelectric power plants. The

Rogner Hotel Tirana, one of the first hotels in the

capital, Tirana, to meet Western standards, was also

built and operated by the Austrian Rogner Group.

There was only one setback: in 1997, a pyramid

finance scheme caused killings, economic devastation

and anarchy, requiring a UN-sponsored force to

Albania

Official name:

Republika e Shqipërisë (Republic of Albania)

Form of government:

unitary multiparty republic with one

legislative house

Population: 2,684,000 (2025)

Capital: Tirana

Official languages: Albanian (shqip)

Main ethnic groups:

Albanians (95 per cent),

Vlachs, Greeks, Macedonians

Currency: Lek

GDP per capita: $11,108

Tirana centre, Vlora:

monument for independence in

1912.

The capital Tirana and its

modern city center.

Gjipe Beach,

Ionian Sea.



43

LE MONDE ALBANIA

Southern Adriatic

coast with view

to Corfu (Greece);

Orthodox church in

Tirana.

Historic city of

Berat: UNESCO

World Heritage

Site.

VIENNA INSURANCE GROUP

A Group that relies on local strengths

Old Ottoman Ura e Mesit

bridge near Shkodër.

Albania: “Dazzingly Contradictory”

Austrian writer Robert Menasse has put Albania in the centre of his recent novel

“The Enlargement”. For Cercle Diplomatique, he comments on this country.

Does “Albania” actually exist? One thinks of a state, yet at the same time it is its abolition, a

kind of everywhere. There are more Albanians living throughout Europe than in the small state of

that name. It is a predominantly Muslim country whose national heroes are two Christians:

Mother Theresa, who was beatified by the Pope, and Prince Gjergj Skanderbeg, who was

ennobled by another Pope as “Athleta Christi” and who defended the Christian West against the

Ottomans in the 15th century. In this Muslim country, you hardly ever see women wearing

headscarves, and if you do, they are often Christian. Instead, after Friday prayers, you see

Muslims drinking beer.

Albania was the first (and only?) country to enshrine atheism in its constitution, but at the

same time it continued to cultivate its religions as a way of life, as a secularised tradition based

on respect and hospitality. After 1945, there were more Jews in so-called Muslim Albania than

had lived there before the Second World War, simply because Jews fleeing Eastern Europe and

trying to reach the Albanian port of Durrës were protected and hidden by the Albanians.

To my knowledge, Albania is the EU candidate country that has been most consistent in

implementing EU law as a prerequisite for accession, while the continuing influence of a contrary

understanding of law, namely the Kanun, an ancient customary law, can still be felt—the opposite

of pure European legal doctrine, for which justice is not a central category.

The head of government is not a professional politician, but an artist, which often turns

behaviourally conspicuous politics into creative statecraft. All these contradictions exist

simultaneously, animating social life and coming together in an

almost fundamental optimism, in a joy for the future tempered by

many disappointments, which would do the old European EU states

good as an infusion. But when a country is so dazzlingly contradictory,

then you can undoubtedly turn every part of it into its opposite.

For me, it is fascinating, as gentle as Albania‘s south, as rough as

Albania‘s north. So cheerfully Western-oriented.

Robert Menasse.

restore order. Many Albanians fled the country on

board of ships and boats, mainly to Italy. Austria’s

former Chancellor Franz Vranitzky was commissioned

by the EU to lead a peacekeeping mission.

But Albania is now at the forefront among Western

Balkan states in terms of accession negotiations with

the EU. The latest progress report from the European

Commission praises the efforts of the Albanian

government, but calls for further efforts in the fight

against corruption and crime. Prime Minister Edi

Rama, a social democrat who has led the country since

2013, plans his country joining the EU as early as 2030.

In September 2025, Rama appointed the world’s

first female minister to fight corruption: her name is

Diella, but she is not a real person, rather a creation

of artificial intelligence. The opposition criticised

Diella as a political manoeuvre and mere window

dressing, just as Rama, as mayor of Tirana and an

active artist in the 1990s, had the ugly prefabricated

grey buildings painted in bright colours and decorated

with slogans and verses by poets.

“Diella 2.0” was presented as an avatar in traditional

Albanian dress. The opposition argued that

Diella could even open up new ways for corruption.

In fact, at the end of January 2026, two senior officials

from the national information agency that developed

Diella found themselves targeted by special

police forces who placed them under house arrest.

However, Rama’s reputation has not even been damaged

by the recent corruption scandal surrounding

Erion Veliaj, the influential mayor of Tirana. Veliaj, a

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK, OTMAR LAHODYNSKY, BERNHARD HOLUB

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK, MARLENE FRÖHLICH - LUXUNDLUMEN

Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) is the

leading insurance group throughout

Central and Eastern Europe.

More than 50 insurance companies and

pension funds in 30 countries form a

Group with a long-standing tradition,

strong brands and close customer relations.

The around 30,000 employees in the

VIG take care of the day-to-day needs of

around 33 million customers.

Expertise combined with local

responsibility

VIG is synonymous with stability and expertise

in providing its customers with

financial protection against risks. VIG operates

as a cohesive ‘Group’ and creates

significant economic added value through

entrepreneurship and multi-brand strategy.

Ultimately, the Group‘s success and

closeness to its customers is down to the

individual strengths of each brand and local

know-how.

VIG established in Albania since 2007

Adhering to a long-term business strategy,

VIG prioritizes sustainable profitability

and consistent earnings growth across its

markets. Since 2007, Vienna Insurance

Group has been active in Albania, represented

by three companies.

SIGMA, part of VIG since 2007, serves

customers through branches, agencies,

and offices across Albania, as well as a

branch in Kosovo. Its offerings include

motor, property, and health insurance for

both private and corporate clients.

INTERSIG, founded in 2001 and integrated

into VIG in 2011, ranks among Albania’s

largest property insurers, renowned

for its swift claims processing.

VIENNA LIFE, established in December

2024, is a new life insurance company in

Albania, specializing in life and health insurance

products tailored to private and

corporate customers.

„A reliable and resilient partner

for Albania“ I Christoph Rath

Christoph Rath, responsible member

of of VIG VIG Management Board for for

ber

Albania, highlights the the distinctive

qualities that that set set VIG VIG apart:

"We "We operate as as a a Group on on equal

footing, rather than than adhering to to the the

hierarchical corporate structures typicapical

of of other organizations. The The

ty-

markets in in Central and and Eastern Europrope

are are highly diverse—economically,

regulatorily, and and culturally. This This

Eu-

is is why why we we emphasize the the local local expertise

of of our our companies and and uphold

the the principle of of entrepreneurship.

The The teams within our our Albanian

companies possess the the best best understanding

of of customer needs and and mar-

mar-

exkeket

dynamics. This This approach has has not not

only only made us us a top a top positioned group

on on the the Albanian insurance market

but but also also fosters local local accountability

and and trust trust in in our our companies and and the the

Group as as a a whole. We We have have now now

been operating in in Albania for for almost

two two decades and and have have further

strengthened our our position with with the the

newly established life life insurance

company. This This also also demonstrates

our our clear clear commitment to to the the Albanian

market. We We are are pursuing the the goal goal

an

of of remaining a reliable a and and resilient

partner for for our our stakeholders in in

Albania.”



LE MONDE ALBANIA

New Namazgah

Mosque in Tirana.

Tirana: centre

with Pyramid.

Gjirokastër: medieval town.

smart Harvard graduate, was considered a possible

successor to Rama at the helm of the Socialist Party

PS and also a potential future head of government.

The Special Prosecutor for Anti-Corruption (SPAK)

is investigating Veliaj on suspicion of corruption in

connection with the awarding of public contracts,

and the mayor was arrested in February 2025.

But Rama is not deterred by such setbacks: he is

serious about the ambitious goal of EU accession by

2030 and is therefore pushing ahead with further reforms.

And the population supports his plans. According

to surveys, 92 percent of Albanians are in

favour of joining the EU. EU Commissioner for

Enlarge ment Marta Kos explains: “From a technical

point of view, it is possible that we will conclude accession

negotiations with Albania by the end of

2027.”

Albania has also become firmly anchored in the

Western defence alliance. The country joined NATO

in 2009 and modernised its armed forces. The US is

extremely popular in Albania, which has meant that

attempts by Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to find

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK, OTMAR LAHODYNSKY

allies in Albania have been unsuccessful.

Social Democrat Edi Rama won the parliamentary

elections in May 2025, securing his fourth term in

office since 2013. The promise that Albania would

achieve its goal of EU accession by 2030 had been the

most important issue in Rama’s election campaign.

Christian Democrat Sali Berisha is 80 years old and

could not seriously challenge the extremely self-confident

head of government.

Edi Rama has recently established good contacts

with Italy’s right-wing government under Prime Minister

Giorgia Meloni. A camp was built in Gjadër in

the north of the country, to which Italy was supposed

to send migrants during the asylum process. However,

as this project encountered legal hurdles in

Italy, the 144-bed camp remained largely empty for

the time being. The European Court of Justice (ECJ)

is currently examining whether such transfer of

migrants is compatible with European law.

In terms of tourism, the country has now largely

made up for the ground it lost during the communist

dictatorship. The beautiful and largely unspoilt Adriatic

coast has been opened up to visitors, unfortunately

often with the typical rows of apartment

build ings. In the south, near the city of Saranda,

overlooking Corfu, there are even beaches with a

Caribbean flair. The second international airport will

soon be opened in the university city of Vlora.

In the hinterland, medieval towns such as Gjirokastër,

Berat and Korçë are attractive destinations.

The Albanian mountains, and Lake Ohrid and Lake

Prespa in the east, on the border with North Macedonia,

are home to national parks with unspoilt

fauna and flora. In the north, mountain regions and

the city of Shkodër, where Austria maintains a technical

school with its own curriculum, attract visitors.

Austria has also helped develop tourism in the

education sector. The city of Vienna, together with

the Agency for Education and Internationalisation

(ÖAD), introduced dual training as a combination of

school education and apprenticeships from 2022 to

2024 in order to meet the growing demand for tourism

staff. Relations between Austria and Albania are

extremely good, as evidenced by visits from highranking

politicians from both countries last year.

“Albania’s accession to the EU is in Austria’s own best

interests,” Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger

declared last November in Tirana, inviting her counterpart

Elisa Spiropali to the Opera Ball in Vienna.

Albania’s Ambassador to Austria, Fate Velaj, is

also proof of the close relations between Vienna and

Tirana. Born in Albania in 1963, he emigrated to

Austria in 1991, where he began a new life—working

first as a dishwasher and later in a factory. In his free

time, he began to paint.

Through perseverance and passion, he became a

renowned international artist—recognised as a painter

and photographer, as well as a talented writer of

novels such as “Die Kreuztanne”.

For his work as a bridge-builder between peoples

and cultures, he has been honoured with high decorations

and titles, among them the title of Professor

awarded by the President of Austria, as well as the

European Citizen Award granted by the President of

the European Parliament.

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Cercle Diplomatique 1/2026 47

LE MONDE XYX ALBANIA | INTERVIEW

H.E. Fate Velaj

“90 Percent of Albanians Support EU-Membership.”

Albania’s Ambassador to Austria on the goal of EU-membership, the world’s first AI-minister

fighting corruption, and the relations with Austria.

Interview: Otmar Lahodynsky Photos: Ralph Manfreda

CD: How far has got Albania with its negotiations

about EU-membership? Which are the main

problems?

H.E. Fate Velaj: Accession to the European

Union is not only a political goal, but a

na tional priority that has guided our work

over the past three decades. Negotiations

with the EU represent a profound transformation

process that strengthens democracy,

improves the functioning of institutions and

raises citizens’ standard of living.

The key challenges of this process are

manifold and closely interlinked. The first

challenge concerns maintaining the pace,

depth and sustainability of reforms, particularly

in the areas of the rule of law, the

functioning of the judiciary and the fight

against corruption and organised crime.

The second challenge relates to the administrative

and technical capacity required

to cope with the intensity of the negotiation

process. Albania’s full compliance with

technical criteria must be accompanied by

continuous political and diplomatic engagement

in order to build trust and political

support in European capitals.

When do you expect your country to join the EU?

Our accession process has entered a decisive

phase, with 2026 set to play a key role

in accelerating and consolidating reforms.

The aim is to reach a technical conclusion

to the negotiations by 2027 and to strive for

full accession to the European Union by

2030. This approach represents an ambitious

but realistic agenda. Albanians are

among the EU’s strongest supporters. According

to surveys, 90 percent of Albanians

support EU-membership.

Albania is already allowed to participate in certain

areas of EU regulations, such as the SEPA

payment system.

Albania’s integration into the European

payment system SEPA is one of the most

significant steps in practical cooperation

with the EU, with a direct impact on citizens’

daily lives and the functioning of the

economy.

SEPA enables fast, secure and low-cost

euro payments and transfers in line with

uniform rules and standards applied in EU

Member States. For citizens, this means

low er bank charges and greater convenience

for cross-border payments. For

businesses—especially those with European

business partners—SEPA reduces

operating costs and strengthens competitiveness

in the internal market.

Combating corruption is a major problem for all

candidate countries. Albania has appointed the

world’s first minister named Diella, created with

AI, to fight corruption.

The fight against corruption is one of

the most complex and sensitive challenges

in the European integration process, as it is

directly linked to citizens’ trust in institutions

and the functioning of the rule of law.

“Diella” is based on artificial intelligence

and uses data analysis to identify patterns,

irregularities or behaviours that may indicate

corruption risks.

Has Diella already uncovered any cases of

corruption?

Yes, there have been initial concrete successes

in the fight against corruption. Artificial

intelligence can increase transparency

and reduce opportunities for abuse.

In Northern Albania, the Italian government has

set up a camp for refugees from third countries.

Could this become a role model for the entire EU?

This camp was set up at the request of

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

However, due to legal problems in Italy,

only a small number of refugees have been

accommodated there so far. With the camp,

Albania showed its gratitude for Italy’s

help, for example during the 1997 crisis,

when Albanian citizens fled en masse to

Italy by boat after the collapse of a pyramid

scheme. There are many historical ties, including

those with the Albanian minority

of Arbëreshë, who have lived in southern

Italy for centuries.

Austria or other EU countries will not be allowed

to set up camps for refugees in Albania?

No, that was a specific gesture towards

Italy, for which Albania receives no money,

by the way. This camp is administered by

Italian authorities only.

H.E. Fate Velaj with

Cercle Diplomatique author

Otmar Lahodynsky.

H.E. FATE VELAJ

has been Ambassador of Albania

to Austria since 2024. Born in

Albania in 1963, he emigrated to

Austria in 1991, where he began a

new life—initially working as a

dishwasher and later in a factory.

He became a renowned

international artist, recognised as

a painter and photographer, as

well as a writer of novels, e.g.

„Die Kreuztanne“. Today, he is

a key promoter of a culturaldiplomatic

movement among

foreign representations in

Vienna.

How would you assess relations between Austria

and Albania?

Excellent. A significant indicator of the

excellent relations between the two countries

are the official visits made in 2025 by

the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, the

Speaker of the Parliament of Albania, Niko

Peleshi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Elisa Spiropali to Austria, the visit of Austrian

Chancellor Christian Stocker and the

Minister for Europe, Claudia Bauer, to

Tira na, including the latest visit on November

25, 2025 of the Austrian Foreign

Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, who held

productive talks in Tirana with Prime Minister

Edi Rama and Foreign Minister Elisa

Spiropali. Austria is one of the largest investors

in Albania, particularly in the energy

sector, as well as in the banking and insurance

sectors, water management and

infrastructure.

We Albanians will also never forget the

Austro-Hungarian Empire’s commitment

and strongly support to Albania’s independence

in 1912 and its early state-building

efforts.

Albania is grateful to Austria for its constant

and strong support in these 35 years

of transition as one of Albania’s most reliable

advocates in Europe of Albania’s EU

integration, visa liberalisation, EU accession

negotiations. Austria‘s „Friends of the

Western Balkans“ initiative is a testament to

its commitment to the region’s enlargement

and its accelerated integration into the EU.

There is also long-standing cooperation in the

education sector between Austria and Albania.

Yes, there has been excellent cooperation

and support from Austria for 35 years

in the field of education, which was initially

focused on the renovation and material

support of schools and later on the reform

of teaching programs and curricula. Two of

the most notable achievements in vocational

education are the School of Tourism in

Tirana and the HTL “Peter Mahringer”

School in Shkodër, which has adopted the

Austrian curriculum for the training of

technicians, especially in the IT sector.

I cannot fail to mention the cooperation

in higher education: The University of

Shkodër and the University of Graz, and the

cooperation of BOKU Vienna with the Agricultural

University of Tirana which aims

at the internationalization of higher education

and the European dimension that we

want to give to higher education in Albania.

Tourism is also on the rise.

Albania recorded 12 million visitors last

year. We have a lot to offer: a beautiful

coastline, unspoilt mountain landscapes,

historic cities, excellent cuisine, friendly

people and much more. We are delighted

that an increasing number of Austrians are

visiting our country.

48 Cercle Diplomatique 1/2026 Cercle Diplomatique 1/2026

49

LE MONDE GEOPOLITICS

World Order in Flux

It Will Never be the Same Again

Since Donald Trump took office in January 2025, the pace of geopolitical change has

accelerated noticeably. The most pressing question concerns the limits of this assertive

projection of US power and how the rest of the world will respond.

Text: Walter Feichtinger

US President Trump rolls out the

Red Carpet for Russia’s Vladimir

Putin in Alaska, Summer 2025.

PHOTOS: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, ADOBE STOCK, BEIGESTELLT

“We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition.” (Mark Carney,

Prime Minister of Canada, January 2026)

In the first year of his second presidency, Trump has set the

tone through executing a combined strategy of “speed kills”

and “maximum pressure”. Tariffs and military force—

whether threatened or actually employed—have been his

principal instruments. The guiding principle of “America First”

had already signalled the direction of US foreign policy, yet the

forcefulness and lack of compromise with which it has been

pursued have nonetheless caught many observers off guard.

More broadly, his return to office has injected new momentum

into a range of conflicts and crises. This has been most visible in the

Gaza Strip, where intense fighting was halted and a peace process

initiated. Whether this will ultimately establish him as a major

broker of peace remains open to doubt. Rapid negotiating outcomes

rarely produce durable settlements; more often they amount

to little more than temporary suspensions of conflict that risk

renewed escalation in due course.

At the strategic level, Washington set out its foreign and defence

policy direction in the National Security Strategy published at the

end of 2025 and the Defence Strategy issued in January 2026. These

documents outline both the conceptual approach and practical

framework within which allies and competitors alike are expected

to situate their own responses.

At the same time, there are growing indications that partners

and rivals are adjusting to this confrontational posture and

defining their positions accordingly. Should Washington maintain

its present course unchanged, many of these responses could

ultimately develop to its disadvantage.

From Ukraine to Iran to

Venezuela—a Geopolitical Overview

To illustrate these dynamics, a brief stocktake of major developments in 2025

and early 2026 helps to capture both the pace of change and the patterns

shaping the conduct of key actors. Foremost among them is Russia’s war against

Ukraine, a conflict Trump had pledged to resolve within twenty-four hours.

The Ukraine war and Putin’s constraints

“Should diplomacy fail, Russia will secure the liberation of its historic

territories by military means.” (Vladimir Putin, December 2025)

This statement, delivered by the Russian president at a Defence Ministry board

meeting in December 2025, underscores his unwavering commitment to the war’s

stated objectives. His insistence on these aims, Trump’s apparent inconsistency, and

Ukraine’s continued resolve have so far prevented any concrete progress towards peace.

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

Use QR code to view the

homepage of Center for

Strategic Analysis.



51


Five Insights into

Geopolitical Upheaval

Five tendencies are already

emerging from the current global

turbulence that warrant close

attention:

Drones are shaping the

course of the battle, with

tanks receding into the

background.

30,000

Russian soldiers

per month are likely

being lost by Russia in

the conflict.

At the beginning of 2026, Ukraine, its European backers and

the United States may have reached a preliminary understanding

on the parameters for peace talks, including essential

security guarantees. Yet no agreement can proceed without

Russia’s participation. Its forces continue to fight a costly

campaign along the front while systematically targeting critical

infrastructure and residential areas in Ukraine’s rear in an effort

to undermine the will to resist. A decisive turning point that

might clearly shift the balance remains out of sight.

It appears evident that Moscow intends to continue the war.

The broader economic situation allows it to do so despite

allocating roughly half of state expenditure to military

purposes. Direct and indirect external support also sustains the

campaign; it is widely assumed, for example, that a large share

of components used in Russian drones and many dual-use

goods originate in China. A significant shift could occur were

the United States to drastically curtail Russian oil revenues

through rigorous secondary sanctions and provide Ukraine with

longer-range weapons systems—steps from which both Trump

and his predecessor Biden have refrained.

From a geostrategic perspective, Putin requires a demonstrable

success, as Russia’s influence and standing have eroded

in other areas. Moscow played no decisive role in resolving the

conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, failed to prevent the

fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, and now risks losing its military

bases there. Even Iran, a key partner in the Middle East, was

offered little more than rhetorical support in the United Nations

following Israeli and US air strikes in summer 2025. Similarly,

Putin could do little beyond protest when his long-standing ally,

Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, was abducted in January

2026. Should further US intervention follow in Cuba, Moscow

would face another test of its credibility as a reliable partner in

Latin America and the Caribbean.

These circumstances help explain Putin’s determination to

pursue the war in Ukraine, not least because his personal

political fortunes may be closely tied to its outcome. From a

European perspective, this offers little encouragement for

mediation efforts.

Russia is increasingly

targeting critical

infrastructure, but

residential areas are

often hit.

Growing distance between the United States and Europe

“I think they’re weak … Europe doesn’t know what to do.”

(Donald Trump, January 2026)

Over the past year, the impression has taken hold that

Washington attaches greater importance to normalising

relations with Russia than to maintaining a close partnership

with its traditional allies. Secretary of State J. D. Vance set the

tone with sharp criticism of Europe at the Munich Security

Conference in February 2025, and shortly thereafter Trump

publicly dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at

the White House.

The most striking imagery followed in August 2025, when

Trump rolled out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin in Alaska,

thereby undermining the West’s boycott policy. This perception

has since become firmly embedded among many Western

policymakers, and the foundations of trust between Europe and

the United States have been significantly shaken. It is now

widely regarded as self-evident that US foreign policy is being

conducted along mercantilist lines, with material advantage—

“deals”—and national interests forming the principal guiding

considerations.

Particularly telling examples were provided by the NATO

summit and the attempt to acquire Greenland. By mid-2025, all

allies except Spain had agreed in The Hague to Trump’s demand

for defence spending of 3.5 per cent of GDP, supplemented by a

further 1.5 per cent for infrastructure and related investment,

though doubts were already emerging. US threats to withdraw

from NATO had not disappeared. The situation escalated

further when Trump suggested that Greenland might be

annexed by military force if necessary, a position widely seen as

crossing the boundaries essential for constructive cooperation

based on trust and respect.

It is therefore unsurprising that resistance to this confrontational

and at times humiliating approach has grown in Canada

and across Europe, strengthening cohesion among those

affected. This outcome may be regarded by Trump’s circle as an

“collateral strategic damage”, yet its full implications remain

difficult to assess and could ultimately harm US interests.

Europe must nonetheless proceed cautiously: continued

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK, WIKIPEDIA

American support remains necessary to prevent escalation of

the war in Ukraine and to maintain the credibility of nuclear

deterrence.

For that reason, Europe must move rapidly towards

developing independent deterrence and defence capabilities.

US troop presence on the continent is likely to diminish, and

American strategic documents make clear that Europe should

assume primary responsibility for its own security. Russia is

characterised as dangerous but manageable, and Europe is

considered capable of providing conventional deterrence or

defence. The United States remains vital to NATO, but its

deployments and activities are to be recalibrated, while

responsibility for supporting Ukraine is explicitly framed as a

European leadership task.

Both US strategy documents assume reliable European

partners who open their markets, remain politically aligned and

prioritise US suppliers in defence procurement. Whether such

expectations can be fulfilled, however, remains uncertain.

China Confronts the United States

“The reunification of our motherland is a historical

inevitability and cannot be halted.” (Xi Jinping, New Year

address, 2026)

Beijing’s clear message to Washington

At their final meeting in Lima at the end of 2024, China’s

president Xi Jinping set out four “red lines” for the United

States—parameters that Donald Trump was expected to

respect: do not undermine the authority of the Communist

Party; do not attempt to push China towards democratisation;

do not obstruct its economic rise; and do not encourage

Taiwanese independence. With the partial exception of

economic competition, these conditions appear broadly

compatible with Trump’s priorities. Beijing has, however, made

clear that it is prepared to stand its ground against Washington.

It refused to yield in the tariff confrontation, after which

Trump adopted a more conciliatory tone. By restricting exports

of rare earths, China also demonstrated the strategic leverage it

is capable of deploying when necessary.

Xi Jinping reinforced China’s position at the Shanghai

Cooperation Organisation summit in September 2025, presenting

himself both as leader of an anti-Western grouping and as a

proponent of a post-traditional international order. The same

message was conveyed during the military parade of the

People’s Liberation Army. By appearing alongside figures such

as Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin—leaders subject to various

international sanctions—Beijing signalled a deliberate break

with established norms. The display of advanced weapons

systems further underscored China’s growing military capability

The US strategy focuses on pressure and rapid action.

and its readiness to employ it if required.

China’s declared neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine has

been repeatedly called into question, while its close partnership

with Russia continues to yield tangible benefits. Beijing

secures oil and gas at discounted prices and flooded the

Russian market with goods, while Moscow emphasises its

“unwavering support” for China’s position on Taiwan. Through

platforms such as BRICS, China also maintains additional

networks through which it can counterbalance Western

influence.

Expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific

Beyond its rhetoric towards Taiwan, its assertive conduct in

the South China Sea and its political tensions with Japan,

Beijing is systematically expanding its reach across the

Indo-Pacific. Viewing the three island chains as potential

springboards for future operations, it is shaping naval

development accordingly. This brings Chinese forces

increasingly within range of US strategic space and closer to

American bases in the Pacific.

The cooperation agreement concluded with the Solomon

Islands in 2022 represented an important milestone. Although

it does not provide for military basing, it raised concern in both

Washington and Canberra. Tonga, situated within the third

island chain between Hawaii and New Zealand, has likewise

attracted Beijing’s attention and the country’s debt burden

creates the risk of significant concessions to China.

These developments help explain the relatively cautious

tone adopted towards China in the current US National Security

Strategy. Washington emphasises deterrence through strength

rather than direct confrontation in the Indo-Pacific. The aim is

not to dominate China, but to prevent any actor, China

included, from dominating the United States or its allies.

Economic containment through intensified cooperation among

partners is therefore preferred.

Taiwan remains the central source of friction. From a US

perspective, its importance is primarily strategic and military:

Chinese control would enable expansion towards the second

island chain and divide the operational theatre between

Northeast and Southeast Asia. Washington therefore seeks

to prevent incorporation by force while refraining from

supporting independence, maintaining the longstanding

policy of strategic ambiguity and preservation of the

status quo. Whether Xi Jinping will remain content

with this position, particularly in light of US actions

in Venezuela and domestic developments within

China, remains open to question.

First: The principle that might

makes right is increasingly

displacing the rules-based order.

Security and defence considerations

are moving to the centre of

political decision-making.

Heightened uncertainty and

mistrust are reinforcing the

security dilemma and defence

spending is therefore likely to

continue rising at pace.

Second: Established alliances are

losing some of their weight, while

new forms of cooperation and

partnership are taking shape.

Systemic rivalry is receding as a

defining framework, with

geoeconomic and geostrategic

interests increasingly guiding

political action. A more pragmatic

form of strategic realism, allowing

flexible and shifting coalitions, is

gaining influence.

Third: The United States is

pursuing its America First strategy

with determination, guided

primarily by its ambition to

preserve global predominance and

advance geoeconomic interests. In

doing so, Washington risks

strategic overstretch and the

erosion of its leadership role

within the Western alliance.

Fourth: The war in Ukraine

continues to place considerable

strain on Europe. Both Europe and

Russia risk suffering lasting

disadvantages in global

competition as a consequence of

this resource-intensive conflict.

Fifth: A return to the previous

international order is not conceivable.

This does not imply the

disappearance of all its achievements,

but the contours of what

will replace it remain uncertain

– whether it will take the form of

two dominant spheres of influence

centred on the United States and

China, or a system shaped by a

broader range of actors.



53


China’s President Xi Jinping

is in a strong strategic

position, with the

People’s Liberation Army

demonstrating its strength.

Individuelle

Strategien

für Ihr

Vermögen

1.2 trillion

USD is a record high,

China’s trade surplus

reached in 2025,

despite US tariffs.

Europe Awakens, but Beginnings are

Difficult

“We face pressure from several directions—we need a new

language of power politics.” (Friedrich Merz, January 2026)

Re-emphasising Europe’s many past shortcomings now

serves little purpose; the more pressing issue is how the

European Union—together with Norway and the United

Kingdom—responds to current developments. At the latest,

Trump’s threats concerning Greenland made clear that swift and

coordinated action is required. Strategic autonomy has

therefore returned as a guiding principle, reflected in efforts

ranging from seeking new trade partners, such as India or

Mercosur, to securing joint access to rare earths and energy

resources as well as advancing cooperation in security and

defence policy.

The United States’ shift towards positions perceived as

pro-Russian and critical of Europe has placed the EU under

considerable pressure to act. Europe must prepare to shoulder

the principal burden of supporting Ukraine’s defence,

overseeing any potential peace agreement and sustaining

long-term deterrence against Russia. In an extreme scenario,

it may also need to contemplate establishing a nuclear

counterweight. At the same time, Europe must ensure the

monitoring and protection of its external borders.

Together, these tasks amount to a formidable challenge, one

that will still require US support for some time to come. The

objective, however, is clear, even if the path will be long and

complex. The extent to which Europe succeeds will determine

whether it becomes merely an object of great-power politics or

participates as an equal actor.

Encouragingly, the EU made notable progress in strengthening

European defence during 2025. It cannot replace NATO as a

defence organisation, but by developing military capabilities it

can reinforce the Alliance—acting, in military terminology, as an

“enabler” that provides valuable contributions and essential

supporting capacity. Within this context, calls are also growing

for a more Europeanised NATO, in which all members apart

from the United States assume fuller responsibility. The idea

has a certain logic, though the practical challenges are

considerable. Replicating NATO capabilities under an EU label

would be counterproductive and financially unrealistic.

At the same time, Europe’s defence industry is gaining

momentum. After a difficult start, production capacity is

expanding, planning horizons are improving and industrial

cooperation is deepening. Consortia are emerging or

consolidating—those that are capable of matching US products

in quality and competing effectively in global markets.

US interventions and the emergence of flexible alliances

Trump has threatened to take control of Panama, authorised

the abduction of Venezuela’s head of state in order to install a

government more favourable to Washington, and sought to

bring Colombia, Mexico and Cuba into line. Canada rejected

suggestions of integration with the United States with

indignation, while Greenland has likewise resisted firmly.

Through an assertive posture, Trump aims to secure predominance

in the Western Hemisphere, not least to counter

China’s expanding influence in what Washington still regards

as its strategic backyard.

Together with Israel, the United States is also seeking to

reshape the balance of power in the Middle East, with the

containment of Iran as a central objective. Whether the military

signalling seen in early 2026 will produce tangible results

remains uncertain.

Trump’s proposals for the future of the Gaza Strip and for a

new “peace council” have been met with scepticism in many

quarters. Critics view the initiative, which would involve establishing

an organisation alongside or beyond the United Nations

under his personal leadership, as potentially undermining

established international legal frameworks, replacing them with

arrangements driven by power and wealth.

Joint Israeli–US air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities

demonstrated military capability, but their strategic value

remains open to question. A similar ambiguity surrounds the

abduction of Venezuela’s leader at the beginning of 2026: an

impressive operation in military terms, yet one followed by

uncertainty over its political consequences.

As in the Iranian case, Washington’s objectives remain

unclear. Whether the aim is to extract concessions, compel

behavioural change, engineer regime transition or pursue

narrower interests is difficult to determine. Such actions may

represent a deliberate approach—applying strong pressure and

observing subsequent developments—yet whether the United

PHOTOS: THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE‘S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WIKIPEDIA, ADOBE STOCK

With Operation Midnight

Hammer against Iranian

nuclear facilities, the US

demonstrated its military

might in June 2025.



Europe is catching up

significantly in rockets and

satellites.

Deployment of the US fleet

off the coast of Venezuela.

Gaza City 2007 and now—

there will be no reconstruction

without security.

States can shape the resulting trajectory to its advantage

remains uncertain. What is beyond doubt is that these

interventions send a powerful signal to other states to

reconsider their positioning towards Washington.

Trump’s uncompromising conduct is increasingly provoking

resistance and rejection. Europe and Canada are reassessing

their relationships with the United States, while India has felt

compelled to move closer to China. Whether intentionally or

not, US policy is encouraging many countries to view Beijing as

a strategic counterweight. While Washington continues to

emphasise its soft power, China is steadily developing a more

calculated form of influence, building capabilities deliberately

and deploying them with strategic effect.

Concluding Reflections

Despite the speed and assertiveness of recent developments,

it remains uncertain whether the US administration may be

overestimating its own capacity while underestimating the

reactions of those affected—and the potential negative

consequences for the United States itself. Having once embraced

a first strategic misjudgement in the form of “change through

trade”, Washington now risks a second one with its America

First approach. The course of 2026 should begin to provide

clearer indications. The initial shock has passed; emotional

responses are giving way to more considered reactions and

policy choices. Trump faces experienced counterparts – China’s

Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and

seasoned political leadership in Europe—all capable of opening

alternative geostrategic options. (Current as of publication.)

PHOTOS: MC2 JACKSON ADKINS/PUBLIC DOMAIN, ESA, WIKIPEDIA, APAIMAGES, SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION SECRETARIAT / CREATED WITH MAPCHART.NET, ADOBE STOCK

Shanghai Cooperation

Organisation 2024—

China plays a decisive role.


LE MONDE COMMENTARY

The Importance of Soft Power:

Persuasion Without Brute Force

Text: Burkhard Bischof

Opening of the 2012

London Summer

Olympics.

For decades, the United States dominated almost all soft power rankings as a mighty yet benevolent

actor. In the era of Donald Trump, that perception is changing dramatically across the world.

Burkhard Bischof

worked as deputy foreign

editor and opinion page

editor for “Die Presse”.

Since his retirement, he

writes a biweekly

geopolitical column for this

Viennese daily. He also

writes the “International

Report” for the bimonthly

“Austrian Military Journal”.

Britain presented itself as an “Island of Wonders”

at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer

Olympics in London. In a four-hour spectacle,

the development of the United Kingdom was portrayed

from pastoral idyll through the Industrial Revolution

to the present day. Everything that has made

“Brand Britain” famous worldwide was deployed—

from the Queen to pop culture, from James Bond to

Mr Bean, from the Mini Cooper to Harry Potter. For

many observers, this opening ceremony remains an

unrivalled act of national self-presentation: soft power

staged to near perfection. Olympic Games or world

expos offer host countries exceptional opportunities

to showcase their achievements and virtues to a global

audience and to cast themselves in a positive light.

However, opening or closing ceremonies at major

sporting events do not automatically propel a country

up the international popularity rankings, even though

autocratic states in particular compete for the right to

host such events in the hope of gaining prestige. Soft

power is more than international image management

through spectacular self-display. The concept of soft

power was developed in contrast to hard power by the

US political scientist Joseph S. Nye. Hard power is

based on a state’s economic strength and military

might, which are used to influence other states and

political actors and to impose one’s will upon them.

Attraction, not Compulsion

By contrast, soft power is not an instrument of coercion

or naked force. Instead, other states are to be

persuaded through cultural appeal and through the

communication of one’s own norms and values. Joseph

Nye described it as follows: “The skeptics who want to

define power only as deliberate acts of command and

control are ignoring the second, or structural, face of

power—the ability to get the outcomes you want without

having to force people to change their behaviour

through threats or payments.” Ultimately, then, soft

power is also about advancing one’s own interests.

Few would deny that in the 20th century the United

States developed a unique global appeal through

the soft power instrument of the “American way of

life”. This was so even though its use of hard power

since 1945—dozens of US military and intelligence

interventions worldwide—repeatedly led to serious

setbacks, whether in Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan.

Yet Coca-Cola and burgers, Hollywood films and

bourbon whiskey remained popular across the globe.

The military power of the United States receded behind

its civilian power. The country was seen as strong

and powerful, but also as benevolent and generous. As

a result, the United States regularly occupied top positions

in popularity lists and soft power rankings.

America’s Fading Appeal

That is now changing radically. Since Donald

Trump returned to the White House in 2025, US approval

ratings have plummeted in many parts of the

world. Trump places his imperial presidential authority

above national and international law; he constantly

blurs the line between truth and falsehood; self-interest

matters more to him than shared responsibility for

the global common good; shameless self-enrichment

in office is a passion, not a grave vice. Trump has dismantled

the US soft power arsenal—the US Agency

for International Development, the US Institute of

Peace, Voice of America—or cut it back radically, as in

the case of the Peace Corps or the National Endowment

for Democracy. The United States has withdrawn

from more than 60 international organisations.

The long-term consequences of this scorchedearth

policy are impossible to foresee, but its shortterm

effects are already evident. Although the United

States still ranked first in the 2026 Global Soft Power

Index published by Brand Finance (ahead of China

and Japan), there were marked deteriorations in areas

such as the country’s reputation, governance and relations

with other states. In the Anholt Nation Brands

Index of October 2025, which measures the brand

image of 50 nations, the United States fell out of the

top ten and landed in 14th place. Simon Anholt, the

creator of the index, commented: “The image of the

United States has suffered more recently than we have

ever measured before. Only Russia after the invasion

of Ukraine and China after the outbreak of the coronavirus

pandemic experienced a comparable loss of

image.” The top three places in the 2025 Nation Brands

Index were occupied by Japan, Germany and Canada.

Trump Makes China Great Again

Above all, Donald Trump’s mockery of the rules-

PHOTOS: MATT LANCASHIRE, ADOBE STOCK, BEIGESTELLT

based international order and its institutions will inflict

severe damage on the United States, Simon Anholt

predicts: “By attacking the international norms and

organisations that all served the United States, Washington

has essentially thrown away the key to its own

car. America will have less freedom of movement in

the world in future and may have to watch as China

exploits this opportunity,” he wrote in the Berlin-based

journal Internationale Politik. The European Council

on Foreign Relations also notes in a study published in

January 2026, based on almost 26,000 interviews conducted

in 21 countries in November 2025, that the

People’s Republic of China is gaining international

prestige, while the reputation of the United States as an

ally and influential actor is increasingly battered. The

International Monetary Fund likewise produced its

own soft power ranking in 2021. In this IMF ranking,

South Korea, Japan, and Germany occupy the top

three places, while the United States came seventh.

The Korean Wave Rolls on

South Korea is, in fact, increasingly establishing

itself as a global soft power heavyweight. Supported by

the government, the Hallyu—the Korean Wave—has

been rolling for more than 20 years, first through East

and Southeast Asia and now across the world: K-pop

bands such as BTS or Blackpink, internationally successful

films and series such as Parasite or Squid

Game, Nobel Prize-winning authors such as Han

Kang—South Korea’s contribution to global culture

continues to grow. The Korean Wave now also includes

Korean cuisine (kimchi) and Korean beauty

products (snail mucin). With all these elements of soft

power, South Korea not only does good business; it

also improves its reputation, enhances its appeal and

cultivates its international standing.

And how does Austria fare in terms of soft power?

In Simon Anholt’s Nation Brands Index, Austria ranks

13th; in the Global Soft Power Index it stands at 24th

place; in the IMF ranking it comes 20th. In all these

rankings, Austria scores points with its rich cultural

heritage and its reputation in the arts and entertainment.

“Culture is a central element of Austria’s soft

power,” said former foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg.

But unlike South Korea, Switzerland, Denmark

or Sweden, Austria has relatively few branded

products that the world loves, and it makes little impact

with contemporary film-making or globally successful

pop culture. In other words, Austria’s soft power

is heavily weighted towards the past.

How Soft Power is Measured

1 | Global Soft Power Index

This ranking is compiled annually by

Brand Finance in London. Based on more than

150,000 interviews, the soft power of all

193 countries worldwide is assessed. Fifty-five

performance indicators are surveyed, ranging

from a country’s reputation and visibility to

its influence and attractiveness. The business

environment, foreign and trade relations,

education and science, culture and heritage,

media and communication, governance,

people and values are also evaluated. In 2026,

the top three were the United States, China

and Japan (Austria ranked 24th).

2 | Anholt Nation Brands

Developed by the British policy adviser Simon

Anholt, this index assesses 50 countries

each year on the basis of 40,000 interviews

conducted in 20 countries. The criteria

include culture (including sport), politics

and governance, the economy (products and

exports), people, immigration and investment

potential, and tourism appeal. The top three

in the November 2025 index were Japan,

Germany and Canada (Austria ranked 13th).

3 | Good Country Index

Also conceived by Simon Anholt, this index

measures the contribution an individual

country makes to the shared welfare of

the world, assessed relative to its level of

prosperity. Data are evaluated across seven

categories: science and technology, culture,

international peace and security, world order,

planet and climate, prosperity and equality,

and health and wellbeing. Finland most

recently topped the index, followed by

Sweden and Germany (Austria ranked 11th).

4 | IMF Soft Power Ranking

In a working paper published in 2024,

the Inter national Monetary Fund used

29 indicators to measure the soft power of

a wide range of countries. For this index,

extensive data from the period 1990 to 2021

were analysed, covering business, culture,

digitalisation, education, global reach and

institutions. The indicators range from the

number of World Heritage Sites to

Olympic medals, from migrant numbers

to internet access, from legal certainty to

education spending, and from cultural exports

to patent applications. South Korea leads

this ranking, followed by Japan and Germany

(Austria ranked 20th).



59

LE MONDE COMMENTARY

The OSCE under Financial and Political

Pressure: A Wake-Up Call from Washington

Text: Stephanie Liechtenstein

The warning delivered by the U.S. at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna, demanding budget cuts

and OSCE reform, needs to be taken seriously by the OSCE Secretariat and the participating states in

order to secure continued U.S. participation in the organisation.

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.

With an annual budget of just 138 million

euros, the organisation has tried to accomplish

its mission of providing peace, stability

and security through a comprehensive approach

to its 57 participating states for the past decades. It is

what most commentators describe as “good value for

money.”

But last December, the United States took a radically

different approach and delivered a stark warning:

implement budget cuts and reforms, or face potential

U.S. withdrawal.

Speaking at the OSCE Ministerial Council in

Vien na last December, Brendan Hanrahan, Senior

Bureau Official at the U.S. State Department’s Bureau

of European and Eurasian Affairs, said: “The United

States remains engaged in the OSCE because we believe

that, if properly reformed, this organisation can

still play a meaningful role. But reform is necessary,

both to ensuring the OSCE can fulfil its mission of

furthering security in Europe, and to continuing U.S.

participation and engagement.”

Hanrahan questioned: “If the OSCE cannot provide

value in the one area where it should matter

most—engaging Russia in serious conflict management—then

why should the United States continue to

participate?”

“Because the U.S. believes the OSCE can change

and be effective,” he said.

But the change must be real: “I want to be clear:

We require change. No symbolic gestures or rhetorical

commitments. Real, serious change,” he said.

U.S.: OSCE must Implement Reforms and Cut its Budget

Hanrahan then laid out three concrete conditions

that Washington wants to see implemented.

First, he demanded tough budget cuts. “Just as we

have significantly cut U.S. funding to the United Nations,

so too must the OSCE revert to its core functions,”

he said. “To that end, the United States will

expect a reduction of at least 15 million euros in the

annual budget by December 2026,” he stressed.

Second, Hanrahan demanded structural changes.

He said: “The OSCE has rightly stood up for human

rights and freedoms for generations. That is not the

same as dictating national social policy. The OSCE

must stop treating transformation of domestic political

life as one of its core functions. The important

work of monitoring—whether of borders, elections,

or reforms—can only be effective with the full cooperation

of the states involved. This is a forum created to

prevent wars; it is not an international ombudsman.”

Third, Hanrahan said Russia needed to be engaged

more, saying the “OSCE must also stop sidelining the

very actors whose presence is essential for peace.” He

added: “A conflict involving Russia can only be managed

by engaging Russia. That is a practical reality, and

not an endorsement of any government’s conduct.”

Only after these conditions are met can the OSCE

fulfill its core mission, Hanrahan said, which means

“providing a venue where states with divergent visions

of society can still meet, negotiate, and manage their

differences,” including on issues such as conventional

arms control, border security, combating terrorism

and money laundering, and trafficking.

He issued a final warning: “If the OSCE continues

on its current path, the United States will continue to

assess our participation and support.”

OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu

expressed readiness to implement reforms in response

to the U.S. statement: “I am ready to play my part, and

to put on the table, for the Secretariat alone down the

road, a 10% reduction in costs … by streamlining the

internal structure, clear prioritisation, merging what

can be merged and cutting what is redundant,” he said.

The tone and substance of the U.S. speech at the

OSCE ministerial in Vienna was entirely different from

previous U.S. statements at OSCE Ministerial Council

meetings. In the past, Washington used to express

support for the OSCE and its mandate and mission.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, for

example, praised the OSCE in his speech to the 2024

OSCE Ministerial Council in Malta, saying: “This

Organi sation upholds the highest standards of democracy,

human rights, and the rule of law—and it’s able

to do so, above all, because of the people who serve the

institution.”

The U.S. speech at the Vienna ministerial in

Decem ber 2025 was therefore a wake-up call for

any one who had not yet taken seriously the Trump

administration’s repeated warnings that Washington

PHOTOS: OSCE, ADOBE STOCK, BEIGESTELLT

is conducting a comprehensive review of continued

U.S. participation in International Organisations and

of how much the U.S. is willing to pay for those institutions

it decides to remain a member of.

OSCE has no Approved Budget

But even before the U.S. warning last December,

the OSCE had already faced considerable financial

difficulties.

The organisation has operated without an approved

budget since 2021, running on monthly allotments

based on that year‘s budget of just over 138 million

euros.

According to the OSCE’s Financial Regulations,

when the budget is not approved by the end of December

of a given year, the organisation continues

operating on provisional monthly allotments from the

last approved year (in this case, 2021).

Without an approved budget, the OSCE cannot implement

new activities or hire more staff, leading to effective

paralysis and a very difficult financial situation.

Warning to the UN: “Adapt or Die”

Similarly, Jeremy Lewin, President Trump’s Under

Secretary for Foreign Assistance, told the United Nations

in December that it must “adapt or die.” The U.S.

pledged USD 2 billion to fund United Nations humanitarian

programmes, but that is a fraction of what it

used to spend.

