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Janima Nam

Janima Nam is a freelance journalist, translator, and editor living in Vienna. She has a BFA in film from New York University and a Masters degree (MA) from the London Consortium in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Print Editions

The Science of Coffee Roasting

The world is waking up and (really) smelling the coffee – in all its glory, scope and complexity.
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People

Meet Christina Meinl, the Great-Granddaughter of Austria’s Coffee Roasting Pioneer

“I wish global politics were more like the global coffee community: We have no borders and we work together to make coffee better.”
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City Life

The Ongoing Battle to Uphold Coffeehouse Cultural Heritage in Vienna

Vienna’s coffeehouses are a cherished pillar of the city’s cultural life – but that may not be enough to keep them alive.
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Food & Drink

Wilde Ehe Offers an Eclectic Dining Experience in Vienna’s 18th District

Wilde Ehe marries chill savoir-faire with thoughtful quality – just don’t ask about the name.
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General

Meet Johanna Weichselberger, Founder of the Vienna School of Coffee

“I’m not sure I know what fourth wave coffee culture is – but I know I’m the tsunami!”
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General

Meet Photographer Sepp Dreissinger – the Coffeehouse is His Studio

"When I don't feel at home, I go to the coffeehouse"
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General

Meet Michael Parzefall, Roasting Enthusiast and Owner of Rauwolf Coffee

“Vienna has a great coffeehouse culture, but sadly – or in my case, fortunately – a bad coffee culture when it comes to quality.”
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Fall 2020

Meet Mato Johannik, the Fashion Photographer Who Chose Vienna Over Hollywood

“I’ve consciously chosen to continue my career in Vienna. I could have stayed in Hollywood, but as Caesar once said: ‘I would rather be first in this little village than second in Rome.’”
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Fall 2020

Meet Praline Le Moult, a Parisian Fashion Designer Who Launched Her Brand in Vienna

“Beauty, like a butterfly, is fleeting. Like a spectacular sunset, it’s there for a moment – and then it’s gone.”
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Online

Meet Mary Larunsi, an Austrian Fashion Model With Nigerian Roots

“What you see in the pictures is not necessarily the reality. I don’t get flown anywhere in a private jet with a glass of champagne in my hand. In the end, it’s hard work.”
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Fall 2020

Meet Simon Winkelmüller, a Fashion Stylist With Something to Say

“I would never write some kind of trend column stating what’s ‘in’ or ‘out.’ For me, that’s somehow so 2000.”
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Business & Career

From Jewelers to Wineries, Family Businesses Often Thrive in Vienna

Businesses that span generations are known for consistency, stability and tradition. Keeping these values alive is a continuous labor of love.
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People

Meet Hedwig Wölfl, Director the Child Protection Agency “Die Möwe”

Families come in many shapes and sizes, but they share challenges. These Viennese are here to guide and inspire.
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Books

The Viennese Ida Pfeiffer Circumnavigated the Globe Alone Twice

Wife, mother, traveler – humble but headstrong Ida Pfeiffer took the world by storm by circumnavigating the globe her way.
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People

Meet Walter Hermann, Family Psychotherapist in Vienna

Families come in many shapes and sizes, but they share challenges. These Viennese are here to guide and inspire.
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People

Meet Anna Spindler, Preschool Teacher in Vienna

“Understanding each child is like a puzzle that I piece together.”
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People

Meet Nabila Irshaid, Artist & Single Mother of Five

“Being a single mom is intimidating; there are no safety nets. You could even say it’s existentially life-threatening.”
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Books

Finding Purpose with Robert Musil

Robert Musil’s epic Austrian classic gets cut down to size to explore love and identity across the boundaries of self.
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People

Meet Elisabeth Mertl, the Viennese Chemist Who Saved Mice From Animal Experiments

“I like wearing the white coat. I always pictured them on mad scientists in laboratories – that’s what I wanted to do.”
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People

Meet Nuno Maulide, Star Chemist & Learned Concert Pianist With a Mission

“I tell my students, ‘I can get your foot in the door, but then you have to open it.’ I’m the kind of person who once I get my foot in, I will bang that door down.”
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People

Meet Jenny Reddish, Storyteller of Our Age

“You could attach significance to any moment in history. Right now people are saying ‘Things are really changing’ – it’s about a search for meaning.”
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People