The U.S. demand for the OSCE to reduce costs is

thus in line with a broader policy that U.S. Secretary of

State Marco Rubio characterised as “Ending the

Charade of Wasteful International Organisations” in a

blog post he published on January 10.

“What we term the ‘International System’ is now

overrun with hundreds of opaque International Organisations,

many with overlapping mandates, duplicative

actions, ineffective outputs, and poor financial

and ethical governance,“ Rubio wrote. “Even those that

once performed useful functions have increasingly become

inefficient bureaucracies, platforms for politicised

activism or instruments contrary to our nation’s

best interests.” He concluded: “The era of writing blank

checks to international bureaucracies is over.”

In line with this policy, U.S. President Donald

Trump signed an Executive Order on January 7, 2026

ordering the United States to withdraw from 66 International

Organisations and institutions.

A Future Role for the OSCE in Ukraine?

Implementing reforms and keeping the U.S. engaged

in the OSCE will thus be crucial, given that a

future role for the OSCE in the event of a potential

ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia is not excluded.

Switzerland chairs the OSCE this year and has

asked the OSCE Secretariat to step up preparations in

this regard. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis

stressed this point during a speech he delivered in

Vienna on the occasion of the inauguration of the

Swiss OSCE Chair in January.

The OSCE will be “neither a peace enforcement

force nor a miracle solution,” Cassis said, but it can

serve as a “platform for dialogue, as a ceasefire support

mechanism or as a targeted stabilisation actor.”

The good news is that the U.S. seems to agree on

this specific point. Hanrahan said in his speech that

the OSCE needed to be “ready to help secure a peace”

should a ceasefire or peace deal be achieved between

Ukraine and Russia.

But overall, the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna and

the participating states need to take the U.S. demands

for budget cuts and OSCE reform seriously and work

together to secure continued U.S. participation in the

organisation.

Brendan Hanrahan, Senior

Bureau Official at the U.S.

State Department’s Bureau of

European and Eurasian

Affairs, OSCE headquarters in

Vienna.



61

LE MONDE NEWS

BOOK TIPS

Latest Update from Around the Globe

Text: Alex Pisecker

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK, ROBIN CONSULT, UNO, DANIEL VEGEL, SKB MIKES

State Secretary for Energy, Startups and Tourism, Elisabeth Zehetner with Klaus Panholzer

(left), Managing Director of Schloss Schön brunn Culture and Operations Company Ltd., and

Alexander Mantz, Founder of Austria Manufaktur.

SCHÖNBRUNN ONLINE SHOPPING

Schönbrunn Group x Austria Manufaktur

Under the motto “Post from Schönbrunn – Sisi goes online,” the

Schönbrunn Group and Austria Manufaktur launched the new online

shop. Over 100 products are already available, with up to 700 planned.

Orders are shipped directly from the palace. Secretary of State

Elisabeth Zehetner, the Schönbrunn Group and Austria Manufaktur

praised the project as a blend of tradition, cultural education, and

modern e-commerce.

schoenbrunn-shop.com

schoenbrunn-group.com

austriamanufaktur.com

Space Security

Extending European

Defence into Space

Various authors (a.o. Andrius

Kubilius, EU Commissioner

for Defence and Space, and

Josef Aschbacher, Director

General of the European Space

Agency – ESA)

Outer space has become

strategically vital for both

economic growth and defence. In

response, leading figures from

politics, industry, and academia

co-authored Space Security, a

500+ page volume outlining

concrete measures Europe must

take to protect its interests in

space.

DC Publishing

diplomatic-council.org/de

ISBN: 978-3-9867419-3-8

Die Multipolarisierung

der Welt Ein geopolitischer

Wegweiser

Volker Perthes

The orderly world of the 1990s is

over. In a multipolar world with

five power centres—the US, China,

the EU, Russia, and India—old

certainties are losing their

significance. Regional powers are

gaining influence. Former UN

diplomat Volker Perthes explains

why the EU must become more

capable of action.

The Multipolarisation of the

World —A Geopolitical Guide

Suhrkamp

suhrkamp.de

ISBN: 978-3-518-43290-7

CLIMATE

International Vienna Energy

and Climate Forum 2026

(IVECF)

The IVECF 2026 will take place on

9–10 April 2026 at the Hofburg in Vienna.

The Forum brings together leading

figures from politics, business, industry,

International Organisations, and

financial institutions, fostering dialogue

on energy and climate transformation,

sustainable development, and public–

private partnerships, with a particular

focus on the most vulnerable countries

(LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS: UN-recognised

categories of developing countries with

unique structural vulnerabilities).

unido.org

UNITED NATIONS

John Brandolino for

UNODC & UNOV

John Brandolino is Acting Executive Director of the

UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and

Acting Director-General of the UN Office in Vienna

(UNOV). Since 2015, he has led the UNODC’s

Treaty Section. Previously, he held 15 years of

senior roles at the US State Department.

Brandolino began his career on legal and development

projects, including with the American Bar

Association, UNDP, and UNICRI. He holds a JD

from Harvard and is

admitted to practice

in Massachusetts and

Washington, D.C.

unodc.org

CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY (CEU)

35th anniversary of CEU in 2026

In 2026, Central

European University

celebrates its 35th

anniversary, marking

decades of research

and education rooted

in academic freedom and democratic values.

Founded in 1991 and relocated to Vienna in 2019,

CEU remains a global hub of critical inquiry and

international exchange. A new public artwork at its

Vienna campus will commemorate the anniversary

and CEU’s resilient global community.

ceu.edu

WELCOME TO

HOTEL MIRAMAR

FOR INFORMATION & RESERVATIONS,

PLEASE CONTACT US AT:

HOTEL MIRAMAR

Ulica Ive Kaline 11

HR-51410 Opatija

E. info@hotel-miramar.info

T. +385 51 280 000

W. www.hotel-miramar.info


L'AUTRICHE

DER NAME IST PRO-

GRAMM. IN L‘AUTRICHE

DREHT SICH ALLES UM

DEN STANDORT ÖSTER-

REICH, SEINE INTERNATIO-

NALEN ORGANISATIONEN,

SEINE WIRTSCHAFT UND

SEINE BEDEUTUNG AUF

DEM INTERNATIONALEN

PARKETT.

THE NAME SAYS IT ALL. IN

L‘AUTRICHE THE FOCUS IS ON

AUSTRIA, ITS INTERNATIONAL

ORGANISATIONS, ITS

ECONOMY AND ITS

IMPORTANCE ON THE

INTERNATIONAL STAGE.

L’AUTRICHE | ECONOMY AUSTRIA | INTERVIEW

Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer

„Diversifizierung, neue Märkte, Resilienz“

“Diversification, New Markets, Resilience”

Der Wirtschaftsminister über die richtige Antwort Europas auf die US-Zollpolitik

und wie man den Wirtschaftsstandort Österreich stärken kann.

The Minister for Economic Affairs on Europe’s response to US tariff policy and on

strengthening Austria as a business location.


CD: Zum Zeitpunkt unseres Interviews haben sich

die transatlantischen Spannungen etwas beruhigt.

Vorerst einmal. Wie sehen Sie grundsätzlich als

Wirtschaftsminister die von den USA praktizierte

Zollpolitik?

Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer: Die

Zollpolitik der USA ist für Europa und für

Österreich eine große Herausforderung.

Wenn Zölle steigen, wird Handel teurer

und unsicherer, das bremst Investitionen

und belastet die Weltwirtschaft insgesamt.

Für Österreich ist das besonders spürbar.

Direkte Exporte in die USA machen rund

1,7 Prozent unseres Bruttoinlandsprodukts

aus.

Die Welt des Handels wird aufgrund

von Handlungen gewisser Länder wie beispielsweise

zuletzt der USA un sicherer.

Deshalb dürfen wir unseren Wohlstand

nicht an einen einzigen Handelspartner

binden. Die Antwort darauf heißt Diversifizierung,

neue Märkte und Resilienz.

Das bedeutet erstens Diversifizierung

unserer Exportmärkte und zweitens eine

Stärkung des europäischen Wirtschaftsraums.

Genau hier setzt auch unser wirtschaftspolitisches

Resilienzpaket an, mit

offenen Märkten, fairen Wettbewerbsbedingungen

und einer Industriepolitik,

die Europa unabhängiger, widerstandsfähiger

und handlungsfähiger macht. Globalisierung

braucht klare Regeln, Verlässlichkeit

und Partner.

Die Debatten um Grönland zeigen, dass Europa

nicht nur sicherheitspolitisch, sondern auch

handelspolitisch stärker werden muss. Wie?

Österreich verdient sechs von zehn

Euro im Export. Wir brauchen stabile und

verlässliche Handelsbeziehungen, um

Wohlstand und Arbeitsplätze zu sichern.

Wenn ein wichtiger Handelspartner unberechenbar

wird, zeigt das, wie wichtig

neue Absatzmärkte sind.

Genau deshalb setzen wir auf Diversifizierung.

Indien ist beispielsweise einer

der zentralen Leitmärkte unserer Industriestrategie.

Indien hat mehr als 1,4 Milliarden

Menschen und wächst stark. Für

österreichische Unternehmen, vor allem

im Maschinenbau und in der Chemieindustrie,

ergeben sich große Chancen.

Darüber hinaus müssen wir bei laufenden

Freihandelsverhandlungen schneller

werden. Das gilt insbesondere für Abkommen

mit den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten

sowie für einen stärkeren Fokus auf

Rohstoffe in künftigen Handelsabkommen.

Freihandel ist kein Selbstzweck, sondern

ein Instrument zur Sicherung von Industriearbeitsplätzen,

Wertschöpfung und

strategischer Resilienz.

Ein großer Markt ist Südamerika. Das Mercosur-

Abkommen wurde jedoch lange blockiert. Was

bringt dieses Abkommen und warum ist der

Widerstand so groß?

Als Wirtschaftsminister sehe ich den

Nutzen des Mercosur-Abkommens klar.

Wir müssen unabhängiger werden und

Risi ken reduzieren. Mercosur schafft neue

Absatzmärkte, Experten rechnen beispielsweise

mit einer zusätzlich generierten

Wertschöpfung von 296 Millionen Euro

und über 2.100 Jobs. Zusätzlich verbessert

es beispielsweise den Zugang zu wichtigen

Rohstoffen, etwa in Brasilien, und gerade

darauf müssen wir einen Fokus legen. Ich

bin der Meinung, dass wir unsere Handelsabkommen

bewusst auch mit Blick auf die

Versorgung mit Rohstoffen ausrichten

müssen. Der Widerstand ist Teil einer

demo kratischen Debatte und ich kann

auch die Ängste und Sorgen gerade der

öster reichischen Landwirtschaft nachvollziehen.

Es gibt unterschiedliche Meinungen,

auch in Österreich. Ich stehe dazu,

dass wir ohne internationale Handelsbeziehungen

unseren Wohlstand langfristig

nicht sichern können.

Wir leben in einer Zeit großer geopolitischer

und wirtschaftlicher Umbrüche. Was bedeutet

das für Europa, für die EU?

Europa muss selbstbewusster und

handlungsfähiger werden. Eine zentrale

Lehre aus den aktuellen Krisen ist, dass

Wettbewerbsfähigkeit auch eine Frage der

Geschwindigkeit ist. Wer zu langsam entscheidet,

verliert wirtschaftlich an Boden.

Das betrifft sowohl industriepolitische

Entscheidungen als auch Handels- und

Binnenmarktfragen. Europa braucht weniger

Bürokratie, schnellere Verfahren und

einen vertieften Wirtschaftsraum mit

gleichgesinnten Partnern. Der Abbau

nichttarifärer Handelshemmnisse, ein

funktionierender Binnenmarkt und faire

Wettbewerbsbedingungen sind entscheidend,

um Investitionen in Europa zu halten.

Gleichzeitig geht es ebenso um die

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

WOLFGANG

HATTMANNSDORFER

ist seit 3. März 2025 Minister

für Wirtschaft, Energie und

Tourismus. Der 1979 in Linz

geborene Hattmannsdorfer

hat dort Sozial- und

Wirtschaftswissenschft

studiert. Anschließend übte

er verschiedene Funktionen in

der Volkspartei (ÖVP) in

Oberösterreich aus und war

dann Landesrat für Soziales.

Vor seiner Berufung zum

Minister war Hattmannsdorfer

Abgeordneter zum

Nationalrat und kurz auch

Generalsekretär der

Wirtschaftskammer (WKO).

has served as Minister for

Economic Affairs, Energy and

Tourism since 3 March 2025.

Born in Linz in 1979,

Hattmannsdorfer studied

social and economic sciences

there. He subsequently

assumed a range of roles

within the Austrian People’s

Party (ÖVP) in Upper Austria

and later served as Provincial

Councillor for Social Affairs.

Prior to his appointment as

minister, Hattmannsdorfer

was a Member of the

National Council and also

briefly held the position of

Secretary General of the

Austrian Federal Economic

Chamber (WKO).



67


bereits erwähnte Resilienz, die Versorgungssicherheit,

stabile Lieferketten und

eine starke industrielle Basis. Europas

Antwort auf globale Unsicherheiten darf

nicht Abschottung sein, sondern strategische

Offenheit, klare Regeln und die

Fähig keit, rasch zu handeln.

Wirtschaftspolitische Unabhängigkeit bedeutet

auch, dass mehr in Europa entwickelt und

produziert wird. Sehen Sie hier positive

Entwicklungen?

Ja. Unser Ziel ist es, Produktion, Wertschöpfung

und Innovation wieder stärker

nach Europa zu holen. Das betrifft besonders

strategische Bereiche wie Industrie,

Energie und kritische Rohstoffe. In der Industriestrategie

ist klar festgelegt, dass wir

europäische und regionale Wertschöpfung

stärken und Lieferketten widerstandsfähiger

machen wollen.

Die Industriestrategie 2035 setzt genau

hier an, mit dem Ziel, Produktion, Wertschöpfung

und Innovation in Europa und

in Österreich zu stärken. Ein klarer Fokus

liegt auf strategischen Bereichen wie Industrie,

Energie, Schlüsseltechnologien

und kritischen Rohstoffen. Damit mehr

Produktion wieder möglich wird, schaffen

wir gezielt bessere Rahmenbedingungen

mit der Industriestrategie. Dazu zählen

wettbewerbsfähige Energiepreise, wie

durch die Einführung eines Industriestrompreises,

sowie Made in Europe im

Förder- und Beschaffungswesen. So setzen

wir konkrete Anreize, damit Investitionen,

Wertschöpfung und Arbeitsplätze wieder

verstärkt in Europa entstehen.

Wie sieht es konkret für den Wirtschaftsstandort

Österreich aus? Viele Betriebe bauen

Personal ab oder schließen ganz. Welche

Maßnahmen setzen Sie?

Wir setzen viele gezielte Maßnahmen,

um unsere Wirtschaft und unsere Betriebe

zu unterstützen. Dazu gehören leistbare

und planbare Energiepreise, der Abbau

von Bürokratie, schnellere Genehmigungsverfahren

und mehr Unterstützung für

Investi tionen und Innovation. Ziel ist es,

Österreich als Wirtschaftsstandort wieder

wettbewerbsfähiger zu machen und Betriebe

im Land zu halten. Und wir sehen

dafür bereits vorsichtige Anzeichen. Die

Wirtschaftsprognosen wurden mittlerweile

mehrfach korrigiert und die Inflation

ist zuletzt deutlich auf 2 Prozent gesunken.

Sie haben viel Unterstützung für die Initiative

Industriestrom bekommen. Kann diese

Maßnahme die Wirtschaft spürbar beleben?

Energiepreise sind für viele Betriebe ein

zentraler Wettbewerbsfaktor. Der geplante

Industriestrompreis soll Unternehmen

entlasten und ihnen Planungssicherheit

geben, das hilft besonders energieintensiven

Branchen und stärkt den Standort

Österreich. Wir haben darüber hinaus

bereits mit dem Industriestrombonus eine

erste Maßnahme für die energieintensive

Industrie gesetzt und ziehen nun mit einer

weiteren nach. Am Ende geht es vor allem

darum, international als Standort wettbewerbsfähig

und attraktiv zu bleiben.

Die Bevölkerung leidet unter hohen Lebenshaltungskosten.

Sind die Maßnahmen der

Regierung nur kleine Schritte oder können sie

zu einem Aufschwung führen?

Nein, das sind keine kleinen Schritte.

Die Maßnahmen wirken, das zeigen die

aktu ellen Daten. Laut Schnellschätzung ist

die Inflation im Jänner auf 2,0 Prozent

gesun ken. Damit ist eine klare Trendwende

gelungen, vor allem durch gezielte Entlastungen

im Energiebereich. Die Senkung

der Elektrizitätsabgabe, das Bremsen der

Netzkosten sowie mehr Wettbewerb am

Strommarkt sorgen dafür, dass Energie

erstmals die Teuerung senkt, statt sie zu

treiben. Weitere Maßnahmen wie der

Sozial tarif, die Preis-runter-Garantie und

die Senkung der Mehrwertsteuer auf

Grundnahrungsmittel werden im Laufe

des Jahres zusätzlich wirken. Das stärkt die

Kaufkraft der Menschen, schafft wieder

Planbarkeit für Betriebe und ist eine wichtige

Grundlage dafür, dass Investitionen

anziehen und sich der wirtschaftliche Aufschwung

weiter verfestigt.

Sie betonen oft die Bedeutung von Leistungsbereitschaft.

Was meinen Sie damit?

Unser Wohlstand hängt davon ab, wie

produktiv und wettbewerbsfähig wir sind.

Leistung heißt für mich Innovation fördern,

investieren, Verantwortung übernehmen

und bereit sein, sich auf Veränderungen

einzulassen. Nur so sichern wir

Wachstum, Arbeitsplätze und einen finanzierbaren

Sozialstaat. Gleichzeitig müssen

wir offen ansprechen, dass sich in Österreich

die Arbeitszeit stark nach unten entwickelt.

In keinem anderen EU-Land ist

der Trend zur Teilzeit so ausgeprägt. Mir

geht es dabei ausdrücklich um die sogenannte

Lifestyle-Teilzeit – also Fälle ohne

Betreuungsverpflichtungen, in denen bewusst

weniger gearbeitet wird. Wenn das

zur Norm wird, gefährdet das langfristig

Pensionen, den Sozialstaat und die wirtschaftliche

Leistungsfähigkeit unseres

Landes. Deshalb setzen wir gezielt Anreize

für Leistung, denn wer arbeitet, sich weiterqualifiziert

oder mehr Verantwortung

übernimmt, soll spürbar profitieren.

Ihr Ministerium ist auch für Tourismus

zuständig. Wie wichtig ist kulturelles Erbe,

wie etwa das historische Schloss Schönbrunn,

für Österreich und den Tourismus?

Österreichs Stärke ist die Kombination

aus Tradition und Innovation. Das zeigt

sich in der Wirtschaft wie im Tourismus.

Historische Orte wie Schönbrunn prägen

das internationale Bild Österreichs und sind

eine Visitenkarte in die ganze Welt. Für den

Tourismus bedeutet das Arbeitsplätze,

regio nale Wertschöpfung und langfristige

Standortstärke. Kultur, Geschichte und

Wirtschaft gehören hier eng zusammen.

Und am Ende zeigt es eines: Österreich

ist nicht nur ein guter Ort, um Urlaub zu

machen, sondern vielmehr auch, um hier

zu leben, zu arbeiten und zu investieren.

CD: At the time of our interview, transatlantic

tensions have eased somewhat—for now. From

your perspective as Minister for Economic Affairs,


PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

how do you assess US tariff policy in principle?

Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer: US

tariff policy presents a significant challenge

for both Europe and Austria. When tariffs

rise, trade becomes more costly and less

predictable, which slows investment and

places strain on the global economy as a

whole. Austria feels this particularly

strong ly, as direct exports to the United

States account for roughly 1.7 per cent of

our GDP. The global trading environment

has become less certain as a result of actions

taken by some countries, most recently

the United States. That is why we

cannot tie our prosperity to a single trading

partner. The appropriate response is diversification,

the development of new markets

and greater resilience. This means diversifying

export destinations and strengthening

the European economic area. Our economic

resilience package is designed with

precisely this objective in mind, promoting

open markets, fair competition and an industrial

policy that makes Europe more

independent, robust and capable of action.

Globalisation requires clear rules, reliability

and dependable partners.

Debates around Greenland suggest that Europe

must become stronger not only in security policy

but also in trade policy. How can that be

achieved?

Austria earns six out of every ten euros

through exports, so stable and reliable

trad ing relationships are essential for safeguarding

prosperity and employment.

When a key partner becomes unpredictable,

it underlines the importance of opening

up additional markets. This is why

diver sification is central to our strategy.

India, for example, is one of the principal

lead markets identified in our industrial

strategy. With more than 1.4 billion people

and strong economic growth, it offers substantial

opportunities for Austrian companies,

particularly in mechanical engineering

and the chemical sector. At the same

time, we must move more quickly in ongoing

free-trade negotiations, especially

regarding agreements with the United



69



Arab Emirates and a stronger focus on raw

materials in future trade agreements. Free

trade is not an end in itself; it is a means of

securing industrial employment, value

creation and strategic resilience.

South America represents another major market.

The Mercosur agreement has long been blocked.

What benefits would it bring, and why has opposition

been so strong?

From the perspective of economic policy,

the benefits of the Mercosur agreement

are clear. We need to reduce risks and increase

independence. Mercosur would

open up new markets, with experts estimating

additional value creation of around

€296 million and more than 2,100 jobs. It

would also improve access to key raw materials,

particularly in Brazil, which is strategically

important. Trade agreements

should therefore be shaped with resource

security firmly in mind. Opposition to the

agreement forms part of a legitimate democratic

debate, and I understand the concerns

expressed, especially within Austrian

agriculture. Views differ, including within

Austria itself. Nonetheless, I remain convinced

that without international trade

rela tions we cannot secure our prosperity

over the long term.

We are living through a period of major

geopolitical and economic upheaval. What does

this mean for Europe and the EU?

Europe must become more confident

and more capable of action. One central

lesson from recent crises is that competitiveness

is also a matter of speed. Those

who decide too slowly lose ground economically.

This applies to industrial policy

decisions as well as to trade and internal

market matters. Europe needs less bureaucracy,

faster procedures and deeper economic

integration with like-minded partners.

Removing non-tariff barriers, strengthening

the single market and ensuring fair

competition are essential for retaining investment

within Europe. At the same time,

resilience remains key, including secure

supply, stable supply chains and a strong

industrial base. Europe’s response to global

uncertainty should not be isolation but

strategic openness, clear rules and the

abili ty to act quickly.

Greater economic autonomy also implies more

development and production within Europe.

Do you see encouraging developments in this

regard?

Yes. Our objective is to bring production,

value creation and innovation back

more strongly to Europe, particularly in

strategic sectors such as industry, energy

and critical raw materials. Our industrial

strategy places clear emphasis on strengthening

European and regional value

chains and improving supply-chain resilience.

The Industrial Strategy 2035 builds

on this ambition by reinforcing production,

value creation and innovation in both

Europe and Austria, with particular focus

on industry, energy, key technologies and

critical resources. To make increased production

viable, we are improving framework

conditions, including competitive

energy prices through measures such as the

introduction of an industrial electricity

price and “Made in Europe” criteria in

fund ing and procurement. These measures

create tangible incentives for investment,

value creation and employment to expand

within Europe.

What does this mean in practical terms for

Austria as a business location? Many companies

are cutting staff or closing entirely. What steps

are being taken?

We are implementing targeted measures

to support businesses and the wider economy.

These include affordable and predictable

energy pricing, reducing bureaucracy,

accelerating approval procedures and

strengthening support for investment and

innovation. The aim is to restore Austria’s

competitiveness and encourage companies

to remain and grow here. There are already

cautious signs of improvement: economic

forecasts have been revised several times,

and inflation has recently fallen significantly

to around 2 per cent.

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

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You have received considerable support for the

industrial electricity initiative. Can it provide a

meaningful boost to the economy?

Energy prices are a decisive factor for

competitiveness in many sectors. The planned

industrial electricity price is intended

to relieve pressure on businesses and provide

planning certainty, particularly benefiting

energy-intensive industries and

strengthening Austria as a business location.

We have already introduced an industrial

electricity bonus as an initial step and

are now following up with further measures.

Ultimately, the objective is to remain

internationally competitive and attractive

as a location for investment.

Many people are still feeling the pressure of

high living costs. Are the government’s measures

incremental, or can they lead to genuine

recovery?

These are not merely incremental steps.

Current data show that the measures are

having an effect. According to rapid estimates,

inflation fell to 2.0 per cent in January,

marking a clear shift in trend, particularly

due to targeted relief in the energy sector.

Reductions in electricity taxes, constraints

on network costs and greater competition

in the energy market mean that energy prices

are now helping to ease inflation rather

than drive it. Additional measures—including

a social tariff, price-guarantee

mecha nisms and reduced VAT on staple

foods—will take effect during the year.

Toge ther they strengthen purchasing power,

restore planning certainty for businesses

and create conditions conducive to renewed

investment and sustained recovery.

You often emphasise the importance of performance

and productivity. What do you mean by

this?

Our prosperity depends on productivity

and competitiveness. For me, performance

means encouraging innovation, investing,

taking responsibility and being willing to

adapt to change. That is how we secure

growth, employment and a sustainable welfare

state. At the same time, it must be acknowledged

that working hours in Austria

have declined significantly, with part-time

employment more widespread than in any

other EU country. My concern relates specifically

to what is often described as lifestyle

part-time work—situations without

caregiving responsibilities where individuals

deliberately choose to work fewer hours.

If this becomes the norm, it could undermine

pensions, the welfare system and economic

performance in the long term. We

therefore aim to create incentives for effort

and advancement so that those who work,

pursue further training or assume greater

responsibility see tangible benefits.

Your ministry is also responsible for tourism.

How important is cultural heritage—such as

Schönbrunn Palace—for Austria and its tourism

sector?

Austria’s strength lies in combining tradition

with innovation, and this is evident

both in the economy and in tourism. Historic

sites such as Schönbrunn shape

Austria’s international image and serve as a

calling card worldwide. For tourism, they

generate employment, regional value creation

and long-term economic strength.

Culture, history and economic development

are closely interconnected in this

context. Ultimately, they demonstrate that

Austria is not only an attractive destination

for visitors, but also a highly appealing

place in which to live, work and invest.

IN DIE

ZUKUNFT

SCHAUEN

VISIONEN

BAUEN

Seit über 60 Jahren beraten und

begleiten wir bei Betriebsansiedlungen

und -erweiterungen, regionalen

Förderungen und Internationalisierung,

überbetrieblichen Kooperationen

und Branchen-Netzwerken, Forschung

und Entwicklung.

Wir verbinden Wirtschaft und Politik,

Unternehmen und Verwaltung,

Investoren und Initiatoren

regionaler und internationaler Projekte.

ecoplus.at



CD-Autor Gerhard Bitzan

im Gespräch mit Wirtschaftsminister

Wolfgang

Hattmanns dorfer.

CD author Gerhard Bitzan

in conversation with the

Minister for Ecomonic

Affairs, Wolfgang

Hattmannsdorfer.

PROMOTION | AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

Who is real?

AI in the Age of Disinformation

Why Democratic Resilience is Becoming Central to Digital Sovereignty

INFO

AIT develops

tools to support

the analysis of digital

content and help identify

disinformation campaigns.

Disinformation is not a new phenomenon.

What is new is its reach, speed and influence.

Digital platforms, algorithmic prioritisation

and generative AI in particular have fundamentally

reshaped the information ecosystem.

Content can now be produced and disseminated at

industrial scale, often without identifiable origin,

context, or accountability. The consequences are distorted

perceptions, declining trust in institutions and

media and a growing susceptibility to manipulation.

AI acts as a catalyst in this environment. It lowers

the barriers to deception, accelerates the spread of

manipulative narratives and makes them harder to

detect. At the same time, it reshapes how information

is discovered and judged to be credible. Search

systems redirect attention, while traditional journalism

struggles for visibility. The issue is therefore no

longer limited to the quality of individual pieces of

content; the stability of public opinion formation

itself is increasingly at stake.

Between freedom and security: a democratic tension

Measures to counter manipulation must not undermine

freedom of expression, yet inaction risks

weakening democratic discourse. A further complication

lies in the operational grey zone, where much

content may be problematic without being unlawful.

Causal links between online disinformation and

offline harm are difficult to establish, cross-border

campaigns evade national jurisdiction and available

data remain fragmented.

Disinformation is embedded in social dynamics,

power relations and economic incentive structures.

Effective responses therefore require a combination

of technological tools, legal frameworks, institutional

preparedness and international cooperation.

Above all, they require evidence — robust and

transparent analysis capable of informing policymaking,

law enforcement and public debate.

Responsibly deployed AI as part of the solution

At the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, research

has for many years focused on responsible

applied AI that addresses societal, economic and

security-related challenges. Particular emphasis is

placed on transparency, explainability and human


PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES, AIT

oversight as foundations for trust, acceptance and

regulatory compliance.

Within the Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

research area, interdisciplinary teams develop AI

methods for analysing large-scale datasets. Multimodal

approaches make it possible to detect manipulation,

reveal patterns and place content within

its broader context.

Tools for democracy and the rule of law supported

by national security research

This work results in tools designed to support human

experts in analysing digital content. It is grounded

in Austria’s research strategy for digital security

and supported through national programmes such

as KIRAS and K-Pass, funded by the Federal Ministry

of Finance. The focus lies on protecting democratic

processes and critical infrastructure from

emerging digital threats while building capabilities

that translate research outcomes into operational

practice and policy capacity.

The objective is evidence rather than censorship,

for instance by providing indicators relating to authenticity,

provenance and patterns of manipulation.

Applications range from analysing foreign information

manipulation and interference (FIMI) and

hybrid threat scenarios to security-relevant contexts

such as counterterrorism, combating organised

crime and AI-assisted detection of fraudulent online

offers. What unites these applications is a distinctly

European approach to AI: human-centred,

explainable and embedded within the rule of law.

Resilience built through capability, not tools alone

Technology must ultimately be translated into institutional

capability. As an internationally recognised

centre of excellence in cybersecurity, AIT operates

the Cyber Range, a simulation environment in

which attack and escalation scenarios are rehearsed,

decision-making processes are trained and interagency

communication procedures are tested.

Protecting democratic processes today requires

both technical expertise and established cooperation

between authorities, security organisations and

civil society actors. Through international training

formats delivered together with organisations such

as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),

the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism

(UNOCT), the World Institute for Nuclear Security

(WINS), the Vienna Center for Disarmament and

Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) and national partners

including the Secure Austria Competence Centre

and the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, digital security

is framed as an integral component of state

resilience and international security architecture.

Spaces for dialogue in a fragmented world

Alongside technical capacity, forums for exchange

remain essential. The International Digital Security

Forum (IDSF), initiated by AIT, brought together

more than 500 international participants at its

fourth edition in 2025, spanning diplomacy, politics,

academia, industry and civil society. Discussions

focused on security risks at the intersection of

AI, quantum and biotechnology, on protecting critical

infrastructure and on the impact of disinformation

on democratic systems.

Platforms such as the IDSF encourage interdisciplinary

perspectives and foster shared understanding

of how security, openness and freedom can remain

compatible in the digital sphere.

Peace, trust and data sovereignty: a normative perspective

Initiatives such as the PeaceTech Alliance highlight

peace, trust and inclusion as guiding principles

for digital innovation. Federated data spaces, including

those developed under the Gaia-X framework,

enable cooperation while reinforcing trust as a strategic

resource. For diplomacy, humanitarian action

and civil-society peacebuilding, such approaches

are increasingly significant.

Digital sovereignty as a democratic responsibility

Artificial intelligence presents democracies with a

dual challenge: to keep pace technologically while

remaining faithful to their normative commitments.

Resilience emerges where analysis, evidence, institutional

capability and societal dialogue converge.

Research institutions such as AIT demonstrate that

AI can make a decisive contribution when embedded

within a European understanding of freedom,

law and solidarity. The decisive question is not whether

AI will be used, but how it will be used, because

this will determine whether digital transformation

strengthens trust or further erodes it.

AIT Media

Intelligence

Platform

At the AIT Austrian Institute of

Technology, media-forensic tools are

being developed to detect

disinformation campaigns. The Data

Science & Artificial Intelligence

research focus examines politically

motivated disinformation that

undermines democratic processes

and public trust in political and state

institutions. AI-based tools enable the

automated identification of

relationships through text similarity

and semantic analysis.

The AIT Media Intelligence Platform

is an AI-supported, modular analytical

ecosystem for the forensic

examination of digital media content.

It assists human experts in identifying

disinformation, manipulation and

content that threatens democratic

processes and provides authorities,

organisations and companies with

advanced tools for fact-checking,

media verification and situational

awareness analysis.

Further information:

ait.ac.at/media-intelligence

Additional links:

cyberrange.at

fakeshop.at

idsf.io

peacetech-alliance.com

Visual-only geolocation: The

platform predicts where a photo

was taken by analyzing patterns,

terrain, and contextual cues

directly from image pixels —

no GPS metadata required.

Fake face detection can

be used to determine

whether a face is

AI-generated.

L’AUTRICHE EUROPEAN SPACE POLICY INSTITUTE | ESPI

„Es geht ja nur um die gesamte Menschheit!“

“It’s Only the Entire Human Race!”

INFO

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK

Seit dem Winter 2023 wird am Wiener Schwarzenbergplatz

intensiv zu Europas Weltraumstrategie geforscht. Das „E“ in ESPI

– das „Europäische“ – ist dabei besonders wichtig.

Since winter 2023, intensive work on Europe’s space strategy has been

under way at Vienna’s Schwarzenbergplatz. In this context, the “E” in

ESPI—its European dimension—carries particular weight.

Text: Bernhard Seyringer

Das European Space Policy Institute

(ESPI) wurde 2003 von

der European Space Agency

(ESA) und der Österreichischen Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft

(FFG)

gegründet und wird seit Herbst 2022

von Hermann Ludwig Möller geleitet.

Ein Thinktank zur Formulierung der

strategischen Grundlagen für Europas

Weltraumpolitik. Ein weiteres Ziel ist

die Schaffung einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit

für das Thema Raumfahrt und

seine vielfältigen Anwendungsfelder,

die von der Verteidigungspolitik bis

hin zu Fragen von Nachhaltigkeit und

Ressourcennutzung reichen.

Die aktuell 23 Mitglieder setzen sich

sowohl aus nationalen Raumfahrtbehörden

als auch aus internationalen

Unternehmen zusammen. Das ESPI

versteht sich wesentlich als Innovationsvermittler

zwischen Forschung

und Industrie.

The European Space Policy Institute

(ESPI) was founded in

2003 by the European Space

Agency (ESA) and the Austrian Research

Promotion Agency (FFG), and

has been led by Hermann Ludwig

Möller since autumn 2022. It functions

as a think tank dedicated to shaping

the strategic foundations of Europe’s

space policy, while also seeking to

broaden public awareness of space and

its diverse fields of application, ranging

from defence policy to issues of sustainability

and resource use. Its 23 members

currently include both national

space agencies and international companies,

and ESPI regards itself above all

as an intermediary for innovation between

research and industry.

Vienna Space Diplomat

Die Plattform „Vienna Space Diplomat“ (VSD)

von ESPI ist ein einzigartiges Netzwerk zur

Förderung des internationalen Dialogs in der

Weltraumdiplomatie in Wien. Die Meetings

finden abgestimmt mit dem Sitzungskalender

des UN-Ausschusses für die friedliche

Nutzung des Weltraums (COPUOS) statt und

garantieren damit, dass die dringendsten

Herausforderungen der Menschheit Gegenstand

eines intensiven Austauschs zwischen

Diplomaten, Außenpolitik-Experten und

politischen Entscheidungsträgern sind. Die

Plattform VSD bietet unterschiedliche

Formate, die den Weltraum zur Lösung der

dringendsten Herausforderungen der

Menschheit in den Mittelpunkt rücken: Klima,

Sicherheit, Energie oder Gesundheit. Die

Anwendungsfelder und Lösungsansätze der

Zukunft liegen im All.

Das Ziel ist, die internationale Konsensbildung

zu fördern und den kontinuierlichen Dialog zu

Weltraumangelegenheiten zu ermöglichen.

Ganz besonders beim jährlichen Empfang mit

hochkarätiger Gästeliste.

SPI’s Vienna Space Diplomat (VSD) platform is

a dedicated network designed to foster

international dialogue on space diplomacy in

Vienna. Meetings are coordinated with the

schedule of the UN Committee on the

Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS),

ensuring that the most pressing global

challenges are addressed through sustained

exchange among diplomats, foreign-policy

experts and decision-makers. Through a

range of formats, the platform places space

at the centre of discussions on issues such as

climate, security, energy and health,

underscoring how future applications and

solutions are increasingly linked to

space-based capabilities.

Its purpose is to encourage international

consensus-building and maintain continuous

dialogue on space-related matters,

particularly through its annual reception

featuring a high-level guest list.

espi.eu/vsd/

65

Neue Satelliten der ESA

im Jahr 2026.

New ESA satellites in 2026.

11.000

Starlink-Satelliten von

SpaceX.

Starlink satellites operated

by SpaceX.

1.000.000.000

Kosten pro Tag in USD für

jedes EU-Mitglied bei Ausfall

von GPS.

Estimated daily cost in USD

for each EU Member State in

the event of a GPS outage.

Das ESPI2040-Konzept sieht

drei Stufen vor: Policy Impact,

Space Capability & Autonomy,

Foundation. The ESPI2040

Vision proposes three levels:

Policy Impact, Space Capability &

Autonomy, Foundation.



77

L’AUTRICHE | ESPI | INTERVIEW

Hermann Ludwig Möller

„Weltraum zum wichtigsten Thema machen“

“Make Space the Top Priority”

Der Direktor des European Space Policy Institute will das Thema „Weltraum“ ganz oben auf

die Agenda setzen. The Director of the European Space Policy Institute wants to put “space” at

the top of the agenda.

Interview: Bernhard Seyringer Photos: Ralph Manfreda

CD: Herr Möller, das Thema Raumfahrt hat in den

letzten Jahren an Bedeutung dramatisch

zugenommen: Warum?

Hermann Ludwig Möller: Die Raumfahrt

ist schon lange ein sehr wichtiges

Thema. Raumfahrt als wichtiger Teil geopolitischer

Kalküle und als geoökonomische

Kraft ist hingegen jüngeren Datums.

Dies lässt sich durch drei Punkte darstellen:

Erstens gibt es wieder einen Wettlauf zum

Mond. Diesmal zwischen den USA und

China. Neu ist, dass diesmal noch weitere

Staaten daran beteiligt sind: Indien, die

Vereinig ten Arabischen Emirate und einige

ande re. Der zweite Punkt ist der Weltraum

als zentraler Faktor in der Sicherheitspolitik.

Wobei, in den USA und vielen anderen

Staaten ist das bereits üblich – schließlich ist

das im US-Verteidigungsministerium angesiedelte

Budget seit 2024 höher als das

zivile Budget der NASA. Neu ist dies allerdings

in Europa. Der dritte Punkt ist gerade

im Entstehen und ich würde ihn mit

„Raumfahrt als Teil der Digitalen Ökonomie“

bezeichnen. Es geht hier um Datenzentren

im Weltall, Kommunikation auch

für den Consumer-Markt und darum, Satellitendaten

für neue Anwendungsbereiche

zu erschließen. Wir erleben eine Gleichzeitigkeit

aus Evolution und Interaktion dieser

drei Punkte. Eine sehr spannende Zeit.

Mit „ESPI 2040“ hat ihr Institut seine Vision

für Europas mittelfristige Weltraumpolitik

vorgelegt. Würden sie uns die Eckpunkte

skizzieren?

Vielleicht kurz zur Zahl „2040“. Das ist

für die strategische Vorausschau im Bereich

Raumfahrt eigentlich ein relativ

kurzer Zeitraum. Dabei geht es uns um

Machbarkeit, um etwas Realistisches. Wir

wollten mit diesem Horizont einen Handlungsrahmen

setzen, den wir gegenwärtig

noch beeinflussen können. Bei „ESPI

2040“ sind drei Ebenen wichtig: die „Capability“.

Also alles, was fliegt, könnte man

sagen, und worauf sich die meisten Diskurse

um Raumfahrt konzentrieren: Satelliten

und Raketen. Dann die „Foundations“: die

Industrie, die Talente, Finanzierung und

der Regulierungsrahmen. Und schließlich

an erster Stelle die Policy-Ebene: Dabei

geht es darum, die wichtigsten Anwendungsfelder

der Zukunft mit den Möglichkeiten

der Raumfahrt zu verbinden: In der

Mobilität, bei der Transformation des

Energiesektors und vielen anderen Bereichen.

Dafür muss man in die Strategieentwicklung

von Ministerien und Unternehmen.

Und genau das passiert gerade.

Wie würden sie den aktuellen Zustand der

transatlantischen Beziehungen beschreiben?

Vor allem, wenn es um kommerzielle Weltraumprojekte

geht?

Die letzten Tage und Wochen, auch in

Davos, haben uns alle, so denke ich, diesbezüglich

beunruhigt. Die Sorge dabei ist

unter anderem, dass Big Tech, also die

weni gen Unternehmen, die aktuell unsere

Informa tionen verwalten und die dafür

notwendi gen Kommunikationskanäle beherrschen,

zukünftig auch über die Dimension

Weltraum verfügen könnten. Hier

kommen wir zu den transatlantischen Beziehungen:

Denn die Unternehmen, von

denen wir hier sprechen, sind fast ausschließlich

amerikanisch. Wir laufen Gefahr,

dass in naher Zukunft diese Unternehmen

Monopole und eigene De-facto-

Regulierungen ebenso im Weltraum

etablie ren. Politik reduziert als Beobachter.

Unterschiedliche europäische Regierungen

und die EU-Kommission treiben eine Diversifizierung

von Partnerschaften voran

und damit eine Reduzierung von einzelnen

internationalen Abhängigkeiten. Beispiele

dafür sind das Handelsabkommen zwischen

der EU und Indien oder eine mögliche

Form der Mitgliedschaft von nichteuropäischen

Staaten wie Australien bei

der ESA (European Space Agency) – ähnlich

wie schon im Fall Kanada.

Das von ihnen skizzierte Streben nach

Reduzierung von Abhängigkeit führt uns zu

einer weiteren Debatte in Europa: die „digitale

Souveränität“. Wie sehen sie das?

In vielen Technologiefeldern ist ein

Mehr an Souveränität sehr schwierig und

für Europa nur schrittweise herstellbar, da

die entscheidenden Weichen oft bereits vor

Jahrzehnten gestellt wurden. Das Thema

Halbleiter ist nur ein Beispiel dafür. Die

gute Nachricht: Im Bereich Weltraum passiert

das jetzt gerade. Dieser Bereich ist

genau an dem Punkt, an dem das Internet

vor 25 Jahren war. Das heißt, man kann

noch mitgestalten. Ich habe bereits die Bedeutung

von Kommunikation und Datenzentren

erwähnt. Ich denke, die Digital-

Diplomatie der Zukunft und damit auch

die Frage nach der „Souveränität“ wird

sich zunehmend auch damit beschäftigen,

wie viel des erdgebundenen Internets in

Zukunft im All zirkulieren wird.

Ihre interessanten Ausführungen führen zur

nächsten Frage: Was werden denn die

„Gamechanger“ in der Raumfahrt sein?

Das ist sehr schwer zu sagen. Ich muss

dazu erwähnen, dass wir am ESPI nicht

einfach die Gegenwart in Richtung Zukunft

extrapolieren. Wir entwickeln Szenarien

über „Zukünfte“. Disruption wird

meist technologisch gedacht. Aber in diesem

Fall glaube ich nicht, dass es nur um

Technologie geht. Ich denke, das völlig unvorhersehbare

Moment liegt heute darin,

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

HERMANN LUDWIG

MÖLLER

ist seit Herbst 2022 Direktor des

European Space Policy Institute

(ESPI). Er gehört zu den

wichtigsten Vordenkern der

europäischen Weltraumstrategie,

auch als internationaler Netzwerker

und Regierungsberater.

Zuvor war er Chefstratege der

ESA (European Space Agency).

has been Director of the European

Space Policy Institute (ESPI) since

autumn 2022. He is one of the

most important thought leaders in

European space strategy, also

as an international networker and

government advisor. Previously,

he was Chief Strategist at ESA

(European Space Agency).



79



dass neben den USA und China, Europa

und eine größere Zahl an Nationen eine

Vielzahl von Partnerschaften eingehen und

sich dadurch sehr komplexe Szenarien ableiten

lassen, föderierte Raumfahrtlösungen.

Und natürlich in der Interaktion

zwischen den drei eingangs formulierten

Punkten: der neue Wettlauf zum Mond,

eine neu gedachte Sicherheitspolitik und

neue digitale Anwendungsfelder. Ich weiß,

man spricht oft von der Möglichkeit einer

bemannten Reise zum Mars als Ziel. Aber

das ist mit der uns bereits bekannten Reise

zum Mond an Komplexität gar nicht zu

vergleichen. Der nächste „Gamechanger“

wird auf der Erde geschehen, getrieben von

Geo-Politik und gestützt auf Innovation.

Wie sehen sie Österreich als Standort für die

Raumfahrtindustrie?

Ich habe die Bedeutung der „Foundations“

und damit der Industrie bereits erwähnt.

Da wir uns in Wien und Österreich

verorten, ist das sehr wichtig für uns. Es

geht hier wieder nicht darum, eine Raumstation

oder eine Rakete zu bauen. Der

Anteil dieser Bereiche an der gesamten

Raumfahrtindustrie liegt aber ohnedies bei

jeweils unter 10 Prozent. Die Wertschöpfung

liegt im Downstream. Also in den Anwendungen,

z. B. der Logistik, im Transport

oder im Energiesektor und in der Landwirtschaft.

Für Österreich sehe ich hier

enorme Chancen. Da werden dann auch

Informatiker und Datenanalysten benötigt,

nicht nur Astronauten. Im Vergleich zu der

Schweiz oder zu Luxemburg müsste die

Regie rung in Wien aber die Investitionen in

das Innovationssystem deutlich erhöhen.

CD: Mr Möller, the importance of space has

increased dramatically in recent years. What is

driving this shift?

Hermann Ludwig Möller: Space has

long been an important field in its own

right, but its role as a component of geopolitical

calculation and geo-economic

competition is more recent. This develop-

ment can be understood through three

points. First, there is a renewed race to the

Moon between the United States and China,

and what distinguishes this phase is the

participation of additional actors, includ ing

India, the United Arab Emirates and others.

Second, space has become a central element

of security policy. In the United States

and several other countries this has been

standard practice for some time, and since

2024 the space-related budget within the

Department of Defense has exceeded

NASA’s civilian allocation; what is new is

that this perspective is now gaining ground

in Europe. Third, an emerg ing dimension is

the integration of space into the digital

econ omy, encompassing concepts such as

orbital data centres, communications services

extending into con sumer markets, and

the expansion of satellite-derived data into

new application domains. These three dynamics

are unfold ing simultaneously and

interacting with one another, making the

present moment particularly significant.

With “ESPI 2040”, your institute has set out its

vision for Europe’s medium-term space policy.

Could you outline the key elements?

The timeframe itself deserves a brief

comment, as 2040 represents a comparatively

short horizon for strategic foresight

in the space domain. Our intention was to

focus on feasibility and realism, establishing

a framework for action that can still

be influenced today. The approach rests on

three levels. The first concerns capability,

meaning the physical assets that dominate

most discussions of space, including satellites

and launch systems. The second relates

to enabling conditions: industrial capacity,

talent development, financing and the regulatory

environment. The third, and most

important, is the policy level, which involves

linking future application areas with

the possibilities offered by space technologies,

whether in mobility, the transformation

of energy systems or other sectors.

This requires integration into the strategic

planning of ministries and companies

alike, and that process is already under way.

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

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How would you characterise the current state of

transatlantic relations, particularly regarding

commercial space activity?

Recent weeks, including discussions in

Davos, have prompted a degree of concern

in this regard. One issue is the growing

influence of large technology companies, a

small number of firms that already control

major flows of information and the communication

infrastructures on which they

depend, and which may in future extend

this dominance into the space domain.

This has implications for transatlantic relations,

as these companies are overwhelmingly

American, raising the possibility

that they could establish monopolistic

positions and shape de facto regulatory

conditions, including in space, leaving

political authorities in a largely reactive

role. In response, European governments

and the European Commission are seeking

to diversify partnerships and reduce dependence

on individual external actors, for

example through closer engagement with

India or through discussions on forms of

participation in the European Space

Agency for non-European partners such as

Australia, following precedents set by

Canada.

Efforts to reduce dependency naturally connect

to the wider European debate about digital

sovereignty. How do you view this discussion?

In many technological domains, achieving

greater sovereignty is inherently difficult

and can only be pursued incrementally,

as key structural decisions were often

taken decades ago; semiconductors are a

clear illustration of this constraint. The

space sector, however, is currently at a

forma tive stage comparable in some respects

to where the internet stood twentyfive

years ago, meaning that opportunities

to shape its development remain. I have

already mentioned the importance of communication

and data centres. I believe that

future digital diplomacy, and the question

of sovereignty, will increasingly have to

confront how much of today’s Earth-based

internet will circulate in space?

Your remarks bring us to the next question: what

developments are likely to reshape the space sector?

This is not straightforward to determine,

and it should be noted that at ESPI we do not

simply extrapolate present trends but construct

scenarios exploring multiple possible

futures. Disruption is often framed primarily

in technological terms, yet broader political

and organisational factors may prove equally

consequential. A major source of uncertainty

lies in the diversification of actors and

partnerships beyond the dominant United

States-China dynamic, as Eu rope and an increasing

number of other countries enter

cooperative arrangements that produce

complex configurations, in cluding federated

approaches to space capabilities. They intersect

with the trends al ready mentioned:

renewed lunar ambitions, evolving security

priorities and expanding digital applications.

Although public discussion frequently centres

on the possibility of human missions to

Mars, such undertakings are of a different

order of complexity from lunar exploration,

and the next decisive transformation is more

likely to occur on Earth, shaped by geopolitics

and enabled by innovation.

How do you assess Austria’s prospects as a base

for the space industry?

The sector’s development depends on its

industrial and institutional underpinnings,

which is naturally of relevance from our vantage

point in Vienna. Opportunities do not

only lie in constructing rockets or orbital infrastructure,

as these segments account for

only a small share of overall sectoral val ue.

Most value creation occurs downstream in

the application of space-derived capabilities

across fields such as logistics, transport,

energy and agriculture. Austria has considerable

potential in these areas, and the sector’s

growth will depend not only on astronauts

or aerospace engineers but also on software

specialists, data analysts and related expertise.

Compared with countries such as

Switzer land or Luxembourg, substantially

greater investment in the innovation ecosystem

would be required to strengthen

Austria’s competitive position.

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

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L’AUTRICHE | DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY | INTERVIEW

S.E. Martin Eichtinger

„Ausbildung auf höchstem Niveau.“

“Education at the Highest Level.“


Der Direktor der Diplomatischen Akademie Wien über

Zukunftspläne und über Diplomatie in stürmischen Zeiten.

The Director of the Vienna School of International Studies (Diplomatic

Academy) on future plans and diplomacy in turbulent times.

CD: Die Diplomatische Akademie in Wien ist die

älteste weltliche Diplomatenausbildung der Welt.

Können Sie kurz die Geschichte der DA zusammenfassen?

S.E. Martin Eichtinger: Die Akademie

wurde 1754 von Kaiserin Maria Theresia

gegründet, damals als „Orientalische

Akademie“, um Beamte für den Kontakt

mit dem Osmanischen Reich auszubilden.

Dies war deshalb wichtig, weil die orientalischen

Sprachen – Türkisch, Persisch, Arabisch

– damals in der Monarchie kaum gelehrt

wurden. Die Akademie war dann an

verschiedenen Stätten in Wien – Dominikanerbastei,

Stubenbastei –, bis sie 1898

umgewandelt wurde in die K.-u.-k.-Konsularakademie.

Diese hat sich verbreitert,

weg von der reinen Sprachakademie hin zu

einem Training für Konsularbeamte der

Monarchie. 1938 hörte die Akademie nach

dem „Anschluss“ zu existieren auf und

wurde dann 1964 in einem Flügel des Theresianums,

wo wir uns gerade befinden,

wiedereröffnet.

Was ist der genaue Auftrag der Akademie?

Wir sind seit 1964 hier an diesem Standort;

schon damals hat die Akademie nicht

nur den Diplomatennachwuchs für das österreichische

Außenministerium ausgebildet.

Seither ist das Berufsbild der Absolventinnen

und Absolventen noch viel

breiter geworden. Wir haben mittlerweile

243 Studierende aus 65 Ländern und bieten

drei Masterprogramme an, ein PhD-Programm

und einen Diplomlehrgang. Dass

wir heute nicht nur den Diplomaten-Nachwuchs

ausbilden, zeigt sich auch daran,

dass etwa 30 Prozent unserer Absolventen

mittlerweile in internationale Wirtschaftsunternehmen

gehen.

Sie haben die Leitung der Akademie im August

2025 übernommen. Setzen Sie andere

Schwerpunkte als Ihr Vorgänger Emil Brix?

2024/25 ist eine große Umfrage unter

den Studierenden gemacht worden. Daraus

geht hervor, dass alle mit der Ausbildung

sehr zufrieden sind. Wir bieten höchste

Qualität an und unser Anspruch ist akademische

Exzellenz. Die Studierenden haben

die Lehrveranstaltungen und die Vortragenden

höchst positiv bewertet. Während

die Lehre exzellent ist, ist die Infrastruktur

in die Jahre gekommen. Der große Auftrag

war also, das Haus zu modernisieren und

zu digitalisieren. Wir haben das sehr intensiv

in Angriff genommen. Zum Beispiel

konnten alle Neustudierenden für das aktuelle

akademische Jahr – und das waren

mehr als 120 – zur Gänze digital registriert

werden. Und dann muss man auch die

Infra struktur stark modernisieren. Ich bin

sehr dankbar, dass das Außenministerium

zum Jahresende auf Basis eines mittel- und

langfristigen Investitionsplans die Mittel

für die dringendst notwendigen Verbesserungen

zur Verfügung gestellt hat.

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

S.E. MARTIN EICHTINGER

leitet seit August 2025 die

Diplomatische Akademie in Wien.

Der 1961 in Graz geborene

erfahrene Diplomat war mehrfach

Botschafter, hatte führende Posten

im Außenministerium inne und

war zwischen 2018 und 2023

Landesrat in Niederösterreich.

Eichtinger ist promovierter

Rechtswissenschaftler und

seit 1986 im diplomatischen

Dienst tätig.

has headed the Diplomatic

Academy in Vienna since August

2025. Born in Graz in 1961, the

experienced diplomat has served

as ambassador, held senior

positions at the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs, and was a member

of the Lower Austrian Provincial

Government from 2018 to 2023.

Eichtinger holds a doctorate

in law and has been in diplomatic

service since 1986.

Wird es auch inhaltlich andere Schwerpunkte

geben?

In der Umfrage unter den Studierenden

zeigte sich ein interessanter Aspekt, nämlich

dass viele die Ausbildung noch stärker

globalisiert sehen möchten. Warum? Naturgemäß

hat die Diplomatische Akademie

Wien ihr stärkstes Potenzial und einen

Fokus auf Zentral- und Osteuropa. Das ist

unser Haupt-Einzugsgebiet. Aber wir wollen

künftig auch die anderen Kontinente

viel stärker einbeziehen.

Ich war im November bei einem Treffen

des Internationalen Forums für Diplomatenausbildung

in Peru und davor in Brasilien,

um ein weiteres Austauschprogramm

zu vereinbaren. Schon jetzt haben wir mit

Universitäten in Washington, Bologna, Tel

Aviv, Peking, Seoul und Paris, aber auch

der Stanford University und der Fletcher

School of Law and Diplomacy solche Programme

laufen. Das aktuellste ist jetzt ein

Programm mit der Universidade de São

Paulo in Brasilien.

Damit entsprechen wir dem Wunsch

der Studierenden nach einer globaleren

Ausbildung. Was auch unserer Studentenschaft

entspricht. Es sind, wie gesagt,

65 Nationen in der DA vertreten. Die

zweitgrößte Gruppe nach den Österreichern

sind die Amerikaner vor den Deutschen;

wir haben aber auch heuer zum

ersten Mal Studierende aus Nepal, dem

Koso vo und sogar dem Gazastreifen.

Welche Vorteile hat es, dass sich die Akademie

an einem wichtigen UNO-Standort befindet?

Eine unserer Stärken ist, dass wir uns in

Wien am Standort von mehr als 50 Internationalen

Organisationen befinden. Da

machen wir viel Karriereberatung, wir helfen

Studierenden, dass sie hier bei den Organisationen

auch mit Praktika Fuß fassen

können. Erwähnen muss ich noch, dass wir

zahlreiche Studienreisen organisieren, so

z.B. nach Brüssel, aber wir bereisen auch

das Baltikum und den Westbalkan. Heuer

geht es auch nach Erbil, wo wir Kurdenführer

treffen. Das Interesse an diesen

Study Trips ist jedenfalls groß.

Sie sind selbst erfahrener Diplomat – welche

diplomatischen Fähigkeiten sind heute, in einer

Zeit, wo das Cyberthema und soziale Medien

dominieren, wichtiger als früher?

Digital-technologisch als auch politisch

hat sich in den letzten Jahren viel getan. Bei



85


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Clichés and Idealisation

Sarah Ganster, Marina Hassiotis, David Schriffl

Vor mehr als 300 Jahren, nämlich 1720, wurde

der österreichische auswärtige Dienst

gegründet, der Zugang war jedoch nur für

Männer möglich, bis weit ins 19. Jahrhundert

hinein. Aber auch dann war berufliche Gleichberechtigung

noch weit entfernt. 1925 öffnete

die heutige Diplomatische Akademie ihre

Pforten für Frauen. Es sollte bis 1957 dauern,

bis die erste Missionschefin ihren Dienst antrat

(Johanna Monschein, Oslo). Nur langsam

stießen Frauen in Abteilungsleiter-Positionen

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Heute ist die Diplomatie längst keine Männerdomäne

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More than 300 years ago, in 1720, the Austrian

diplomatic service was established, but only

men were admitted until well into the 19th

century. Even then, professional equality was still

a long way off. In 1925, what is now known as

the Diplomatic Academy opened its doors to

women. It would take until 1957 for the first

female head of mission to take up her post

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only slowly into department head positions and

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diplomacy is no longer a male domain; important

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uns wird das Thema Künstliche Intelligenz

mehr und mehr aufgegriffen, aber auch alle

modernen Kommunikationstechnologien.

Gleichzeitig erfordert die neue geopolitische

Situation, dass die Studierenden in

Zukunft viel kreativer und flexibler sein

müssen. Die Grundvoraussetzung für einen

guten Diplomaten/eine gute Diplomatin

ist sicher eine sehr große Neugierde –

für andere Länder, für andere Kulturen.

Wichtig ist eine sehr große Kommunikationsfähigkeit,

denn Diplomatie ist sehr

kommunikationsintensiv. Da geht es nicht

nur um den Austausch mit der jeweiligen

politischen Elite, sondern auch um den

Kontakt mit der Gesellschaft.

Anders als früher kann man sich heute

nicht mehr auf klare und berechenbare

Strukturen verlassen. Wir sehen eine Erosion

des internationalen regelbasierten

Systems, nicht zuletzt auf der Basis der

neuen Strategie der amerikanischen Administration.

Wir sehen, was wir alle nicht

mehr für möglich gehalten haben, einen

Krieg auf europäischem Gebiet, der bald so

lange dauert wie der Erste Weltkrieg.

Angehende Diplomaten und Diplomatinnen

brauchen in Zukunft sicher viel

mehr Kreativität, Innovation und Flexibilität.

Aber die grundlegenden Skills, die man

braucht, die sind schon gleich geblieben.

Das ist die Neugierde, das ist die Kommunikationsfähigkeit,

das sind auch die Sprachen.

Denn trotz aller großartigen Übersetzungsprogramme

hat Sprache an Bedeutung

nichts verloren. Ich kann in den

internationalen Kontakten nur dann wirklich

vorankommen, wenn ich den Menschen

auch in ihren Sprachen begegnen

kann. Wir forcieren das sehr.

ben wir sehr stark ausgebaut, ist der ganze

Bereich der Executive Training Programmes.

Wir haben weltweit einen so guten

Ruf und eine so hohe Reputation, dass viele

andere Länder interessiert sind, bei uns

ihre Jungdiplomatinnen und -diplomaten

ausbilden zu lassen. Wir bieten sehr viele

Kurse an und haben sehr gute Vortragende.

Daher wird das sehr gut angenommen.

Und die dritte Säule sind die von Ihnen

genannten Veranstaltungen. Das sind Podiumsdiskussionen

und Vorträge von sehr

bekannten Persönlichkeiten. Wir haben

vor nicht allzu langer Zeit den Generalsekretär

des Europararates für einen Vortrag

hier gehabt, der über demokratische

Sicherheit gesprochen hat. Wir hatten einen

afrikanischen Religionsführer aus dem

Senegal zu Gast und die Außenministerin

Andorras hat einen Vortrag über die Rolle

kleiner Staaten gehalten.

Wir bieten diese Plattform auch Botschaften

an, viele nehmen das in Anspruch.

Wir veranstalten Buchpräsentationen,

Konferenzen und es finden bei uns Podiumsdiskussion

zu internationalen, aktuellen

Themen statt, an denen auch unsere

Studierenden teilnehmen können oder

mitwirken. Die Veranstaltungen sind ein

wichtiger Bestandteil unserer Arbeit; es ist

schwierig, ihn weiter auszubauen, weil wir

schon 200 Veranstaltungen im Jahr haben.

Auf jeden Fall prägt das unser Image, dass

wir eine Plattform für den internationalen

Dialog sind. Wir werden das in der Zukunft

weiterführen und wir werden auch

bei den Veranstaltungen noch globaler

werden.

CD: The Vienna School of International Studies is

the oldest secular institution for diplomatic

training in the world. Could you briefly outline its

history?

H.E. Martin Eichtinger: The school

was founded in 1754 by Empress Maria

Theresa, initially as the “Oriental Academy”,

to train civil servants for engagement

with the Ottoman Empire. This was neces-


PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

Die Diplomatische Akademie Wien ist nicht nur

eine Ausbildungsstätte, sondern auch Plattform

für Diskussionen und Veranstaltungen. Wollen

Sie diesen Teil der DA ausbauen?

Die Diplomatische Akademie Wien beruht

auf drei Säulen. Die eine Säule ist die

klassische Lehre mit unseren akademischen

Ausbildungsprogrammen und Lehrgängen.

Unsere zweite Säule, und die hasary

because Oriental languages—Turkish,

Persian and Arabic—were scarcely taught

in the Habsburg Monarchy at the time.

Over the years, the school was located at

several sites in Vienna, including Dominikanerbastei

and Stubenbastei, before being

transformed in 1898 into the Imperial and

Royal Consular Academy. Its remit then

broadened from a purely language-based

institution to a comprehensive training

centre for consular officials of the monarchy.

In 1938, following the Anschluss, the

school ceased to exist. It was re-established

in 1964 in a wing of the Theresianum,

where we are today.

What is the school’s current mandate?

We have been based at this location

since 1964, and even then the school was

not limited to training future diplomats for

the Austrian Foreign Ministry. Since that

time, the professional profile of our graduates

has broadened considerably. Today, we

have 243 students from 65 countries and

offer three master’s programmes, a PhD

programme and a diploma course.

The move beyond training diplomats

alone is demonstrated by the fact that

approxi mately 30 per cent of our graduates

now go on to international business and

corporate careers.

You assumed leadership of the school in August

2025. Are you setting different priorities from

your predecessor, Emil Brix?

In 2024-25, we conducted a major survey

among our students. The results showed

very high levels of satisfaction with the programme.

We offer education at the highest

level, and our benchmark is academic excellence.

Both teaching formats and lecturers

received extremely positive evaluations.

While teaching quality is excellent, our infrastructure

had clearly aged. The key task

was therefore to modernise and digitalise

the school. We have pursued this very intensively.

For example, all new students in

the current academic year—more than 120

in total – were able to complete the entire

registration process digitally. At the same

time, the physical infrastructure also requires

significant modernisation. I am very

grateful that, at the end of the year, the

Foreign Ministry provided funding for urgently

needed improvements on the basis of

a medium- and long-term investment plan.

Will there also be new academic or thematic

priorities?

One particularly interesting result of the

student survey was that many respondents

would like to see the programme become

even more global. This is understandable.

Traditionally, the Vienna School of International

Studies has had its strongest focus

and greatest reach in Central and Eastern

Europe which remains our core catchment

area. But in the future, we want to integrate

other continents much more strongly.

In November, I attended a meeting of

the International Forum on Diplomatic

Training in Peru, and prior to that I was in

Brazil to negotiate an additional exchange

programme. We already run exchange programmes

with universities in Washington,

Bologna, Tel Aviv, Beijing, Seoul and Paris,

as well as with Stanford University and the

Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. The

most recent addition is a programme with

the Universidade de São Paulo in Brazil.

This responds directly to students’ desire

for a more global education and reflects

the diversity of our student body. As

mentioned, we have students from 65

countries. After Austrians, Americans

form the second-largest group, followed by

Germans. This year, we also welcomed students

for the first time from Nepal, Kosovo

and even the Gaza Strip.

What advantages does the school derive from

being located in a major UN hub?

One of our key strengths is our location

in Vienna, home to more than 50 international

organisations. We place strong emphasis

on career counselling and actively

support students in securing internships

and entry points within these organisations.

We also organise numerous study trips, for

example to Brussels, but also to the Baltic

Der Leiter der Diplomatischen Akademie,

S.E. Martin Eichtinger, im Gespräch mit

CD-Autor Gerhard Bitzan. The Director of the

Diplomatic Academy, H.E. Martin Eichtinger, in

conversation with CD author Gerhard Bitzan.



87


states and the Western Balkans. This year,

we will travel to Erbil, where students will

meet Kurdish political leaders. Demand for

these study trips is consistently high.

You are yourself an experienced diplomat. Which

diplomatic skills are more important today, in an

era dominated by cyber issues and social media,

than they were in the past?

A great deal has changed in recent years,

both technologically and politically. At the

school, we increasingly address artificial

intelli gence and modern communication

technologies. At the same time, the new geopolitical

environment requires future diplomats

to be far more creative and flexible.

The fundamental prerequisite for a good diplomat

remains a strong sense of curios

ity about other countries and cultures.

Equally essential is a high level of communicative

ability, as diplomacy is an intensely

communicative profession. It involves not

only engagement with political elites, but

also interaction with broader society.

Unlike in the past, we can no longer rely

on clear and predictable structures. We are

witnessing an erosion of the international

rules-based system, not least as a result of

the new strategy pursued by the US administration.

We are seeing something that

many believed impossible: a war on European

soil that has already lasted almost as

long as the First World War.

Future diplomats will therefore require

much greater creativity, innovation and

flexibi lity. Yet the core skills remain unchanged:

curiosity, communication and

languages. Despite all the advances in

transla tion technology, language has lost

none of its importance. Meaningful international

engagement is only possible when

one can meet people in their own languages.

This is something we actively promote.

demic programmes and diploma courses.

The second pillar, which we have significantly

expanded, is executive training. Our

international reputation is so strong that

many countries are keen to have their junior

diplomats trained in Vienna. We offer

a wide range of courses with outstanding

lecturers, and demand is very high.

The third pillar consists of the events

you mentioned: panel discussions and lectures

by prominent figures. Not long ago,

we hosted the Secretary General of the

Council of Europe, who spoke on democratic

security. We welcomed a religious

leader from Senegal, and the Foreign Minister

of Andorra delivered a lecture on the

role of small states.

We also make this platform available to

embassies, many of which take advantage

of it. We host book launches, conferences

and panel discussions on current international

issues, often involving our students

directly. These events are a vital part of our

work. Further expansion is difficult, as we

already organise around 200 events per

year. They nevertheless play a key role in

shaping our profile as a forum for international

dialogue—a role we will continue to

develop, with an increasingly global outlook.

„Wir sind eine

Plattform für den

internationalen

Dialog.“

„We are a platform

for international

dialogue.“

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The Vienna School of International Studies is not

only a training institution, but also a platform for

debate and events. Do you intend to expand this

role?

The school rests on three pillars. The

first is classical teaching through our aca-

PHOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

HWB 38

HWB 42


0810 311 900 GLORIT.AT/EN

SAVOIR VIVRE AMBASSADOR OF EDUCATION | CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY VIENNA | CEU

35 Jahre Demokratieförderung und Spitzenforschung

35 Years of Advancing Democracy and Research Excellence

CEU – Central European University in Wien | Vienna

Text & Interview: Claudia Jörg-Brosche

DIRECTOR’S TALK

INFO

Carsten Q. Schneider

Interimspräsident und Rektor der CEU | Interim President and Rector of CEU

Auf einen Blick

At a Glance

Die CEU – Central European University –

schreibt seit 35 Jahren Erfolgsgeschichte: Sie

wurde 1991 von George Soros als international

ausgerichtete, gemeinnützige Privatuniversität mit

mehreren Standorten in Mitteleuropa (u.a. in Budapest

in Ungarn) gegründet. CEU ist in den USA und

Österreich akkreditiert und steht für eine offene Gesellschaft,

demokratische Werte und Meinungsfreiheit.

Sie setzt sich zum Ziel, neue Generationen mit einer

besonderen Problemlösungskompetenz für die komplexe

Gegenwart und Zukunft auszustatten. CEU’s ziviles

Engagement zeigt sich u.a. mit der Initiative

„Invis ible University for Ukraine“, die ukrainischen

Studenten mit Online-Kursen eine Weiterverfolgung

ihres Studiums ermöglicht (jede fünfte Universität in

der Ukraine wurde durch Russland zerstört). 2019 verlegte

die CEU ihren Hauptsitz nach Wien.

Internationalität: 1.600

Studierende aus mehr als 100

Nationen genießen eine

Top-Ausbildung an der CEU.

International outlook: 1,600

students from more than 100

nations enjoy a top-level

education at CEU.

For 35 years, CEU—Central European University—has

been a success story. Found ed in 1991

by George Soros as an internationally oriented,

non-profit private university with several locations in

Central Europe (including Budapest, Hungary), CEU

has since established itself as a leading institution of

higher education. Accredited in both the U.S. and Austria,

the university stands for an open society, democratic

values and freedom of expression. Its mission is

to equip new generations with exceptional problemsolving

skills to address the complexities of the present

and the future. CEU’s civic engagement is reflected,

among other initiatives, in the Invisible University for

Ukraine, which enables Ukrainian students to continue

their studies through online courses (one in five

universities in Ukraine has been destroyed by Russia).

In 2019, CEU relocated its main campus to Vienna.

PHOTOS: DANIEL VEGEL (4), ELENA AZZALINI PHOTOGRAPHY

Prof. Carsten Q. Schneider

lehrt seit 2004 Politikwissenschaften

und ist

Interimspräsident und

Rektor der CEU.

Professor Carsten Q.

Schneider has taught

political science since 2004

and currently serves as

Interim President and

Rector of CEU.

Warum übersiedelte die

CEU 2019 von Budapest nach

Wien?

Österreich gewährleistet

akademische Freiheit und

rechtliche Stabilität und

ermöglicht – im Gegensatz zu

Ungarn – unseren erfolgreichen

Kurs der wissenschaftlichen

Exzellenz verbunden mit der

Mission für liberale Demokratie

und offene Gesellschaft

fortzu setzen. Wien eröffnete uns

auch starke akademische

Partnerschaften, etwa mit dem

FWF (Fonds zur Förderung der

wissenschaftlichen Forschung).

Wir verfügen weiterhin über

einen Forschungsstandort in

Budapest, allerdings ohne Lehrbetrieb.

Die CEU ist in den USA und

in Österreich akkreditiert und ist

eine österreichische Uni.

Was ist das Besondere der

CEU gegenüber anderen

Privatunis?

In internationalen Fachrankings

liegen wir in Österreich an der Spitze, weltweit unter den Top 100.

Die CEU ist nicht Mitbewerber in einem politischen Wettstreit,

sondern forciert die offene Diskussion verschiedener Meinungen

und Ansichten für eine gesamtgesellschaftliche Verbesserung –

stets unter dem Gebot akademischer Exzellenz. Als gemeinnützige

Einrichtung liegt uns soziales Engagement am Herzen – so etwa das

Projekt „Invisible University for Ukraine“ (IUFU) oder der Zugang für

junge Roma zu höherer Bildung. Ein weiteres richtungsweisendes

Vorhaben ist die Errichtung einer „Global Invisible University“ (GIU)

mit Partnern in Post-Konflikt Kontexten.

Welche Schwerpunkte verfolgt die intensive

Forschungstätigkeit?

Unsere Professoren widmen mindestens die Hälfte ihrer Zeit der

Forschung. Die drängendsten Fragen des 21. Jahrhunderts stehen

an der CEU im Mittelpunkt – etwa Demokratie, Gerechtigkeit,

politischer Wandel, Menschenrechte, Digitalisierung, Epidemiemodelle,

soziale Transformation, Nachhaltigkeit, menschliche

Kognition u.v.m.

Wie begeht die CEU ihren 35. Geburtstag im

heurigen Jahr?

Wir veranstalten eine Vortragsreihe (Presidential Lecture Series) mit

führenden Denkern wie Ivan Krastev oder Binaifer Nowrojee und

erweitern die Programme von IUFU und GIU. Es wird spezielle

Angebote für unsere Studenten und Alumni geben, am

13. November 2026 feiern wir mit einer Gala unsere internationale

Gemeinschaft, Partner und Werte. Im November enthüllen wir auch

eine künstlerische Installation an der Fassade unseres Campus in

der Quellenstraße – der CEU-Campus verspricht, sich zu einem

Hingucker zu wandeln.

Why did CEU relocate from Budapest to Vienna in 2019?

Austria guarantees academic freedom and legal stability and,

unlike Hungary, allows us to continue our successful path of

academic excellence combined with a commitment to liberal

democracy and an open society. Vienna has also enabled strong

academic partnerships, for example with the FWF (Austrian

Science Fund). We continue to maintain a research presence in

Budapest, though without teaching activities. CEU is accredited in

both the United States and Austria and is an Austrian university.

What distinguishes CEU from other private universities?

In international subject rankings, we are ranked at the top in

Austria and among the top 100 worldwide. CEU is not a

competitor in a political contest; rather, it actively promotes open

debate among diverse perspectives for the benefit of society as a

whole—always guided by academic excellence. As a non-profit

institution, social engagement is central to our mission, as

demonstrated by projects such as the Invisible University for

Ukraine (IUFU) and initiatives that support access to higher

education for young Roma. Another forward-looking endeavour is

the establishment of a Global Invisible University (GIU) with

partners in post-conflict contexts.

What are the main areas of focus in CEU’s research activities?

Our professors devote at least half of their time to research.

CEU addresses the most pressing questions of the 21st century,

including democracy, justice, political change, human rights,

digitalisation, epidemic modelling, social transformation,

sustainability, human cognition and much more.

How will CEU mark its 35th anniversary this year?

We are hosting a lecture series—the Presidential Lecture

Series—featuring leading thinkers such as Ivan Krastev and

Binaifer Nowrojee, and we are expanding the IUFU and GIU

programmes. There will be special initiatives for our students

and alumni, and on 13 November 2026 we will celebrate our

international community, partners and shared values with a gala

evening. In November, we will also unveil an artistic installation

on the façade of our Quellenstraße campus—promising to

transform the CEU campus into a striking visual landmark.

Die CEU (Central European

University) bietet Bachelor-,

Master- und Doktorandenprogramme

in englischer Sprache in

den Bereichen Sozial-, Geistes-,

Rechts-, Daten-, Politik- und

Kognitionswissenschaften. Mehr

als 200 Lehrkräfte und Forscher

von Weltklasseformat garantieren

eine hervorragende Betreuung für

1.600 Studierende. Die CEU hebt

sich mit Exzellenz in Forschung

und Lehre, Internationalität (mehr

als 100 vertretene Nationalitäten

unter den Studierenden),

großzügigen Stipendien und

kleinen Klassen von den meisten

anderen Privatuniversitäten ab.

CEU (Central European University)

offers bachelor’s, master’s and

doctoral programmes taught in

English across the social sciences,

humanities, law, data science,

political science and cognitive

science. More than 200 world-class

faculty members ensure

outstanding academic supervision

for approximately 1,600 students.

CEU stands out from most other

private universities through its

excellence in research and teaching,

its strong international profile (with

students from more than 100

nationalities), generous scholarship

schemes and small class sizes.

Doktorandenforschung wird im

Rahmen der „Three Minute Thesis“

dem Publikum präsentiert.

Doctoral research is presented to

the public as part of the “Three

Minute Thesis”.

Der großzügige Campus

der CEU im 10. Wiener

Gemeindebezirk.

The spacious CEU campus

in Vienna’s 10th municipal

district.

INFO:

ceu.edu



91

L’AUTRICHE PRIVATE BANKING

Die feinen Adressen für Vermögen

Trusted Addresses for Private Wealth

Text: Julia Kistner

Diskretion, persönliche Betreuung,

Professionalität – damit punkten

Österreichs Privatbanken stets

in internationalen Rankings.

Discretion, personal service and

professionalism—qualities that

consistently earn Austria’s private banks

top rankings internationally.

PHOTOS: KATHREIN PRIVATBANK, DAVID SAILER, BARBARA NIDETZKY, KLIMPT SABINE, BEIGESTELLT

Zeitersparnis, Investment-Expertise, Risikomanagement, Zugang zu exklusiven

Anlageklassen, Beratung in allen Finanzfragen und persönliche Ansprache sind

die Argumente für professionelle Vermögensveranlagung.

Time efficiency, investment expertise, risk management, access to exclusive asset

classes, comprehensive financial advice and a personalised approach are the key

arguments in favour of professional wealth management.

Private Banking ist in Österreich diskret und exklusiv,

aber längst kein Nischengeschäft mehr

für die „oberen Zehntausend“. Laut Private-

Banking-Studie 2025 des Beratungsunternehmens

zeb beläuft sich das Vermögen der Private-Banking-

Kunden in Österreich auf 974 Milliarden Euro. Bis

2030 sollen es 1,2 Billionen Euro sein.

Rund 76.200 Haushalte in Österreich verfügen

über ein liquides Vermögen von über 500.000 Euro –

der typischen Eintrittsschwelle für Private Banking,

wo sich die jährlichen Verwaltungskosten, sprich die

Total Expense Ratio (TER), je nach Leistungen, Vermögensgröße,

Gebührenmodell und Institut auf

1,2 bis zwei Prozent des betreuten Vermögens beläuft.

Aber auch die „Affluent Mass“, also die wohlhabende

Masse mit einem investierbaren Vermögen

ab 100.000 Euro, wird immer größer – oftmals die

Private-Banking-Kunden von morgen.

Goldene Zeiten im Private Banking

Der Private-Banking-Markt hat sich in Österreich

nach der Finanzkrise, vor allem in den letzten

Jahren, stark gewandelt. Es gab einen Exodus der

Schweizer Privatbanken. Ob Vontobel, UBS, Credit

Suisse oder zuletzt die Zürcher Kantonalbank 2025

– sie alle haben sich aus Österreich zurückgezogen

und bedienen ihre österreichischen Kunden von Zürich

aus. Den Private-Banking-Markt in Österreich

teilen sich nun im Wesentlichen die alteingesessenen

heimischen sowie Liechtensteiner Privatbanken.

„Durch die Marktkonzentration, die schwache

Konjunktur in den letzten Jahren und die ausbleibenden

Mandate von vermögenden Osteuropäern

kämpfen die Privatbanken verstärkt um Marktanteile.

Nichtsdestotrotz sind in der Vermögensverwaltung

goldene Zeiten angebrochen. Einerseits

durch den Vermögenszuwachs in Österreich, aber

auch weil in den letzten Jahren viele Immobiliengelder

in Richtung Wertpapiere flossen“, erzählt

Constantin Veyder-Malberg, Private-Banking-Vorstand

der Schelhammer Capital Bank AG. Auch der

neue CEO der Kathrein Privatbank Stefan Neubauer

sieht im Privatkundengeschäft viel Potenzial: „Mit

der Aktienmarktentwicklung stieg auch das verwaltete

Vermögen an und der Zuwachs war gerade in

den letzten 15 Jahren gewaltig. Ein Treiber ist natürlich

auch der Anstieg der Bevölkerung auf neun Millionen

und nicht zuletzt die höhere Zahl an Millionären

in Österreich. Auch sucht man gerade in

geopolitischen unsicheren Zeiten einen verlässlichen

Partner für das Vermögensmanagement, der Risiko-

Management beherrscht.“ Aus dem Investment Banking

kommend, habe er in den letzten zwanzig Jahren

viele Krisen gesehen und überlebt, erzählt Stefan

Neubauer. „Dementsprechend nimmt man diese Erfahrung

mit für die Betreuung, Beratung und Asset

Allocation der Gelder unserer Kunden. Wir adressieren

ganz stark Nachfolge und Erbengeneration. Wir

reden da über 40- bis 50-Jährige, die ein gewisses

Finanz- und Wirtschaftswissen mitbringen und da

einen guten Sparringspartner suchen, weil sie zeitlich

nicht die Möglichkeit haben, sich tagtäglich um Veranlagungsthemen

zu kümmern.“

Herzstück des Private Bankings

Das Besondere am Private Banking ist der ganzheitliche

Ansatz, wobei das Herzstück selbstverständlich

die Vermögensverwaltung vulgo das Asset

Management ist. Hier wird zwischen Beratungsmandat

und Vermögensverwaltungsmandat unterschieden.

Bei einem Beratungsmandat entscheidet der

Kunde selbst über jeden Kauf und Verkauf von Wertpapieren,

beruhend auf den Empfehlungen der Bank.

Beim Vermögensverwaltungsmandat – der häufigere

Fall – trifft die Bank Anlageentscheidungen im Rahmen

einer vorab vereinbarten Strategie eigenständig.

Ob eine defensive, ausgewogene oder wachstumsorientierte

Veranlagungsstrategie gewählt wird, wird

nach intensiven persönlichen Gesprächen festgelegt,

je nach den Lebensumständen, dem individuellen

Stefan Neubauer (44)

und Eleonore Leder (58)

sind neu im Vorstand.

Stefan Neubauer (44)

and Eleonore Leder (58)

are new members of the

Management Board.

KATHREIN PRIVATBANK

Komplementiert wird das

neue Vorstandstrio bei

Kathrein mit dem neuen

Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

Gregor Höpler (53). Die

Kathrein Privatbank

fokussiert sich auf

vermögende Privatkunden,

Privatstiftungen sowie

Unternehmen mit einem

frei verfügbaren Anlagevermögen

ab 500.000 Euro.

Ihr Stammsitz ist in Wien.

Das Bankhaus ist Vorreiter

bei nachhaltigen Investments

und ist mit „Family

Konsult“ auf Generationenplanung

und Privatstiftungen

spezialisiert.

The new three-member

Management Board at Kathrein

is complemented by the

appointment of the new

Chief Risk Officer (CRO),

Gregor Höpler (53). Kathrein

Private Bank focuses on

high-net-worth private clients,

private foundations and

companies with freely

investable assets of at least

€500,000. The bank is

headquartered in Vienna.

It is a pioneer in sustainable

investments and, with its

“Family Consult” offering,

specialises in generational

planning and private

foundations.

Gegründet durch Carl Kathrein 1924,

gehört sie heute zu 100 Prozent zur

Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI).

Founded by Carl Kathrein in 1924, it is

today 100 per cent owned by Raiffeisen

Bank International (RBI).



93

L’AUTRICHE PRIVATE

BANKING

Der Spängler-Stammsitz ist in

Salzburg mit Filialen in Wien,

Graz, Linz, Innsbruck und

Kitzbühel.

Spängler’s head office is located in

Salzburg, with branches in Vienna,

Graz, Linz, Innsbruck and Kitzbühel.

Vorstand

Werner Zenz.

Management

Board

Member.

SPÄNGLER BANK

Gegründet 1924, ist die

Spängler Bank die älteste

Privatbank Österreichs und

ist fest in Familienhand in

7. Generation. Die Nachfolge

ist über drei Familienstiftungen

fix geregelt.

Werner Zenz ist der

langjährige Vorstand der

Bank, die auch den

süddeutschen Markt

bearbeitet. Zenz ist

Honorarkonsul von

Deutschland. Das Stammhaus

befindet sich in

Salzburg. Die fast 200 Jahre

alte Privatbank hat viel

Stiftungs-Expertise, verfügt

über einen eigenen

Immobilienmakler.

Founded in 1924, Spängler Bank

is Austria’s oldest private bank.

It remains firmly family-owned,

now in its seventh generation,

with succession secured

through three family

foundations. Werner Zens has

been a long-serving Member of

the Management Board. The

bank also serves the southern

German market. Zens is

Honorary Consul of Germany.

The bank’s headquarters are in

Salzburg. With a history

spanning nearly 200 years,

Spängler Bank has extensive

expertise in private foundations

and operates its own real

estate brokerage.

Vermögens- und Risikoprofil des Klienten. Die Vermögensmandate

im Private Banking sind groß genug,

um auch einen Teil der Assets in längerfristig gebundene

Anlageklassen zu investieren und diversifizieren.

Dazu zählen auch nicht-börsennotierte Anlagen wie

Immobilien, Unternehmensbeteiligungen (Private

Equity), Risikokapital (Venture Capital) wie Start-up-

Finanzierungen oder auch Infrastrukturinvestitionen.

Wobei diese illiquiden Assetklassen nur geringfügig

oder auch gar nicht beigemischt werden. „Wir mögen

keine jahrelangen Lock-up-Perioden, in denen wir

nicht aus den Investments rauskommen“, erklärt

Martina Pokorny, Mitbegründerin des von Frauen

geführten Wertpapierunternehmens MKP Invest, das

vermögende Privatkunden, Unternehmen und öffentliche

Sondervermögen betreut.

Anlegen für mehrere Generationen

Wichtige Themen im Private Banking sind die

Ruhestandsplanung, somit die Absicherung des Lebensstandards

der Kunden im Alter. Es geht aber

ebenso um die Vermögensweitergabe. Das beginnt

bei der Testamentsgestaltung in Zusammenarbeit

mit Juristen und reicht von der Planung der Unternehmensnachfolge

über Hilfestellungen bei der

Gründung und Verwaltung von Stiftungen bis hin

zur Übernahme der Asset Allocation für Stiftungen.

„Auch wenn Stiftungen aus steuerlicher Sicht

nicht mehr so interessant sind, sind sie doch für

Nachfolgelösungen nach wie vor sehr beliebt“, berichtet

Kathrein-CEO Stefan Neubauer. „Wir befinden

uns ja schon in der zweiten oder sogar dritten

Stiftergeneration. Wir reden da in Österreich in den

nächsten 25 Jahren von einer Vermögensübergabe

von geschätzten 70 Milliarden Euro inklusive Unternehmensbeteiligungen,

für die es intelligente Stiftungsveranlagungslösungen

braucht, beispielweise

hinsichtlich steuerlich optimaler Ausschüttungsquoten.

Rund zehn Prozent unseres verwalteten

Private-Banking-Vermögens liegt in Stiftungen.“

„Safe Haven“ Österreich

Auch internationale Kunden sehen in Österreich

einen „Safe Haven“ für ihr Vermögen. „Internationale

Privatinvestoren wie auch Unternehmen schätzen

der größte Aktienmarkt der Welt, an dem kein Weg

vorbeiführt. Wir haben allerdings den Dollar auf der

Aktienseite zu 62,5 Prozent, auf der Anleiheseite zu

80 Prozent abgesichert. Resilienter als angenommen

sehen wir Europa, wir sind im Vergleich zum Weltaktienindex

in Europa übergewichtet. Insgesamt

sprechen alle unsere Indikatoren für eine Übergewichtung

von Aktien. Edelmetalle empfehlen wir

unseren Kunden zu fünf bis zehn Prozent als Safe-

Haven-Commodity beizumischen. Wir mischen inflationsgeschützte

Anleihen in die Portfolios, da wir

schon tendenziell mit einer höheren Inflation rechnen.

Wir arbeiten auch mit ETFs, um Märkte kostengünstig

und effizient abbilden zu können. Unsere

Aufgabe ist es, sie intelligent zusammenzustellen.“

Werner Zens, Vorstand der Spängler Bank, fasst

den Kern der langfristigen Vermögensveranlagung

so zusammen: „Wenn ich das Ziel habe, dass ich real

mein Vermögen erhalten und bestmöglich vermehren

will, dann werde ich an einem Aktienanteil um

die 40 bis 50 Prozent nicht herumkommen. Wir sind

Verfechter von substanzorientierter Anlage; großdie

politische Stabilität des Landes, aber auch die

Rechtssicherheit“, unterstreicht Werner Zens. Als

Teil der Eurozone biete Österreich Währungsstabilität.

Für Kunden aus Weichwährungsländern, etwa

aus Teilen Osteuropas, ist der Euro ein sicherer

Anker im Vermögensmanagement.

Österreichs Banken sind vor allem gut kapitalisiert

und krisenfest. Auch in Österreich gilt die von

der EU vorgeschriebene Einlagensicherung bis

100.000 Euro pro Person und Bank, eine Endbesteuerung

durch die Kapitalertragssteuer mit 25 Prozent

bei Spareinlagen und 27,5 Prozent bei Wertpapieren.

Umbruch im Private Banking

Derzeit ist die Branche auch deshalb in Bewegung,

weil ein massiver Vermögenstransfer an die

Erben-Generation bevorsteht und Nachkommen

noch nie digitaler und auch deutlich risikofreudiger

handelten als ihre Eltern. „Sie wollen einerseits natürlich

mit modernen Apps operieren. Andererseits

generieren viele starke Trends auch Gegentrends.

Unsere Besprechungszimmer sind so voll wie noch

nie“, berichtet Stefan Neubauer, CEO der Kathrein

Privatbank. „Wir sehen, dass es unglaublich geschätzt

wird, wenn Menschen am Telefon abheben

und persönliche Gespräche wirklich physisch geführt

werden und nicht nur über Videotelefonat.“

Was vermögenden Kunden auch immer bewusster

werde, sei die Bedeutung eines professionellen

Risikomanagements für den Vermögenserhalt, weiß

Martina Pokorny von MKP Invest: „Es macht einen

großen Unterschied, ob ich in der Korrekturphase

minus fünf oder minus 30 Prozent mache. Das

schönste Kompliment, das unsere Kunden uns machen,

ist ,Ich kann so gut schlafen mit euch‘. Dafür

legen wir auch großen Wert auf Diversifikation.“

Aktuelle Investment-Trends

„Die Privatkunden von heute bringen schon Finanzbildung

mit. Ihnen ist bewusst, dass man für den

Vermögenserhalt mehr Risiko eingehen muss, und

sie sind dazu durchaus bereit“, berichtet Kathrein-

CEO Stefan Neubauer. Sein Marktausblick für 2026:

„Trotz der aktuell erratischen Trump-Politik sehen

wir insbesondere in den USA ein sehr konstruktives

wirtschaftliches Umfeld. Dort wirkt die Zins- und

KI-Fantasie marktunterstützend. Die Magnificent 7

sind zwar hoch bewertet, haben aber auch einen hohen

freien Cashflow für Investitionen. Trump sorgt

zwar gerade für Volatilität und die USA sind nun mal

PHOTOS: BANKHAUS SPÄNGLER

kapitalisierte, wachsende, gute Unternehmen mit

hoher Preisfestsetzungsmacht, die global diversifiziert

sind. Das ist auch ein guter Inflationsschutz.“

Private banking in Austria is discreet and exclusive,

yet it has long ceased to be a niche business

reserved for the “top ten thousand”. According

to the 2025 Private Banking Study conducted

by consultancy zeb, assets held by private banking

clients in Austria amount to €974 billion. By 2030,

this figure is expected to rise to €1.2 trillion.

Around 76,200 households in Austria possess

liquid assets exceeding €500,000, the typical entry

threshold for private banking. At this level, annual

management costs, expressed as the total expense

ratio (TER), generally range between 1.2 and 2 per

cent of assets under management, depending on services

provided, portfolio size, fee model and institution.

At the same time, the so-called “mass affluent”—the

upper middle class with investable assets

Täglich

7.00 – 01.00 Uhr

Kärntner Ring 8

1010 Wien



Die Wertpapierfirma MKP hat ihren

Firmensitz in der Wiener Innenstadt.

The investment firm MKP is

headquartered in Vienna’s city centre.

Martina

Pokorny, Miteigentümerin.

Co-owner.

MKP INVEST

MKP Invest ist im Gegensatz

zur Kathrein Privatbank,

Spängler und der Capital

Bank keine Vollbank, sondern

eine unabhängige

Wertpapierfirma (Asset

Manager). Sie beraten ihre

Kunden, aber das Geld liegt

bei einer anderen Depotbank

mit Banklizenz. MKP Invest

sitzt in Wien und gehört zu

100 Prozent ihren Gründerinnen

Martina Pokorny und

Marlies Kinzel. Zu ihren

Kunden zählen neben

vermögenden Privaten und

Unternehmen auch öffentliche

Sondervermögen. Ihr

Fokus liegt auf Kapitalerhalt

– Verluste in Crash-Phasen

zu vermeiden. Auch sie

haben Expertise bei

Privatstiftungen.