Meet Herbert Störi, Vienna’s Master of the Supercomputer

“A [spending] limit for supercomputers? Well, it was unthinkable to fly to the moon before they managed to – but it wasn’t cheap!”
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Books

Book Review | A Call to Ears

In his first foray into cultural criticism, musician Dave Randall calls upon his readers to think outside the jukebox.
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People

Profiles | Antonia Matschnig

Matschnig’s approach to DJing has been called everything from “experimental,” “post-club,” “hybrid,” to “deconstructed.”
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People

Profiles | Matthias Naske

Matthias Naske has been director of the Vienna Konzerthaus since 2013 where he works on bringing music to a broader audience.
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People

Profiles | Wolfgang Muthspiel

He’s made over 30 albums and tours all over the world. Yet, although he’s grateful for this substantial career, he’s never had the feeling that he’s “made it.”
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Special Report

Home Is Where the Housing Is

Vienna's population is growing fast, but the city's commitment to social housing means people in all parts of society can still afford to live here.
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People

Profiles | Wolfgang Zerobin

“All components of public service – water, sewage, trash, energy – must remain in communal hands. Our public utilities belong 100% to the city. This is – and must – be important.”
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People

Profiles | Stefanie Lamp

“It’s really necessary to bring all the people together and talk as often as possible. Of course, you can’t make everyone happy because people want different things – but you can try.”
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People

Profiles | Martin Giesswein

Twice a year, Martin Giesswein goes on a “digital detox,” foregoing the internet and all devices for a couple of weeks. Not an easy task.
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People

Profiles | Daniel Pratl

“When people look at traffic lights, they see only red, yellow, and green. They have no idea about what lies beyond those colors."
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Features

Profile | Izabela Horodecki

"Obviously, I don’t gamble – apart from the occasional lottery ticket. It’s like a tax on hope.” For most people, winning big on a night out at the...
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Features

Profile | Dieter Strehl

“People think that soon, everything will be digitalized. That was, is, and will never be true. Analog isn’t going anywhere.” Despite the rise of di...
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People

Profile | Karl Schlag

Economics Professor, University of Vienna In an unpredictable world, you need strategies that do not rely on being able to predict others. In this ...
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Features

Profile | Tanja Reither

"Girls are under ten times more pressure than guys. Sometimes I feel like we’re just reduced to our looks and not really seen for our gaming skills.” ...
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Features

Our Daily Bread

In Vienna, quality baked glossare more accessible than ever before. The challenge for bakers is to keep standards high, while still growing ...
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People

Profile | Natalia Corrales-Diez

Founder, Fund of Excellence, Erste Group “Human capital is the oil of the 21st century. Ten years ago, it was all about big data. Now it’s ...
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People

Profile | Herbert Schweiger

Director, Die Wiener Volkshochschulen “When the world is spinning faster than you are, you need help to keep moving forward – so ...
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People

Profile | Angela Köppl

Environmental Economist, Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) “Even though we were among the first movers towards susta...
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People

Profile | David Jandl

Forest Ranger “We’re very proud of the fact that the very concept of ‘sustainability’ originated from forestry.” If a tree falls...
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Explore Vienna

Yori | Korean Debuts & Homecomings

In Yori authentic Korean cuisine takes the stage in Vienna as a veteran proudly looks on. One of my earliest memories as a child is making specia...
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December/January 2018/2019

Profile | Friedrich Schipper

“In war, culture is anything but irrelevant. Destroying someone’s cultural identity is just as painful as any physical wound.” Friedrich Schipper o...
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December/January 2018/2019

Anna Karnitscher | Profiles

“Coffee culture is booming. Which also means that these days, we even have to compete with the fancy espresso machines people have at home.” Café W...
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December/January 2018/2019

Profile | Danielle Spera

“If we read people’s memoirs of the buildings important Jews lived in, a lot of them do not exist anymore. We are trying to tell the stories of what h...
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December/January 2018/2019

Profile | Sabine Haag

“Both the museum and UNESCO are peace missions: to stimulate discussion and bring people together towards a better understanding of the human conditio...
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November 2018

Profile | Adele Neuhauser

“Wiener Schmäh is a very creative and poetic language. But it’s also something that you must experience intuitively – through all of your senses.” Wh...
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Books

Culture Books | November

To Vienna, with Love In Kevin Wignall’s new thriller, Vienna takes the spotlight and steals the show With a name like To Die in Vienna, Kevin ...
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Features