Unlike Kathrein Privatbank,

Spängler Bank and Schelhammer

Capital Bank, MKP Invest is

not a fully licensed bank but an

independent securities firm and

asset manager. It advises

clients, while custody of assets

is held with a separate licensed

depositary bank. Based in

Vienna, MKP Invest is entirely

owned by its founders Martina

Pokorny and Marlies Kinzel. Its

clients include wealthy private

individuals, corporates and

public-sector special funds. The

firm focuses strongly on capital

preservation, aiming above all

to avoid losses during market

crashes, and also possesses

extensive expertise in private

foundations.

of €100,000 and above—continues to grow. Many of

them are the private banking clients of tomorrow.

A Golden Era of Private Banking

Austria’s private banking market has undergone

profound change since the financial crisis, particularly

in recent years. Swiss private banks have largely

exited the country. Whether Vontobel, UBS, Credit

Suisse or, most recently, Zürcher Kantonalbank in

2025—all have withdrawn from Austria and now

serve Austrian clients from Zurich. Today, the domestic

private banking market is essentially shared

between long-established Austrian institutions and

Liechtenstein private banks.

“Market concentration, weak economic growth

in recent years and the absence of mandates from

wealthy Eastern European clients have intensified

competition for market share,” explains Constantin

Veyder-Malberg, Member of the Management Board

responsible for Private Banking at Schelhammer

Capital Bank AG. “Nevertheless, asset management

is experiencing a golden age, partly due to the overall

growth of private wealth in Austria, but also because

significant capital has flowed out of real estate and

into securities in recent years.”

Stefan Neubauer, the newly appointed CEO of

Kathrein Privatbank, likewise sees considerable potential

in the private client business. “As equity markets

have risen, so too have assets under management—and

growth over the past 15 years has been

substantial. Drivers include population growth to

nine million and, not least, the increasing number of

millionaires in Austria. In geopolitically uncertain

times, clients are actively seeking a reliable partner in

wealth management who understands risk.” Having

spent two decades in investment banking, Neubauer

says he has witnessed and weathered numerous

crises. “That experience informs how we advise

clients, structure portfolios and allocate assets. We

focus strongly on succession planning and the next

generation of heirs—often clients in their forties and

fifties who possess solid financial knowledge but are

looking for a sparring partner because they lack the

time to manage investments on a daily basis.”

The Core of Private Banking

What distinguishes private banking is its holistic

approach, with asset management forming the undisputed

core. Here, a distinction is made between

advisory mandates and discretionary portfolio management.

Under an advisory mandate, the client

makes each investment decision on the basis of the

bank’s recommendations. Under a discretionary

mandate—the more common model—the bank

makes investment decisions independently within a

strategy agreed in advance. Whether a defensive,

balanced or growth-oriented strategy is selected

depends on in-depth personal discussions and is

tailored to the client’s life circumstances, asset

structure and individual risk profile.

Private banking portfolios are typically large

enough to allocate a portion of assets to long-term,

less liquid investments for diversification purposes.

These include non-listed assets such as real estate,

private equity, venture capital (including start-up

financing) and infrastructure projects. In practice,

however, such illiquid asset classes are often only

modestly represented or excluded altogether. “We

are not fond of long lock-up periods that prevent us

from exiting investments,” explains Martina

Pokorny, co-founder of the female-led asset management

firm MKP Invest, which advises wealthy

private clients, corporates and public institutions.

Investing across Generations

Key issues in private banking include retirement

planning—safeguarding clients’ living standards in

later life—as well as intergenerational wealth transfer.

This begins with will-drafting in cooperation

with legal advisers and extends to business succession

planning, support in establishing and managing

foundations and the assumption of asset allocation

mandates for foundations. “Even though foundations

are no longer as attractive from a tax perspective,

they remain highly popular for succession solutions,”

notes Kathrein CEO Stefan Neubauer. “We are

already dealing with second- and even third-generation

founders. In Austria, we are looking over the

next 25 years at an estimated €70 billion in wealth

transfers, including corporate shareholdings, which

will require sophisticated foundation investment solutions,

for example with regard to tax-efficient distribution

ratios. Around ten per cent of our private

banking assets under management are held in foundations.”

Austria as a Safe Haven

International clients, too, increasingly regard

Austria as a safe haven for their wealth. “Both private

investors and companies value the country’s political

PHOTOS: SABINE HAUSWIRTH UND MKP

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Exklusiv: Die frühere Traditionsbank

Schelhammer & Schattera,

die 2021 mit der Capital Bank der

GRAWE-Gruppe fusionierte.

Exclusive: The former traditional bank Schelhammer

& Schattera, which merged with the GRAWE

Group’s Capital Bank in 2021.

Vorstand Constantin

Veyder-Malberg.

Management Board

Member.

SCHELHAMMER CAPITAL BANK AG

2021 fusionierte das traditionsreiche Bankhaus Schelhammer & Schattera mit der Capital

Bank zur Schelhammer Capital Bank AG. Sie ist die Privat- und Investmentbank im Konzern

der Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherung AG (GRAWE) und bildet gemeinsam mit der Bank

Burgenland die Bankengruppe der GRAWE. Bei ethisch-nachhaltige Investments (ESG) hat

das Bankhaus eine lange Tradition. Sie bietet auch Finanzberatern eine eigene Plattform und

hat bei Gold und Immobilien viel Expertise. Unter der Marke DADAT operiert sie als

führender Onlinebroker.

In 2021, the long-established Catholic banking house Schelhammer & Schattera merged with the

dynamic Graz-based Capital Bank to form Schelhammer Capital Bank AG. The institution positions

itself as Austria’s most strongly capitalised private bank. Its owner is GRAWE (Grazer Wechselseitige

Versicherung). Thanks to its ecclesiastical roots, the bank has a long tradition in ethical and

sustainable (ESG) investment. It also offers a dedicated platform for financial advisers and has

substantial expertise in gold and real estate. Under the DADAT brand, it operates as a leading

online broker.

stability and legal certainty,” emphasises Werner

Zens. As a member of the eurozone, Austria also

offers currency stability, a crucial factor for clients

from soft-currency countries, particularly in parts of

Eastern Europe, for whom the euro represents a

reliable anchor in wealth management.

Austrian banks are also well capitalised and

resilient in times of crisis. EU-mandated deposit

protection of up to €100,000 per person per bank

applies, alongside final withholding tax through

capital gains tax at 25 per cent on savings deposits

and 27.5 per cent on securities.

PHOTOS: SCHELHAMMER CAPITAL BANK AG, BEIGESTELLT

Structural Change in Private Banking

The sector is currently in flux, not least because a

massive intergenerational transfer of wealth is imminent

and heirs tend to act more digitally—and often

with a higher tolerance for risk—than their parents.

“On the one hand, they expect to operate via modern

apps,” says Stefan Neubauer. “On the other, strong

trends often generate counter-trends. Our meeting

rooms are fuller than ever. Clients highly value being

able to speak to a real person and to conduct conversations

face-to-face, not solely via video calls.”

Wealthy clients are also becoming increasingly aware

of the importance of professional risk management

in preserving capital, notes Martina Pokorny of MKP

Invest. “There is a world of difference between losing

five per cent and losing 30 per cent in a market correction.

The finest compliment our clients pay us is

that they sleep well knowing we manage their assets.

Diversification is central to that.”

Current Investment Trends

“Today’s private clients are financially literate,”

says Kathrein CEO Stefan Neubauer. “They understand

that preserving wealth requires accepting a

certain level of risk and they are willing to do so.”

His outlook for 2026: “Despite the currently erratic

policies of Donald Trump, we see a very constructive

economic environment in the United States.

Interest rate expectations and enthusiasm around

artificial intelligence continue to support markets.

While the ‘Magnificent Seven’ are highly valued,

they also generate strong free cash flow. Trump may

be driving volatility, but the US remains the world’s

largest equity market—there is no way around it.”

On the equity side, Kathrein hedges 62.5 per cent of

dollar exposure overall and 80 per cent within

equities. Europe, Neubauer adds, appears more

resilient than expected and is overweighted relative

to the global equity index. “All our indicators point

towards an overweight in equities. We recommend

allocating five to ten per cent to precious metals as

a safe-haven commodity. We also include inflationlinked

bonds, as we anticipate structurally higher

inflation. ETFs play an important role in replicating

markets efficiently and cost-effectively—our task is

to combine them intelligently.”

Werner Zens, Member of the Management

Board at Spängler Bank, summarises the essence of

long-term wealth management succinctly: “If my

goal is to preserve and grow my wealth in real

terms, I cannot avoid an equity allocation of around

40 to 50 per cent. That is why we strongly advocate

a substance-oriented investment approach—focusing

on large-capitalisation, growing companies

with strong pricing power and global diversification.

It provides effective inflation protection.”

Singerstrasse 21/25, 1010 Wien, apartments@singerstrasse2125.at

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99

L’AUTRICHE BUSINESS

BUCHTIPPS | BOOKTIPS

Neues aus Österreich

News from Austria

Text: Alex Pisecker

NEUERÖFFNUNG | GRAND OPENING

ARCOTEL Tabakfabrik in Linz eröffnet

im April 2026 | ARCOTEL Tabakfabrik in Linz

to Open in April 2026

Im April 2026 eröffnet das ARCOTEL Tabakfabrik in Linz. Das

urbane 4-Sterne-Designhotel mit 189 Zimmern, rund 1.000 m²

Konferenzfläche und dem Q27 im 27. Stock vereint industrielles

Erbe, modernes Design und innovative Gastronomie im 109 Meter

hohen QUADRILL Tower.

ARCOTEL Tabakfabrik Linz opens in April 2026. The urban 4-star

design hotel features 189 rooms, around 1,000 m² of conference

space and the Q27 on the 27th floor, combining industrial heritage,

contemporary design and innovative gastronomy in the 109-metre

QUADRILL Tower.

tabakfabrik.arcotel.com/de

Heulen hilft uns auch nicht

weiter | Crying won’t get us

anywhere

Fritz Jergitsch

Globalisierung und Digitalisierung brachten

Wohlstand – aber auch Spaltung, Angst und

politische Wut. Rechtspopulisten nutzen dies für

einfache Antworten. Fritz Jergitsch zeigt, wie

Populismus durch soziale Medien wächst, warum

Demokratien schwach reagieren und skizziert

einen neuen Liberalismus für das 21. Jahrhundert:

mit fairer Teilhabe, digitaler Demokratie und

klarem Bekenntnis zu Freiheit und Rechtsstaat.

Globalisation and digitalisation have brought

prosperity—but also division, fear, and political

anger. Populists exploit this with easy answers.

Fritz Jergitsch explains how social media fuels

populism, why democracies respond weakly, and

outlines a 21st-century

liberalism: fair

participation, digital

democracy, and a

strong commitment

to freedom and the

rule of law.

Residenz Verlag

residenzverlag.com

ISBN: 978-3-70173-

656-0

Der Freihandel hat fertig

(Neuauflage 2025) | Free Trade

is Finished (new edition 2025)

Gabriel Felbermayr & Martin Braml

Zweite aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage mit

den neuesten Analysen zu Trumps Zöllen.

Pandemien, geopolitische Spannungen und

Protektionismus gefährden den freien Handel,

auf dem Deutschland, Österreich und die

Schweiz bauen. Die Autoren zeigen Zusammenhänge,

räumen Irrtümer auf und zeigen Wege,

Wohlstand zu sichern.

Updated & expanded second edition, with the

latest analysis of Trump’s tariffs. Pandemics,

geopolitical tensions, and protectionism threaten

the free trade on which Germany, Austria, and

Switzerland rely. The authors reveal connections,

dispel misconceptions, and show ways to

preserve prosperity

despite challenges.

Verlag: Amalthea

amalthea.at

ISBN-13: 978-3-

99050-266-2

HOFBURG WIEN | HOFBURG VIENNA

Neue Geschäftsführung und

Sales bei der Hofburg Wien

New Management and Sales

Leadership at the Hofburg Vienna

Die Wiener Hofburg stellt sich neu auf: Mit

Armin Egger MBA als Geschäftsführer und

Mag. (FH) Barbara Riedl MSc. Ppa. als neuer

Leiterin von Sales & Marketing setzt das

internationale Kongress- und Eventcenter auf

Kontinuität, Kundennähe und frische Impulse

für die Zukunft.

The Hofburg Vienna is setting the course for

a successful future. With Armin Egger MBA as

Managing Director and Mag. (FH) Barbara Riedl

MSc. Ppa. as Head of Sales & Marketing, the

international congress and event centre is focusing

on continuity, customer focus and fresh momentum.

hofburg.com

Zahl im Quartal

Quarterly Figure

255.000

Euro

machen die Futterkosten

im Tiergarten

Schönbrunn für drei

Monate aus.

account for the animal

feed costs at Schönbrunn

Zoo over a three-month

period.

DIPLOMATISCHE AKADEMIE | DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY

31. Ball der Diplomatischen Akademie in Wien

31st Diplomatic Ball at the Diplomatic Academy Vienna

Die Diplomatische Akademie Wien lädt zum 31. Diplomatischen Charity-Ball am

11. April 2026 ein. Über 600 Gäste, darunter Diplomaten und Wirtschaftsvertreter,

feiern gemeinsam. Der gesamte Erlös geht an DEBRA Austria zur Unterstützung

von Kindern mit der seltenen Hautkrankheit Epidermolysis bullosa.

The Diplomatic Academy Vienna invites to the 31st Diplomatic Charity Ball

on 11 April 2026. Over 600 guests, including diplomats and business leaders, will

gather to celebrate, with all proceeds supporting DEBRA Austria, aiding children

with the rare genetic skin

condition Epidermolysis

bullosa.

da-vienna.ac.at/en

PHOTOS: EMK FÜR MOZART UND WONGE BERGMANN FÜR ELISABETH, ISTA, WEBQUER, OSCE/ELIFNAZ KABALCI, BEIGESTELLT



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SAVOIR VIVRE CULTURAL HERITAGE | AUSTRIAN FEDERAL MINISTRATION OF MOVEABLES

In den Werkstätten der Republik

In the Workshops of the Republic

Reger Betrieb: Werkstätten

und Depots an der

Maria hilfer Straße 88.

Bustling activity: Workshops

and storage facilities at

Mariahilfer Strasse 88.

Die Bundesmobilienverwaltung arbeitet in ihren Werkstätten mit großer Expertise im Hintergrund

für den perfekten Auftritt des offiziellen Österreichs.

The Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables works behind the scenes in its workshops with

great expertise to ensure the perfect appearance of official Austria.

Text und Interview: Evelyn Rois und Bruno Stubenrauch

Der rote Teppich beim Staatsempfang, das Gedeck

beim Staatsbankett oder die Möbel der

Präsidentschaftskanzlei und Ministerien haben

eines gemeinsam: Sie werden von der Bundesmobilienverwaltung

gestellt, gepflegt und gegebenenfalls

auch renoviert. 66.000 Möbel, Sessel, Schreibtische

und Leuchter, über 100.000 Gläser, Teller,

Bestecke und Tafelaufsätze umfassen die Bestände

der im 7. Wiener Gemeindebezirk residierenden und

der Sektion Kulturelles Erbe im Bundesministerium

für Wirtschaft, Energie und Tourismus unterstellten

Dienststelle. Der Bundesmobilienverwaltung kommen

damit essenzielle Aufgaben bei der Repräsentation

des offiziellen Österreich zu.

PHOTOS: BMWET, BUNDESMOBILIENVERWALTUNG / ENZO HOLEY (7)

Berühmter Ananas-Damast

Herzstück und Zentrale der Bundesmobilienverwaltung

sind die Werkstätten an der Mariahilfer

Straße 88. Rund 30.000 Mobilien lagern hier in ausgedehnten

Depots und werden in den weiträumigen

Restaurierwerkstätten ausgebessert, neu gepolstert,

bezogen und vergoldet. „Da ist viel Können, Handarbeit

und historisches Wissen involviert, wie es das

auf der Welt nicht mehr sehr oft gibt. Hier arbeiten

Expertinnen und Experten, die wissen, was sie tun,

und die dafür sorgen, dass diese zum Teil 100 oder

200 Jahre alten Mobilien auch für die nächsten Generationen

zur Verfügung stehen. Das macht diesen Ort

sehr besonders“, so Alexander Palma, Sektionsleiter

für Kulturelles Erbe im Wirtschaftsministerium, in

dessen Zuständigkeitsbereich neben der Burghauptmannschaft,

dem Tiergarten und der Schönbrunn

Group auch die Bundesmobilienverwaltung fällt.

45 Mitarbeiter und Mitarbeiterinnen, von der

Tape ziererin über Tischler und Schlosser bis zur

Vergol derin, arbeiten an der aufwendigen Instandhaltung

der historischen Stücke. Entlang der Wände

der Werkstätten reihen sich Werkzeuge, Arbeitsmaterialien,

Stoffe, Lasuren und Lacke aller Art, auf

den großen Arbeitsflächen sind mehrere opulente

Tische und Sessel in Bearbeitung. An einem Weißgold-Sessel

im Stil des Neo-Rokoko wird gerade die

frisch aufgebrachte Blattvergoldung mittels eines

Achats abpoliert. „Dieser Sessel wird dann mit dem

sogenannten Ananas-Damast bezogen und ist für die

Präsidentschaftskanzlei bestimmt“, erklärt Anja

Hasen lechner, Leiterin der Abteilung Historische

Sammlungen im Wirtschaftsministerium, und unterstreicht

damit die wichtige Rolle der Bundesmobilienverwaltung

für das öffentliche Erscheinungsbild

Blattgold | Gold leaf

Die historischen Möbel der Bundesmobilienverwaltung

verlangen viel Fachwissen.

The historic furnishings overseen by the

Austrian Federal Ministration of Movables

require a high level of specialist expertise.



SAVOIR VIVRE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Staatsbesuche:

Frank-Walter Steinmeier,

2025. King Charles, 2017.

State visits: Frank-Walter

Steinmeier, 2025.

King Charles, 2017.

Ananas-Damast:

Unterzeichnung des

Staatsvertrags 1955.

Pineapple damask: signing

of the State Treaty, 1955.

Viel Ananas-Damast in der Präsidentschaftskanzlei.

Extensive use of pineapple damask in the Presidential Chancellery.

der Republik. „Dieser rote Hofdamast hat Anfang des

19. Jahrhunderts die Corporate Identity der Gestaltung

der Hofburg vorgegeben und prägt bis heute die

Ausstattung der Präsidentschaftskanzlei.“ Der markante

rote Seidenstoff mit dem stilisierten, an eine

Ananas gemahnenden Pinienzapfen nahm bei seinem

erstmaligen Einsatz in den 1840er-Jahren seinerseits

Bezug auf den Barock und die Zeit Maria

Theresias. „Man wollte damals politisch auf diese

große Zeit hinweisen und eine Brücke schlagen“, so

Hasenlechner weiter. Der ikonische Ananas-Damast

ist bis heute unter anderem der Präsidentschaftskanzlei

vorbehalten oder wurde etwa bei wichtigen

staatlichen Anlässen wie der Unterzeichnung des

Staatsvertrages 1955 im Belvedere eingesetzt.

Ministerien, Botschaften, Präsidentschaftskanzlei

Die Mehrzahl der in den Werkstätten an der

Maria hilfer Straße restaurierten Stücke kommen bei

der Ausstattung der Amtsräume der höchsten Organe

des Bundes zum Einsatz, wie Anja Hasenlechner

betont: „Unser wichtigster Auftraggeber in dieser

Hinsicht ist natürlich der Herr Bundespräsident.

Fast alle Möbel, die in der Präsidentschaftskanzlei

stehen, stammen aus der Sammlung der Bundesmobilienverwaltung.“

Grundsätzlich werden zwei

Kategorien von Möbeln unterschieden: Einerseits

die historischen Möbel, die aus Schönbrunn oder aus

der Hofburg stammen. An deren sogenannter Vornummer

ist auch ihr ursprünglicher Standort ablesbar.

Viele dieser wertvollen Stücke sind von der

Bundesmobilienverwaltung an die entsprechenden

Museen wie Schloss Schönbrunn, Schloss Hof oder

an die Präsidentschaftskanzlei in der Hofburg verliehen.

„Und dann gibt es natürlich auch sehr viele

Möbel, die nicht zu den historisch einzigartigen Beständen

zählen, die aber natürlich ebenso instand

gehalten werden und für die Ausstattung der Ministerien

und österreichischen Botschaften im Ausland

zum Einsatz kommen“, so Hasenlechner. Dabei wird

seitens der Bundesmobilienverwaltung sehr genau

darauf geachtet, ein historisch stimmiges Ensemble

zusammenzustellen. „Die Möbel werden dann

natür lich auch entsprechend ihrer Epoche bezogen“,

so Hasenlechner und zeigt dazu eine Reihe beeindruckender

Stoffmuster nach historischen Vorbildern.

„Wir werden immer wieder gefragt, ob wir

nicht einen Katalog schicken können, wir sind aber

kein Möbelhaus. Wir schauen uns die Räumlichkeiten

an und schlagen etwas Passendes vor. Im

Großen und Ganzen liegt die Entscheidung bei uns.“

Von der Monarchie zur Gegenwart

Im an die Werkstätten angrenzenden Möbelmuseum

werden Glanzstücke der Sammlung vom

Barock über die Wiener Moderne bis zum 21. Jahrhundert

präsentiert, außerdem etwa Möbel, die aus

der Zeit des Wiener Kongresses stammen oder in

den Sissi-Filmen ihren Auftritt hatten. 1993 wurde

die Bundesmobilienverwaltung um den modernen

Museumstrakt erweitert, historisch gründet die heutige

Dienststelle in der erstmaligen Ernennung eines

Hofmobilieninspektors 1747 durch Kaiserin Maria

Theresia. Die im Möbelmuseum ausgestellten Gedecke

und Gläser, die bei den Staatsbanketten zur

Verwendung kommen, unterstreichen, dass die Bundesmobilienverwaltung

neben ihrer Zuständigkeit

für die Mobilien, die 1918 aus dem Hofärar in den

Besitz der Republik übergegangen sind, ebenso mit

der Ausrichtung von hohen Staatsbesuchen in Österreich

betraut ist. Das beginnt mit dem roten Teppich

am Flughafen und endet beim Diner mit Staatsgästen.

„Die Mitarbeiterinnen in der Silberkammer

sind zuständig für die großen Staatsbankette. Wir

sind verantwortlich für die Tischwäsche, das Falten

der berühmten Kaiserserviette und natürlich auch

für das Gedeck und die Gläser“, betont Anja Hasenlechner

abschließend.

PHOTOS: PRÄSIDENTSCHAFTSKANZLEI / PETER LECHNER / HBF (2); BUNDESMOBILIENVERWALTUNG /HOFBURG WIEN / SILBERKAMMER, HOFBURG WIEN / MARIAN-

NE HALLER (2); ÖNB / USIS FOTOGRAF; BMWET, BUNDESMOBILIENVERWALTUNG / ENZO HOLEY; SKB

Besagte Gläser sind einer der wenigen Bereiche,

wo die Dienststelle historisches Terrain verlässt und

den Schritt in die Gegenwart gemacht hat: Der Entwurf

stammt vom Design Duo Polka, gefertigt werden

sie von der Traditionsfirma Lobmeyr. Die Gläser

von Polka bleiben eine rare Ausnahme im Bestand

der Bundesmobilienverwaltung, der zum allergrößten

Teil in der Monarchie begründet ist.

„Wir sehen es als unsere Aufgabe an, mit dem zu

arbeiten, was wir haben“, bekräftigt auch Sektionsleiter

Alexander Palma den primären Auftrag der

Bundesmobilienverwaltung, „das sind die aus dem

Hofärar übernommenen Mobilien und die Objekte

der Silberkammer. Das geht zurück bis auf die Zeit

Maria Theresias. Seit damals ist die Aufgabe: erhalten,

lagern und ausstatten der Räumlichkeiten. Wir

sind für diese Objekte zuständig und stellen sie zur

Verfügung. Das ist bis heute so geblieben.“

Die Bundesmobilienverwaltung ist ein perfekt

eingespieltes Werk, eine österreichische Institution

mit einer fast 280-jährigen Geschichte, die im Hintergrund

arbeitet und den glanzvollen Rahmen setzt,

wann immer Österreich im Rampenlicht steht.

The red carpet at a state reception, the table

setting at a state banquet, or the furniture in

the Presidential Chancellery and the ministries

all have one thing in common: they are provided,

maintained and, where necessary, restored by

the Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables. Its

holdings comprise 66,000 items of furniture—

chairs, desks and chandeliers—as well as more than

100,000 glasses, plates, items of cutlery and table

centrepieces. The agency, which is based in Vienna’s

7th district and is subordinate to the Cultural Heritage

Section of the Federal Ministry for Economic

Affairs, Energy and Tourism, thus plays an essential

role in representing official Austria.

The Famous Pineapple Damask

The heart and headquarters of the Austrian Federal

Ministration of Moveables are its workshops at

Mariahilfer Straße 88. Around 30,000 items of furniture

are stored here in extensive depots and repaired,

reupholstered, re-covered and gilded in spacious

Preserving the past,

shaping the future.

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

IN SUMMER 2026

Staatsbankett in der Hofburg.

Kaiserserviette: Geheime Falttechnik.

State banquet at the Hofburg. Imperial

napkin: a secret folding technique.

70 Jahre Staatsvertrag Video.

70 Years of the State Treaty Video.

C O B U R G B A S T E I 4 • 1 0 1 0 W I E N • A U S T R I A

T E L : + 4 3 - 1 - 5 1 8 - 1 8 - 3 4 0

R E S E R V A T I O N S @ P A L A I S - C O B U R G . C O M


W W W . P A L A I S - C O B U R G . C O M


INFO

Möbelmuseum Wien:

4.000 m² Wohnkultur.

Vienna Furniture

Museum: 4,000 m² of

domestic culture.

61.000 Mobilien

vom Barock bis zum

21. Jahrhundert.

61,000 items of furniture

from the Baroque period

to the 21st century.

Möbelmuseum

Wien

Vienna Furniture

Museum

Schönbrunn Group

Als eines der weltweit größten

Museen für Wohnkultur

präsentiert das an die

Bundesmobilienverwaltung

angrenzende Möbelmuseum

rund 6.500 Exponate aus

seiner beeindruckenden

Sammlung von mehr als

61.000 Einrichtungsgegenständen

und bietet auf

4.000 m 2 einzigartige

Einblicke in vier Jahrhunderte

Möbeldesign und Wohnkultur

– von der Zeit Maria Theresias

bis ins 21. Jahrhundert.

One of the world’s largest

museums of interior design,

the Vienna Furniture Museum,

adjacent to the Austrian

Federal Ministration of

Moveables, presents around

6,500 exhibits from its

impressive collection of more

than 61,000 furnishings.

Spread over 4,000 m², it offers

unique insights into four

centuries of furniture design

and domestic culture—from

the era of Maria Theresa to the

21st century.

Made in Austria.

Möbeldesign 1948–1960

15.04.–08.12.2026

Made in Austria. Furniture

Design 1948–1960

15 April – 08 December 2026

Die Couch des Kaisers

Führung jeden 2. Freitag im

Monat

The Emperor’s Couch

Guided tour every second

Friday of the month

moebelmuseumwien.at

Zeitreise durch die Stilepochen.

A journey through the stylistic periods.

restoration workshops. “A great deal of skill, craftsmanship

and historical knowledge is involved here—

something that no longer exists very often in the

world. Experts work here who know exactly what

they are doing and who ensure that these pieces of

furniture, some of which are 100 or 200 years old,

will be preserved for future generations. That is what

makes this place so special,” says Alexander Palma,

Head of the Cultural Heritage Section at the Ministry

of Economic Affairs. His department is responsible

not only for the Burghauptmannschaft, the zoo

and the Schönbrunn Group, but also for the Austrian

Federal Ministration of Moveables.

A total of 45 employees—from upholsterers and

cabinet-makers to metalworkers and gilders—are involved

in the demanding maintenance of the historic

pieces. Tools, materials, fabrics, glazes and varnishes

of all kinds line the workshop walls; several opulent

tables and chairs are being worked on across the

large work surfaces. On a white-gold chair in the

Neo-Rococo style, freshly applied gold leaf is

currently being polished with an agate stone.

“This chair will then be upholstered with the

so-called pineapple damask and is destined for the

Presidential Chancellery,” explains Anja Hasenlechner,

Head of the Historical Collections Department

at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, underlining the

Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables’ key role

in the Republic’s public image.

“This red court damask defined the corporate

identity of the Hofburg’s interior design at the beginning

of the 19th century and continues to characterise

the furnishings of the Presidential Chancellery

to this day.” The striking red silk fabric, with its stylised

pine cone motif reminiscent of a pineapple, first

appeared in the 1840s and deliberately referenced

the Baroque period and the era of Maria Theresa.

“At the time, this was a political statement—an

attempt to allude to a great era and to build a bridge

to it,” Hasenlechner continues.

To this day, the iconic pineapple damask is reserved

for the Presidential Chancellery or has been

used on important state occasions, such as the signing

of the Austrian State Treaty in the Belvedere in

1955.

Ministries, Embassies, Presidential Chancellery

Most of the pieces restored in the workshops on

Mariahilfer Straße are used to furnish the offices of

the Republic’s highest federal bodies.

“Our most important client in this respect is, of

course, the Federal President. Almost all the furniture

in the Presidential Chancellery comes from the

Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables’ collection,”

Hasenlechner explains.

In principle, two categories of furniture are distinguished.

On the one hand, there are historic pieces

originating from Schönbrunn Palace or the Hofburg,

whose original location can be identified by their socalled

pre-number. Many of these valuable items are

on loan from the Austrian Federal Ministration of

Moveables to museums such as Schönbrunn Palace

or Schloss Hof, or to the Presidential Chancellery in

the Hofburg.

“And then, of course, there is also a large number

of pieces that are not among the historically unique

holdings, but which are nonetheless carefully maintained

and used to furnish ministries and Austrian

embassies abroad,” Hasenlechner says. Great care is

taken to assemble ensembles that are historically

cohe rent.

“The furniture is upholstered according to its

period,” she explains, pointing to an impressive

range of fabric samples based on historical originals.

“We are often asked whether we could send out a

catalogue, but we are not a furniture shop. We inspect

the premises and propose something suitable.

By and large, the final decision rests with us.”

From the Monarchy to the Present Day

In the Museum of Furniture adjacent to the workshops,

highlights of the collection are presented,

rang ing from the Baroque period through Viennese

PHOTOS: SCHLOSS SCHÖNBRUNN KULTUR-UND BETRIEBSGESMBH / SEVERIN WURNIG (4); SKB

©2026 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Modernism to the 21st century. The exhibits also include

furniture from the era of the Congress of Vienna

or pieces that appeared in the famous Sissi films.

The Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables

was expanded in 1993 to include the modern museum

wing. Historically, however, the institution

dates back to 1747, when Empress Maria Theresa

first appointed a Court Furniture Inspector.

The tableware and glassware on display in the

Museum of Furniture, which are still used at state

banquets, underscore the fact that the Austrian

Feder al Ministration of Moveables is not only responsible

for the furnishings that passed from the

imperial court treasury into the ownership of the

Repub lic in 1918, but is also entrusted with organising

high-level state visits to Austria. This begins with

the red carpet at the airport and ends with the dinner

for visiting heads of state.

“The staff in the Silver Collection are responsible

for major state banquets. We are in charge of the

table linen, folding the famous Imperial napkin, and,

of course, the place settings and the glasses,” Hasenlechner

emphasises.

The glasses themselves are one of the few areas in

which the institution has moved away from historical

precedent and into the present day: they were

designed by the design duo Polka and are produced

by the traditional company Lobmeyr.

These glasses remain a rare exception within the

Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables’ holdings,

which are large ly rooted in the era of the

monarchy.

“We see it as our task to work with what we have,”

Alexander Palma reiterates the institution’s primary

mandate. “These are the furnishings taken over from

the imperial court treasury and the objects of the

Silver Collection, dating back to the time of Maria

Theresa. Since then, the task has been to preserve,

store and equip spaces. We are responsible for these

objects and make them available. That has remained

unchanged to this day.”

The Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables

is a perfectly coordinated operation—an Austrian

institution with almost 280 years of history that

works behind the scenes and sets the stage whenever

Austria finds itself in the spotlight.

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NACHGEFRAGT | INQUIRED

Exilarte Jubiläum

Alexander Palma Leiter der Sektion Kulturelles Erbe im Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie und Tourismus.

Head of the Cultural Heritage Section at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism.

„Staatsgeheimnis Kaiserserviette“ | “State Secret: The Imperial Formal Napkin.”

Konzerte

Sie sind Leiter der Sektion

Kulturelles Erbe im

Wirtschaftsministerium.

Dazu zählt auch die

Bundesmobilienverwaltung.

Wo sehen Sie

speziell die Rolle dieser

Dienststelle für das

kulturelle Erbe der

Republik?

Die Bundesmobilienverwaltung

ist eine Institution,

die im Hintergrund arbeitet.

Mit dem Auftrag, das

historische Erbe, das wir

verwalten, zu erhalten und

bewahren, aber es auch zu

nutzen. Nicht nur museal,

sondern tatsächlich als

Ausstattungsobjekte – wie sie

es ja auch früher waren – den obersten Organen des

Staates zur Verfügung zu stellen. Das Besondere an

dieser Dienststelle sind die eigenen Werkstätten. Und

das macht es in meinen Augen aus: dass wir selbst das

Wissen und die Erfahrung haben, diese historischen

Möbel, die natürlich besonders wertvoll sind, zu

pflegen, zu restaurieren und wieder in neuem Glanz

erstrahlen zu lassen.

Die Ausstattung des offiziellen Österreich speist

sich aus dem Erbe der Habsburger Monarchie und

definiert somit zu einem gewissen Grad die

Corporate Identity der Republik.

Wir sehen es als unsere Aufgabe an, mit dem zu

arbeiten, was wir haben. Das sind die 1918 aus dem

Hofärar heraus übernommenen Mobilien und Objekte

der Silberkammer. Wir sind für diese Objekte zuständig

und stellen sie zur Verfügung. Alle Ausstattungen

werden regelmäßig mit den jeweiligen Institutionen wie

der Präsidentschaftskanzlei abgestimmt und

Veränderungswünsche berücksichtigt.

Die Bundesmobilienverwaltung hat diese

verwaltende, bewahrende Rolle, aber ebenso

einen aktiven Part, wenn ein Staatsbesuch

ansteht.

Wenn ein Staatsgast kommt, dann legen wir ihm

den roten Teppich aus. Unsere Mitarbeiterinnen und

Mitarbeiter, die für Staatsbesuche zuständig sind,

haben in der Hofburg eigene Büros und Lager für diese

Ausstattungsobjekte. Für ein Staatsbankett muss der

Tisch nach einem minutiös festgeschriebenen Protokoll

gedeckt werden, dafür wird auch die berühmte

Kaiserserviette gebrochen, die eine lange Tradition hat.

Ihre spezielle Falttechnik wird mündlich überliefert, nur

zwei Personen beherrschen diese. Das ist ein

Staatsgeheimnis bei uns in der Dienststelle und macht

es zu etwas ganz Besonderem.

Welche besonderen Schätze verbergen sich in den

Ausstattungen der Präsidentschaftskanzlei und in

den Ministerien?

In der Präsidentschaftskanzlei gibt es diese sehr

bedeutende Prunkuhr aus dem Jahr 1751, ein Geschenk

Ludwig VIII. von Hessen-Darmstadt an Maria Theresia

und Franz Stephan von Lothringen. Die Sitzgarnitur hier

in meinem Büro beispielsweise ist vom Übergang des

Biedermeier zum Neo-Rokoko und wurde in den

Werkstätten eigens neu bezogen. Dabei habe ich mich

auf die Expertise meiner Wissenschaftlerinnen

verlassen und mich für das traditionelle Stoffmuster

„Wiener Geflecht“ entschieden.

Sie arbeiten täglich an der Repräsentation der

Republik. Was bedeutet Ihnen das persönlich?

Es ist ein wunderschönes Gefühl. Ich bin seit 20

Jahren in der Sektion Kulturelles Erbe tätig. Wenn ich

beispielsweise bei den Angelobungen oder bei

Staatsbesuchen sehe, wie alles makellos abläuft, bin ich

sehr zufrieden. Aber es steckt viel Arbeit dahinter.

You are Head of the Cultural Heritage Section at the

Ministry of Economic Affairs, which also includes

the Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables.

How do you see the specific role of this institution

for the Republic’s cultural heritage?

The Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables is an

institution that works behind the scenes, with the task of

preserving and safeguarding the historical heritage entrusted

to us, but also of using it—not only in museums, but as

actual furnishings, just as they were in the past—and

making them available to the highest bodies of the state.

What makes this institution special are its own workshops.

In my view, that is the key point: we have the knowledge

and experience in-house to maintain, restore and bring

these historically valuable pieces back to their former

splendour.

The appearance of official Austria is rooted in the

heritage of the Habsburg monarchy and thus

defines, to a certain extent, the Republic’s

corporate identity.

We see it as our task to work with what we have—the

furnishings and objects of the Silver Collection taken over

from the imperial court treasury in 1918. We are

responsible for these objects and make them available. All

furnishings are regularly coordinated with the respective

institutions, such as the Presidential Chancellery, and

requests for changes are taken into account.

The Austrian Federal Ministration of Moveables has

this administrative and preservative role, but it also

plays an active part when a state visit is imminent.

When a state guest arrives, we roll out the red carpet.

Our staff responsible for state visits have their own offices

and storage facilities in the Hofburg for these furnishings.

For a state banquet, the table must be set according to a

meticulously prescribed protocol, which also includes

folding the famous Imperial Formal Napkin, a tradition

with a long history. Its special folding technique is passed

down orally; only two people master it. That is a state

secret within our institution and makes it something very

special.

What particular treasures are hidden in the

furnishings of the Presidential Chancellery and the

ministries?

In the Presidential Chancellery there is a highly

significant ceremonial clock from 1751, a gift from Ludwig

VIII, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt, to Maria Theresa and

Francis Stephen of Lorraine. The seating suite in my office,

for example, dates from the transition from Biedermeier to

Neo-Rococo and was newly upholstered in the workshops

specifically for this space. I relied on the expertise of our

scholars and opted for the traditional “Vienna Cane” fabric

pattern.

You work every day on the Republic’s representation.

What does that mean to you personally?

It is a wonderful feeling. I have been working in the

Cultural Heritage Section for 20 years. When, for example,

I see everything running flawlessly at inaugurations or

state visits, I feel very satisfied. But a great deal of work

goes on behind the scenes.

PHOTO: ROIS & STUBENRAUCH

Zum 20-jährigen Jubiläum des Vereins exil.arte und zum

10-jährigen Jubiläum des Exilarte Forschungszentrums der

mdw werden die Stimmen jener Komponist_innen, Interpret_innen,

Musikforscher_innen sowie Theaterkünstler_

innen gewürdigt, die im Dritten Reich als „entartet“ galten

und deren Werke vielfach in Vergessenheit geraten sind.

Echo des Unerhörten: INVISIBLE

13. März | Musikverein

mit Cornelius Obonya, Josipa Bainac, Yury Revich, Ulrike Anton,

Elisabeth Plank, David Hausknecht und dem ensemble LUX

Julius Bürger – Ein Wiener Komponist kehrt zurück

9. Juni | ORF RadioKulturhaus

mit Thomas Hampson, Josipa Bainac und dem Orchester Divertimento

Viennese unter der Leitung von Vinzenz Praxmarer

Die Wiener Symphoniker zum Jubiläum von Exilarte

23. September | Wiener Konzerthaus

mit Mitra Kotte und den Wiener Symphonikern unter der Leitung von

Katharina Wincor

mdw – Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien

Bilder: Sasha Ilushina Photography; Chris Singer; Andrej Grilc; Wolf-Dieter Grabner


Mehr Info & Tickets:

exilarte.org

SAVOIR VIVRE VISION DIALOGUE

„Ich brenne für Kunst und Kultur.“ | “I am Passionate about Art and Culture.”

Sepp Schellhorn über Kunst als unmittelbarste Form der Diplomatie.

Sepp Schellhorn on art as the most immediate form of diplomacy.

Interview: Rois & Stubenrauch

Auslandskulturtagung 2025:

Yvonne Moriel,

C-TEA & Andi Stecher.

International Cultural Affairs

Conference 2025: Yvonne

Moriel, C-TEA & Andi Stecher.

INFO

SEPP SCHELLHORN

ist seit März 2025 Staatssekretär für Deregulierung und

Auslandskultur im Bundesministerium für europäische und

internationale Angelegenheiten. Er war Unternehmer in der

Gastronomie und Präsident der Österreichischen Hotelvereinigung.

2014 wurde er als Abgeordneter für NEOS in den

Nationalrat gewählt. Schellhorn ist Initiator von „Verstörungen

– Ein Fest für Thomas Bernhard“ und war stv. Präsident

der Internationalen Thomas Bernhard Gesellschaft.

Sie sind medial sehr präsent mit dem Thema Deregulierung.

Als Staatssekretär im Außenministerium sind Sie

aber ebenso für die Auslandskultur zuständig.

Ich brenne für Kunst und Kultur. Ich brenne für die

Künstlerinnen und Künstler. Kunst und Kultur sind gesellschaftlicher

Kitt, Auseinandersetzung und bringen

uns zum Dialog. Die Auslandskultur ist das Tor zur

Welt. Kunst und Kultur ist die niederschwelligste Form

von Diplomatie. Dort, wo Politik keine Worte mehr hat,

kann Kunst Brücken schlagen. Ich glaube, dass ich

durch meine Leidenschaft zur Kunst entsprechend unterstützend

wirken kann für den diplomatischen Dienst.

Wo liegen derzeit die Schwerpunkte der österreichischen

Auslandskultur?

Aktuell befassen wir uns mit dem Balkan. Ein Thema

der österreichischen Diplomatie seit Anfang an. Ich

durfte auch schon mit der slowenischen EU-Kommissarin

Marta Kos einige Gespräche darüber führen, wie

die Nationen Ex-Jugoslawiens über Kulturinitiativen

wieder zueinander in einen Dialog finden können. Ein

zweiter Schwerpunkt ist Zentralasien. Wir glauben,

dass die Region nicht nur wirtschaftlich ein Zukunftsmarkt

ist, sondern auch eine Region, wo wir vor allem

über Kulturdiplomatie ein Verstärken der Beziehungen

vorantreiben sollten – auch angesichts der Aktivitäten

Russlands in diesem Raum. Der dritte Fokus liegt auf

Afrika. Und ein besonderes Herzensanliegen meinerseits

ist, worüber ich auch mit Kulturstaatsminister

Wolfram Weimer in Deutschland gesprochen habe, die

Förderung der Literatur. Im Oktober 2026 jährt sich

zum 100. Mal der Geburtstag Ingeborg Bachmanns,

ich möchte, dass wir hier gemeinsame Projekte starten.

Diesen Februar reisen Sie nach Ghana zur Eröffnung des

neuen österreichischen Kulturforums.

Accra ist eine der Kulturmetropolen am afrikanischen

Kontinent. Österreich hat im Rahmen seines Afrika-Schwerpunktes

bereits 2023 in Südafrika in Pretoria

ein Kulturforum eröffnet und jetzt ein weiteres in Ghana.

Wir werden uns dort vernetzen und Plattformen bieten.

Wir wollen in der Kunst- und Kulturvermittlung das

Fenster in die Welt sein, aber auch die Tür offen haben,

um diese Kultur noch besser kennenzulernen.

PHOTOS: MICHAEL GRUBER / BMEIA; KULTURFORUM TEL AVIV; AUER GRUMBACH (2); DOMINIK SEPP / RKF; SAC BUCHAREST / ELENA MAXEMCIUC; NIROX, KF PRETORIA / EVA LARCHER & CLAUDIA FISCHER

Kann die EU die Lücke, die durch den Austritt der USA aus

der UNESCO entstanden ist, füllen?

Ich durfte bei der Generalkonferenz in Samarkand

sehen, wie groß die Verantwortung der UNESCO ist,

was Bildung und Wissenschaft, aber auch Schulbildung

betrifft. Darum bin ich überzeugt: Wir müssen

aus dem Eck heraus, dass wir in Österreich immer nur

über Weltkulturerbe, den Heumarkt oder den Mönchsberg

diskutieren, wenn es um die UNESCO geht. Akzeptanz

gewinnen wir nur, wenn wir über die UNESCO

einen Beitrag dazu leisten, dass sich Afrika zum Beispiel

besser entwickeln kann. Bildung und Wissenschaft

sind zwei der wichtigsten Punkte, um eine gesellschaftliche

wie auch ökonomische Entwicklung

gewährleisten zu können. Darum ist die UNESCO so

wichtig.

Sie sind auch bekennender Thomas-Bernhard-Fan und

Kunstsammler.

Thomas-Bernhard war der größte Österreich-Liebhaber

– und das vereint mich mit ihm. Und wenn man

ein Liebhaber ist, muss man nicht nur immer schöne

Sachen sagen, man darf auch den Spiegel vorhalten.

Kunst zu sammeln habe ich sehr früh begonnen, als

18-Jähriger. Weil mich zeitgenössische österreichische

Kunst immer fasziniert hat: Brandl, Scheibel, Bohatsch,

später dann Rainer, Lassnig. Im Moment habe ich die

Zeit nicht dafür, aber ich gehe wahnsinnig gerne in

Museen. Kunst und Kultur ist das, wo es einem das

„Hirn aufreißt“ und man auf andere Gedanken kommt.

You are highly visible in the media on the subject of

deregulation. As State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for

European and International Affairs, however, you are also

responsible for international cultural relations.

I am deeply passionate about art and culture. I am

passionate about artists. Art and culture are the social

glue of society; they foster critical engagement and

bring us into dialogue. International cultural relations

are a gateway to the world. Art and culture represent the

most accessible and immediate form of diplomacy.

Where politics runs out of words, art is capable of building

bridges. I believe that my passion for art allows me

to offer meaningful support to the diplomatic service.

Where do you currently see the main priorities of Austria’s

international cultural relations?

At present, our focus is on the Balkans—a core concern

of Austrian diplomacy from the very outset. I

have already held several discussions with the Slovenian

EU Commissioner, Marta Kos, on how the nations

of the former Yugoslavia might once again enter into

dialogue through cultural initiatives. A second priority

is Central Asia. We believe that the region is not only a

future economic market, but also one in which relations

should be strengthened above all through cultural

diplomacy—particularly in light of Russia’s activities

in this area. The third focus is Africa. A matter especially

close to my heart, which I have also discussed

with Germany’s Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram

Weimer, is the promotion of literature. In October

2026, the 100th anniversary of Ingeborg Bachmann’s

birth will be commemorated, and I would like us to

launch joint projects to mark this occasion.

This February, you will be travelling to Ghana for the opening

of the new Austrian Cultural Forum.

Accra is one of the cultural capitals of the African continent.

As part of its strategic focus on Africa, Austria already

opened a Cultural Forum in Pretoria, South Africa,

in 2023, and is now inaugurating another in Ghana.

There, we will build networks and provide platforms. In

the mediation of art and culture, we aim to be a window

onto the world, while also keeping the door open to gaining

a deeper understanding of these cultures ourselves.

Can the EU fill the gap left by the United States’ withdrawal

from UNESCO?

At the General Conference in Samarkand, I was

able to witness the extent of UNESCO’s responsibility

in the fields of education and science, including school

education. This is why I am convinced that we must

move beyond the tendency in Austria to associate

UNESCO solely with World Heritage debates—such

as those surround ing the Heumarkt or the Mönchsberg.

Acceptance can be achieved only if UNESCO

serves as a vehicle through which we help enable regions

such as Africa to realise their developmental potential.

Education and science are among the most

crucial foundations for both social and economic development.

That is why UNESCO is so important.

You are also an avowed admirer of Thomas Bernhard and a

collector of art.

Thomas Bernhard was an aficionado of Austria,

and that unites us. And if one truly loves something,

one does not only say pleasant things; one is also entitled

to hold up a mirror. I began collecting art at a

young age, at eighteen, because contemporary Austrian

art has always fascinated me: Brandl, Scheibel, Bohatsch,

and later Rainer and Lassnig. At the moment, I

do not have much time for it, but I am deeply fond of

visiting museums. Art and culture are what “open up

the mind” and allow one to think differently.

Das BMEIA unterstützt jährlich

6.000 Veranstaltungen an

über 2.000 Orten und fördert

rund 8.000 Kunstschaffende

sowie Wissenschafterinnen

und Wissenschafter.

Each year, the Austrian Federal

Ministry for European and

International Affairs (BMEIA)

supports around 6,000 events at

more than 2,000 locations and

provides funding for approximately

8,000 artists and scholars.

Schwerpunkte der österreichischen

Auslandskultur 2026:

Key priorities of Austria’s

international cultural policy 2026:

Artists Solidarity Programme

Europe (ASOP)

Unterstützung für Künstlerinnen

und Künstler in Krisenzeiten.

Support for artists during times

of crisis.

Trans Stans

Gemeinsames Ausstellungsprojekt

mit dem Weltmuseum

Wien in Zentralasien.

A joint exhibition project with

the Weltmuseum Wien in

Central Asia.

Calliope. Join the Dots

Vorträge österreichischer

Künstlerinnen und

Wissenschaftlerinnen in den

Botschaften und Kulturforen.

Lectures by Austrian women

artists and women scientists at

embassies and cultural forums.

Dialog Residencies

Weltweite Kooperationen

mit lokalen Kunst- und

Kulturschaffenden.

Worldwide collaborations

with local artists and cultural

practitioners.

INFO:

bmeia.gv.at

has served as State Secretary for Deregulation and

International Cultural Relations at the Federal Ministry for

European and International Affairs since March 2025. He was

previously an entrepreneur in the hospitality sector and

President of the Austrian Hotel Association. In 2014, he was

elected to the National Council as a representative of NEOS.

Schellhorn is the initiator of “Verstörungen – A Festival for

Thomas Bernhard” and formerly served as Deputy President

of the International Thomas Bernhard Society.

Auslandskultur:

Austrian Film Week

2025, Tel Aviv.

Foreign Cultural Affairs:

Austrian Film Week

2025, Tel Aviv.

6.000 Veranstaltungen

jährlich: Bratislava, Bukarest,

Pretoria.

6,000 events annually:

Bratislava, Bucharest, Pretoria.



113

SAVOIR VIVRE 270 YEARS OF MOZART

Phänomen Mozart

The Mozart Phenomenon

Tanzmeistersaal: Mozart-

Wohnhaus in Salzburg.

Tanzmeistersaal: Mozart’s

Residence in Salzburg.

2026 jährt sich Wolfgang Amadé

Mozarts Geburtstag zum 270. Mal.

Anlass für die Internationale Stiftung

Mozarteum, den begnadeten Komponisten

rund um den Globus zu feiern.

In 2026, the 270th anniversary of

Wolfgang Amadé Mozart’s birth will be

commemorated—an occasion seized by

the International Mozarteum Foundation

to celebrate the prodigious composer

across the globe.

Text und Interview: Evelyn Rois und Bruno Stubenrauch

PHOTOS: W.A. MOZART AM KLAVIER, UNVOLLENDETES ÖLGEMÄLDE, J. LANGE, WIEN, 1789 / INTERNATIONALE STIFTUNG MOZARTEUM; WOLFGANG LIENBACHER; THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM (2); ISM /

NADINE KROEPFL; ISM; MONIKA RITTERSHAUS

Wolfgang Amadé Mozart genießt weltweiten

Superstar-Status. Das ist in erster

Linie natürlich seiner unvergleichlichen

Musik geschuldet – nicht ganz unbeteiligt an der Position

Mozarts als Österreichs Kulturbotschafter Nr. 1

ist jedoch auch die Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum,

die seit 1880 von Salzburg aus um die Bewahrung

und Verbreitung des kulturellen Erbes des genialen

Komponisten besorgt ist.

Von Salzburg über New York bis Japan

2026 wird ein Jahr voller Mozart-Höhepunkte,

wie Linus Klumpner, seit Februar neuer Geschäftsführer

der Internationalen Stiftung Mozarteum, betont:

„In einer Zeit, wo gerade die Kultur sehr gefordert

ist, möchten wir ein klares Zeichen setzen,

warum wir Relevanz haben in der aktuellen Welt des

21. Jahrhunderts.“ Nach der Mozartwoche, die das

Jubiläumsjahr gebührend eingeläutet hat, bittet etwa

der Konzertabend „Bruderherz, Schwesterherz“ drei

musizierende Geschwisterpaare auf die Bühne – inspiriert

von Wolfgang Amadé Mozart und seiner

Schwester Maria Anna, die als musizierende Wunderkinder

durch Europa reisten. Im Mai schlägt der

gefeierte Pianist und Komponist Fazıl Say in seinem

Meisterkonzert einen Bogen von Mozarts Klaviersonate

mit dem berühmten „Alla turca“ über

Debussy und Ravel bis zu eigenen Kompositionen.

Zum Sommerkonzert im Juni erklingt Mozart dann

im Mirabellgarten. Die Stiftung Mozarteum setzt

aber nicht nur in Salzburg Akzente. Für eine epochale

Mozart-Ausstellung in der Morgan Library &

Museum reisen 70 hochkarätige Objekte nach New

York. Die Leihgaben aus Salzburg bilden eine kongeniale

Ergänzung zu den vielen wertvollen Mozart-

Autografen aus der Sammlung der Morgan Library.

„Das ist wirklich eine einmalige Gelegenheit, in einer

noch nie da gewesenen Fülle die Geschichte von

Mozarts Leben und seiner Musik zu erzählen“, unterstreicht

Klumpner. Weitere internationale Höhepunkte

2026 sind dann beispielsweise eine Japan-

Tournee mit dem Accio Piano Trio oder die Beteiligung

von Solisten der Mozartwoche am Festival de

Mozart de La Habana in Kuba.

Mozarts Instrumente auf kulturdiplomatischer Mission

Seit mehr als 140 Jahren ist die Internationale Stiftung

Mozarteum als Non-Profit-Organisation darum

bemüht, den Zugang zu Musik, Leben und Persönlichkeit

des genialen Komponisten zu eröffnen. Hervorgegangen

aus dem bereits 1841 auf Initiative von

Salzburgs Bürgern gegründeten „Dom-Musik-Verein

und Mozarteum“, dem Mozarts Witwe und seine

Söhne einen großen Teil des Nachlasses des Musikgenies

überlassen haben, ist die Stiftung Mozarteum

heute die weltweit führende Institution, die sich der

Pflege Mozarts Erbe verschrieben hat. „Vor allem die

Original-Instrumente sind unser wahrscheinlich

größter Schatz“, hebt Linus Klumpner, der auch Direktor

der Mozart-Museen ist, hervor. Zu diesen unschätzbar

wertvollen Instrumenten zählt Mozarts

Kindergeige ebenso wie das Clavichord, auf dem er

unter anderem die Zauberflöte und das Requiem

komponierte, oder die Costa-Violine, die Mozart

wahrscheinlich in seiner Zeit in Wien erworben und

gespielt hat. Mozarts Originalinstrumente werden

von der Stiftung Mozarteum auch regelmäßig auf

kulturdiplomatische Mission geschickt: Sie hatten

etwa 2023 einen Auftritt vor dem Hauptausschuss

der UN-Vollversammlung für Menschenrechtsfragen

in New York anlässlich der Feiern zum 75-jährigen

Jubiläum der Deklaration der Menschenrechte,

waren auf der Expo 2025 in Osaka zu Gast oder erklangen

beim Staatsbesuch von Bundespräsident

Alexander Van der Bellen 2018 in China.

Brief an Maria Tekla Mozart.

Le nozze di figaro, Autograf.

Letter to Maria Tekla Mozart.

Le nozze di figaro, autograph

manuscript.

Genius Mozart.

Von Salzburg über New York bis

Kuba – Mozart wird weltweit gespielt.

From Salzburg to New York to Cuba—Mozart

is performed all over the world.

Rund 300 Jahre alt: Mozarts Klotz-Geige.

Around 300 years old: Mozart’s Klotz violin.

„Mozart in Japan“. Mozart &

Mambo: Sarah Willis, Havanna.

“Mozart in Japan”. Mozart &

Mambo: Sarah Willis, Havana.



115


Wunderkinder: Wolfgang und

Maria Anna Mozart.

Mozarts Geburtshaus (links).

Child prodigies: Wolfgang and Maria

Anna Mozart. Mozart’s Birthplace (left).

Geburtstags-Serenade:

Rolando Villazón, Intendant

der Mozartwoche.

Birthday Serenade:

Rolando Villazón,

Artistic Director of the

Mozart Week.

Globaler Nimbus

Linus Klumpner, der in seiner beruflichen Laufbahn

bereits als kulturpolitischer Berater der vorangegangenen

Bundesregierung tätig war sowie im

Außenministerium internationale Kulturangelegenheiten

betreute, ist sich des einzigartigen Stellenwerts

der Musik und Person Mozarts als Kulturbotschafter

für Salzburg und Österreich natürlich sehr

bewusst. „Sie werden auf der Welt schwer jemanden

finden, der noch nie ein Stück von Mozart gehört

hat“, bringt Klumpner den globalen Nimbus Mozarts

auf den Punkt. Dieser unübertroffene Bekanntheitsgrad

des Musikgenies aus Salzburg wird von der Stiftung

Mozarteum immer wieder ganz bewusst als

Türöffner für kulturdiplomatische Zusammenarbeiten

eingesetzt, sei es in Kuba, Kolumbien oder

China. Neben seinem facettenreichen musikalischen

Œuvre, das weltweit Menschen ungeachtet ihres

Alters oder Herkunft zu begeistern vermag, sieht der

Geschäftsführer der Stiftung Mozarteum den Schlüssel

für Mozarts beispiellose Beliebtheit vor allem in

PHOTOS: MOZART IN VERONA, GIANBETTINO CIGNAROLI, 1770 / ISM; WOLFGANG LIENBACHER (3);

ANDREW PHELPS / ISM; MARIA ANNA, PIETRO ANTONIO LORENZONI, 1763 / ISM

seiner zugänglichen Persönlichkeit. Diese private

Facette erschließt sich über die 200 Originalbriefe

des Superstars der klassischen Musik, die mit zum

wertvollsten Besitz der Stiftung Mozarteum Salzburg

gehören. „Über seine Briefe wird Mozart als Person

sehr greifbar“, so Klumpner abschließend. „Er war

einfach ein wahnsinnig sympathischer Kerl!“

Wolfgang Amadé Mozart wird also, mit tatkräftigem

Zutun der Internationalen Stiftung Mozarteum,

das ganze Jahr 2026 über präsent sein – in Österreich

ebenso wie rund um den Globus. Von New York

über Kuba und Japan bis zu einem Cercle-Diplomatique-Event

im Herbst im Hotel Imperial in Wien

samt Auftritt einer originalen Mozart-Geige.

Wolfgang Amadé Mozart enjoys worldwide

superstar status. This is, of course,

primarily owed to his incomparable

music. Yet his position as Austria’s foremost cultural

ambassador is also in no small measure sustained

by the International Mozarteum Foundation,

which since 1880 has been dedicated, from its

base in Salzburg, to preserving and disseminating

the cultural legacy of this musical genius.

From Salzburg to New York to Japan

As Linus Klumpner, who assumed the role of

Mana ging Director of the International Mozarteum

Foundation in February, emphasises, 2026 will be a

year rich in Mozartian highlights: “At a time when

culture itself is under considerable pressure, we wish

to send a clear signal as to why we remain relevant in

the world of the 21st century.”

Following the Mozart Week, which fittingly inaugurated

the anniversary year, the concert evening

“Brother Heart, Sister Heart” will bring three sibling

duos to the stage—inspired by Wolfgang Amadé

Mozart and his sister Maria Anna, who toured Europe

as child prodigies. In May, the acclaimed pianist

and composer Fazıl Say will, in his master concert,

trace a musical arc from Mozart’s Piano Sonata with

the famous Alla turca, via Debussy and Ravel, to his

Mozarts originaler Hammerflügel:

Mozart-Wohnhaus.

Mozart’s original fortepiano:

Mozart’s Residence.

Grafenegg

Summer

— 2026

«In Grafenegg, our red carpet

is a green lawn – and has been

for 20 years!»

Rudolf Buchbinder

Artistic Director


grafenegg

.com

20

YEARS

© Julia Wesely

A...kademie der bildenden Künste Wien

Gemäldegalerie

Bosch Van Dyck

Murillo Botticelli

Cranach Rubens

Rembrandt

Considering the Collection

3.10.2025 –30.8.2026

Opening hours: daily except Monday, 10 am to 6 pm

Schillerplatz 3, 1010 Vienna www.kunstsammlungenakademie.at

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Portrait of a Young Woman, 1632 © Paintings Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna


Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum.

Neues Glasfoyer.

International Mozarteum Foundation.

New glass foyer.

NACHGEFRAGT | INQUIRED

INFO

Meisterkonzert Fazıl Say

Stiftung Mozarteum,

Großer Saal

19.05.2026

Sommerkonzert

Musik Ensemble Salzburg,

quinTTTonic

Mirabellgarten Salzburg

11.06.2026

Kosmos Zauberflöte:

Mozarts Meisterwerk für

die Menschheit

Ausstellung im Mozart-

Wohnhaus, Salzburg

bis 07.04.2026

Wolfgang Amadeus

Mozart: Treasures

from the Mozarteum

Foundation of Salzburg

Exhibition at The Morgan

Library & Museum, New York

13.03.–31.05.2026

themorgan.org

mozarteum.at

own compositions. Mozart will also resound in the

Mirabell Gardens at the summer concert in June.

The Mozarteum Foundation, however, extends its

reach far beyond Salzburg. For a landmark Mozart

exhibition at the Morgan Library & Museum, seventy

outstanding objects will travel to New York. These

loans from Salzburg form a superb complement to

the Morgan Library’s own remarkable collection of

Mozart autographs. “This is truly a unique opportunity

to tell the story of Mozart’s life and music in a

breadth never seen before,” Klumpner notes. Further

international highlights in 2026 include a Japan tour

with the Accio Piano Trio and the participation of

Mozart Week soloists in the Festival de Mozart de

La Habana in Cuba.

Mozart’s Instruments on a Cultural-Diplomatic Mission

For more than 140 years, the International Mozarteum

Foundation has operated as a non-profit organisation

dedicated to opening up access to the life,

music and personality of this extraordinary composer.

Emerging from the Dom-Musik-Verein und Mozarteum,

founded in 1841 at the initiative of Salzburg’s

citizens—to which Mozart’s widow and sons entrusted

a substantial part of his estate—the Mozarteum

Foundation is today the world’s leading institution

devoted to safeguarding Mozart’s heritage. “Our original

instruments are arguably our greatest treasure,”

stresses Klumpner, who also serves as Director of the

Mozart Museums. Among these priceless artefacts

are Mozart’s childhood violin, the clavichord on

which he composed works including The Magic

Flute and the Requiem, and the Costa violin, which

Mozart is believed to have acquired and played during

his years in Vienna. These original instruments

regularly embark on cultural-diplomatic missions:

they appeared in 2023 before the Main Committee of

the UN General Assembly on Human Rights in

New York on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, were

presented at Expo 2025 in Osaka, and were heard

during Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen’s

state visit to China in 2018.

A Global Aura

Given his professional background—which includes

serving as a cultural policy adviser to Austria’s

previous federal government and overseeing international

cultural affairs at the Ministry for European

and International Affairs—Linus Klumpner is acutely

aware of Mozart’s singular significance as a cultural

ambassador for Salzburg and Austria. “You

would be hard pressed to find anyone in the world

who has never heard a piece by Mozart,” he remarks,

succinctly capturing the composer’s global aura.

This unparalleled level of recognition is deliberately

harnessed by the Mozarteum Foundation as

a gateway to cultural-diplomatic collaboration,

whether in Cuba, Colombia or China. Beyond his

multifaceted musical œuvre, which continues to

capti vate people worldwide regardless of age or

background, Klumpner identifies the key to Mozart’s

enduring popularity in his approachable and vividly

human personality. This private dimension is revealed

through more than 200 original letters—

among the most valuable holdings of the Mozarteum

Foundation Salzburg. “Through his correspondence,

Mozart becomes a tangible, relatable person,”

Klumpner concludes. “He was simply an immensely

likeable character.”

With the active involvement of the International

Mozarteum Foundation, Wolfgang Amadé Mozart

will thus remain a constant presence throughout

2026—in Austria and around the world. From

New York to Cuba and Japan, and culminating in

an autumn Cercle Diplomatique event at Vienna’s

Hotel Imperial, featuring the sound of an original

Mozart violin.

PHOTOS: ANDREW PHELPS (2); WOLFGANG LIENBACHER

Linus Klumpner Geschäftsführer der internationalen Stiftung Mozarteum und Direktor der Mozart-Museen.

Managing Director of the International Mozarteum Foundation and Director of the Mozart Museums.

„Mozart ist einfach Mozart!“ | “Mozart is Simply Mozart!”

Sie sind seit Februar neuer

Geschäftsführer der internationalen

Stiftung Mozarteum

– welche Akzente möchten Sie

setzen?

Die Stiftung agiert in drei

Bereichen: die Konzerte, die

Mozart-Museen und der

wissenschaftliche Bereich. Der

ursprüngliche Gedanke der

Stiftung war es immer, diese

Gesamtheit im Blick zu behalten.

Meine Kernzielsetzung ist es

daher, die Stiftung Mozarteum als weltweit führende

Mozart-Institution in all diesen Bereichen zu betonen

und ihre internationale Rolle als Kulturbotschafter

wieder verstärkt hervorzuheben.

2026 jährt sich der Geburtstag Mozarts zum

270. Mal. Welche internationalen Aktivitäten

plant die Stiftung Mozarteum – neben ihrem

Programm in Österreich – für dieses Jubiläumsjahr?

In einer Zeit, in der gerade die Kultur sehr gefordert

ist, möchten wir ein klares Zeichen setzen, warum

wir Relevanz haben in der aktuellen Welt des 21. Jahrhunderts!

Ein wirklicher Höhepunkt ist die Ausstellung in der

Morgan Library in New York, wo wir zum ersten Mal

einen Großteil unserer bedeutendsten Sammlungsstücke

ins Ausland verleihen – eine Once-in-a-Lifetime-

Show! Wir werden in Dubai bei einem großen Festival

im Oktober sein, wir haben eine große Tournee in Japan

und realisieren Projekte in Kuba, Rom und Berlin. Wir

werden rund um den Globus präsent sein mit unterschiedlichen

Formaten.

Einige dieser internationalen Kooperationen der

Stiftung Mozarteum, etwa mit Kuba, laufen

bereits sehr lange.

Begonnen hat diese Zusammenarbeit mit einer

Mozart-Büste in Havanna und sich dann über die letzten

10 Jahre zu einem wunderbar reichhaltigen und

facettenreichen Programm entwickelt. Dieses Projekt

ist auch ein Paradebeispiel der Kulturdiplomatie. Wir

wissen alle, es ist schwierig, diplomatische Kanäle offen

zu halten, aber es gilt aus österreichischer Sicht immer

die Prämisse: Kulturbeziehungen gibt es – außer mit

Nordkorea – mit jedem Land.

Wie würden Sie die Rolle der Stiftung Mozarteum

für die Pflege des Erbes Wolfgang Amadé

Mozarts in Salzburg beschreiben?

Mozart ist in einer Zeit, die für Salzburg sehr herausfordernd

war – die erste Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts –

als identitätsstiftende Figur entdeckt worden. Man hat

begonnen, Musikfeste zu organisieren und das Mozartdenkmal

errichtet. Die Familie Mozart hat diesen –

damals noch – Dom- und Musikverein Mozarteum

unterstützt, aus dem heraus dann die Internationale

Stiftung Mozarteum entstanden ist. Die Geschichte

unserer Institution ist der Ursprung für die Rolle

Salzburgs als Kulturhauptstadt. Ohne die Stiftung

Mozarteum gäbe es keine Salzburger Festspiele.

Was bedeutet Mozart heute für Salzburg und

Österreich?

Ich könnte jetzt unseren ehemaligen Außenminister

zitieren und sagen, wir haben keine Atombomben, aber

wir haben Wolfgang Amadé Mozart. Mozart hat ein

so breites, facettenreiches musikalisches Œuvre

geschaffen, dass er Menschen aller Generationen und

Herkunft begeistert. Sie werden auf der Welt kaum

jemanden finden, der noch nie ein Stück von Mozart

gehört hat. Und das Ganze ist dann noch gepaart mit

der Persönlichkeit Mozarts – er war einfach ein

wahnsinnig sympathischer Kerl. Mozart ist einfach

Mozart!

You have been the new Managing Director of the

International Mozarteum Foundation since

February. What priorities do you intend to set?

The Foundation operates across three core areas:

concerts, the Mozart Museums, and scholarly research.

From its very beginnings, the guiding principle of the

Foundation has been to view these areas as an interconnected

whole. My primary objective is therefore to

underscore the Mozarteum Foundation’s position as the

world’s leading Mozart institution in all of these fields, and

to once again place greater emphasis on its international

role as a cultural ambassador.

In 2026, Mozart’s birthday will be celebrated for

the 270th time. What international activities is the

Mozarteum Foundation planning for this anniversary

year, in addition to its programme in Austria?

At a time when culture is facing particularly intense

challenges, we wish to make a clear statement as to why

we are relevant in the world of the 21st century. A true

highlight will be the exhibition at the Morgan Library in

New York, where for the first time we will be lending a

substantial portion of our most significant collection items

abroad—a genuine once-in-a-lifetime exhibition. We will

also be present at a major festival in Dubai in October,

embark on an extensive tour of Japan, and realise projects

in Cuba, Rome and Berlin. In short, we will be visible

across the globe in a variety of formats.

Some of the Mozarteum Foundation’s international

collaborations—for example with Cuba—have been

in place for a long time.

This collaboration began with the installation of a

Mozart bust in Havana and has, over the past ten years,

developed into a wonderfully rich and multifaceted

programme. It is also a prime example of cultural

diplomacy. We all know how difficult it can be to keep

diplomatic channels open, but from an Austrian

perspective there is a clear guiding principle: cultural

relations exist—with the exception of North Korea—with

every country.

How would you describe the role of the Mozarteum

Foundation in preserving the legacy of Wolfgang

Amadé Mozart in Salzburg?

Mozart was rediscovered as a figure of identity at a

time when Salzburg was facing considerable challenges—

in the first half of the 19th century. Music festivals were

organised and the Mozart Monument was erected. The

Mozart family supported what was then the Dom- und

Musikverein Mozarteum, from which the International

Mozarteum Foundation later emerged. The history of our

institution forms the very foundation of Salzburg’s role as

a cultural capital. Without the Mozarteum Foundation,

there would be no Salzburg Festival.

What does Mozart mean for Salzburg and Austria

today?

I could quote our former foreign minister and say: we

may not have nuclear weapons, but we have Wolfgang

Amadé Mozart. Mozart created a musical œuvre of such

breadth and richness that it continues to inspire people of

all generations and backgrounds. You would be hard

pressed to find anyone in the world who has never heard

a piece by Mozart. And all of this is further enriched by

Mozart’s personality—he was simply an extraordinarily

likeable character. Mozart is simply Mozart!



SAVOIR VIVRE MUSIC HISTORY | EXILARTE

Wieder hörbar machen | Making Them Audible Again

Exilarte bemüht sich seit 20 Jahren um die Wiederaufführung der durch den Nationalsozialismus verfolgten Musik.

For 20 years, Exilarte has been committed to reviving the music persecuted under National Socialism.

Text: Rois & Stubenrauch

40 musikalische

Nachlässe: Wilhelm Grosz,

Erich Zeisl.

40 musical estates:

Wilhelm Grosz, Erich Zeisl.

PHOTOS: STEPHAN POLZER (4); IBY-JOLANDE VARGA; EXILARTE; MARIA NOI; PARLAMENTSDIREKTION / THOMAS TOPF

FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

Erich-Zeisl-Ausstellung im Exilarte Zentrum.

Erich Zeisl exhibition at the Exilarte Centre.

Arnold Schönberg, Fritz Kreisler, Erich Wolfgang

Korngold, Maria Ley-Piscator, Herbert

Zipper, Ernst Toch, Erich Zeisl... Die Liste

der von den Nationalsozialisten verfolgten und aus

Österreich vertrieben Komponistinnen und Komponisten

ist lang. Sie mussten sich im Exil in Hollywood,

Shanghai oder Südamerika neue Existenzen

aufbauen, ihre Musik wurde von den österreichischen

Spielplänen gestrichen und geriet in vielen Fällen

in Vergessenheit.

Seit 20 Jahren bemüht sich Exilarte sehr erfolgreich

darum, diese Musik wieder sicht- und hörbar

zu machen. „Die Musik jener Komponistinnen und

Komponisten, die durch Verfolgung und Vertreibung

ins Exil gezwungen wurden, war lange Zeit

marginalisiert oder schlicht vergessen“, so Gerold

Gruber, Gründer von Exilarte und Leiter des Exilarte

Zentrums. „Diese Werke sind aber nicht nur historisch

bedeutend – sie sind künstlerisch herausragend.

Exilarte entstand aus dem Bedürfnis, diesen

Stimmen einen Platz im heutigen Musikleben zurückzugeben.“

Dieser Platz wird ihnen etwa durch

die inzwischen mehr als zehn Jahre laufende Konzertreihe

„Echo des Unerhörten“ eingeräumt – in oft

prominenter Besetzung, von den Wiener Symphonikern

bis zum Schauspielstar Cornelius Obonya.

2016 holte die frisch ernannte Rektorin Ulrike

Sych Exilarte an die Universität für Musik und darstellende

Kunst Wien (mdw). „Was als Geschichte

gilt, was erinnert und was verdrängt wird, ist immer

durch Handlungen in der Gegenwart bestimmt. Exilarte

hat die österreichische Musikgeschichte nachhaltig

erweitert und korrigiert.“ Sych war es ein Anliegen,

diese wichtige Arbeit durch die institutionelle

Verankerung als Forschungszentrum dauerhaft zu

sichern. „Zugleich hat Exilarte internationale Verflechtungen

offengelegt – etwa die Bedeutung vertriebener

Musikerinnen und Musiker für die Entwicklung

von Musiktraditionen in den USA oder anderen

Ländern“, so Sych weiter. „Dadurch wird deutlich,

wie viel kulturelles Potenzial Österreich durch ihre

Vertreibung und Ermordung verloren hat.“

Das Exilarte Zentrum, prominent im früheren

Hauptgebäude der mdw neben dem Wiener Konzerthaus

gelegen, gilt heute als eine der weltweit führenden

Einrichtungen für die Wiederentdeckung,

Bewahrung und Reintegration jener Musik, die

durch den Nationalsozialismus verdrängt oder zum

Schweigen gebracht wurde. „Wir konnten ein umfangreiches

Archiv aufbauen, bereits über 40 Nachlässe

sichern, wissenschaftliche Arbeit ermöglichen,

Konzerte, Ausstellungen sowie Publikationen von

Büchern und Noteneditionen realisieren“, bekräftigt

auch Gerold Gruber, der in Zukunft vor allem die

internationale Vernetzung weiter ausbauen möchte:

„Exil war ein globales Phänomen – entsprechend

müssen auch Forschung und Vermittlung grenzüberschreitend

gedacht werden.“

Das Jubiläumsjahr 2026 begeht Exilarte unter anderem

mit einer im April eröffnenden Sonderausstellung,

Konzerten im Wiener Musikverein und im

ORF RadioKulturhaus sowie einem großen Jubiläumskonzert

mit den Wiener Symphonikern im

September. Die Konzerte sieht der Leiter des Exilarte

Zentrums als wichtigste Errungenschaft: „Wir sind

das einzige Nachlassarchiv weltweit, das die Musik

auch spielt!“, so Gruber abschließend. „Damit sind

viele Komponistinnen und Komponisten, deren Namen

vor 20 Jahren kaum bekannt waren, heute wieder

Teil des Repertoires.“

Arnold Schoenberg, Fritz Kreisler, Erich Wolfgang

Korngold, Maria Ley-Piscator, Herbert

Zipper, Ernst Toch, Erich Zeisl… the list of

composers persecuted by the National Socialists and

forced into exile from Austria is long. In Hollywood,

Shanghai or South America, they had to build new

lives. Their music was removed from Austrian concert

programmes and, in many cases, fell into oblivion.

For two decades, Exilarte has worked with remarkable

success to make this music visible and audible

once more. “The music of those composers who were

driven into exile by persecution and expulsion was

long marginalised or simply forgotten,” says Gerold

Gruber, founder of Exilarte and director of the Exilarte

Centre. “Yet these works are not only historically

significant—they are artistically outstanding. Exilarte

emerged from the need to restore these voices to their

rightful place in today’s musical life.” One such platform

is the concert series Echo des Unerhörten, running

for more than ten years now, often featuring

prominent performers ranging from the Vienna

Symphony Orchestra to actor Cornelius Obonya.

In 2016, the newly appointed rector Ulrike Sych

brought Exilarte to the University of Music and

Perfor ming Arts Vienna (mdw). “What counts as

history, what is remembered and what is suppressed,

is always shaped by actions in the present. Exilarte

has sustainably expanded and corrected Austria’s

music history,” Sych explains. It was important to her

to secu re this work for the long term by anchoring it

institutionally as a research centre. “At the same time,

Exilarte has revealed international interconnections—such

as the importance of exiled musicians

for the development of musical traditions in the

United States and elsewhere. This makes clear how

much cultural potential Austria lost through their

expulsion and murder.”

The Exilarte Centre, prominently located in the

former main building of the mdw next to the Wiener

Konzerthaus, is today regarded as one of the world’s

leading institutions dedicated to the rediscovery,

preservation, and reintegration of music that was

displaced or silenced under National Socialism. “We

have built up an extensive archive, secured more

than 40 estates, enabled scholarly research, and

realised concerts, exhibitions and publications of

books and critical editions,” Gerold Gruber emphasises.

Looking ahead, he aims above all to further

strengthen international networking: “Exile was a

global phenomenon—research and mediation must

therefore be conceived across borders.” Exilarte will

mark its anniversary year 2026 with a special exhibition

opening in April, concerts at the Wiener Musikverein

and the ORF RadioKulturhaus, and a major

anniversary concert with the Wiener Symphoniker

in September. Gruber sees the concerts as the

organisation’s greatest achievement: “We are the only

archival institution worldwide that actually performs

the music,” he concludes. “As a result, many composers

whose names were barely known 20 years ago

are now once again part of the repertoire.”

„Exilarte entstand aus

dem Bedürfnis, diese

Stimmen wieder hörbar

zu machen, ihnen einen

Platz im Musikleben

zurückzugeben.“

“Exilarte emerged from

the need to make these

voices audible again, to

return them to their place

in musical life.

Gerold Gruber

Gründer von Exilarte und Leiter

des Exilarte Zentrums

Founder of Exilarte and director

of the Exilarte Centre

Echo des Unerhörten:

INVISIBLE

Juri Revich, Cornelius Obonya

Wiener Musikverein

13.3.2026

Jubiläumsausstellung

Exilarte Center

15.4.2026

Orchesterkonzert mit Werken

von Julius Bürger

ORF RadioKulturhaus

9.6..2026

Echo des Unerhörten:

Jubiläumskonzert

Wiener Symphoniker,

Katharina Wincor

Wiener Konzerthaus

23.9.2026

INFO:

exilarte.org

Das Exilarte Zentrum der

mdw in Wien.

The Exilarte Centre of the

mdw in Vienna.

Musik von Ernst Krenek beim

Festakt zu 100 Jahre Republik.

Music by Ernst Krenek at the

ceremony marking 100 years of the

Republic.



121

SAVOIR VIVRE AMBASSADORS OF MUSIC

„Chopin neu zum Leben erwecken.“ | “Reviving Chopin.”

Natalia Rehling über das detektivische Studieren von Frédéric Chopins Originalmanuskript in der Nationalbibliothek.

Natalia Rehling on the forensic study of Frédéric Chopin’s original manuscript at the Austrian National Library.

NATALIA REHLING

zählt zu den herausragenden Pianistinnen ihrer Generation. Als Gewinnerin zahlreicher

internationaler Chopin-Wettbewerbe hat sie sich intensiv mit Originalquellen, Kritiken

und historischen Beschreibungen zu Chopins Aufenthalten in Wien befasst. Natalia

Rehling ist Vizepräsidentin der Internationalen Chopin-Gesellschaft in Wien und

Lehrende an der Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Wien.

is among the most outstanding pianists of her generation. As the winner of numerous

international Chopin competitions, she has engaged intensively with original sources,

reviews and historical accounts relating to Chopin’s stays in Vienna. Natalia Rehling is

Vice President of the International Chopin Society in Vienna and teaches at the

University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

Ihr neues Solo-Album möchte zu einer Reise in Chopins Zeit

in Wien einladen. Was ist Ihre Idee hinter „Chopin in

Vienna“?

Im Fokus standen für mich Chopins Variationen über „Là ci darem

la mano“ nach einem Thema von Mozart, das Chopin 1829 mit nur

19 Jahren hier in Wien gespielt hat. Dieses internationale Debüt war

eine sehr entscheidende Weichenstellung für seine weitere Karriere.

Mir ging es darum, diese Variationen, getreu dem Wiener Originalmanuskript,

zum Klingen zu bringen, zusammen mit anderen Werken

Chopins, die mit seinen Aufenthalten in Wien 1829 und 1830–31 im

Zusammenhang stehen. Ich möchte die Hörerinnen und Hörer auf

eine musikalisch-klangliche Entdeckungsreise in Chopins Wiener Zeit

mitnehmen.

4 4

PHOTOS: JAN FRANKL, EMPIRESALON, PALAIS DIETRICHSTEIN; SEBASTIAN KOCON


Sie hatten Zugang zum Originalmanuskript Chopins,

welches seit 1830 in der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek

in einem Tresor aufbewahrt wird.

Das war für mich eine große Ehre! Diese originalen Noten Chopins

von „Là ci darem la mano“ sind ein unbezahlbarer Schatz. Mein

Anliegen war es, dieses Manuskript, das fast 200 Jahre alt und in

einem wunderbaren Zustand ist, textgetreu zu studieren. Tatsächlich

konnte ich in gewissen Passagen, in jedem Teil des Manuskripts,

sehr viele Unterschiede zur gedruckten Version feststellen. Diese

habe ich detektivisch studiert, damit ich wirklich ein authentisches

musikalisches Bild von Chopins Manuskript neu zum Leben erwecken

konnte.

Was hat es mit der „vergessenen“ Erstfassung Chopins

der Variation Nr. 4 auf sich, welche Sie mit dem neuen

Album auf die Weltbühne bringen?

Die Erstfassung ist in sehr schnellem Tempo auszuführen, mit sehr

vielen Noten, mit sehr vielen Sprüngen, mit einer Akrobatik

sozusagen. Man muss bei der Interpretation eine große virtuose

Leistung erbringen, sie stellt sehr hohe technische Anforderungen.

Sie zeigt das kompositorische Genie Chopins, er hat mit dieser

Variation die Grenzen der Virtuosität für die damalige Zeit

gesprengt. Es ist schließlich eine etwas vereinfachte Variante zum

Druck gekommen, die Erstfassung wurde verworfen.

Chopins Musik ist technisch sehr anspruchsvoll und

gleichzeitig voller tiefer Emotionen.

Es ist tatsächlich Musik, die mich von innen her berührt. Ich fühle die

Musik Chopins, ohne sie in Worte fassen zu können. Ich möchte die

vielschichtigen Emotionen Chopins wiedergeben, sodass diese

intensiv verstanden werden und die Menschen berühren. Ein sehr

wichtiges Element für mich, dieses Manuskript durch meine

Interpretation im 21. Jahrhundert erklingen zu lassen, war auch ein

speziell für die Aufnahmen vorbereiteter Yamaha CFX Konzertflügel.

Was sind Ihre Erkenntnisse zu Chopins Aufenthalten in

Wien?

Der junge Chopin, der sehr begeistert war von der Musik Mozarts

und Beethovens, wollte in gewisse österreichische Kreise aufgenommen

werden. Kurz nach seinem internationalen Debüt in Wien

war er bei Graf Lichnowsky, einem guten Freund Beethovens, im

Palais Dietrichstein eingeladen. Heute ist dort das Bundesministerium

für Frauen, Forschung und Wissenschaft angesiedelt.

Um eine authentische Brücke zu Chopins Zeit in Wien zu schlagen,

durfte ich für meine neue CD dankenswerterweise Fotoaufnahmen im

Empiresalon, dem Büro von Bundesministerin Eva-Maria Holzleitner,

machen. Es war mir wichtig, einzutauchen in die Geschichte

Österreichs zu jener Zeit.

Your new solo album is intended as a journey into Chopin’s

time in Vienna. What is the idea behind Chopin in Vienna?

My main focus was on Chopin’s Variations on “Là ci darem la mano”

on a theme by Mozart, which Chopin performed here in Vienna in

1829 at the age of just nineteen. This international debut was a

decisive turning point for his subsequent career. My intention was

to bring these variations to life in sound, faithfully following the

Viennese original manuscript, together with other works by Chopin

connected to his stays in Vienna in 1829 and 1830–31. I wish to take

listeners on a musical and sonic voyage of discovery into Chopin’s

Viennese period.

You were granted access to Chopin’s original manuscript,

which has been kept in a vault at the Austrian National Library

since 1830.

That was a great honour for me. Chopin’s original notation of

“Là ci darem la mano” is an invaluable treasure. My aim was to

study this almost 200-year-old manuscript—which is in remarkable

condition—strictly according to the text. In fact, I discovered

numerous differences in certain passages, in every section of the

manuscript, compared to the printed version. I examined these

differences in a investigative manner in order truly to revive an

authentic musical image of Chopin’s manuscript.

What is the significance of the “forgotten” first version of

Chopin’s Variation No. 4, which you are now bringing to the

world stage with this album?

The first version is to be performed at a very fast tempo, with an

abundance of notes, large leaps and, one might say, an almost

acrobatic quality. Its interpretation demands great virtuosity and

poses extremely high technical challenges. It reveals Chopin’s

compositional genius: with this variation, he shattered the

boundaries of virtuosity of his time. Ultimately, a somewhat

simplified version was chosen for publication, and the original

version was discarded.

Chopin’s music is technically highly demanding and at the

same time full of profound emotion.

It is indeed music that moves me from within. I feel Chopin’s music

without being able to put it into words. My aim is to convey

Chopin’s multilayered emotions so that they can be deeply understood

and touch people. A very important element for me in

allowing this manuscript to sound through my interpretation in the

21st century was also the use of a Yamaha CFX concert grand piano

specially prepared for the recordings.

What insights have you gained into Chopin’s stays in Vienna?

The young Chopin, who was deeply inspired by the music of Mozart

and Beethoven, sought admission to certain Austrian circles.

Shortly after his international debut in Vienna, he was invited to the

Palais Dietrichstein by Count Lichnowsky, a close friend of

Beethoven. Today, the building houses the Federal Ministry for

Women, Research and Science. In order to create an authentic

bridge to Chopin’s time in Vienna, I was kindly permitted to take

photographs for my new CD in the Empire Salon, the office of

Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner. It was important for me to

immerse myself in Austria’s history of that era.

INFO

Chopin in Vienna

CD Präsentation

Yamaha Concert Hall Vienna

19.03.2026

nataliarehling.com

Frédéric Chopin Gala-Konzert

mit u.a. Donka Angatscheva,

Natalia Rehling, Andreas Großbauer,

Hila Fahima.

Musikverein

29.03.2026

musikverein.at

Chopin, Vargas, Schubert

Natalia Rehling, Klavier

Ehrphilharmonie Wien

Andrea Götsch, Künstlerische

Leitung

Ehrbar Saal

19.04.2026

ehrbarsaal.at

Chopin Festival

in der Kartause Gaming

13.–16.08.2026

chopin.at

Natalia Rehling auf Chopins

Spuren in Wien.

Natalia Rehling explores

Chopin’s legacy in Vienna.



SAVOIR VIVRE MUSEUM & FESTIVAL VISIT | LISZT

„Liszt war der personifizierte Kosmopolit.“

“Liszt was the Embodiment of the Cosmopolitan Spirit.”

20 Jahre Liszt Zentrum Raiding | 20 Years of the Liszt Centre Raiding, Burgenland Text und Interview: Rois & Stubenrauch

DIRECTOR’S TALK

INFO

Virtuose und Komponist:

Franz Liszt.

Virtuoso and composer:

Franz Liszt.

Franz Liszts idyllischer Geburtsort hat sich in

den 20 Jahren seit der Eröffnung des modernen

Konzertsaales mit seiner exzellenten

Akustik zum weltweit bedeutendsten Ort für die

Pflege des Erbes des revolutionären Pianisten und

Musikgenies entwickelt. 2025 um den Liszt-Salon erweitert,

rollt das Museum auf 250 m 2 ein Panorama

des abenteuerlichen Lebens des Kosmopoliten und

ersten „Popstars“ der klassischen Musik zwischen

Raiding, Paris, Bayreuth, Budapest und Rom auf.

Unter der musikalischen Intendanz der Brüder

Eduard und Johannes Kutrowatz beginnt das

Konzert jahr 2026 mit den Barocktagen im März und

kulminiert dann im Oktober zu Liszts Geburtstag

im internationalen Liszt Festival.

Franz Liszt’s idyllic birthplace has, in the twenty

years since the opening of its modern concert

hall with outstanding acoustics, evolved into the

world’s most important centre for the cultivation of the

legacy of this revolutionary pianist and musical genius.

Expanded in 2025 to include the Liszt Salon, the museum

now unfolds, across 250 square metres, a panorama

of the adventurous life of the cosmopolitan and

first “pop star” of classical music, tracing his path between

Raiding, Paris, Bayreuth, Budapest and Rome.

Under the musical directorship of brothers

Eduard and Johannes Kutrowatz, the 2026 concert

season opens with the Baroque Days in March and

reaches its climax in October, marking Liszt’s birthday,

with the international Liszt Festival.

PHOTOS: ANDREAS HAFENSCHER (4); KBB; PETRA KAMENAR, ANDREÌ CHAGALL; SERHIY HOROBETS; PAGANINI ENSEMBLE VIENNA

Johannes und Eduard Kutrowatz

Eduard Kutrowatz über das neu

gestaltete Liszt Museum:

„Das Geburtshaus, der Liszt-Salon als neue

Ausstellungsfläche sowie die Instrumentensammlung

im Foyer des Konzertsaales sind

die drei Teile der Ausstellung ,Le Concert c’est

moi!‘ Ein Rundgang durch Liszts Leben, durch

seine wichtigsten Stationen. Eigentlich fühlt

man sich, als wäre man in einem Makart’schen

Salon des 19. Jahrhunderts. Als Kuratoren

hatten wir mit Christof Cremer einen Ausstellungsgestalter

an unserer Seite, der diese

Opulenz, die Liszt ja auch darstellt, sehr

farbenprächtig umgesetzt hat.“

Zu Franz Liszt an seinem Geburtsort Raiding:

„Unser Alleinstellungsmerkmal ist – meines Wissens gibt es das bei

keinem anderen Komponisten –, dass das Geburtshaus neben einem

höchsten internationalen Ansprüchen gerecht werdenden Konzertsaal

steht. Durch das größte Fenster Österreichs blickt man vom

Konzertsaal auf das Geburtshaus wie auf ein Bild. Durch diese Nähe,

diese emotionale Kraft der Wurzeln, ist auch der spezielle Genius

Loci hier spürbar.“

Über die Höhepunkte des Konzertjahres:

„Wir eröffnen am 20. März die Barocktage mit der Johannes-

Passion von Bach. Beim Brass Fest haben wir den absoluten

Superstar der Brass-Szene, Thomas Gansch & Supergroup, diesmal

ergänzt durch die ,Crème de la crème‘ der Holzbläser, das

Saxophonquintett MASQ und die Vienna Clarinet Connection. Das

Liszt Festival im Oktober bringt dann ein Jubiläumsprogramm, das

die Beziehung Liszt-Wagner in den Fokus stellt. Martin Ivanov spielt

an einem Abend alle 19 Ungarischen Rhapsodien, Sofya Gulyak

stellt die Tänze von Franz Liszt in den Mittelpunkt. Und es gibt

zusätzlich zum großen Konzertprogramm im Liszt-Salon eine Reihe,

in der Gespräch, Literatur und Musik aufeinandertreffen.“

Über Franz Liszt als europäischer Visionär:

„Ich möchte dazu einen Eintrag in Liszts österreichischem Reisepass

anführen: Durch seine Berühmtheit ausreichend bekannt.‘ Liszt hat

ad personam dieses Grenzenlose symbolisiert, konnte praktisch

ungehindert durch ganz Europa reisen und hat auch alle Ecken und

Winkel Europas bespielt – von Glasgow über Gibraltar, Konstantinopel

und Kyjiw bis nach St. Petersburg. Wo Liszt hinkam, war jedes

Konzert ausverkauft! Er war tatsächlich der personifizierte

Kosmopolit, geboren in Österreich-Ungarn, der in Paris gelebt hat –

Französisch war seine Umgangssprache –, der am Ende seines

Lebens in einer Kutsche zwischen Bayreuth, Rom und Budapest hin

und her gefahren ist, der durch seine Art zu spielen die europäischen

Klavierbauer beeinflusst hat. Er hat auf verschiedenste Art

und Weise Europa vernetzt. Als Schriftsteller, Pädagoge, Lehrer,

Komponist und Dirigent.“

Intendanten Liszt Festival Raiding | Artistic Directors of the

Liszt Festival Raiding

Eduard Kutrowatz on the newly redesigned Liszt Museum:

“The birthplace, the Liszt Salon as a new exhibition space, and the

collection of instruments in the foyer of the concert hall form the

three components of the exhibition ‘Le Concert, c’est moi!’ It is a

journey through Liszt’s life and his most important stations. One

almost feels as though one were standing in a Makart-style salon

of the 19th century. As curators, we were fortunate to work with

exhibition designer Christof Cremer, who translated the opulence

that Liszt himself embodies into a richly coloured and visually

powerful presentation.”