Profile | Hannes Duscher & Roland Gratzer

“Wiener Schmäh is saying Schlagerl (mini-stroke) instead of Schlaganfall (stroke). It’s a way of being obsessed with death without ever talking about ...
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Features

Profiles | Gebrüder Moped

“Wiener Schmäh is maudlin, weepy, self-pitying, but also nostalgic, wistful, gemütlich and comforting.” If you really want to know what Wiener Schm...
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General

Profiles | Karin Fleck

Founder, Vienna Textile Lab “If synthetic dyes originate from crude oil, does it make sense to be using them for a 5-euro T-shirt you throw out aft...
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General

Profiles | Toni Steinmetz

Regional Secretary, PRO-GE Vienna “Some say, ‘Live and let live.’ I can only live well if I can allow others to live well and be able to look after...
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General

Profiles | Helene Wagner

Deputy Head of Special Exhibitions, Vienna Technical Museum “Our goal isn’t to say to our visitors, ‘OK, here’s the future, take it or leave it.’ W...
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General

Profiles | Thomas Gratzer

Executive Director, Production & Technology for Manner Schnitten “Vertical production is an essential component of urban production. Our factory...
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Grätzl

Altlerchenfeld | Laying Low, Living Large

If Goldilocks had to choose a neighborhood in Vienna, it might be Altlerchenfeld. Laidback yet central, this neighborhood strikes the perfect balanc...
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People

How the Hundertwasser House Was Built | An Interview with Elfriede Forte

“He put so much love and dedication into this project. It’s no longer comprehensible what he accomplished here.” Whether it’s looking over the gree...
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People

“Architecture is always all around us.” | A Chat with Angelika Fitz

“If you don’t want to look at art, you can choose not to hang any on your wall. Architecture is always all around us. You can’t just tune it out.” ...
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People

“I Was Here” | An Interview with Anne Catherine Fleith

“When I go back to my buildings and see how people interact with it – that’s the best present I could ask for.” In 2002, blue stickers began to a...
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People

An Interview with Architecture Professor Baerbel Mueller

“Some of the most famous architects in the world – Zaha Hadid, Kazuyo Sejima – are non-Western, non-European women. That says a lot about how ‘emancip...
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July/August 2018

Blind Faith | Following a Guide Dog on Duty in Vienna

People think that our dogs just follow orders. But really, it’s a cooperation – we tell them what we need, and they see how they can implement it.” ...
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July/August 2018

Natal Attraction | How the Schönbrunn Zoo Gets Its Beloved Elephants

"While I was schlepping a barrow of elephant dung, a passing visitor said, ‘These zoo people always look so damn happy!’ It’s true – I love my job.”...
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General

Do You Speak Kätzisch? | Chatting with a Cat Coach

“Many people treat their cats like babies in fur costumes. But they are not replacements for children; they have their own special needs.” It is ...
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July/August 2018

The Dark Horse of the Spanish Riding School | An Interview with Rider Marcus Novotny

“The relationship with the horse is often even better than the one with a spouse. We have to both work together and have fun together.” The packe...
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General

This Cruise Captain Has Traversed the Danube Over 500 Times

An interview with Jan de Bruijn, Captain, AMA Waterways “When I was first sailing on the Danube, the rules were not necessarily followed. Maybe it ...
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June 2018

The Vienna Fisheries Committee Director on Protecting the Danube

An interview with Manuel Hinterhofer, Director, Wiener Fischereiausschuss “In the old days, the fishermen were the experts, spending a lot of tim...
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General

An Interview with Danube Ferry Owner Johannes Klos

An interview with Johannes Klos, owner of Danube Roll Ferry “The ferry is something special. It’s something you don’t see or experience every day.”...
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June 2018

Meet the Man in Charge of the Dammed Danube

An interview with Heinz-Peter Allmer, Head of Verbund Hydro Power, Lower Danube “Hydropower makes it possible to provide electric current from th...
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Food & Drink

5 Austrian Gins You Should Try This Spring

Gin is in, more than ever. As Vienna kicked off its first annual Vienna Gin Festival on May 3 & 4, a worldwide trend celebrated its arrival. With ...
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May 2018

Profile | Dolly Blach, Agrarmarkt Austria, on Being a Global Leader in Organic Food Standards