On Franz Liszt and his birthplace Raiding:

“Our unique feature—to my knowledge unmatched in the world

of classical composers—is that the birthplace stands directly

beside a concert hall that meets the highest international

standards. Through Austria’s largest window, one looks from the

concert hall onto the birthplace as if at a painting. This proximity,

this emotional power of origins, makes the genius loci of this

place palpable.”

On highlights of the concert season:

“We open the Baroque Days on 20 March with Bach’s St John

Passion. At the Brass Fest, we welcome an absolute superstar of

the brass scene, Thomas Gansch & Supergroup, this time joined

by the ‘crème de la crème’ of woodwind ensembles: the

saxophone quintet MASQ and the Vienna Clarinet Connection.

The Liszt Festival in October then presents an anniversary

programme focusing on the Liszt–Wagner relationship. Martin

Ivanov will perform all 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies in a single

evening, while Sofya Gulyak places Franz Liszt’s dances centre

stage. In addition to the major concert programme, the Liszt Salon

will host a special series in which conversation, literature and

music come together.”

On Franz Liszt as a European visionary:

“I would like to quote an entry in Liszt’s Austrian passport:

‘Sufficiently well known by virtue of his fame.’ Liszt personified

boundlessness. He was able to travel virtually unhindered

throughout Europe and performed in every corner of the

continent—from Glasgow to Gibraltar, from Constantinople and

Kyiv to St Petersburg. Wherever Liszt appeared, concerts sold out.

He truly was the embodiment of the cosmopolitan: born in

Austria-Hungary, living in Paris—French as his everyday

language—and in the final years of his life travelling by carriage

between Bayreuth, Rome and Budapest. Through his style of

playing, he influenced European piano makers, and in countless

ways he connected Europe—as a writer, pedagogue, teacher,

composer and conductor.”

Barock Tage

20.03.–22.03.2026

Brass Fest

24.04.–26.04.2026

Summer Concerts

12.06.–14.06.2026

20 Jahre Liszt Festival

Jubiläumsprogramm

16.10.–25.10.2026

Festival-Highlights: Lidia Baich.

Kateryna Titova. Paganini Ensemble

Vienna.

Franz-Liszt-Geburtshaus.

Neuer Liszt-Salon.

Franz Liszt’s birthplace.

New Liszt Salon.

INFO:

lisztfestival.at

lisztmuseum.at



SAVOIR VIVRE ARTS

Was Sie nicht versäumen sollten | What You Won’t Want to Miss

Kunst & Kultur Frühjahr 2026 | Arts & Culture Spring 2026

Text: Evelyn Rois

Wiener Moderne in

neuem Licht | Viennese

Modernism in a New Light

Wien 1900:

Atelier Singer-Dicker,

Gustav Klimt,

Josef Hoffmann.

Für die Neuaufstellung der Schausammlung „WIEN 1900 – Alltag. Gesamtkunstwerk“ konnte das MAK – Museum für angewandte Kunst den

renommierten Künstler Markus Schinwald gewinnen. Seine filmsetartigen Szenarien rund um die bekannten Objekte von Josef Hoffmann über

Rose Krenn bis Koloman Moser eröffnen neue und ungewöhnliche Perspektiven auf die bedeutenden Bestände des MAK.

For the reinstallation of the permanent exhibition “VIENNA 1900—Everyday Life as a Total Work of Art”, the MAK (Museum of Applied Arts)

enlisted the renowned artist Markus Schinwald. His film-set-like scenarios, arranged around iconic objects by Josef Hoffmann, Rose Krenn and

Koloman Moser, open up fresh and unexpected perspectives on the MAK’s outstanding collections.

mak.at

An der Schnittstelle von

Kunst und Klima | At the

Intersection of Art and Climate

Von Bruegel bis Monet | From Bruegel to Monet

Ein absolutes Highlight des Wiener Kunstfrühlings ist die Ausstellung „Noble Begierden – Eine

Geschichte des europäischen Kunstmarkts“ im Gartenpalais Liechtenstein. Sensationelle Leihgaben

– etwa die berühmte Bilderserie „The House of Parliament in London“ von Claude Monet – und

großartige Werke aus den Fürstlichen Sammlungen von Pieter Bruegel bis Canaletto beleuchten die

faszinierenden Dynamiken des europäischen Kunstmarkts vom Römischen Kaiserreich bis ins

19. Jahrhundert. Noch bis 06.04.2026.

One of the highlights of Vienna’s spring art season is the exhibition “Noble Desires—A History of the

European Art Market” at the Liechtenstein Garden Palace. Sensational loans— including Claude

Monet’s celebrated series “The Houses of Parliament in London”—and outstanding works from the

Princely Collections, ranging from Pieter Bruegel to Canaletto, illuminate the fascinating dynamics of

the European art market from the Roman Empire to the 19th century. On view until 6 April 2026.

palaisliechtenstein.com

Willem van Haecht.

Rembrandt.

Claude Monet.

Max Pechstein.

Emotion und Farbe

Emotion and Colour

Das Lentos in Linz widmet

einem wichtigen Vertreter des

Expressionismus eine umfassende

Personale: „Max Pechstein.

Abenteuer Expressionismus“

(23.04.–30.08.2026). Die

Ausstellung zeigt zentrale Werke

aus allen Schaffensphasen des

Künstlers, darunter mehr als

100 Arbeiten, die erstmals in

Österreich zu sehen sind.

The Lentos Art Museum in Linz

devotes a major solo exhibition to

an important representative of

Expressionism: “Max Pechstein.

Adventures in Expressionism”

(23 April to 30 August 2026). The

exhibition presents key works from

all phases of the artist’s career,

including more than 100 works

never before shown in Austria.

lentos.at

Schlüsselfigur des Realismus | A Key Figure of

Realism

Gustave Courbet.

Mit der ersten umfassende Retrospektive des französischen Malers Gustave

Courbet in Österreich feiert das Leopold Museum sein 25-jähriges Bestehen.

„Gustave Courbet – Realist und Rebell“ (bis 21.06.2026) steht unter der

Schirmherrschaft der Präsidenten der Republik Frankreich, Österreichs und

Deutschlands und ist auch Teil des Jubiläumsjahres „100 Jahre Französische

Kulturpräsenz in Österreich“.

Marking its 25th anniversary, the Leopold Museum celebrates the first

comprehensive retrospective of the French painter Gustave Courbet ever

held in Austria. “Gustave Courbet—Realist and Rebel” (until 21 June 2026)

is held under the patronage of the Presidents of France, Austria, and

Germany and forms

part of the jubilee

year “100 Years of

French Cultural

Presence in Austria”.

leopoldmuseum.org

Auch in ihrer zweiten Ausgabe legt die

Klima Biennale (09.04.–10.05.2026)

ihren Fokus auf das transformative

Potenzial der Kunst, neue Wege des

Denkens, Fühlens und Handelns im

Zeichen der Klimakrise aufzuzeigen.

Festivalzentrale ist das KunstHausWien

mit der internationalen Gruppenausstellung

„Seeds“. Zu den zahlreichen

Partnerinstitutionen des Festivals

zählen etwa das Weltmuseum Wien

oder das MAK mit der Ausstellung

„Soft Image, Brittle Grounds“ von

Felix Lenz (bis 26.07.2026).

In its second edition, the Climate

Biennale (9 April to 10 May 2026)

once again focuses on the transformative

potential of art to inspire

new ways of thinking, feeling and

acting in the face of the climate crisis.

The festival hub is KunstHausWien,

hosting the international group

exhibition “Seeds”. Numerous partner

institutions are involved, including the

Weltmuseum Wien and the MAK with

Felix Lenz’s exhibition “Soft Image,

Brittle Grounds” (until 26 July 2026).

biennale.wien

Felix Lenz.

PHOTOS: CITY OF ANTWERP COLLECTION, RUBENSHUIS; MUSEO NACIONAL THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA, MADRID (2); KUNSTHAUS ZÜRICH, GESCHENK WALTER HAEFNER;

MAK / N. MURRELL / G. MAYER (2); PRIVATBESITZ PECHSTEIN HAMBURG, BERLIN / BILDRECHT, WIEN 2026; COLLECTION M. URBAIN, PARIS; FELIX LENZ



SAVOIR VIVRE ARTS

250 Jahre Burgtheater! | 250 Years

of the Burgtheater!

Villa Beer & Josef Frank

Die Villa Beer in Wien-Hietzing, 1929/30 von

Josef Frank und Oskar Wlach erbaut, gilt als

Schlüsselwerk der zweiten Wiener Moderne.

Ab 8. März 2026 wird die Villa Beer nach aufwendiger

Renovierung mit einem Open House

erstmals für die Öffentlichkeit zugänglich sein.

Die Zimmer sind mit Textilien und Möbeln nach

Entwürfen von Josef Frank ausgestattet, die bis

heute von dem traditionsreichen schwedischen

Hersteller Svenskt Tenn gefertigt werden.

Villa Beer in Vienna-Hietzing, built in 1929/30 by Josef Frank and Oskar Wlach, is considered a key work

of the Second Viennese Modernism. From 8 March 2026, following extensive restoration, Villa Beer will be

open to the public for the first time as part of an Open House programme. The rooms are furnished with

textiles and furniture designed by Josef Frank, still produced today by the long-established Swedish

company Svenskt Tenn.

villabeer.wien

Gregor Sailer.

Die Welt der Zukunft | The World of

Tomorrow

Vertikale Stadtfarmen, Hightech-Anlagen zur Produktion

von künstlichem Fleisch oder für zukünftige Mars- und

Mondkolonien – den futuristischen Aufnahmen einer

automatisierten Landwirtschaft stellt der österreichische

Fotograf Gregor Sailer Bilder hochdiverser Agrosysteme

gegenüber, die viel menschliche Arbeitskraft benötigen.

Die Sonderausstellung „Cockaigne. Schlaraffenland der

Zukunft?“ im Naturhistorischen Museum Wien läuft bis

19.07.2026.

Vertical urban farms, high-tech facilities for the production

of cultured meat, or systems designed for future colonies

on Mars and the Moon: the Austrian photographer

Gregor Sailer juxtaposes futuristic images of automated

agriculture with photographs of highly diverse agrosystems

that rely heavily on human labour. The special

exhibition “Cockaigne. Land of Plenty of the Future?” at the

Natural History Museum Vienna runs until 19 July 2026.

nhm.at

PHOTOS: VILLA BEER / HERTA HURNAUS (3), STEFAN HUGER (2); GREGOR SAILER (3); KHM-MUSEUMSVERBAND, THEATERMUSEUM; THE PALACE MUSEUM (3)

Das Burgtheater feiert in der Spielzeit 2025/26 sein 250-jähriges Bestehen

als österreichisches Nationaltheater. Noch bis Ende Juni eröffnen im

Pausenfoyer historische Kostüme, Handschriften, Bühnenbildentwürfe,

Fotografien und Theaterprogramme aus der Sammlung des Theatermuseums

faszinierende Einblicke in die Geschichte der „Burg“ und ihre

zentrale Rolle in der deutschsprachigen Theaterlandschaft.

In the 2025/26 season, the

Burgtheater celebrates its 250th

anniversary as Austria’s national

theatre. Until the end of June,

historical costumes, manuscripts,

stage designs, photographs and

theatre programmes from the Theatre

Museum’s collection will be displayed

in the foyer during intervals, offering

fascinating insights into the history of

the “Burg” and its central role in the

German-speaking theatrical world.

burgtheater.at

theatermuseum.at

Rare Schätze aus der Verbotenen

Stadt | Rare Treasures from the

Forbidden City

Gemeinsam mit dem Palastmuseum Peking

zeigt das Kunsthistorische Museum Wien über

70 Meisterwerke chinesischer Kunst – viele davon

zum ersten Mal in Europa. Die Sonderausstellung

„Chinesische Kunst aus der Verbotenen Stadt“

in der Kunstkammer (noch bis 06.04.2026)

beleuchtet auch interessante Parallelen und

Unterschiede zwischen Ost und West in den

künstlerischen Ausdrucksformen von Macht und

Lebensidealen.

In collaboration with the Palace Museum, Beijing,

the Kunsthistorische Museum Vienna presents

more than 70 masterpieces of Chinese art—many

of them shown in Europe for the very first time.

The special exhibition “Chinese Art from the

Forbidden City” in the Kunstkammer (until

6 April 2026) also explores intriguing parallels

and contrasts between East and West in artistic

expressions of power and ideals of life.

khm.at

Canaletto &Bellotto


24. März bis 6. September 2026

khm.at

SAVOIR VIVRE CONNOISSEUR

Zwei Meister, ein Menü | Two Masters, One Culinary Vision

Text: Heimo Rollett

WIENER KULINARIK | VIENNESE CULINARY CULTURE

Vienna Bites

2026 steht Wien mit dem Jahresthema „Vienna Bites. Küche, Kultur, Charakter“ vollständig im

Zeichen seiner Kulinarik: Die gastronomische Identität der Stadt und die Besonderheiten der

Wiener Küche – weltweit die einzige nach einer Stadt benannte Küche – werden systematisch

präsentiert. Wien zeigt traditionelle und moderne Küche in ihrer ganzen Bandbreite: von Beisln

und Gasthäusern über Kaffeehäuser, Heurige und Sternerestaurants bis zu Farm-to-Table-

Konzepten. Innerhalb der Stadt wird Landwirtschaft betrieben, etwa 15 % der Fläche sind

agrarisch genutzt, rund ein Drittel davon biologisch. Kulinarik wird entlang fünf thematischer

Säulen erzählt: Wiener Küche und Protagonist:innen, Lebensmittelproduktion in der Stadt,

Ess- und Tafelkultur einschließlich Handwerksbetriebe, Essen und Kunst samt museumspädagogischen

Programmen sowie Nachhaltigkeit und Ethik.

In 2026, Vienna will be entirely dedicated to its culinary culture with the annual theme

“Vienna Bites. Cuisine, Culture, Character”. The city’s gastronomic identity and the distinctive

features of Viennese cuisine—the only cuisine in the world named after a city—will be presented

in a structured way. Vienna showcases traditional and modern cuisine in all its diversity: from

Beisln and inns to coffee houses, wine taverns (Heurige), Michelin-starred restaurants and

farm-to-table concepts. Agriculture is practised within the city limits: around 15 per cent of the

area is used for farming, roughly one third of it organic. Culinary culture is explored along five

thematic pillars: Viennese cuisine and its protagonists; food production within the city; dining

and table culture including artisanal businesses; food and art with museum education

programmes; and sustainability and ethics.

viennabites.wien.info

ALPENKÜCHE TRIFFT WIEN | ALPINE CUISINE MEETS VIENNA

Vierhändig | Four-Hands

Im März lädt das Glasswing Restaurant im The Amauris Vienna zu zwei exklusiven

Four-Hands-Dinner: Am 18. und 19. März 2026 kochen Executive Chef Alexandru

Simon und Egon Heiss (siehe Bild unten), Sternekoch des mit einem Michelin-Stern

und Grünen Stern ausgezeichneten Gourmet Restaurant Prezioso im Castel Fragsburg,

ein gemeinsames Sieben-Gänge-Menü. Wiener Eleganz trifft dabei auf alpine

Aromatik, umgesetzt mit regionalen Zutaten und zeitgemäßer Technik. Wer die beiden

Dinnertermine verpasst: Keine Sorge, mit dem regulären Menü des Glasswing kann

man sich jederzeit durch Simons moderne Wiener Handschrift kosten.

In March, the Glasswing Restaurant at The Amauris Vienna invites guests to two

exclusive four-hands dinners. On 18 and 19 March 2026, Executive Chef Alexandru

Simon and Egon Heiss, the Michelin-starred chef of the Gourmet Restaurant

Prezioso at Castel Fragsburg, which has been awarded one Michelin star and a

Green Star, will prepare a joint seven-course menu. Viennese elegance meets Alpine

flavours, brought to life with regional ingredients and contemporary techniques. If

you miss the two dinner dates, not to worry: the regular Glasswing menu offers the

opportunity to experience Simon’s modern Viennese signature at any time.

theamauris.com

PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT

WEISSWEIN | WHITE WINE

Ungefiltert I | Unfiltered I

Traminer ist eine aromatische, alte Weißweinsorte mit intensivem Duft

nach Rosen, Gewürzen und exotischen Früchten, die besonders in Südtirol

und im Elsass geschätzt wird. Das Weingut Heinzl-Gettinger aus dem

österreichischen Weinviertel treibt es mit dem Obst auf die Spitze:

Innerhalb von 10 Tagen werden die Trauben aus der Retzer Gegend auf der

Schale vergoren, danach reift der Wein im Eichenfass. Ungefiltert kommt

er in die Flasche, dort wartet die Geschmacksbombe auf die Verkostung:

ein herrlicher Naturwein mit feiner Säure, langem Abgang, der auf der

Zunge Maracuja-Samba tanzt.

Traminer is an aromatic, ancient white grape variety with an intense

bouquet of roses, spice and exotic fruit, particularly prized in South

Tyrol and Alsace. The Heinzl-

Gettinger winery from Austria’s

Weinviertel takes the fruit to the

extreme: within ten days, grapes

from the Retz area are fermented

on the skins, after which the wine

matures in oak barrels. It is

bottled unfiltered, where the

flavour bomb awaits tasting: a

magnificent natural wine with

fine acidity and a long finish,

dancing a passion-fruit samba on

the palate.

weingut-heinzl.at

TOP 5

Neu in Wien | New in Vienna

KosTbar Urbaner steirischer

Heurigen & Weinbar. Urban

Styrian Heuriger and wine bar.

instagram.com/die_kostbar

Ossa Saisonales und

regionales Fine Dining.

Seasonal and regional fine

dining.

ossarestaurant.at

Kübey Anatolische Tapasbar

in der Wiener Innenstadt.

Anatolian tapas bar in

Vienna’s city centre.

instagram.com/kubey.vienna

XO-Grill Kult-Burger und

anderes Streetfood jetzt auch

neben dem Mandarin

Oriental. Cult burgers and

other street food, now also

next to the Mandarin Oriental.

xo-grill.at

Lolo & Lola Nicht ganz neu,

aber beste philippinische

Herzensküche. Not quite new,

but the best Filipino comfort

food from the heart.

lolo-lola.at

Lolo & Lola

ESPRESSO

Ungefiltert II | Unfiltered II

Handgefertigte Schweizer Espressomaschinen mit

klarem Design, entwickelt und produziert in der

eigenen Manufaktur in Zürich – dafür steht die Marke

Zuriga, die sich ganz dem Kreislaufprinzip verschrieben

hat. Die Produktpalette umfasst Siebträgermaschinen

und dampffähige Geräte sowie Mühlen, alles

handgefertigt aus Chromstahl, Borosilikatglas und

Nussbaumholz. Jede Maschine heizt in rund zwei

Minuten auf und kombiniert Schweizer Präzision mit

zeitlosem Design. Die Geräte sind bewusst minimalistisch

und langlebig gestaltet und verzichteten auf

unnötige Features, um Reparierbarkeit und Kreislaufwirtschaft

zu fördern.

Handcrafted Swiss espresso machines with a clear

design, developed and produced in their own

manufactory in Zurich—that is what the Zuriga brand

stands for, fully committed to the circular economy.

The product range includes portafilter machines and

steam-capable devices as well as grinders, all

handcrafted from stainless steel, borosilicate glass and

walnut wood. Each machine heats up in around two

minutes, combining Swiss precision with timeless

design. The appliances are deliberately minimalist and

built to last, dispensing with unnecessary features to

promote repairability and circularity.

zuriga.com/



131

LE XYX XYXYXY

SAVOIR VIVRE GLOBAL ADVISER

Verreisen, logieren und besuchen

Where to Go, Where to Stay and What to See

Das Beste aus aller Welt. | The best from around the world.

Text: Gerald Sturz

ZYPERN | CYPRUS

Amyth of Nicosia

ISTANBUL UPDATE

Tersane Istanbul

Wo einst die militärische Schiffswerft des Osmanischen Reichs stand, an einem verborgenen

Ort inmitten Istanbuls, entsteht heute mit dem Projekt „Tersane Istanbul“ eine neue

Downtown, ein Ort, an dem sich Einwohner Istanbuls und Gäste aus aller Welt treffen, wo

sie leben, einkaufen, sich vergnügen können. „Tersane Istanbul“ ist ein ehrgeiziges Projekt.

Auf einer Fläche von 24 Hektar findet der Besucher Luxushotels, Restaurants, eine Shopping

Mall mit Outlets exklusiver Marken, drei Museen, eine zweieinhalb Kilometer lange

Uferpromenade, Wohnungen und eine Marina. Zwei der drei Hotels haben inzwischen

eröffnet, das elegante Aliée und das Rixos, das sich im ehemaligen Trockendock befindet

und das sich als „urban resort“ versteht. Von den Zimmern, den Terrassen, den Pools dieser

Hotels blickt man übers Wasser des Goldenen Horns auf die Altstadt, sieht die Türme und

Kuppeln der Moscheen.

Where the military shipyard of the Ottoman Empire once stood, in a hidden location in the

heart of Istanbul, a new downtown district is now taking shape with the “Tersane Istanbul”

project—a place where Istanbul’s residents and visitors from all over the world come together

to live, shop and enjoy themselves. “Tersane

Istanbul” is an ambitious project. Covering an

area of 24 hectares, it offers luxury hotels,

restaurants, a shopping mall with outlets of

exclusive brands, three museums, a 2.5-kilometre

waterfront promenade, residential

apartments, and a marina. Two of the three

hotels have already opened: the elegant Aliée

and the Rixos, which is located in a former dry

dock and describes itself as an “urban resort”.

From the rooms, terraces and pools of these

hotels, guests enjoy views across the waters of

the Golden Horn towards the historic old town,

with its mosque towers and domes.

tersaneistanbul.com.tr

PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT

Weil Zypern in diesem ersten Halbjahr 2026 den Vorsitz des

Rats der EU hat, ist die Insel nicht nur ein gefragtes Reiseziel

für sonnenhungrige Urlauber, sondern auch für Diplomaten,

Politiker und Wirtschaftstreibende. Dieses neue Boutiquehotel

bietet für alle eine perfekte Unterkunft. Eine ehemalige

Mädchenschule wurde mit viel Feingefühl in ein elegantes und

intimes Hotel verwandelt. Amyth Kouzina, das Restaurant des

Hotels, zählt inzwischen zu den angesagtesten und

gefragtesten Adressen der Stadt.

As Cyprus holds the presidency of the Council of the EU in the

first half of 2026, the island is not only a popular destination for

sun-seeking holidaymakers, but also for diplomats, politicians,

and business leaders. This new boutique hotel offers the perfect

place to stay for all of them. A former girls’ school has been

transformed with great sensitivity into an elegant and intimate

hotel. Amyth Kouzina, the hotel’s restaurant, is now among the

city’s most fashionable and sought-after dining addresses.

amythhotels.com

BUDAPEST

Cova Pasticceria

Matild Palace, das sehr stylische Budapester Hotel, das nur wenige Schritte von der

Elisabethbrücke und der Donauuferpromenade entfernt steht, bekommt demnächst eine

Erweiterung seines Kulinarik-Angebots, zu dem bereits das Spago by Wolfgang Puck

gehört, ein Ableger des kalifornischen Restaurants des prominenten österreichischen

Küchenchefs. Demnächst eröffnet nämlich die Cova Pasticceria Budapest, eine Filiale jenes

legendären italienischen Kaffeehauses, das in Mailand eine Institution ist.

Matild Palace, the highly stylish Budapest hotel located just a few steps from the Elisabeth

Bridge and the Danube river promenade, is soon set to expand its culinary offerings. These

already include Spago by Wolfgang Puck, an offshoot of the Californian restaurant run by the

renowned Austrian-born chef. Soon to open is Cova Pasticceria Budapest, a branch of the

legendary Italian café that is an institution in Milan.

covabudapest.com



133

SAVOIR VIVRE GLOBAL ADVISER

Eines der ganz großen Ausstellungsereignisse des Jahres: Noch bis

zum 25. Mai zeigt die Fondation Beyeler in Riehen bei Basel Arbeiten

von Paul Cezanne, einem Pionier der modernen Kunst. Pablo Picasso

nannte ihn den „Vater von uns allen“. Rund 80 Werke mit einem

Schwerpunkt auf die letzte und bedeutendste Phase im Schaffen des

französischen Malers sind zu sehen.

One of the major exhibition highlights of the year: until 25 May, the

Fondation Beyeler in Riehen near Basel is presenting works by Paul Cézanne, a pioneer of modern art. Pablo Picasso

called him the “father of us all”. Around 80 works are on display, with a focus on the final and most significant phase

of the French painter’s career.

fondationbeyeler.ch

ANTWERPEN | ANTWERP

The Antwerp Six

BASEL

Cézanne

Antwerpen feiert ein Jubiläum: Im Jahr 1986 präsentierten sechs unglaublich talentierte

Modedesigner, die alle an der Modeabteilung der Königlichen Akademie der Schönen

Künste in Antwerpen studiert hatten, ihre Kollektionen auf der British Designer Show in

London. Es wurde ein Riesenerfolg. Von nun an bezeichnete man die Gruppe von

Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten,

Dirk Van Saene und Marina Yee als „The Antwerp Six“. Sie prägten die

internationale Modeszene während der nächsten Jahrzehnte und machten

Antwerpen zu einem Mekka für Fashionistas. Nun widmet ihnen das

Modemuseum Antwerpen von 28. März bis

17. Jänner 2027 eine große Schau.

Antwerp is celebrating an anniversary: in 1986, six exceptionally talented fashion designers, all

of whom had studied in the fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp,

presented their collections at the British Designer Show in London. It was a huge success. From

then on, the group consisting of Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van

Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, and Marina Yee became known as “The Antwerp

Six”. They went on to shape the international fashion scene over the following decades and

turned Antwerp into a mecca for fashionistas. The Fashion Museum Antwerp is now dedicating

a major exhibition to them from 28 March until 17 January 2027.

momu.be

BUCHTIPP | BOOK TIP

The Art Escapes Atlas

Kunst findet man bekanntlich nicht immer nur in

geschlossenen Räumen. Man findet sie in der

Natur, in Parkanlagen, auf Plätzen, in Brunnen.

Dieses Buch führt zu mehr als 500 ausgewählten

Orten in aller Welt, an denen man Kunst und

Kunstwerke in allen Größen, Ausformungen und

Kategorien finden kann. Von Architektur und

Künstlerateliers bis Land Art und skulpturalen

Arbeiten.

As is well known, art is not always found only in

enclosed spaces. It can be discovered in nature, in

parks, in public squares, and in fountains. This

book guides readers to more than 500 carefully

selected locations around the world where art

and artworks of all sizes, forms and categories

can be found—from architecture and artists’

studios to land art and sculptural works.

gestalten.com

PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT

Learn more

HERE, EVERY DAY, WE TAKE ACTION

FOR THE CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW.

Mobility

Waste

Existing

Certifications

Biodiversity

Energy &

Climate

Health, Safety

& Comfort

Water

Sustainable

Retail

Communities &

Local Support


WESTFIELD DONAU ZENTRUM.

SAVOIR VIVRE LUXURY RESIDENCES VIENNA

Wiens neue Top-Residenzen

Vienna’s New Prime Residences

Text: Heimo Rollett

Wiens Wohnungsmarkt bleibt angespannt. Im

Premiumsegment entstehen jedoch Projekte,

die historische Substanz mit architektonischem

Anspruch verbinden und zeigen,

warum hochwertige Adressen heute besonders

gefragt sind. Vienna’s housing market remains

under pressure. In the premium segment,

however, projects are emerging that combine

historic fabric with architectural ambition—

demonstrating why prime addresses are

particularly sought after today.

Funkhaus

Ikone der Wiener Rundfunkgeschichte im neuen Gewand –

denkmalgeschützter Altbau plus Holz-Hybrid-Neubau für

modernes innerstädtisches Wohnen.

An icon of Vienna’s broadcasting history reimagined: a listed

historic building combined with a contemporary timber-hybrid

new build, creating modern city living in a prime urban setting.

PHOTO: TELEGRAM71 / BWM ARCHITECTS, WOOW STUDIOS

Wo einst Orchester probten und Radiostimmen

durchs ganze Land gesendet

wurden, entsteht derzeit ein einzigartiger

Ort, an dem man künftig wohnen kann. Im Funkhaus,

der denkmalgeschützten Ikone der 1930er-

Jahre, werden künftig Eigentumswohnungen realisiert,

ergänzt durch einen modernen Holz-Hybrid-

Neubau. Wer hier einzieht, lebt nicht nur zentral

zwischen Karlsplatz und Belvedere mitten im Botschaftsviertel,

sondern auch in einem Haus, das

Wiener Rundfunkgeschichte geschrieben hat. Und

doch richtet sich alles auf das Heute: großzügige Freiflächen,

durchdachte Grundrisse und ein Umfeld,

das den Alltag bemerkenswert einfach macht.

„Das Funkhaus zeigt, wie kulturelles Erbe und

Zukunftstechnologie einander ergänzen“, erklärt der

Developer Hubert Rhomberg von der Rhomberg-

Gruppe. „Mit dem Holz-Hybrid-Neubau in CREE-

Bauweise reduzieren wir Emissionen und Bauzeit –

und stärken zugleich die Bauqualität in einem

Umfeld, das für technische Innovation und kulturelle

Bedeutung steht.“ 22 Wohnungen entstehen im

histo rischen Funkhaus, 35 im Holz-Hybrid-Neubau,

die Größen reichen von 42 bis 202 Quadratmetern.

Extra Pluspunkt: die Balkone und Loggien mit Blick

auf den Theresianum-Park.

Tut sich also wieder etwas am Immobilienmarkt?

Naja, der Wohnungsmarkt in Wien erholt sich partiell.

Eine strukturelle Knappheit trifft auf anhaltend

hohe Nachfrage, wodurch die Wohnungssuche

schwieriger wird und die Mieten weiter steigen. Verzögerungen

im Neubau sowie hohe Bau- und Finanzierungskosten

bremsen das Angebot zusätzlich, so-




The Superior

Was für Stadtresidenzen in

Bestlage! Moderner Neubau mit

hochwertiger Ausstattung, klaren

Linien und hohem Komfort.

Exceptional city residences in a

prime location. A contemporary

new development with high-end

finishes, clean architectural lines

and outstanding comfort.

dass es mit der Nachfrage nicht Schritt hält. Für 2025

dürften laut aktuellen Analysen rund 9.400 Wohnungen

fertig gestellt worden sein, deutlich weniger

als der Durchschnitt von etwa 16.000 Einheiten in

den Jahren zuvor; selbst eine prognostizierte Erholung

auf rund 10.700 Wohnungen bleibt unter

diesem Niveau. Hochwertige Residenzen bilden einen

eigenen Markt, der sich aktuell stabil hält. Der

Wiener Premiummarkt wird laut RE/MAX 2026

einen Preisanstieg von bis zu 4,3 Prozent verzeichnen.

Bloß: Er ist nicht allzu groß, weil gerade im

Topsegment nur wenige neue Wohnungen auf den

Markt kommen bzw. richtig gute Neubauprojekte in

richtig guten Lagen rar sind.

Eine solche Ausnahme hat der traditionsreiche

Bauträger BOE im Portfolio, es nennt sich Twin

Esta tes und ist ihr aktuelles Signature-Projekt: ein

Ensemble aus revitalisiertem Altbau und einem

moder nen Neubau im edlen Stadtteil Hietzing. Im

Altbau ist noch eine einzige Gartenwohnung verfügbar,

im Neubau 11 von 18 Einheiten – großzügige,

lichtdurchflutete Grundrisse, Balkone, klare Linienführung,

zeitlose Materialien. Die Fertigstellung ist

für Ende 2026 geplant. Bei der BOE betont man, dass

man „alles nach Wunsch der Käufer umsetzen kann“

PHOTOS: 3SI, SQUAREBYTES

– ein Angebot, das auch im gehobenen Premiumsegment

selten geworden ist. Das Unternehmen ist

übrigens seit den 1960ern etabliert, es arbeitet ohne

Subgesellschaften und haftet daher vollständig selbst

– ein starker Vertrauensbeweis.

Wen es an den Stadtrand ins Grüne zieht, der ist

bei einer anderen Entwicklung gut aufgehoben.

Dort, wo einst Carl Manner, der letzte Erbe der Wiener

Süßwaren-Dynastie, in einer prachtvollen Villa

lebte, wird heute ein Stück Wohnkultur neu gedacht.

Die zwischen 1910 und 1914 errichtete Industriellenvilla

wird behutsam revitalisiert und durch einen

zeitgenössischen Neubau ergänzt, sodass ein Ensemble

entsteht, das historische Substanz mit moderner

Architektur verbindet. Eingebettet in eine

rund 2.000 Quadratmeter große Parkanlage mit

altem Baumbestand entstehen exklusive Wohnungen

mit großzügigen Freiflächen und hochwertiger

Ausstattung. Das Projekt versteht sich dabei als

Hommage an eine Unternehmerpersönlichkeit –

und als Versuch, ein architektonisches Erbe in die

Gegenwart weiterzuführen.

Aber wie viele Luxusresidenzen gibt es denn in

Wien eigentlich? Diese Frage ist schwer zu beantworten,

denn was ist schon Luxus? Die Lage? Der Ausblick?

Die Ausstattung? Die Größe? Der Makler

RE/MAX definiert dieses Feld relativ, indem er jeweils

die fünf Prozent der teuersten Immobilien dem

High-End-Segment zuordnet. Der durchschnittliche

Preis im Luxussegment lag zuletzt bei 2,17 Mio. Euro,

deutlich über dem durchschnittlichen „Normalpreis“

von rund 746.000 Euro. In dem Teilsegment Maisonettes,

Lofts und Penthouses geht RE/MAX übrigens

für 2026 von einer Preissteigerung von 2,7 Prozent

aus. Für 2025 war nur ein Plus von 1,8 Prozent angesagt,

2024 gar ein Minus von 0,9 Prozent.

Auch wenn in diesem Segment manch ein Bauträger

in den letzten Jahren unter Druck gekommen

ist, gibt es Platzhirsche, die gut durch die Krise gekommen

sind und nach wie vor mit Qualität und

Anspruch punkten. Dazu zählt die recht bekannte

3 SI Immogroup, die letztes Jahr über 300 Wohnungen

verkauft hat. Zuletzt startete das Familienunternehmen

mit Showroom auf der Kärntnerstraße 39

u.a. ein exklusives Neubauprojekt am Schafberg im

18. Bezirk mit nur elf Wohneinheiten zwischen

55 und 305 Quadratmetern, entworfen von Hawlik

Gerginski Architekten. Private Pools, Weinkeller,

großzügige Terrassen und der freie Blick über Wien

positionieren das Haus klar im Premiumsegment.

Der Name – The Superior – passt da perfekt. Unweit

des Schlossparks Pötzleinsdorf eröffnet die Lage

kurze Wege ins Grüne und viel Raum für Erholung

im Alltag. Gleichzeitig sorgen gute Restaurants und

Heurige in der Umgebung dafür, dass sich städtische

Lebensqualität und die gelassene Atmosphäre der

Umgebung selbstverständlich verbinden.

Im selben schicken Bezirk tritt mit LIV ein weiterer

erfahrener Projektentwickler auf den Plan und realisiert

zwei Objekte, die bald in den Verkauf kommen

werden: In der Staudgasse wird ein Altbau saniert,

jede Etage wird dabei zu einer eigenen Einheit. Das

andere Projekt namens Michaela besteht aus den zwei

Baukörpern „MICHA“ und „ELA“. Wie ungleiche

Schwestern haben beide einen eigenen Charakter, teilen

aber den hohen Anspruch an Design und Qualität.

Gleich ein ganzes Quartier wurde von Wiener

Immobilien im 4. Bezirk entwickelt – fünf behutsam

revitalisierte Häuser, darunter eine ehemalige Hutfabrik,

gruppieren sich um eine 800 Quadratmeter

große Innenhof-Oase. Dementsprechend breit ist

das Spektrum an Wohnungen, die aktuell verkauft

werden. Es reicht von klassischen Altbauwohnungen

mit hohen Decken, Balkonen oder Terrassen über

exklusive Garten- und City-Apartments bis hin zu

Hommage Carl

würdigt Carl Manner, den letzten

Bewohner der historischen Villa.

Revitalisierte Gründerzeit-Villa

und moderner Neubau bilden ein

Wohnensemble.

honours Carl Manner, the final

resident of the historic villa.

A revitalised Gründerzeit villa and

a modern new build come together

to form an elegant residential

ensemble.




PROMOTION

Staudetagen

Maximale Privatsphäre steht hier im Fokus – die großzügigen

Einheiten nehmen jeweils eine komplette Etage für sich ein.

Maximum privacy takes centre stage: each spacious residence

occupies an entire floor, offering true one-home-per-level living.

loftartigen Einheiten und luxuriösen Penthouse-

Resi denzen – teils mit Fernblick bis zum Kahlenberg

und optionalen Pool-Lösungen.

Die hohe Nachfrage im Luxussegment, die steigenden

Preise in Toplagen und der langfristige

Trend zur Verdichtung lassen erwarten, dass exklusive

Wohnprojekte in Wien künftig nicht nur

begehrt bleiben, sondern zunehmend zu kulturellen

Erzählungen werden: Orte, die nicht nur zum Wohnen

dienen, sondern die Geschichte dieser Stadt

weiterschreiben. Und genau das ist es, was Wien –

vielleicht mehr als jede andere europäische Hauptstadt

– durchaus einzigartig und lebenswert macht.

W

here orchestras once rehearsed and radio

voices were broadcast across the country,

a distinctive residential address is now

tak ing shape. At the Funkhaus, the listed broadcasting

icon of the 1930s, owner-occupied apartments are

being created, complemented by a contemporary

timber-hybrid extension. Those who move in will live

not only in a central location between Karlsplatz and

the Belvedere, at the heart of Vienna’s embassy

district, but also in a building that helped shape the

city’s broadcasting history. At the same time, the project

is firmly oriented towards contemporary living:

generous outdoor spaces, well-considered floor plans

and a surrounding infrastructure that makes everyday

life notably easy.

“The Funkhaus shows how cultural heritage and

future-oriented technology can complement one

another,” says developer Hubert Rhomberg of the

Rhomberg Group. “With the timber-hybrid extension

built using CREE construction, we are reducing emissions

and construction time, while at the same time

enhancing build quality in an environment associated

with both technical innovation and cultural significance.”

Twenty-two apartments are being created

within the historic Funkhaus, with a further 35 units

in the timber-hybrid extension. Sizes range from 42 to

202 square metres. An added attraction are the balconies

and loggias overlooking the Theresianum Park.

So is the property market stirring again? To a

degree. Vienna’s residential market is showing signs of

a partial recovery. Structural scarcity continues to

meet sustained demand, making the search for

housing increasingly difficult and pushing rents

further upwards. Delays in new construction, combined

with high building and financing costs, are

PHOTOS: LIV.AT

FOTOS: ISTOCK.COM/GILAXIA, ISTOCK.COM/WILDPIXEL, DDR. HEINRICH

STAMMZELLEN STATT GELENKSPROTHESE

Gelenkserhaltende Behandlung bei Arthrose, Abnützungen und Knorpelschäden

mit körpereigenen Stammzellen

Fast jeder leidet im Laufe des Lebens unter

Schmerzen in Gelenken und Wirbelsäule. Viele

Betroffene wollen die Risiken einer Gelenksersatzoperation

vermeiden und ihr natürliches Gelenk

erhalten. Eine innovative Behandlungsmethode mit

Stammzellen aus eigenem Körperfett kann dabei helfen:

Diese speziellen Zellen spielen im Körper bei der

Reparatur von Gewebe eine zentrale Rolle. Der Wiener

Arzt DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich nutzt das Heilpotenzial

der Stammzellen in seiner Ordination zur Behandlung

schadhafter Gelenke.

Welche Gelenksprobleme

lassen sich mit Stammzellen

behandeln?

DDR. HEINRICH: Die

Ursache von Schmerzen

und Unbeweglichkeit sind

meist Arthrose, Abnützungen

und Knorpelschäden.

Seit einigen Jahren

behandeln wir diese Leiden

mit körpereigenen

Stammzellen. Klingen die Schmerzen ab und wird das

Gelenk wieder beweglich, bleibt dem Patienten eine

Gelenksprothese erspart.

Die Stammzellbehandlung eignet sich für alle Gelenke,

also Knie- und Hüftgelenke, Gelenke der Schultern,

Füße, Hände und Finger sowie die Wirbelsäule.

Wie ist der Ablauf der Stammzellbehandlung für

Gelenke?

Die Behandlung erfolgt ambulant in örtlicher Betäubung.

Wir gewinnen die benötigten Stammzellen aus

einer kleinen Menge Körperfett des Patienten und injizieren

sie unmittelbar darauf bei den behandlungsbedürftigen

Gelenken. Danach wird der Patient nach

Hause entlassen, es sind weder Vollnarkose noch ein

stationärer Krankenhausaufenthalt notwendig.

Für wen eignet sich die Stammzellbehandlung?

Eine frühzeitige Behandlung ist sinnvoll, um die

Funktion der Gelenke zu erhalten und zu verbessern.

Aber selbst bei fortgeschrittener Arthrose kann mit

Stammzellen vielen Betroffenen geholfen werden. Bei

stabilem Allgemeinzustand ist die Behandlung in jedem

Lebensalter möglich.

Wann ist man nach der Stammzellbehandlung wieder

beweglich?

Patienten können sofort in ihr gewohntes Umfeld zurückkehren,

die Nachsorge ist einfach. Die bei herkömmlichen

Prothesenoperationen übliche langwierige

Rehabilitation entfällt. An unseren Patienten sehen

wir, dass nach der Behandlung mit Stammzellen auch

sportliche Aktivitäten wieder möglich sein können.

• Ambulante Behandlung

• Örtliche Betäubung

• Nachsorge zu Hause

• Gelenk bleibt erhalten

• Kein künstliches Implantat

Ordination

DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich

1010 Wien, Landhausgasse 2

8992 Altaussee (in Planung)

☎ 01/532 18 01

info@ddrheinrich.com

BESUCHEN SIE

UNSEREN SHOP

www.ddrheinrich.shop

INFO:

www.ddrheinrich.com

www.ddrheinrich.shop


SAVOIR VIVRE LUXURY

RESIDENCES VIENNA

GUEST COMMENTARY

Eyelid surgery

a small procedure with a noticeable impact

Twin Estates

In Ober St. Veit verschmilzt

eine revitalisierte

Hietzinger Stilvilla mit

einem modernen Neubau zu

22 exklusiven Eigentumswohnungen

mit Gärten,

Balkonen und Penthouse-

Dachgarten.

In Ober St. Veit, a restored

Hietzing-style villa merges

seamlessly with a modern

new build to create

22 exclusive freehold

apartments featuring

gardens, balconies and a

penthouse roof garden.

PHOTOS: RENDERWERK/BOE, REAL AGENCY, WIENER IMMOBILIEN REAL ESTATE

Quartier Starhemberg

Fünf revitalisierte Baukörper aus Gründerzeit und Industriegeschichte

formen ein exklusives Wohnquartier mit großzügigem Innenhof im

4. Bezirk.

Five revitalised buildings rooted in Gründerzeit architecture and

industrial heritage form an exclusive residential quarter with a generous

inner courtyard in Vienna’s 4th district.

further constraining supply. Current analyses suggest

that approximately 9,400 apartments will have been

completed by 2025—significantly fewer than the

previous average of roughly 16,000 units per year.

Even a projected recovery to around 10,700 units

would remain below that level. Prime residential properties

form a distinct sub-market, which is currently

proving relatively stable. According to RE/MAX,

Vienna’s premium market could see price increases of

up to 4.3 per cent in 2026. The segment remains small,

however, as genuinely high-quality new-build projects

in prime locations are rare. One such exception can be

found in the portfolio of long-established developer

BOE. Its current signature project, Twin Estates, combines

a revitalised period building with a contemporary

new structure in the elegant district of

Hietzing. In the historic building, only one garden

apartment remains available; in the new build, 11 of

18 units are still on the market. The apartments offer

generous, light-filled layouts, balconies, clear architectural

lines and timeless materials. Completion is

sched uled for the end of 2026. BOE emphasises that

layouts and finishes can be adapted entirely to buyers’

wishes—an offer that has become rare even in the

upper premium segment. Founded in the 1960s, the

company operates without subcontractors and assumes

full liability itself, a strong signal of reliability.

Those drawn towards greener surroundings on

the city’s edge will find another noteworthy development.

On the site where Carl Manner, the last heir of

the Viennese confectionery dynasty, once lived in a

magnificent villa, a new chapter of residential culture

is now unfolding. The industrialist’s villa, built between

1910 and 1914, is being carefully restored and

complemented by a contemporary new building,

creating an ensemble that brings together historic

substance and modern architecture. Set within a

park of around 2,000 square metres with mature

trees, the project offers exclusive apartments with

gene rous outdoor spaces and high-quality fittings. It

presents itself both as a homage to an entrepreneurial

figure and as an attempt to carry architectural

heritage forward into the present.

But how many luxury residences are there in

Vienna, really? The answer is not straightforward—

after all, what defines luxury? Location, views, fixtures,

size? RE/MAX approaches the question pragmatically,

defining the top five per cent of properties

by price as the high-end segment. The average price

in this category most recently stood at €2.17 million,

well above the average “standard” price of around

€746,000. Within the sub-segment of maisonettes,

lofts and penthouses, RE/MAX forecasts price

growth of 2.7 per cent for 2026. For 2025, growth of

1.8 per cent had been expected, following a decline

of 0.9 per cent in 2024.

Even though some developers in this segment

have come under pressure in recent years, there are

established players that have navigated the downturn

successfully and continue to stand out for quality

and ambition. Among them is the well-known 3SI

Immogroup, which sold more than 300 apartments

last year. Most recently, the family-owned company

which operates a showroom on Kärntnerstraße launched

an exclusive new-build project on the Schafberg

in Vienna’s 18th district. Designed by Hawlik

Gerginski Architects, the development comprises

just eleven residential units ranging from 55 to 305

square metres. Private pools, wine cellars, generous

terraces and uninterrupted views across Vienna

place the project firmly in the premium segment.

Its name—The Superior—reflects this positioning.

Proximity to Pötzleinsdorf Palace Park offers easy

access to green space and everyday recreation, while

nearby restaurants and traditional wine taverns ensure

that urban living and a relaxed neighbourhood

atmosphere coexist naturally. In the same soughtafter

district, another experienced developer, LIV, is

bringing two further projects to market. In Staudgasse,

a period building is being refurbished, with

each floor converted into a single residential unit.

The second project, Michaela, consists of two buildings,

“MICHA” and “ELA”. Like unequal sisters, each

has its own character, while sharing the same high

standards of design and construction.

An entire quarter has been developed by Wiener

Immobilien in Vienna’s 4th district. Five carefully

revita lised buildings, including a former hat factory,

are arranged around an 800-square-metre inner

courtyard oasis. The range of apartments on offer is

correspondingly broad: from classic period flats with

high ceilings, balconies or terraces, to exclusive

garden and city apartments, loft-style units and

luxu rious penthouses—some with distant views as

far as the Kahlenberg and optional pool solutions.

Strong demand in the luxury segment, rising prices

in prime locations and the long-term trend towards

urban densification suggest that exclusive residential

projects in Vienna will not only remain

highly desirable, but will increasingly become part of

the city’s cultural narrative: places not merely to live,

but to continue Vienna’s story. And it is precisely this

quality that makes Vienna—perhaps more than any

other European capital—genuinely distinctive and

exceptionally liveable.

Natürliche Alterungsprozesse führen dazu, dass die Augenlider

erschlaffen, zu hängen beginnen und sich Tränensäcke

bzw. Augenringe bilden. Mit einer Lidstraffung

kann dem Gesicht ein strahlend wacher Look zurückgegeben

werden. Als Facharzt für Plastische, Rekonstruktive

und Ästhetische Chirurgie verfüge ich über langjährige

Erfahrung im Bereich von Lidstraffungsoperationen.

Die Voraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Lidstraffung ist

die genaue Analyse der Gewebsstruktur. Erst danach können

die Augenlider sanft modelliert werden, sodass der

Blick wieder offen ist und man auf ganz natürliche Weise strahlt.

Bei der Oberlidstraffung erfolgt der Hautschnitt direkt in der Lidumschlagsfalte, Narben

sind später kaum sichtbar. Neben der Entfernung der überschüssigen Haut und des vermehrten

Fettgewebes kann ein inneres Brauenlift sinnvoll sein, um ein optimales Ergebnis

zu erzielen.

Ist bei der Unterlidstraffung lediglich das Unterlid von einem Fettgewebeüberschuss

betroffen, erfolgt der narbenunsichtbare Eingriff durch einen Schnitt im Bereich der inneren

Schleimhaut. Besteht zusätzlich eine deutliche Haut- und Muskelerschlaffung, erfolgt der

Schnitt im Bereich des Wimpernkranzes. Die feine Narbe ist später gut im Wimpernkranz

versteckt.

Mehr darüber erkläre ich Ihnen gerne in einem persönlichen Beratungsgespräch!

Hochachtungsvoll

Dozent Dr. Johannes Matiasek

Natural ageing can cause the eyelids to lose elasticity, begin to droop and lead to the

formation of under-eye bags or dark circles. Eyelid surgery can restore a brighter, more

refreshed appearance. As a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery,

I have many years of experience in performing eyelid procedures. A successful outcome

depends on a careful assessment of the underlying tissue structure; only on that basis can

the eyelids be gently reshaped so that the eyes appear open and the overall expression

remains natural.

In upper eyelid surgery, the incision is placed within the natural eyelid crease, so any

resulting scar is usually barely visible. In addition to removing excess skin and fatty tissue,

an internal brow lift may be recommended where appropriate to optimise the result.

If lower eyelid surgery is required solely to address excess fatty tissue, the procedure

can be performed through an incision on the inner surface of the eyelid, leaving no visible

scar. Where there is also marked skin and muscle laxity, the incision is instead made along

the lash line, where the fine scar is discreetly concealed.

I would be happy to discuss this in greater detail during a personal consultation!

Sincerely yours

Dozent Dr. Johannes Matiasek

Priv.-Doz. Dr. Johannes Matiasek

Facharzt für Plastische, Rekonstruktive

und Ästhetische Chirurgie

Specialist for Plastic, Reconstructive

and Aesthetic Surgery

Kärntner Ring 14/13 I 1010 Wien

Europaplatz 585 I 8970 Schladming

Phone: 01 9971532

Email: ordination@drmatiasek.at

drmatiasek.at



FOTO: © DRMATIASEK.COM

SAVOIR VIVRE LIFESTYLE

Stil in vielen Facetten | Style in Many Facets

Leichtigkeit des Frühlings | Springtime Lightness

Text: Michaela Hocek

Schmucke Details

Elegant Details

Dolce Vita

Klassische wie lockere Schnitte, starke

Farben und Prints: Die tiefe Verbundenheit

mit der mediterranen Kultur,

unaufgesetzte Lässigkeit und natürliche

Eleganz machen den Stil der Modemarke

0039Italy aus.

Classic yet relaxed silhouettes, bold

colours and expressive prints: a deep

affinity with mediterranean culture,

effortless ease and natural elegance define

the style of fashion label 0039Italy.

0039italy-shop.com

Personalisierbare Manschettenknöpfe und Knoten in Sterlingsilber oder Vintage-Schachbrettmuster-Design

in Gelbgold sind nur drei Modelle des umfangreichen Sortiments von

Rozet & Fischmeister.

Personalised cufflinks and knots in sterling silver, or vintage chequerboard designs in yellow

gold, are just three examples from the extensive range offered by Rozet & Fischmeister.

rozetundfischmeister.at

Gesundheitsboost Rotlichttherapie

A Health Boost Through Red-Light

Therapy

Brillentrends 2026 | Eyewear Trends 2026

KI-Unterstützung, Oversize- oder Minimalismus-Statement,

leiser Luxus: Der österreichische Traditionsoptiker

sehen!wutscher lenkt für die aktuelle Brillenmode den Fokus auf

technologischen Fortschritt, Leichtigkeit und bewusste Eleganz.

AI support, oversized or minimalist statements, and quiet luxury:

Austrian heritage optician sehen!wutscher places the spotlight on

technological innovation, lightness and conscious elegance in

contemporary eyewear fashion.

wutscher.com

Mit dem Rotlichtpanel „Essential“ von Luminous Labs

werden biologische Prozesse im Körper unterstützt.

Die hochpräzise Lichtdosis wirkt sich positiv auf die

kognitive Leistung, Stimmung und Schlafqualität aus.

The Essential red-light panel by Luminous Labs

supports biological processes in the body. Its highly

precise light dosage has a positive effect on cognitive

performance, mood and sleep quality.

luminouslabs.health

Deutsche Feinuhrmacherei | German Fine

Watchmaking

Limitiert auf 250 Stück: Mit der „Lange 1 Daymatic Honeygold“

in einem Gehäuse aus 750er-Honiggold, einer markenexklusiven

Legierung, setzt die 1845 gegründete Manufaktur A. Lange &

Söhne ein markant-ästhetisches Zeichen.

Limited to just 250 pieces, the Lange 1 Daymatic Honeygold,

crafted in an 18-carat Honeygold case—a proprietary alloy

exclusive to the brand—makes a striking aesthetic statement.

Founded in 1845, A. Lange & Söhne once again underscores its

horological authority.

alange-soehne.com

Zeitlos schön | Timeless Beauty

Edles Porzellan wertet jede Feier und den Alltag auf.

Die Kollektion „Alice“ der Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur

Feine Dinge wurde erstmals 2011 kreiert und macht bis

heute mit ihrer ikonischen Teekanne, Tassen und

Tellern Lust auf Fine Dining.

Fine porcelain elevates both celebrations and everyday

moments. First created in 2011, the Alice collection by

Vienna-based porcelain manufacturer Feine Dinge

continues to delight with its iconic teapot, cups and

plates, inspiring a refined approach to fine dining.

feinedinge.at

PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT

Duftende Dualität | Fragrant Duality

Moderne Männlichkeit äußert sich im neuen Eau de

Parfum „for him muso santal“ von Narciso Rodriguez mit

Sandelholz, Moschus, Muskatellersalbei, Kardamom und

Wacholder. „Dieser Duft verkörpert eine unmittelbare,

fast körperliche Sinnlichkeit, die rund um Moschus

entsteht“, so Parfümeur Florian Gallo.

Modern masculinity finds expression in the new

“for him muso santal” Eau de

Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez,

blending sandalwood, musk,

clary sage, cardamom and

juniper. “This fragrance

embodies an immediate, almost

physical sensuality centred

around musk,” says perfumer

Florian Gallo.

narcisorodriguezparfums.com

Revival des Schreibens | The Revival of

Writing

Der Trend des „Journalings“ – Selbstreflexion durch regelmäßiges

Schreiben – lässt stilvolle Notizbücher wieder hochleben.

Das in Wien ansässige Unternehmen paper republic beherrscht

das Handwerk vom Zuschneiden über das Vernähen bis zur

Veredelung

The journalling trend—self-reflection through regular writing—is

breathing new life into elegant notebooks. Vienna-based paper

republic masters the craft from cutting and stitching to refined

finishing, executed with consummate skill.

paper-republic.com


SAVOIR VIVRE MADE IN AUSTRIA

Confiserie aus der Schatzkiste | Confectionery from a Treasure Box

Altmann & Kühne produziert seit fast 100 Jahren süße Kunstwerke. | Altmann & Kühne has been creating finely crafted sweet

creations for almost a century.

Text: Michaela Hocek

PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT ALTMANN & KÜHNE

Die Wiener Pralinenmanufaktur

Altmann & Kühne wurde 1928 gegründet

und ist bis heute eine beliebte

Anlaufstelle für alle, die außergewöhnliches

Minikonfekt in höchster

Qualität verschenken oder selbst genießen

möchten. „An der Kombination erlesener

Kompositionen wie Pistaziennougat, Himbeermarzipankugel,

Nougatherzen, Orangette

etc. und den wunderschönen Boxen

in authentischem Wiener Design wird seit

der Firmengründung durch die beiden

Freunde Emil Altmann und Ernst Kühne

nicht gerüttelt“, verraten Philipp Heytmanek

und Thomas Denk, die beiden General

Manager, im Interview zur Philosophie des

familiengeführten Unternehmens. Denn

neben den handgemachten Kunstwerken

und ausbalancierten Rezepturen mit

höchsten Qualitätsansprüchen spielt die

Verpackung nicht nur hinsichtlich der

Haltbarkeit eine große Rolle. Kommoden

mit mehreren Schubladen, Reisekoffern,

Naschkasterln, Hutschachteln, Bücher,

Kassetten und Herzen zum Wiederbefüllen

oder Weiterverwenden: Sie alle präsentieren

sich am Graben 30 in ihrer kreativen

Vielfalt. „Was heute als Nachhaltigkeit im

Trend liegt, wird bei Altmann & Kühne seit

1928 gelebt“, zeigt sich Heytmanek stolz.

Moderne Reminiszenzen

„Es gibt auch immer wieder spezielle

Editionen wie die Zeitgeist-Kollektion im

Art-Deco-Stil oder jene von 2023 anlässlich

des 125-Jahr-Jubliäums der Wiener Secession,

wo wir historische Designs aufgreifen

und den Bogen zu legendären Wiener Institutionen

spannen“, so Denk. Die Frage

nach einem aktuellen Projekt beantwortet

er mit schweigendem Lächeln. Man darf

gespannt sein, welcher Wiener Essenz als

nächstes die Ehre erwiesen wird, als temporäres

Highlight in den Regalen des Innenstadt-Geschäfts

zu glänzen. Übrigens ist

auch das Interieur unverkennbar von Wiener

Architektur geprägt, um den kleinsten

Pralinen weit und breit, die nach wie vor

zur Gänze in Handarbeit, mit viel Geduld

und Präzision entstehen, die perfekte Präsentationsfläche

zu bieten. Der Twist zwischen

Tradition und Moderne, Verantwortung,

Gelassenheit und bewusstem Konsum

gelingt auch beim Genuss, wie Heytmanek

verrät: „Wir verwenden exakt die gleichen

Rezepte wie vor bald 100 Jahren. Eine kleine,

charmante Randnotiz: Unsere Liliput-

Pralinen sind seit jeher fast ausschließlich

vegan.“ Abschließend möchten wir noch

einen beeindruckenden Fakt hinzufügen:

Architekt Josef Hoffmann, eines der Gründungsmitglieder

der Wiener Werkstätte

und Gestalter der Secession, hat auch das

Geschäft am Graben designt.

Founded in 1928, the Viennese praline

manufactory Altmann & Kühne

has long been a cherished destination

for those wishing to give—or personal ly

savour—exceptional miniature confections

of the highest quality. “The combi nation of

exquisite compositions such as pistachio

nougat, raspberry marzipan spheres, nougat

hearts and orangettes, together with the

beautiful boxes in authentic Viennese design,

has remained unchanged since the

company was founded by the two friends

Emil Altmann and Ernst Kühne,” reveal

General Managers Philipp Heytmanek and

Thomas Denk in an interview discussing

the philosophy of the family-run business.

Alongside the handcrafted confections

themselves and the perfectly balanced recipes

created to the most exacting quality

standards, packaging plays a central role—

far beyond mere preservation. Chests of

drawers with multiple compartments, travel

trunks, traditional Naschkasterl, hat

boxes, books, caskets and heart-shaped

boxes designed for refilling or reuse: all are

on display in their remarkable variety at

Graben 30. “What is now celebrated as sustainability

has been practised at Altmann &

Kühne since 1928,” Heytmanek notes with

pride.

Modern Reminiscences

“There are also regular special editions,

such as the Zeitgeist Collection in Art Deco

style, or the 2023 edition marking the

125th anniversary of the Vienna Secession,

where we draw on historic designs and

build bridges to legendary Viennese institutions,”

explains Denk. Asked about current

projects, he responds with a knowing

smile. One can only anticipate which essence

of Vienna will next be honoured as a

temporary highlight in the shelves of the

city-centre boutique.

The interior, too, unmistakably reflects

Viennese architectural influences, providing

the perfect stage for what are still the

smallest pralines far and wide—crafted entirely

by hand, with patience and precision.

The delicate balance between tradition and

modernity, responsibility and ease, mindful

indulgence and pleasure, is also evident

in the tasting experience itself. As Heytmanek

reveals: “We still use exactly the same

recipes as almost one hundred years ago. A

small but charming footnote: our Lilliput

pralines have, from the very beginning,

been almost entirely vegan.”

Finally, one remarkable fact deserves

mention: architect Josef Hoffmann, a founding

member of the Wiener Werkstätte and

a key figure of the Secession movement,

also designed the Altmann & Kühne shop

on Graben.

Die beiden Geschäftsführer Thomas Denk und

Philipp Heytmanek vor dem Geschäft am Graben 30.

The two Managing Directors, Thomas Denk and Philipp

Heytmanek, in front of the boutique at Graben 30.

INFO:

altmann-kuehne.com

Echte Handarbeit und designverliebte

Aufbewahrungsboxen, die nie als Einwegverpackung

gedacht waren.

Genuine craftsmanship and design-led storage boxes

never intended as disposable packaging.



SAVOIR VIVRE AMBASSADOR’S DRIVE

Ein erstes Mal wie immer | A First Time Like Always

I.E. Cynthia Chidiac, Botschafterin der Libanesischen Republik, auf CD-Testfahrt mit dem Audi Q3. | H.E. Cynthia Chidiac, Ambassador of

the Lebanese Republic, takes the Audi Q3 for a test drive.

Interview: Stephan Burianek | Photos: Lukas Charwat

Sie liebe Autos, verrät I.E. Cynthia Chidiac

gleich bei der Begrüßung. Im vergangenen Jahr

sei die Botschafterin der Libanesischen Republik

25.000 Kilometer gefahren. „Ich bin sogar in den

Städten am liebsten mit dem Auto unterwegs“, gesteht

sie während einer Testfahrt mit dem neuen

Audi Q3, die uns vom Eingang der Botschaft

beim Wiener Burgtheater zur UNO-City und wieder

retour führt. In Wien ist sie erst seit vergangenem

November, davor war sie in Brüssel.

Wer im Libanon mit dem Auto fährt, der müsse

wirklich gut fahren können, dort sei der Fahrstil

ruppi ger. „In Wien fahren die Leute zumeist recht

entspannt, auch im europäischen Vergleich“, streut

sie den Österreichern Rosen.

Die Botschafterin, die neben Österreich auch

noch für die Slowakei und Slowenien sowie für die

Vereinten Nationen zuständig ist, kommt mit dem

Audi jedenfalls von Beginn an ohne Erklärungen

zurecht. Der Testwagen verfügt über einen hybriden

Antrieb und fährt sich vor allem im Elektromodus

extrem geschmeidig. Im Libanon ist die E-Mobilität

noch nicht wirklich angekommen, verrät die Botschafterin,

dafür sei das Stromnetz noch zu instabil.

Derzeit gehe es in ihrem Land nach mehreren Krisen

wirtschaftlich aber wieder bergauf.

Zwischen Österreich und dem Libanon sieht die

Botschafterin viele Gemeinsamkeiten. Das liegt

nicht nur an den diplomatischen Beziehungen, die

bis in die Zeit von „Kaiserin“ Maria Theresia zurückreichen.

Libanon ist ein Land mit einer stabilen Demokratie

und Diversität. Der libanesische Präsident

schwört bei seiner Ver eidigung nicht auf ein Glaubensbuch,

sondern auf die Verfassung, „und die besagt

außerdem, dass die zahlreichen Konfessionen

der Libanesischen Republik in der Abgeordnetenkammer

vertreten sein müssen“. Nicht zuletzt im

Die Botschafterin Cynthia Chidiac ist eine

begeisterte Autofahrerin. Mit dem Audi Q3 hat

sie sich rasch angefreundet.

Ambassador Cynthia Chidiac is an enthusiastic

driver. She quickly made friends with the Audi Q3.


SAVOIR VIVRE AMBASSADOR’S DRIVE

Beim Foto-Shooting vor der Botschaft (v.l.n.r.): I.E. Cynthia Chidiac,

CD-Autor Stephan Burianek, CD-Herausgeber Alexander Bursky und Georg Endl,

Markenleitung Audi und Diplomatic Sales bei Porsche Inter Auto.

During the photo shoot in front of the embassy: H.E. Cynthia Chidiac,

CD author Stephan Burianek, CD publisher Alexander Bursky, and Georg Endl,

Head of Audi Brand and Diplomatic Sales at Porsche Inter Auto.

Hinblick auf Österreichs Bewerbung um den nichtständigen

Sitz im Sicherheitsrat der Vereinten Nationen

für die Periode 2027/2028 ist die Botschafterin

bestrebt, die Beziehungen zwischen Österreich und

Libanon weiter zu verbessern. „Gemeinsam können

wir zu mehr Stabilität im Nahen Osten beitragen.“

Auf Fotos von Skigebieten angesprochen, die im

Vorraum der Botschaft hängen, kommt die Botschafterin

auf eine weitere Gemeinsamkeit zu sprechen:

„Ja, man kann auch im Libanon gut Ski fahren,

aber bei uns blickt man dabei aufs Mittelmeer.“ Der

libanesische Tourismus hat Potenzial – und ebenfalls

eine lange Geschichte, wie die Botschafterin anhand

der folgenden Anekdote verdeutlicht: Als der Komponist

Richard Wagner im Jahr 1876 erstmals in

Bayreuth seinen legendären „Ring des Nibelungen“

aufführte, sollen internationale Opernliebhaber

wegen der Namensähnlichkeit in der libanesischen

Hauptstadt Beirut gelandet sein. Die Botschafterin

findet den Weg nach Bayreuth übrigens fast jedes

Jahr, neben Autos liebt sie nämlich auch die Werke

des sächsischen Genies. Dass sie auch gerne in die

Wiener Staatsoper und in den Musikverein geht,

versteht sich von selbst.

„Es hat sich nicht angefühlt, als sei ich dieses Auto

zum ersten Mal gefahren“, stellt die Botschafterin

fest, als sie am Ende die Parklücke vor der Botschaft

füllt. Was ließe sich über ein Auto Besseres sagen?

Schnittiges Erfolgsmodell | Sleek Success Story

Neben den Audi-SUV-Modellen Q7 und Q5 ist auch der kompakte Q3 seit seiner ersten Ausgabe im

Jahr 2011 eine Erfolgsgeschichte. Der neue Q3 kommt in zeitgemäßem, schnittigem Design und

verfügt, wie derzeit alle neuen Audi-Modelle, über ein elegant gerundetes Navigationsdisplay. Zur

Basisausstattung zählen u.a. ein Notbremssystem, ein Spurhalte-Assistent und eine Müdigkeitswarnung.

Das Modell ist in unterschiedlichen Antrieben verfügbar, die folgenden Zahlen betreffen

die getestete Hybrid-Variante:

The compact Audi Q3, alongside the Q5 and Q7 SUVs, has been a success since its launch in 2011.

The latest iteration combines contemporary, sleek design with an elegantly rounded navigation

display. Standard features include emergency braking, lane assist, and fatigue detection. The

hybrid variant tested offers smooth, efficient performance, merging style with cutting-edge

technology.

Technische Daten | Technical data Audi Q3 e-hybrid

Höchstgeschwindigkeit | Top speed

Max. Motorleistung | Maximum Output

Kraftstoffverbrauch, kombiniert | Fuel consumption, combined

Beschleunigung 0–100 km/h (sek.) 6,1

Acceleration 0–100 km/h (in seconds)

210 km/h

200 kW (272 PS)

1,7–2,5 l/100 km

Preis inkl. USt (keine NoVA) | Price Price incl. VAT (no NoVA) ab | from € 49.900,–

back to Maria Theresa: both value stable democracy

and societal diversity. “The Lebanese president

swears on the constitution, not a religious text, and

parliamentary representation is guaranteed for all

confessions,” she explains. In light of Austria’s bid

for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat

(2027–2028), she stresses the potential for enhanced

bilateral cooperation: “Together, we can promote

greater stability in the Middle East.”

Asked about ski photos adorning the embassy

walls, she laughs: “Yes, we have great skiing in

Lebanon too—overlooking the Mediterranean.” She

notes Lebanon’s long-standing tourism appeal with a

charming anecdote: in 1876, when Richard Wagner

premiered his legendary Ring Cycle in Bayreuth, international

opera lovers reportedly arrived in Beirut

by mistake, intrigued by the name. The ambassador

herself visits Bayreuth almost annually, a nod to her

love of Wagner, alongside regular outings to the

Vienna State Opera and Musikverein.

Reflecting on the Q3 test drive, she concludes: “It

didn’t feel like my first time driving this car.” A testament

to the model’s intuitive design.

PHOTOS: LUKAS CHARWAT

From the outset, Ambassador Cynthia Chidiac

makes her passion for driving clear. In the past

year alone, she covered 25,000 kilometres, often

preferring the car even in city traffic. On a test drive in

the new Audi Q3, from the embassy near Vienna’s

Burgtheater to the UNO City and back, she navigates

effortlessly. Having arrived in Vienna only last November,

after postings in Brussels, she notes the con trast

to driving in Lebanon: “Driving at home demands real

skill—traffic is far more aggressive. Here, people are

generally relaxed, even by European standards,” she

smiles.

Responsible also for Slovakia, Slovenia and the

United Nations, the ambassador adapts seamlessly to

the Q3’s hybrid drive, praising its smooth performance

in electric mode. While e-mobility remains

nascent in Lebanon due to infrastructure constraints,

economic recovery is now underway. Austria and

Lebanon share more than diplomatic ties dating

Altbaustil

trifft Moderne

Hochwertige Eigentumswohnungen

mit 2 bis 5 Zimmern

Großzügige Freiflächen zu jeder Einheit

Geringe Betriebskosten durch

Wärmepumpe und Photovoltaik

Einzigartiges Penthouse mit Dachgarten

und traumhaftem Blick

INFO:

porscheinterauto.at

audi.at

Besichtigung I Umplanung I Verkauf

T. +43 1 71180

E. sales@boe.at


Weitere Projekte der BOE Baumanagement Gesellschaft m.b.H. in Wien und Innsbruck unter: www.boe.at

SAVOIR VIVRE MOTOR

Innovation, Luxus, Passion | Innovation, Luxury, Passion

Mit Stil in den Frühling | With Style Into Spring

Text: Rois & Stubenrauch

Alfa Romeo Tonale: Passione Italiana

Motor Motorisation

V8-Benziner, R6-Benziner und -Diesel, Plug-in Hybrid | V8 petrol, R6 petrol

and diesel, plug-in hybrid

Antrieb Drive

Hinterradantrieb, Allradantrieb | rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

kW (PS) kW (HP) 230–450 (313–612)

Hubraum Displacement

2.998–3.982 ccm

Energieverbrauch Energy consumption Benziner 8,1–8,2 l/100 km / Diesel 5,1–5,4 l/100 km /

Plug-in Hybrid 16,5–16,9 kWh/100 km + 2,2–2,7 l/100 km, elektrische Reichweite bis 118 km / Diesel 5,3-6,1 l/100 km

Petrol 8.1–8.2 l/100 km / Diesel 5.1–5.4 l/100 km / Plug-in hybrid 16.5–16.9 kWh/100 km and 2.2–2.7 l/100 km, electric

range: up to 118 km

Preis Price ab | from: € 130.210,–

Alfa Romeos Kompakt-SUV startet mit einem Facelift ins Jahr 2026: Am neuen Tonale sticht vor allem die geschärfte, markante Frontpartie sowie sein stilsicheres Interieur

ins Auge. Moderate Updates gibt es auch bei den Motoren, wobei der SUV weiterhin als Hybrid, Plug-in-Hybrid und Diesel erhältlich ist. Der Alfa Romeo Tonale vereint

Fahrdynamik mit hoher Alltagstauglichkeit und stilvoller Italianità im Auftritt. Sein langer Radstand und die kurzen Überhänge sehen nicht nur sehr gut aus, sie sorgen

auch für ausreichend Platz im hochwertig verarbeiteten Innenraum.

Alfa Romeo’s compact SUV enters 2026 with a facelift. The new Tonale stands out

with a sharpened, striking front and a stylish interior. Engine updates are moderate,

with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and diesel options still available. The Tonale combines

driving dynamics with everyday practicality and unmistakable Italian flair. Its long

wheelbase and short overhangs not only look elegant but also provide generous

space in a finely crafted cabin.

Motor Motorisation

R4-Mild-Hybrid Benziner, 1,3-l-Plug-in-Hybrid, R4-Diesel

R4 mild-hybrid petrol, 1.3-l plug-in hybrid, R4 diesel

Antrieb Drive

Vorderradantrieb, Q4 Allradantrieb | Front-wheel drive,

Q4 all-wheel drive

kW (PS) kW (HP) 96–197 (130–270)

Hubraum Displacement 1.332–1.598 cm 3

Energieverbrauch Energy consumption Benziner 5,7 l/100 km / Diesel 5,3 l/100km / Plug-in Hybrid

3,4–3,7 l/100 km + 12,3–12,7 kWh/100 km, elektrische Reichweite bis 61 km | Petrol 5.7 l/100 km / Diesel 5.3 l/

100 km / Plug-in hybrid 3.4–3.7 l/100 km / 12.3–12.7 kWh/100 km, electric range: up to 61 km

Preis | Price ab | from: € 42.100,–

Porsche Cayenne Electric: Neue Maßstäbe | Setting New

Standards

Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse: Rundum erneuertes Flaggschiff | Fully Renewed Flagship

Mercedes-Benz kündigt das Facelift für seine Premium-Limousine als größtes Update der Firmengeschichte an: 2.700 neu entwickelte

oder überarbeitete Komponenten sind in der neuen S-Klasse eingebaut – mehr als die Hälfte der Bauteile. Das reicht vom neuen Lenkrad

mit überarbeiteter Touch-Bedienung über Scheinwerfer der nächsten Generation, einem neu entwickelten Bordcomputer bis zum

High-End-Entertainment mit integrierter Videokonferenztechnik. Nichts geändert hat sich natürlich am kompromisslosen Anspruch an

Sicherheit, Luxus und Verarbeitung der ikonischen S-Klasse. An der Spitze der neuen Antriebsgeneration für die S-Klasse steht der

Achtzylinder mit 537 PS; ein Sechszylinder-Benzinmotor, Plug-in Hybrid und der weiterentwickelte Sechszylinder-Dieselmotor sind

weitere Optionen.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the facelift for its premium saloon, marking the most extensive update in the company’s history:

2,700 newly developed or revised components—over half of the car—have been fitted in the new S-Class. From the redesigned

steering wheel with advanced touch controls and next-generation headlights to a newly developed onboard computer and high-end

entertainment system with integrated video conferencing, every detail is refined. Of course, the uncompromising standards of safety,

luxury, and craftsmanship remain unchanged. At the top of the new engine range sits the V8 petrol producing 537 hp. A six-cylinder

petrol, plug-in hybrid, and updated six-cylinder diesel complete the options.

FOTOS: XYXXYXYXY

PHOTOS: MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG; DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AG; STELLANTIS NV (2)

Fiat 500 Hybrid: Dolce Vita mit neuem Antrieb | Dolce Vita

with a New Drive

Der Fiat 500 sollte das erste Modell des italienischen Autobauers sein, das

ausschließlich mit Elektroantrieb angeboten wird. Nun legt Fiat doch auch eine

Variante seines legendären Modells mit Verbrenner nach: Der neue Fiat 500

Hybrid kommt mit einem 1,0-Liter-Benziner plus Elektromotor, als klassische

Limousine mit Heckklappe oder Cabriolet – eine innovative 3+1-Version mit

zweiter Tür auf der Beifahrerseite folgt. Der ikonische Stadtflitzer wird übrigens

standesgemäß im Turiner Stadtteil Mirafiori gefertigt.

Fiat had planned the 500 to be its first fully electric model, but now it also

launches a hybrid version of the iconic city car. The new 500 Hybrid pairs a

1.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, available as a hatchback or

cabriolet—a 3+1 version with an extra passenger-side door follows. True to its

heritage, this legendary urban compact is produced in Turin’s Mirafiori district.

Motor Motorisation

R3-Benziner plus 12V-Elektromotor | R3 petrol + 12V

electric motor

Antrieb Drive

Vorderradantrieb | Front-wheel drive

kW (PS) kw (HP)

48 (65) Systemleistung | 48 (65) system output

Hubraum Displacement

999 ccm

Energieverbrauch Energy consumption 5,1–5,4 l/100 km

Preis | Price ab | from: € 19.400,–

Porsche bringt seinen luxuriösen SUV als vollelektrisches Modell. Die

Turbo-Variante des neuen Cayenne Electric ist das stärkste Serienfahrzeug, das

Porsche je gebaut hat: Im Launch-Control-Modus leistet er sagenhafte 1.156 PS

und beschleunigt in nur 2,5 Sekunden von null auf 100 km/h. Die neu entwickelte

Hochvolt-Batterie ermöglicht eine Reichweite von bis zu 643 Kilometern und

lädt in weniger als 16 Minuten von zehn auf 80 Prozent. Als erster Porsche

unterstützt der Cayenne Electric zudem induktives Laden.

Porsche introduces its luxury SUV as a fully electric model. The Turbo variant of

the new Cayenne Electric is the most powerful production car Porsche ever built:

in Launch Control mode, it delivers an astonishing 1,156 hp, accelerating from

0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds. The newly developed high-voltage battery

offers a range of up to 643 km and charges from 10 to 80 percent in under

16 minutes. The Cayenne Electric is also the first Porsche to support wireless

charging.

Motor Motorisation

Zwei Elektromotoren | Two electric motors

Antrieb Drive

Allrad | All-wheel drive

kW (PS) kW (HP) 300–800 (408–1.156)|

Energieverbrauch Energy consumption 19,7–22,3 kWh/100 km|

Reichweite Electric range

bis | up to 643 km

Preis | Price ab | from: € 108.246,96



153

SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER | CITY OF SALZBURG

Stadt der Musik und der Kunst | City of Music and Art

Blick auf den Salzburger

Dom und das Domquartier.

View of Salzburg Cathedral

and the DomQuartier.

Auch in diesem Jahr gibt es viele gute Gründe für eine Reise in die Stadt Salzburg: ein Fest für Mozart, neue Museen und

ein unvergleichliches Kulturangebot. | This year, once again, there are plenty of good reasons to travel to the city of Salzburg:

a celebration of Mozart, new museums and an unparalleled cultural programme.

Text: Gerald Sturz

PHOTOS: TOURISMUS SALZBURG GMBH / G. BREITEGGER, PATRESE/ PATRICK LANGWALLNER, STIFTUNG MOZARTEUM / CHRISTIAN SCHNEIDER

Mozart-Denkmal am

Kapuzinerberg.

Mozart monument on

the Kapuzinerberg.

Der neue „Sound of

Music“-Pavillon.

The new “Sound of Music”

pavilion.

„Jedermann“ am

Domplatz. “Jedermann”

at Cathedral Square.

Mozart und „Jedermann” | Mozart and “Jedermann”

# 1

Ein Spaziergang durchs Domquartier

Als Domquartier wird das historische Zentrum

Salzburgs bezeichnet. Der Komplex aus

Residenz und Dom sowie dem Benediktinerkloster

St. Peter war einst der Mittelpunkt

fürsterzbischöflicher Macht. Ein Rundgang

durch das Domquartier führt von den Prunkräumen

der Residenz über den nördlichen

Dombogen zum Dom und den Schätzen des

Dommuseums. Von dort geht es weiter in die

Kunst- und Wunderkammer und die mit

barocken Gemälden bestückte „Lange Galerie“

und zum Museum St. Peter. Der Rundgang endet

schließlich im prunkvollen Carabinieri-Saal der

Residenz. Angesichts dieser barocken Pracht ist

es kein Wunder, dass Salzburg seit 1997 zum

Weltkulturerbe zählt; das wird ab Sommer mit

einem Welterbe-Museum in der Orangerie des

Mirabellgartens gewürdigt.

A walk through the DomQuartier

The DomQuartier is the name given to

Salzburg’s historic centre. The complex

comprising the Residenz and the Cathedral,

together with St Peter’s Benedictine Abbey, was

once the seat of prince-archiepiscopal power.

A tour of the DomQuartier leads visitors from

the state rooms of the Residenz, through the

northern cathedral arcade, to the Cathedral

itself and the treasures of the Cathedral

Museum. From there, the route continues to the

Kunst- und Wunderkammer (Art and Curiosities

Cabinet), the “Long Gallery” with its baroque

paintings, and the Museum of St Peter.

The tour finally concludes in the magnificent

Carabinieri Hall of the Residenz. Given this

baroque splendour, it comes as no surprise that

Salzburg has been a UNESCO World Heritage

Site since 1997—a status that will be celebrated

from this summer onwards with a new

World Heritage Museum in the Orangery

of the Mirabell Gardens.

# 2

Kulturgenuss in der Festspielstadt

Die Salzburger Festspiele, die seit 1920 Jahr

für Jahr im Sommer stattfinden, zählen fraglos

zu den bedeutendsten Kulturveranstaltungen

der Welt. Sie sind jedoch nicht die einzigen

Kultur-Festspiele, die Salzburg zu bieten hat.

Der Festivalreigen beginnt mit den Osterfestspielen,

die heuer (27. März bis 6. April)

eine Rückkehr der Berliner Philharmoniker

unter ihrem Dirigenten Kirill Petrenko und den

Beginn eines neuen Wagner-Rings als Highlights

haben. Es folgen die Pfingstfestspiele

(22. bis 25. Mai), die unter dem Motto „Bon

Voyage“ stehen werden. Zu den Höhepunkten

gehört Gioachino Rossinis „Il Viaggio a Reims“,

bei dem Intendantin Cecilia Bartoli selbst zu

hören sein wird.

Cultural Delights in the Festival City

The Salzburg Festival, held every summer

since 1920, is unquestionably one of the most

important cultural events in the world.

However, it is by no means the only festival

Salzburg has to offer.

The festival calendar begins with the Easter

Festival, which this year (27 March to 6 April)

will see the return of the Berlin Philharmonic

under their conductor Kirill Petrenko, as well as

the launch of a new Wagner Ring cycle,

as major highlights. This is followed by the

Whitsun Festival (22 to 25 May), held under the

motto “Bon Voyage”. One of the highlights will

be Gioachino Rossini’s “Il Viaggio a Reims”, in

which Artistic Director Cecilia Bartoli herself

will perform.

In der Orangerie des Mirabellgartens

eröffnet demnächst das Welterbe-

Museum.

The World Heritage Museum will open

shortly in the Orangery of the Mirabell

Gardens.

Im Mozarteum kann man Musik

und Theater studieren.

Music and drama can be studied

at the Mozarteum.



SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER | CITY OF SALZBURG

Ein beliebtes Souvenir aus

Salzburg: die Mozartkugel.

A popular souvenir from

Salzburg: the Mozartkugel.

WHERE NATURE

# 3

The Sound of Music

Ein Hollywood-Film aus dem Jahr 1965 ist für viele

Gäste, vor allem für jene aus der Anglosphäre, ein

entscheidender Grund, Salzburg zu besuchen. Sie

kommen, um auf den Spuren der Familie Trapp zu

wandeln, deren Geschichte „The Sound of Music“

erzählt. Nun bekommt Salzburg in diesem Sommer

ein Museum, das an die echte Familie, an deren

Geschichte, deren Emigration und eben auch an den

Film als kulturelles und touristisches Phänomen

erinnern soll. Es wird sich beim Eingang des Parks

von Hellbrunn befinden.

BECOMES A LUXURY.

vilavitapannonia.at

Im Konzertsaal des Mozarteums.

In the concert hall of the

Mozarteum.

Besucher der Salzburger Festspiele

vor dem Festspielhaus.

Visitors to the Salzburg Festival

in front of the Festival Hall.


INFO:

Salzburg Information

salzburg.info

Domquartier

domquartier.at

Welterbe Museum

Sound of Music Salzburg

salzburgmuseum.at

Osterfestspiele

Pfingstfestspiele

Salzburger Festspiele

salzburgerfestspiele.at

The Sound of Music

A Hollywood film from 1965 is a key reason why

many visitors—especially from the English-speaking

world—travel to Salzburg. They come to follow in the

footsteps of the Trapp family, whose story is told in

“The Sound of Music”. This summer, Salzburg will

open a museum dedicated to the real family, their

history, their emigration, and the film itself as a

cultural and tourism phenomenon. The museum will

be located at the entrance to Hellbrunn Park.

# 4

Ein Jahr für Mozart

2026 gibt es wieder ein Mozartjahr. Die Anlässe

sind diesmal: der 270. Geburtstag des Wunderkinds,

das 185-Jahre-Jubiläum des Mozarteums, der

Universität für Musik, Schauspiel und Regie, und

das 70-jährige Bestehen der Mozartwoche, der

weltweit wohl bedeutendsten Bühne für Mozarts

Musik. Und diese Jubiläen begeht Salzburg, die

Stadt, in der er geboren wurde und in der er aufgewachsen

ist, mit Konzerten, Opernproduktionen,

Ausstellungen und Stadtführungen. Mehr darüber

finden Sie in dieser Ausgabe von Cercle Diplomatique

ab der Seite 114.

A Year for Mozart

2026 will once again be a Mozart Year. The

occasions this time are the 270th anniversary of

the prodigy’s birth, the 185th anniversary of the

Mozarteum—the university of music, drama and

directing—and the 70th anniversary of Mozart

Week, widely regarded as the world’s most

important platform for Mozart’s music. Salzburg,

the city where he was born and raised, will mark

these anniversaries with concerts, opera productions,

exhibitions and guided city tours. You can

read more about this in the current issue of

Cercle Diplomatique, from page 114.

PHOTOS: TOURISMUS SALZBURG GMBH / G.BREITEGGER (2), KRAFT FOODS ÖSTERREICH

Golden sunsets, tranquil waters, and timeless

comfort by the lake. At VILA VITA Pannonia,

luxury residences blend seamlessly with nature -

inviting you to slow down, breath deeply and

truly arrive.

Experience the magic of lakeside luxury -

your perfect getaway awaits.

SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER | BALATON

Badespaß trifft Kulinarik, Sport und Wellness | Bathing Fun Meets Cuisine,

Sport and Wellness

Weingüter laden ein.

Wineries extend a warm

welcome.

Als Badeparadies ist der Balaton in Ungarn schon lange bekannt. Mit Kulinarik und Weinen der Spitzenklasse, besten Sportmöglichkeiten

und Wellness von Weltformat hat er aber viel mehr zu bieten. | Lake Balaton in Hungary has long been known as a bathing paradise. But

with top-class cuisine and wines, outstanding sports opportunities and world-class wellness, it offers much more besides.

Text: Christoph Ebenhard

PHOTOS: VISITBALATON365, TOROCZKAI CSABA, ZALA SPRINGS HEALTH&GOLF RESORT

Zala Springs: Golf Resort

der Spitzenklasse. Zala

Springs: a top-class golf

resort.

Radwege am Balaton.

Cycle paths around

Lake Balaton.

Balaton Wines

Visitor Center.

Balaton Wines

Visitor Centre.

365 Tage Erlebnisse | 365 Days of Experiences

# 1

Badespaß und bei Sport aktiv sein

Als Badeparadies ist der Balaton weltbekannt.

Am idyllischen, etwas steileren Nordufer wie am

Südteil mit seinen kinderfreundlichen, flachen

Stränden reihen sich gastfreundliche Ferienorte

mit langer Tradition aneinander. Dutzende

kostenlose öffentliche Strände sorgen genauso

wie mehrere aufregende Wasserparks zwischen

Keszthely und Siófok für Spaß im Wasser.

Wassersport jeder Art, über 1.000 Kilometer

Radwege, Tennis und Golf auf drei Spitzenplätzen

wie dem Zala Spring Golf Ressort

sorgen für die aktive Abwechslung.

Tipp: Den Balaton auf dem 200 Kilometer

langen Balaton-Rundweg erkunden!

Bathing Fun and Active Sports

Lake Balaton is world-famous as a bathing

paradise. Along the idyllic, slightly steeper

northern shore as well as the southern side with

its child-friendly, gently sloping beaches,

welcoming holiday resorts with a long tradition

line the lakeshore. Dozens of free public

beaches, along with several exciting water parks

between Keszthely and Siófok, guarantee fun in

the water. All kinds of water sports, more than

1,000 kilometres of cycling paths, tennis and

golf, such as at the Zala Springs Golf Resort, at

three top-class courses provide plenty of active

variety.

Tip: Explore Lake Balaton on the 200-kilometre

Balaton Cycle Circuit!

# 2

Kulinarik und Weine in neuer Qualität

Wenn Wasser und Sport hungrig und durstig

machen, bietet der Balaton ein Paradies für den

Gaumen. Still und selbstbewusst hat sich die

Region kulinarisch längst von Langos,

Palatschinken und Hamburger weiterentwickelt.

Heute erwarten Besucher mit hervorragenden

Restaurants und Weinproduzenten wahre

Genussadressen. Michelin-prämiert lassen sich

im Kistücsöks in Balatonszemes ungarische

Klassiker neu interpretiert genießen. Im

Zenit Balaton Restaurant kommen raffinierte

Kreationen nach Rezepten der Familie Festetics

gemeinsam mit Panoramaausblick auf den

Teller. Und auf 9.000 Hektar bestem Terroir

produzieren Winzer dank der besonderen

Kombination aus Boden, Sonne und Mikroklima

edle elegante Weiß- und Rotweine.

Tipp: Der Besuch im neuen Balaton Wines

Visitor Center in Balatonszőlős bietet die neue

Vielfalt von über 80 Weingütern zum

Kennenlernen und Genießen!

Cuisine and Wines of a New Calibre

When water and sport work up an appetite and

a thirst, Lake Balaton becomes a paradise for

the palate. Quietly and confidently, the region

has long since moved beyond lángos, pancakes

and hamburgers. Today, visitors are greeted by

outstanding restaurants and wine producers

that are true gourmet destinations. At the

Michelin-awarded Kistücsök in Balatonszemes,

Hungarian classics can be enjoyed in modern

reinterpretations. At the Zenit Balaton

Restaurant, refined creations based on recipes

from the Festetics family are served alongside

panoramic lake views. And across 9,000

hectares of prime terroir, winemakers produce

elegant white and red wines thanks to the

unique combination of soil, sunshine and

microclimate.

Tip: A visit to the new Balaton Wines Visitor

Centre in Balatonszőlős offers the chance to

discover and enjoy the diversity of more than

80 wineries.

Abendstimmung am See.

Evening atmosphere by the lake.

Reizvolles Hinterland des

Balaton.

The picturesque rural

surroundings of Lake Balaton.



SAVOIR VIVRE WEEKENDER | BALATON

Romantik in Taploka.

Romance in Tapolca.

Weite am See.

A sense of space by the lake.

# 3

Relaxen und Wellness in einzigartiger

Umgebung

Wasser gibt es hier nicht nur im See, sondern

besonders kostbar unter der Erde in Form von

natürlichen Thermalquellen. Weltweit einzigartig

baden Erholung- und Heilungssuchende im Hévízer

Thermalsee mit seinem mineralreichen Wasser und

Heilschlamm, der selbst im Winter nie unter

22 Grad fällt. Zalakaros kombiniert in seiner

Therme Heil-, Erlebnis- und Wellnessbereiche für

alle Altersgruppen. Und die neue Qualität in den

Hotels sorgt auch hier für niveauvolle Wellnesseinrichtungen

quasi vor der Zimmertüre.

ZALA SPRINGS HEALTH & GOLF RESORT

PREMIUM LIFESTYLE NEAR LAKE BALATON

The exclusive mixed-use resort concept

of Zala Springs Health & Golf Resort

combines tranquility, active recreation

and international standards. The

championship golf course, designed

by world-renowned Robert Trent Jones

Junior, offers an iconic experience, while

the premium room categories and apartments

provide guests with modern design

and maximum comfort.

Health-conscious rejuvenation is

supported by Evergreen Health‘s personalized

services. The proximity of

Lake Balaton offers beach, sailing and

gastronomic experiences, while the surrounding

hiking and cycling trails, wine

regions and thermal baths provide yearround

activities. Easy access to Vienna

further enhances the resort‘s international

appeal.

Zala Springs is more than just relaxation:

it is a conscious investment and

lifestyle in one place.

Therme Zalakaros.

Zalakaros Thermal Spa.

Relaxation and Wellness in a Unique Setting

Water here is not only found in the lake, but also,

most precious of all, underground in the form of

natural thermal springs. Unique worldwide, those

seeking relaxation and healing can bathe in the

Hévíz thermal lake, with its mineral-rich water and

therapeutic mud, which never drops below 22°C

even in winter. Zalakaros combines therapeutic,

adventure and wellness areas for all age groups in

its thermal spa. And the new quality of local hotels

ensures sophisticated wellness facilities almost

right outside the hotel room door.

info@zalasprings.hu • +36 83 900 950 • www.zalasprings.hu


INFO:

visitbalaton365.com

# 4

Wo hippe Festivals auf Weltkultur treffen

Einzigartig ist auch die Kombination von Hochkultur

und pulsierendem Nachtleben am Balaton. Städte

wie Keszthely, Veszprém – das gerne als Rom

Transdanubiens bezeichnet wird – oder Balatonfüred

mit seinen charmanten Villen sind ein Augenschmaus

für Architekturliebhaber. Prächtige Burgen wie jene

von Sümeg oder die majestätische Benediktinerabtei

von Tihany hoch über dem See sind weitere

Attraktionen und Zeugen der Vergangenheit. Ganz

im Heute spielt dagegen das pulsierende Nachtleben

am Balaton. Siófoks Partymeile ist legendär und

Festivals wie das STRAND Festival von Zamárdi, das

Paloznaki Jazzpiknik oder VeszprémFest sind nur

einige Beispiele der großen Auswahl für Rock-,

Jazz- und Klassikfans.

Where Trendy Festivals Meet World Culture

Equally unique is the combination of high culture and

a vibrant nightlife around Lake Balaton. Towns such

as Keszthely, Veszprém—often referred to as the

Rome of Transdanubia—or Balatonfüred with its

charming villas are a delight for lovers of architecture.

Magnificent castles such as Sümeg Castle or

the majestic Benedictine Abbey of Tihany, high

above the lake, are further attractions and witnesses

to the past. In contrast, the pulsating nightlife of

Balaton is very much of today. Siófok’s party strip is

legendary, and festivals such as the STRAND Festival

in Zamárdi, the Paloznak Jazzpiknik or VeszprémFest

are just a few examples of the wide choice on offer

for rock, jazz and classical music fans.

PHOTOS: VISITBALATON365, TOURINFORM ZALAKAROS

Explore Europe’s most unique urban

oasis, where culture meets nature.

Discover world-class institutions

through our professional Englishlanguage

guided tours. Experience the

multi-award-winning House of Music,

the state-of-the-art Museum

of Ethnography, and the historic

House of the Hungarian Millennium—

all set within an unrivaled family

destination in the heart of nature.

Guided Tour of the

House of Music Hungary

Book your exclusive

experience now

budapestcitypark.hu

SAVOIR VIVRE UPCOMING

Wo es uns gefällt | Where We Love to be

Ideen für eine Auszeit | Ideas for a time-out

Text: Claudia Jörg-Brosche

JUNGE TALENTE AUF DIE BÜHNE | YOUNG TALENTS ON STAGE

Musik und Kunst im Park | Music and Art in the Park

Das AMADEUS Festival Wien verbindet in seiner sechsten Ausgabe vom 25. bis 28. Juni 2026

hochkarätige Open-Air-Konzerte in der Parkanlage des AMADEUS International School-Campus

in Wien-Gersthof mit einer Kunstausstellung und Wettbewerben für Design, Violine und

Klavier. Das Motto „Metamorphosis” steht für die kraftvolle, frische Synergie von klassischen

und zeitgenössischen Kunstformen. Highlights sind Konzerte des genreübergreifenden Duos

Bartolomey Bittmann, des Janoska Ensembles gemeinsam mit Gewinnern des Violin-Wettbewerbs,

Timple-Musik von den Kanarischen Inseln (Timple ist eine kleine Gitarren-Art) und die

Young Composers’ Night. Der Family & Fun Day ist der lokalen Bevölkerung gewidmet.

In its sixth edition, from 25 to 28 June 2026, the AMADEUS Festival Vienna brings together

high-calibre open-air concerts set in the parkland of the AMADEUS International School

campus in Vienna-Gersthof, alongside an art exhibition and competitions for design, violin and

piano. Under the theme “Metamorphosis”, the festival celebrates the powerful, fresh synergy

between classical and contemporary art forms. Highlights include performances by the

genre-defying duo Bartolomey Bittmann, the Janoska Ensemble together with winners of the

Violin Competition, timple music from the Canary Islands (the timple is a small guitar-like

instrument), and the Young Composers’ Night. The Family & Fun Day is dedicated to the local

community. amadeusfestival.com

NEUGIER WECKEN | AWAKENING CURIOSITY

Trenčín ist Kulturhauptstadt Europas

Trenčín is European Capital of Culture

Trenčín im Nordwesten der Slowakei ist Kulturhauptstadt Europas 2026. Die

geschichtsreiche Stadt mit 55.000 Einwohnern ist nur zwei Fahrstunden von

Wien entfernt und gefällt mit einer frühmittelalterlichen Burg, der frisch

renovierten Altstadt und einer lebendigen Kunst- und Lokalszene. Das

Trenčín2026-Programm steht unter dem Motto „Neugier wecken“.

Highlights sind ein Lichtkunstfestival, die Wiederbelebung lokaler Boots-

Traditionen, die Revitalisierung der einstigen Fiesta-Eisenbahnbrücke als

neuer Kulturraum, Ausstellungen, Tanz und Theater.

Trenčín, in north-western Slovakia, is the European Capital of Culture

2026. The historic town of 55,000 inhabitants is just a two-hour drive

from Vienna and charms visitors with its early medieval castle, newly

renovated old town and a vibrant arts and local scene. The Trenčín2026

programme runs under the motto “Awakening Curiosity”. Highlights

include a light art festival, the revival of local boating traditions, the

transformation of the former Fiesta railway bridge into a new cultural

space, as well as exhibitions, dance and theatre.

trencin2026.eu

HIGH-END FAMILIENURLAUB IN CAORLE | HIGH-END FAMILY

HOLIDAY IN CAORLE

Cavallino Bianco direkt am Sandstrand

Cavallino Bianco Right on the Sandy Beach

ALTIA BY URRECHU-RESTAURANT HOTEL MELIÁ VIENNA

Neue Genuss-Höhenflüge | New Culinary Heights

Der Platz am Meer ist einzigartig: 15 Jahr lang suchte der Südtiroler

Hotelier Ralph Riffeser nach einem privaten Küstenabschnitt an der

oberitalienischen Adria – im Mai 2026 eröffnet er das Cavallino

Bianco 5* Caorle. Wie im Stammhaus in Südtirol gibt es hier

feinsten Luxus-Familienurlaub mit gemeinsamer Qualitätszeit für

alle Generationen. Herzstück ist der 5 Hektar große, private,

piniengesäumte Sandstrand (Blaue Flagge) mit Spielbereichen und

privaten Cabanas mit Kühlbox und Safe. Das Resort verwöhnt

weiters mit 4.000 m 2 Spa, Suiten mit 46 bis 118 m 2 Größe, Spiel

und Spaß im Lino Land, feinster Kulinarik und einem nicht enden

wollenden Familienangebot. Mitreisende Kinder sind Pflicht!

The location by the sea is unique: for 15 years, South Tyrolean

hotelier Ralph Riffeser searched for a private stretch of coastline

on the Upper Adriatic in northern Italy. In May 2026, he will open

Cavallino Bianco 5* Caorle. As in the flagship property in South

Tyrol, guests can expect the finest luxury family holiday, focused

on quality time together for all generations. At its heart is a

five-hectare private, pine-fringed sandy beach (Blue Flag certified)

with play areas and private cabanas equipped with cool boxes and

safes. The resort also boasts a 4,000 m² spa, suites ranging from

46 to 118 m², games and entertainment at Lino Land, outstanding

cuisine and an almost endless range of family activities. Children

travelling with you are mandatory!

cavallino-bianco.com

PHOTOS: BEIGESTELLT

Der DC Tower in Wien mit dem Hotel Meliá Vienna ist Österreichs höchster

Wolkenkratzer. In 220 m Höhe eröffnete das Hotel Ende 2025 sein

kulinarisches Aushängeschild Altia by Urrechu, Restaurant und Skybar mit

Blick über ganz Wien. Das Fine-Dining-Konzept stammt vom renommierten

baskischen Spitzenkoch Íñigo Urrechu und verbindet mediterrane

Leichtigkeit, mit saisonalen Zutaten und Wiener Eleganz. Der Name Altia

leitet sich vom lateinischen „altus“ (hoch) ab und steht für das kulinarische

Gesamterlebnis in lichtdurchfluteter unprätentiöser Atmosphäre. Einen

Stock höher, auf der 58. Etage, lädt die Altia Skybar ein: Wiens höchstgelegene

Bar mit Lounge und Terrasse.

Vienna’s DC Tower is Austria’s tallest skyscraper and home to the Meliá

Vienna. At a height of 220 metres, the hotel opened its culinary flagship

Altia by Urrechu at the end of 2025—a restaurant and sky bar offering

panoramic views over the entire city. The fine-dining concept comes from

renowned Basque chef Íñigo Urrechu and combines Mediterranean

lightness with seasonal ingredients and Viennese elegance. The name

Altia is derived from the Latin altus (high) and stands for a holistic

culinary experience in a light-filled, unpretentious atmosphere. One floor

above, on the 58th level, the Altia Skybar awaits: Vienna’s highest bar,

complete with lounge and terrace.

melia.com



SAVOIR VIVRE MUST READ

Lesenswertes über Österreich

Books on Austria Worth Reading

Text: Gerald Sturz

Wolfdieter Dreibholz und Michael Zinganel

Wir Günther

Domenig. Korrekturen

einer Legende

Wer war Günther Domenig? Die einfache Antwort

lautet: einer der wichtigsten Architekten Österreichs

in den 1970er- bis 2000er-Jahren, ein

exzentrischer Künstler. Von ihm stammen das

Gebäude der Zentralsparkasse in Wien-Favoriten,

das T-Center in Erdberg, das Steinhaus am

Ossiacher See, einige ikonische Bauten in

Deutschland wie zum Beispiel des Dokumentationszentrum

am Reichsparteitagsgelände in Nürnberg.

Doch wenn man genauer hinsieht, dann wird die

Sache etwas komplizierter. Denn, so die Autoren:

„Günther Domenig waren viele.“ Dieses Buch stellt

Domenigs Bauten vor und zeigt, wie sie nicht nur

das Werk eines einsamen Genies waren, sondern

wie sie in einem Dialog mit anderen Beteiligten, mit

Auftraggebern, Partnern, Mitarbeitern, Technikern

und mit seinen Studenten an der Technischen

Universität Graz entstanden sind.

We Günther Domenig. Reevaluation of a Legend

(English edition)

Who was Günther Domenig? The simple answer is:

one of Austria’s most important architects from the

1970s to the 2000s, an eccentric artist. His works

include the Zentralsparkasse building in Vienna-

Favoriten, the T-Centre in Erdberg, the Steinhaus on

Lake Ossiach, and several iconic buildings in Germany,

such as the Documentation Centre at the former Nazi

Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg. But on closer

inspection, things become more complicated. For,

as the authors put it: “There were many Günther

Domenigs.” This book presents Domenig’s buildings

and shows how they were not merely the work of a

solitary genius, but emerged through dialogue with

many others: clients, partners, collaborators,

technicians, and his students at Graz University of

Technology.

Park Books, 240 Seiten

CHF 39,–

Anita Eichinger, Franz J. Gangelmayer,

Gerhard Murauer und Andreas Nierhaus

Rathaus Wien

Anlässlich des 200. Geburtstags des Architekten

Friedrich Schmidt, nach dessen Entwürfen das

monumentale Rathaus von Wien entstanden ist, ist

dieses Buch erschienen. Das Wiener Rathaus ist

eines der markantesten Gebäude der Stadt. Es ist

Sitz der Stadtverwaltung und repräsentativer

Veranstaltungsort. Der neugotische Bau wurde auf

dem Höhepunkt der Ringstraßenzeit erbaut und gilt

als Symbol eines neuen bürgerlichen Selbstbewusstseins.

Der reich illustrierte Band blickt hinter die

Kulissen der weltberühmten Fassade, erzählt aus

unterschiedlichen Perspektiven die wechselvolle

Geschichte und lädt zu Streifzügen durch eines der

bedeutendsten, aber wohl auch ungewöhnlichsten

Gebäude der Bundeshauptstadt ein.

Published to mark the 200th birthday of the architect

Friedrich Schmidt, to whose designs Vienna’s

monumental City Hall was built, this book focuses on

one of the city’s most distinctive buildings. Vienna

City Hall is the seat of the municipal administration

and a prestigious venue for events. The Neo-Gothic

structure was erected at the height of the Ringstrasse

era and is regarded as a symbol of a new bourgeois

self-confidence. Richly illustrated, the volume looks

behind the scenes of the world-famous façade,

recounts its eventful history from different

perspectives, and invites readers to explore one of

the federal capital’s most important—and also most

unusual—buildings.

Residenz Verlag, 400 Seiten

€ 30,–

Hertha Hurnaus, Gabriele Kaiser,

Maik Novotny

Maschinenräume –

Hinter der Kulisse der

Wiener Ringstraße

Bilder von den Gebäuden der Ringstraße gibt es zur

Genüge. Von den prächtigen Fassaden, von den

eleganten Interieurs, von den Ausstellungsräumen

der Museen und den Orten der Repräsentation in

den Häusern der Politik. Was man nie zu sehen

bekommt: Was sich dahinter abspielt. Was dort zu

sehen ist. Wie es in den Maschinenräumen zugeht.

Genau das macht nun dieses hervorragend

illustrierte Buch. Es wirft einen Blick hinter die

historistischen Fassaden und findet ein faszinierendes

Arsenal an technischen Innovationen auf der

Höhe der damaligen Zeit. Von der Rohrpost des

Parlaments über die Bühnentechnik von Burgtheater

und Staatsoper bis zu den Be- und Entlüftungsanlagen

der Neuen Burg. Zeugen von Erfindungsgeist

und der ingenieurtechnischen Intelligenz am

Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts.

There is no shortage of images of the Ringstrasse

buildings: the magnificent façades, elegant interiors,

museum exhibition spaces, and the representative

rooms of political power. What is never shown is

what goes on behind them—what can be found there,

and what the machine rooms are like. This superbly

illustrated book does exactly that. It looks behind the

historicist façades and uncovers a fascinating arsenal

of technical innovations that were state of the art at

the time: from the pneumatic tube system of

Parliament to the stage machinery of the Burgtheater

and the State Opera, and the ventilation systems of

the Neue Burg. They are testimonies to inventiveness

and engineering intelligence at the end of the

19th century.

Album Verlag, 272 Seiten

€ 42,–

Caroline Wohlgemuth, Maximilian Eisenköck

Das Glas Haus. Wien 1933.

Vertriebene Visionen

Die Villa, die der Architekt Hans Glas, ein Schüler von Adolf Loos,

1933 in der Wilbrandtgasse im 18. Wiener Gemeindebezirk für das

Arztehepaar Philipp und Anna Rezek entwarf, zählt zu den

visionärsten und radikalsten Bauten, die damals in der Stadt

entstanden sind. Hell, offen, großzügig. Sie war die Quintessenz des

modernen Bauens und der Philosophie des Wohnens im Wien der

1930er-Jahre. Dieses Buch beschreibt nicht nur die Villa und ihre

Baugeschichte (mit Fotos von Stefan Oláh), sondern bettet sie auch

ein in die Architekturgeschichte Wiens der 1930er-Jahre. Die Familie

Rezek musste 1938 in die USA emigrieren und ließ sich in Miami

nieder. Hans Glas ging nach Kalkutta, wo er weiter als Architekt

arbeitete. Die Villa Rezek wurde nun, nach einer langen Zeit der

Vernachlässigung, wieder so hergestellt, wie Glas sie geplant hatte,

und kann gelegentlich besichtigt werden.

The “Glas House” 1933. Visionary Architecture in Vienna and Exile

(English edition)

The villa designed in 1933 by the architect Hans Glas, a student of Adolf

Loos, for the physician couple Philipp and Anna Rezek in Wilbrandtgasse

in Vienna’s 18th district, is among the most visionary and radical

buildings constructed in the city at the time. Bright, open and

generous, it represented the quintessence of modern architecture and

of the philosophy of living in 1930s’ Vienna. This book not only

describes the villa and its construction history (with photographs by

Stefan Oláh), but also situates it within the architectural history of

Vienna in the 1930s. In 1938, the Rezek family was forced to emigrate

to the United States, settling in Miami. Hans Glas moved to Calcutta,

where he continued to work as an architect. After a long period of

neglect, the Rezek Villa has now been restored to the condition

envisaged by Glas and can occasionally be visited.

Park Books, 194 Seiten

CHF 39,–

top

of

Vienna

At 160 metres above Vienna, the Turm Café lifts the classic coffeehouse

experience into the sky – with a 360° panorama that reveals the city in all

its beauty.

High above the bustle below, you enjoy Viennese pastries, light savory

dishes, and refined coffee and tea specialties, complemented by refreshing

drinks, cocktails and Austrian wines.

Traditional flavors, relaxed indulgence and breathtaking views combine

to create a memorable moment above the city.

Pause, ascend – and savour the charm of Vienna’s highest café.


donauturm.at

Donauturmplatz 1

1220 Wien

T +43 / 1 / 263 35 72

welcome@donauturm.at

SAVOIR VIVRE MY PERSONAL VIEW ON AUSTRIA

S.E. Jozef Polakovič

Botschafter der Slowakischen Republik mit Gattin Petra Polakovič | Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, and his wife Petra Polakovič

Interview: Claudia Jörg-Brosche Photos: Ralph Manfreda

S.E. Jozef Polakovič

Geboren 1979, verheiratet mit Petra Polakovič, zwei Kinder (6 und 9 Jahre alt). Master-Abschlüsse in Internationalen Beziehungen und Europarecht,

PhD (Doktor) der Internationalen Beziehungen. Nach mehreren Positionen im slowakischen Außenministerium (z.B. 2005–2007 Abteilung für

EU-Politik, 2012–2014 stellvertretender Leiter des Planungsstabs, 2020–2023 Leiter des Ministerbüros) und an den diplomatischen Missionen in

Berlin, Brüssel und Washington ist Jozef Polakovič seit August 2023 Botschafter der Slowakischen Republik in der Republik Österreich.

Born in 1979, married to Petra Polakovič, two children (aged 6 and 9). Master’s degrees in International Relations and European Law, PhD

(Doctorate) in International Relations. After holding several positions at the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (e.g. 2005–2007 EU

Policy Department, 2012–2014 Deputy Head of the Planning Unit, 2020–2023 Head of the Minister’s Office) and at diplomatic missions in Berlin,

Brussels and Washington, Jozef Polakovič has been Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Republic of Austria since August 2023.

PHOTOS: RALPH MANFREDA, DACHSTEIN SALZKAMMERGUT TOURISMUS/DWIN HUSIC, WIEN TOURISMUS

Wien und Bratislava sind die am nächsten gelegene Hauptstädte

der EU. Was verbindet bzw. trennt sie?

Ja, die zwei Hauptstädte sind nur 60 Kilometer Luftlinie und eine

Auto- bzw. Bahnstunde voneinander entfernt. Das ist eine Einladung,

und zwar in beide Richtungen.

Wien war Metropole der Monarchie, Bratislava – das frühere

Pressburg – jahrhundertelang die Krönungsstadt der Habsburger. Die

Architektur im historischen Zentrum ist ähnlich, ebenso die

Kaffeehauskultur. Der Genius Loci ist vergleichbar – und doch ist

vieles anders.

Obwohl die Abschottung Bratislavas und der Grenzregion hinter dem

Eisernen Vorhang (ab 1948) nur zwei Generationen dauerte, gibt’s

Unterschiede sowie gewisse Barrieren. Viele Österreicherinnen und

Österreicher kennen die Slowakei und unsere Hauptstadt, viele aber

auch nicht. In der Monarchie gab es über die Grenzflüsse Donau und

March mehr Brücken als heute. Meine Aufgabe ist es dabei zu helfen,

unsere Länder und die Menschen näherzubringen und Brücken zu

bauen – sowohl im wörtlichen als auch im übertragenen Sinne.

Wie gestalten Sie Ihre rare Freizeit?

Wir beide – meine Gattin und ich – lieben klassische Musik, Jazz

sowie bildende Kunst. An Wien schätzen wir das riesige Kulturangebot.

Jeden Abend gibt es eine breite Palette an Veranstaltungen,

da wird die Wahl nahezu zur Qual. Oft sind wir im Musikverein oder

Konzerthaus, wir gehen gerne auch ins Theater, in die Albertina und

ins Belvedere. Unsere Residenz liegt – zur Begeisterung unserer

Kinder – direkt am Tiergarten Schönbrunn, am Abend hören wir die

Löwen brüllen. Natürlich haben wir am ersten Tag in Wien eine

Jahreskarte für die ganze Familie kaufen müssen.

Wie gut kennen Sie Österreich?

Recht gut. Österreich bietet eine große Vielfalt, wir versuchen, unsere

Urlaube hier zu verbringen. Bergsport liegt im Naturell der Slowaken,

wir lieben die Steiermark und Kärnten, wo Seen und Berge so nahe

sind, sowie Tirol und Vorarlberg. Nicht zu vergessen sind das Salzkammergut

mit Hallstatt – in Fuschl am See verbrachten wir unsere

Hochzeitsreise – sowie das Burgenland und Niederösterreich mit dem

großartigen Rad- und Weinangebot.

Trenčín ist Kulturhauptstadt Europas 2026...

Trenčín ist eine historische Stadt mit Ursprüngen in der Römerzeit.

Heute ist Trenčín überaus lebendig und gefällt mit einer bunten

Lokalszene, insbesondere in der renovierten Fußgängerzone. Meine

Gattin stammt von hier. Die Kulturhauptstadt ist eine Einladung, neue

Regionen in der Slowakei kennenzulernen. Das Motto von Trenčín

2026 lautet „Neugier wecken“. Genau das geschah bereits im Vorfeld

bei verschiedenen Präsentationen des Projektes in Wien.

Welche der zahlreichen Interreg-Kooperationen liegen Ihnen

besonders am Herzen?

Interreg fördert Zusammenarbeit in den Grenzgebieten. Hervorheben

möchte ich den neuen Kleinprojektefonds, der dabei hilft, Lokalinitiativen

zu verwirklichen – beispielsweise bei einem grenzüberschreitenden

Dorffest, bei der Zusammenarbeit von Sportvereinen

oder Feuerwehrleuten. Genau solche „people-to-people“-Ansätze

überwinden eine gewisse mentale Trennung, die es auch so viele

Jahre nach dem Fall des Eisernen Vorhangs noch gibt, und beweisen,

dass Grenzregionen ohne viel Aufwand enger aneinanderrücken

können.

Vienna and Bratislava are the closest capitals in the EU. What

connects them and what sets them apart?

Yes, the two capitals are only straight-line distance 60 kilometres

apart and about an hour from each other by car or train. That is an

invitation in both directions.

Vienna was the metropolis of the Monarchy, while Bratislava—

formerly Pressburg—was the coronation city of the Habsburgs for

centuries. The architecture in the historic centres is similar, as is the

coffeehouse culture. The genius loci is comparable—and yet much is

different.

Although the isolation of Bratislava and the border region behind the

Iron Curtain (from 1948) lasted only two generations, there are

differences as well as certain barriers. Many Austrians are familiar

with Slovakia and our capital, but many are not. During the Monarchy

there were more bridges across the border rivers Danube and Morava

than there are today. My task is to help bring our countries and their

people closer together and to build bridges—both in the literal and

the figurative sense.

How do you spend your rare free time?

Both of us—my wife and I—love classical music, jazz and the visual

arts. What we appreciate about Vienna is its enormous cultural

offering. Every evening there is a wide range of events, making the

choice almost overwhelming. We often go to the Musikverein or the

Konzerthaus; we also enjoy going to the theatre, the Albertina and

the Belvedere. To the delight of our children, our residence is located

right next to Schönbrunn Zoo, and in the evenings we can hear the

lions roaring. Of course, on our first day in Vienna we had to buy an

annual pass for the whole family.

How well do you know Austria?

Quite well. Austria offers great diversity, and we try to spend our

holidays here. Mountain sports are in the nature of Slovaks; we love

Styria and Carinthia, where lakes and mountains are so close

together, as well as Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Not to be forgotten is the

Salzkammergut with Hallstatt; we spent our honeymoon in Fuschl am

See, as well as Burgenland and Lower Austria with their excellent

cycling routes and wine offerings.

Trenčín is European Capital of Culture 2026…

Trenčín is a historic city with origins dating back to Roman times.

Today, Trenčín is extremely vibrant and appeals with a colourful local

scene, especially in the renovated pedestrian zone. My wife comes

from here. The European Capital of Culture is an invitation to discover

new regions of Slovakia. The motto of Trenčín 2026 is “Awakening

Curiosity”. This has already happened in the run-up through various

presentations of the project in Vienna.

Which of the many Interreg cooperation projects are

particularly close to your heart?

Interreg promotes cooperation in border regions. I would like to

highlight the new “Small Projects Fund”, which helps to realise local

initiatives—for example, a cross-border village festival or cooperation

between sports clubs or fire brigades. Precisely such “people-topeople”

approaches overcome a certain mental divide that still exists

many years after the fall of the Iron Curtain and demonstrate that

border regions can move closer together without much effort.

Ansichten der Residenz des

Slowakischen Botschafters Jozef

Polakovič; er und seine Gattin Petra

sind große Österreich-Fans und

lieben u.a. Hallstatt und das

Belvedere in Wien.

Views of the residence of the Slovak

Ambassador, Jozef Polakovič; he and

his wife Petra are great admirers of

Austria and particularly love Hallstatt

and the Belvedere in Vienna.



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A REVIEW OF SOCIAL

EVENTS OF THE RECENT

PAST.

LES RENDEZVOUS EVENTS

Popping of Flashbulbs

Find more

photos online


A

Event

NOVEMBER 2025

CD invited to the 5th Advent wreath making event at the Arcotel Kaiserwasser.

Left: Andrea Fürnweger, publisher of Cercle

Diplomatique (centre), together with Director

Dieter Prachner (top right image), invited personal

assistants and protocol staff from embassies to the

traditional pre-Christmas get-together at Arcotel

Kaiserwasser. Guests enjoyed punch and culinary

treats while creating their own Advent wreaths

ahead of the first Sunday of Advent.

NOVEMBER 2025

Annual reception of the Corps Consulaire at the Hotel Sacher

in Salzburg.

The Corps Consulaire Salzburg hosted its

traditional annual reception at Hotel

Sacher Salzburg. Suzanne Harf (left), the

new “doyenne” of the Consular Corps in

Salzburg, welcomes the Governor of

Salzburg, Karoline Edtstadler (right

above), as well as two young musicians

from the University of Mozarteum,

providing the evening’s “musical

surprise”, with a young violinist

performing on Wolfgang Amadeus

Mozart’s original violin, specially loaned

for the event.

DECEMBER 2025

The St Lucia Celebration was hosted at the House of Sweden.

PHOTOS: KURT PATZAK

PHOTOS: BELOW RENE BRUNHÖLZL | ABOVE FRANZ NEUMAYR

Left: Swedish Ambassador to Austria, H.E. Annika Ben

David, hosted the traditional St Lucia celebration. The

festival brings light and hope to winter and is observed in

Swedish homes, schools, and workplaces with candle

processions and choral music. Lucia symbolises peace,

resilience, and renewal—a timeless reminder that light

overcomes darkness.


A

Event

DECEMBER 2025

Cercle Diplomatique Ambassadors’ Welcome Lunch at the

Restaurant Patara Vienna.

Left: CD publishers, Andrea

Fürnweger and Alexander

Bursky, invited newly

accredited bi- and multilateral

ambassadors.

Ambassador Maximilian

Hennig (centre) and

Ambassador Martin Eichtinger

(2nd row 3rd fom right) joined

the gathering, exquisite Thai

cuisine was served.

JANUARY 2026

The 123rd ZuckerBäckerball was once again held in the Hofburg Vienna.

Left: The Hofburg was transformed for the 123rd Zucker

Bäcker Ball, welcoming around 3,000 guests. Honorary

Vice-Consul Birgit Sarata served as “Ball Mother” (left)

once more. The celebrity cake was presented to musical

star Moritz Mausser (right). The Vienna State Opera

Ballet Association with solo dancers Olga Esina, Victor

Caixeta, and eight Corps de Ballet couples performed.



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A

Event

JANUARY 2026

CD New Year’s reception at the Natural History Museum Vienna.

Left: Andrea Fürnweger (right), Alexander

Bursky and Markus Gstöttner (left) of Cercle

Diplomatique, together with Karina Grömer,

Head of the Department of Prehistory and Early

History of the Natural History Museum Vienna

(centre), hosted ambassadors for the New Year’s

reception. The focus was Hallstatt, the world’s

oldest salt mine. Guests toured the restorers’

workshop, the Hallstatt Hall, and enjoyed punch

on the museum roof with views over snowy

Vienna.

PHOTOS: NATURHISTORISCHES MUSEUM WIEN, CHLOE POTTER

ENTGELTLICHE EINSCHALTUNG PHOTOS: AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL VIENNA

Student-Centered. Innovative. Adaptive.

The American International School Vienna empowers

each student with the skills and character

strengths necessary to be positively impactful global

citizens who strive for personal growth and

excellence in an ever-changing world.

Set in Austria’s rich cultural context and the Vienna

Woods, the American International School Vienna

is one of the country’s top international schools.

Founded in 1959, AIS Vienna serves 800 students

from 80 nationalities, from Pre-K to Grade 12 (IB or

American Diploma). By living our values—respect,

aspire, achieve—we ensure students develop intellectual

and emotional skills to succeed globally.

AIS Vienna’s dedicated teachers take a personal interest

in students. Given our mobile community, we

guide students as they transition to and from our

program, preparing them for schools worldwide.

Students benefit from an adapted American curriculum

through Grade 10 and the IB Diploma Programme

(Grades 11-12). Built on US Common Core

Standards and holistic American-style education,

we integrate best practices from the IB and other

respected programs to deliver a flexible, rigorous

education.

Our Elementary School (Pre-K-Grade 5) focuses

on inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning and

international-mindedness while offering unique opportunities

like the Grade 3 strings program, handson

science, and best practice math and reading

curricula.

Our Middle School (Grades 6-8) offers a program

tailored to early adolescents. Teachers specialize in

this stage, supporting students through academic,

social, and emotional growth. The curriculum allows

students to explore interests and develop talents

through electives, preparing them for High School.

In High School (Grades 9-12), students are supported

academically and emotionally for life beyond

school. All graduate with a US high school diploma,

with most earning the full IB Diploma. With some of

Austria’s highest IB scores, we prepare students for

this challenging program. Our college counseling

team supports students and families through applications

to universities worldwide.

Find out more at ais.at


JANUARY 2026

77th Officers’ Ball at the Hofburg Vienna.

Left: Under the motto “Roses from the South”

with Italy as guest nation, the Alt-Neustadt

Association and Austrian Armed Forces officers

hosted the 77th Officers’ Ball at the Hofburg.

Chancellor Christian Stocker (right), Defence

Minister Klaudia Tanner (centre), and General in

the Austrian Armed Forces, Rudolf Striedinger

welcomed military representatives, international

delegations, and senior business leaders to an

elegant evening.

JANUARY 2026

The US Embassy hosted the America250 Kickoff at the Courtyard

by Marriott Vienna Prater.

Left: For the 250th anniversary of the USA, the US Embassy

hosted the America250 Kickoff at the Courtyard by Marriott

Vienna Prater. US Ambassador Art Fisher (centre) opened

the evening, which featured a special joint performance by

the Vermont National Guard Band and members of the

Vienna Guard Music.

PHOTOS: US EMBASSY

80 years of

academic excellence

humanist tradition &

openness to the world

1946-2026

LYCÉE

FRANÇAIS

DE VIENNE

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+43 (0) 1 317 22 41

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JANUARY 2026

Leitbetriebe Austria’s Annual Kickoff at the Vienna Airport.

Left: At the annual kickoff,

Vienna Airport CEO Günther

Ofner (right) presented

record €330 million investments.

Advisory Board Chair

Andreas Gnesda (left)

announced the takeover of

Leitbetriebe Austria by

Managing Director Monica

Rintersbacher, who has led

the organisation since 2012.

VOLVO NETWORK EXPANSION POWERED BY AUTO STAHL

A broader home for Volvo in Vienna

The newest expansion of AUTO

STAHL’s Volvo network was

marked by the opening of a

third location in 1230 Vienna,

strengthening accessibility and

service for clients across the

city. With sites in Donaustadt,

Floridsdorf, and now Liesing,

AUTO STAHL delivers a fully

integrated Volvo experience –

from sales and servicing to

personal consultation. Each

location provides expert advice,

test drives, and full workshop

capabilities. This step reinforces

AUTO STAHL’s commitment to

bringing premium Scandinavian

mobility closer to customers

throughout Vienna.

With the new Volvo site in Liesing, AUTO

STAHL now operates three strategically

located Volvo centres in Vienna, bringing

Scandinavian design, electric innovation,

and attentive, personalized service even

closer to its clientele.

left: Isabella & Gernot Keusch (Auto Stahl); right: Team

Auto Stahl Vienna 23: Jonathan Parisot (Head of

Sales), Markus Schütz (Head of Service), Jürgen Gratzl

(Volvo Sales), and Florian Malek (Workshop Manager)

JANUARY 2026

The Theresian Military Academy hosted the 64th Burgball at the Burg in Wiener Neustadt.

Left: Under the motto “From Alsace to Wagram,” the Burg in Wiener

Neustadt was transformed into a festive venue, decorated in blue and white

by the “Nordmann” class. High-profile guests from politics, business, and

the military attended, including Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (left),

Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner (centre), and Chief of the General Staff

Rudolf Striedinger (image exactly below).

PHOTOS: BELOW : KARLOVITS, TRIPPOLT, HORWATH | ABOVE CHRISTIAN MIKES


A

Event

JANUARY 2026

CD reception under the motto “Start into a Healthy New Year” for Embassy

Assistants at Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof Vienna.

Left: Andrea Fürnweger, publisher of Cercle

Diplomatique, together with Director Elisabeth

Perwanger (left), invited embassy assistants and

protocol staff to the New Year’s cocktail at the

Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof in Vienna. After a

welcome drink, Bärbel Klepp, specialist and expert

on the Austrian Healthcare System (right), gave a

talk on the topic, providing practical guidance.

The evening concluded in a relaxed atmosphere

with questions and conversation.

Wien

à la

carte!

Vienna City Card online bestellen!


PHOTOS: KURT PATZAK

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• Erhältlich bei allen Wiener Linien

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online im WienMobil Ticketshop

(App und Web).


JANUARY 2026

New Year’s reception of the Institute of European Regions (IRE) at the

Senate Chamber of Vienna City Hall.

Left: The IRE, headed by

Former Provinvial Governor

Franz Schausberger, invited

guests, partners and

friends, among them many

ambassadors from several

European countries, as well

as Member of Vienna

Provincial Parliament, Filip

Worotynski (image right

above).

FEBRUARY 2026

Celebration of the 80th birthday of Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer

at the Elmayer Dance School.

Left: Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer (left), one of the country’s

best-known etiquette experts and head of the renowned

Elmayer Dance School, with spouse Christine Zach

(right), recently celebrated his 80th birthday.

Schäfer-Elmayer is also in charge of the programme and

opening ceremonies for a number of selected balls.

PHOTOS: KATHARINA SCHIFFL

JANUARY 2026

Reception of the Union of the Consular Corps in Austria (U.C.C.A.) at the Park Hyatt Vienna.

Left: The President of the U.C.C.A., Honorary Consul

General Alfred Chyba (right), on behalf of the Presidium,

invited guests to the U.C.C.A.’s New Year Reception 2026

at the Park Hyatt Vienna. The traditional aperitif

reception was followed by a seated three-course dinner in

the Grand Salon, accompanied by a presentation of the

focus country, Brazil, featuring traditional music and

dance performances.

PHOTOS: BELOW UCCA | ABOVE MAX SLOVENCIK

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SAVOIR VIVRE

ETIQUETTE FOR

COSMOPOLITANS

202021021

Philippinen für Fortgeschrittene | Philippines for the More Advanced

Arlene Castañeda, Leiterin des Kulturzentrums Sentro | Arlene Castañeda, Director of the Sentro Cultural Centre


IMPRESSUM

Arlene Castañeda

ist Leiterin und Gründerin

des Sentro – Zentrum für

österreichische und

philippinische Kultur und

Sprachen, Autorin und

Herausgeberin der Bücher

„Common Diversities –

Junge Filipin@s im

deutschsprachigen Raum“

(2022) und „Common

Diversities 2 – Filipino

Europeans Remaking the

Past, Shaping the Future“

(2025). Sie ist als

International Civil Servant

beim OPEC Fund tätig.

Arlene Castañeda

is the founder of Sentro—

Centre for Austrian and

Filipino Culture and

Languages, author and

editor of the books

“Common Diversities—Junge

Filipin@s im deutschsprachigen

Raum” (2022)

and “Common Diversities 2

—Filipino Europeans

Remaking the Past, Shaping

the Future” (2025). She is

an International Civil

Servant at the OPEC Fund in

Vienna.


Cercle Diplomatique hat Arlene Castañeda, ehrenamtliche Kulturvermittlerin und

Sprachtrainerin, um die wichtigsten Dos & Don’ts für Philippinenreisende gebeten – vom

passenden Mitbringsel bis zu No-Gos im Gespräch.

Cercle Diplomatique asked Arlene Castañeda, working as a volunteer in language training

and bridging cultures, about the most important do’s and don’ts for travellers to the

Philippines—from appropriate gifts to conversation no-go’s.

1

Welche charakteristischen philippinischen

Ausdrücke sollte man kennen?

Auf jeden Fall „Kumusta ka!?“ – „Wie geht’s?“

Oder, wenn ich mich förmlicher ausdrücken

möchte: „Kumusta po kayo?“ – „Wie geht es

Ihnen?“ Der Höflichkeitsartikel „po“, der am Ende eines

Ausdrucks angefügt wird, bewirkt sehr viel. Etwa in

„Maraming salamat po.“ – „(Ihnen) Vielen Dank.“

Dieses kleine Wort signalisiert Respekt – und dass die

besuchende Person wirklich an der Kultur und den Menschen

interessiert ist.

Which characteristic Philippine expressions should one

know?

“Kumusta ka?!”—“How are you?“ Or, if I want to express myself

more formally: “Kumusta po kayo?” The polite particle “po”,

which is added at the end of an expression, makes a big

difference. For example, in “Maraming salamat po”—“Thank

you very much, Madam”.

This small word signals respect and that the visiting person is

interested in the culture and the people.

2

Wie beginne ich ein Gespräch angemessen?

Nach dem „Guten Tag“ – „Magandang araw“ – ist

es immer am besten, mit „Darf ich Sie etwas

fragen?“ – „Pwede bang magtanong?“ – oder

formeller „Maaari po ba akong magtanong?“

fortzufahren. Höflichkeit ist sehr wichtig. Bei uns gehört

diese Freundlichkeit und Höflichkeit zum Alltag wie

Wassertrinken.

How do I appropriately start a conversation?

After “Good day”—“Magandang araw”— it is always best to

continue with “May I ask you something?”—

“Pwede bang magtanong?” or, more

„Ang hindi

marunong lumingon sa

pinanggalingan ay hindi

makararating sa paroroonan.“

„Wer nicht zurückblickt, woher

er kommt, wird nicht dort

ankommen, wohin er geht.“

“He who does not glance back

at his origins will never arrive at

his destination.”

Sprichwort | Proverb

(José Rizal zugeschrieben | Attributed to

José Rizal)

formally, “Maaari po ba akong

magtanong?” Politeness is very

important. For us, friendliness

and politeness are part of

everyday life, like drinking

water.

3

Der richtige Umgang mit allzu persönlichen

Fragen:

Zu Beginn eines Gesprächs wird man oft sehr

persönliche Dinge gefragt: Wie alt bist du, hast du

Kinder, wie viel verdienst du? Das ist die Art der

Filipinos zu zeigen: Ich möchte dich, lieber Gast, willkommen

heißen. Wenn man nicht antworten will, einfach das Thema

wechseln.

The right way to handle overly personal questions:

At the beginning of a conversation, you are often asked very

personal things: How old are you, do you have children, how

much do you earn? This is the Filipinos’ way of showing: I want

to welcome you, dear guest. If you don’t want to answer, simply

change the subject.

4

Gesprächsthemen, die besser vermieden werden

sollten, sowie gute Themen für einen Small Talk:

Besser nicht über Politik oder Religion sprechen.

Sport ist ein gutes Thema, beispielsweise

Basketball, der populärste Sport der Philippinen,

ebenso Filme. Oder einfach über das Essen reden.

Conversation topics that should better be avoided as well as

good topics for small talk:

Better not to talk about politics or religion. Sports is a good

topic, for example basketball, the most popular sport in the

Philippines, as well as movies. Or simply talk about food.

5

Die Familie hat auf den Philippinen einen sehr

hohen Stellenwert. Wie kann ich dem Rechnung

tragen?

Begrüßen Sie, beispielsweise bei einer Einladung,

als Zeichen des Respekts immer zuerst die älteren Personen.

The family has a very high value in the Philippines. How can I

acknowledge this?

When being invited, for example, always greet the older people

first as a sign of respect.

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6

Ein Mitbringsel – „Pasalubong“ – ist ein

absolutes Must bei einem Besuch auf den

Philippinen?

Eine schöne und geschätzte Geste. Der Wert

spielt dabei keine wichtige Rolle, aber es sollte etwas

Typisches für Österreich sein.

A gift—“Pasalubong”—is an absolute must when

visiting the Philippines?

A nice and appreciated gesture. However, the value

doesn’t play an important role, and it should be

something typical for Austria.

7

Bevorzugen Filipinos den persönlichen

Kontakt gegenüber einem Telefongespräch

oder E-Mail?

Für Filipinos ist der persönliche Kontakt sehr

wichtig, nicht nur im Geschäftsleben, vor allem bei

persönlichen Angelegenheiten. Ein E-Mail ist eine Art

Nebenkommunikation, die für Offizielles und

Formalitäten genutzt wird.

Do Filipinos prefer personal contact over a phone call

or email?

For Filipinos, personal contact is very important, not only

in business life, but especially for personal matters. Email

is a kind of secondary communication used for official

matters and formalities.

8

Welche wichtigen philippinischen

Persönlichkeiten aus Gegenwart und

Geschichte sollte man kennen?

José Rizal, nicht nur weil er historisch mit

Österreich verbunden ist. Corazon Aquino,

die erste Präsidentin eines asiatischen Landes. Die

Friedensnobelpreisträgerin Maria Ressa. Bekannt ist

auch Manny Pacquiao, der Boxer, oder die Sängerin und

Musical-Darstellerin Lea Salonga.

Which important Filipino personalities from the

present and history should one know?

José Rizal, not only because he is historically connected

with Austria. Corazon Aquino, the first female president

of an Asian country. The Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria

Ressa. Also well-known is Manny Pacquiao, the boxer, or

the singer and musical performer Lea Salonga.

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9

Trifft es zu, dass ein eindeutiges Nein in

einer Konversation nicht ausgesprochen

wird?

Eine gute Frage! Die Filipinos sind Meister

der indirekten Rede und Gestik. Deshalb ist es immer

wichtig, die Körpersprache zu beachten. Zum Beispiel:

Sie werden auf ein Familienessen eingeladen – Filipinos

sind für ihre Gastfreundschaft bekannt –, haben aber

keine Zeit und möchten die Familie nicht beleidigen.

Dann versuchen Sie es mit „Es tut mir leid, ich verreise

schon heute Abend“, um nicht den Eindruck einer

direkten Ablehnung zu vermitteln.

Is it true that a clear “no” is not spoken in a conversation?

A good question! Filipinos are masters of indirect speech

and gestures. Therefore, it is always important to pay

attention to body language. For example: You are invited

to a family dinner—Filipinos are popular for their

hospitality—but you don‘t have time and don’t want to

offend the family. Then try with “I’m sorry, I’m already

traveling this evening,” to avoid giving the impression of

a direct rejection.

10

Was man bei einer Reise auf die

Philippinen auf keinen Fall

auslassen sollte:

Das urbane Leben in Manila,

Menschen der vielen Inseln der

Philippinen versammeln sich hier. Das einfache

Familienleben am Land sollten Sie nicht verpassen.

Auf Fiestas wird nicht nur gefeiert, sie sind auch ein

spannender Spiegel der Geschichte der Philippinen.

Und unbedingt das Essen – ein Beweis der Multikulturalität

der Filipinos – in verschiedenen Regionen

probieren.

What should one definitely not miss when traveling to

the Philippines:

Urban life in Manila, where people from the many islands

of the Philippines gather. You should not miss the simple

family life activities in the countryside. At fiestas, not

only is there celebration, they are also an exciting mirror

of the history of the Philippines. And definitely try the

food in different regions—proof of the multiculturality of

Filipinos.

Island of Siargao.

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK, ROIS & STUBENRAUCH

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Ingenious View!

Albertina Wien | Albertinaplatz 1 | Wien, 1. Bezirk | Vienna, 1st district

Text & Photo: Rois & Stubenrauch

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Kunst im Blick

2026 feiert die Albertina

ihr 250-jähriges Bestehen.

Herzog Albert von

Sachsen-Teschen und

Erzherzogin Marie

Christine, die 1766 den

Grundstein für die

berühmte Kunstsammlung

legten, zogen 1795 in das

Palais auf der Augustinerbastei.

Der Ausblick von

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damals noch über das

unverbaute Feld des Glacis,

inzwischen blickt man über

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Burggarten Richtung

Ringstraße. Die Sammlung

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Art in Focus

In 2026, the Albertina will

celebrate its 250th

anniversary. Duke Albert

of Saxony-Teschen and

Archduchess Marie

Christine, who laid the

foundation for the

renowned art collection

in 1766, moved into the

palace on the Augustinerbastei

in 1795. At that

time, the view from the

state rooms extended over

the still undeveloped fields

of the Glacis; today, it

looks out over the Palm

House and the Burggarten

towards the Ringstrasse.

The Albertina’s collection

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