"We lead the world in organic standards because we're a small country. The agricultural infrastructure is still on a small scale, so farmers can still...
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People

Profile | Gerhard Zoubek, Founder of Adamah Biohof, on the Challenges of Organic Farming

"Our children might graduate from school with the knowledge of how to fly to the moon, but they don't have a clue about how important food production ...
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May 2018

Profile | Tian’s Paul Ivić on the Healing Properties of Vegetarian Food

"Food is about a lot more than just what you get on your plate." Consider the celery root, and how it grows. And the mushroom, the Brussels sprout, t...
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People

Profile | The Kesselbrüder’s Wien Gin Embodies the Spirit of Vienna

“If time is supposedly money, try buying some more of it once your time's up. Quality of life is about enjoying it right here and right now. Gin ...
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People

Johanna Wiesholzer | Head of Operations, Incident Management, Wiener Linien

Whether we’re getting around by car, bike, metro or just heading across the street, it takes a whole city to keep us mobile. “We accommodate 2.6 ...
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People

Roland Romano | Spokesman, Radlobby

Whether we’re getting around by car, bike, metro or just heading across the street, it takes a whole city to keep us mobile. "The main reason peo...
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People

Burhan Aygün | Uber driver, Airport Shuttle Service Owner

Whether we’re getting around by car, bike, metro or just heading across the street, it takes a whole city to keep us mobile. “Everybody’s heard o...
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People

Franz-Joseph Huainigg | Journalist, Author, Parliamentarian

Whether we’re getting around by car, bike, metro or just heading across the street, it takes a whole city to keep us mobile. “Going to a regular ...
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People

Profile | Lisl Ponger, Artist

Art can be a solitary craft, but for inspiring masterpieces to reach us, they need to go through many hands. “Living abroad changed everything for ...
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People

Profile | Ernst Hilger, Gallerist

Art can be a solitary craft, but for inspiring masterpieces to reach us, they need to go through many hands. “If you want to have one word for the ...
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People

Profile | Jasper Sharp, Adjunct Curator at Kunsthistorisches Museum

Art can be a solitary craft, but for inspiring masterpieces to reach us, they need to go through many hands. “A museum director I invited here rais...
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People

Alexis Wintoniak | Deputy General Secretary of the Administrative Branch of the Austrian Parliament

They have made democracy their business, whether as a software developer, university professor, museum director or in the parliamentary administration...
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People

Monika Sommer | Director of Haus der Geschichte Österreich

They have made democracy their business, whether as a software developer, university professor, museum director or in the parliamentary administration...
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People

Birgit Sauer | Professor of Political Science at the University of Vienna

They have made democracy their business, whether as a software developer, university professor, museum director or in the parliamentary administration...
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People

Alexey Grubauer | Chief Information Officer at Jumio Software Development

They have made democracy their business, whether as a software developer, university professor, museum director or in the parliamentary admini...
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People

Profile I Children’s Book Author Thomas Brezina

We talked to four guardians of our collective consciousness in the world of photography, hospitality, urban history and children’s books “I...
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People

Profile | Wien Museum Director Matti Bunzl

We talked to four guardians of our collective consciousness in the world of photography, hospitality, urban history and children’s books “A...
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December/January 2017/2018

Profile | Gerstner Director Oliver Braun

We talked to four guardians of our collective consciousness in the world of photography, hospitality, urban history and children’s books “N...
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People

Profile I Founder of Supersense Florian Kaps

We talked to four guardians of our collective consciousness in the world of photography, hospitality, urban history and children’s books “N...
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People

Profile | Route 28 Founder Katharina Moser

Growing up with a diverse cultural background can be a challenge, but also a gift. These four people have made diversity their ally If we w...
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People

Profile | Wiener Tschuschenkapelle Musician Slavko Ninić

Growing up with a diverse cultural background can be a challenge, but also a gift. These four people have made diversity their ally ...
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People

Profile | Managing Editor at das Biber Jelena Pantić

“I'm blue-eyed, fair-haired, and speak perfect German. It's only when I tell people my name that there's a certain reaction." V...
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People

Profile | Founder of Kids of the Diaspora Leni Charles

Growing up with a diverse cultural background can be a challenge, but also a gift. These four people have made diversity their ally ...
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People

Profile | Amra Bergman and the World of Stage, Video and Costume Design

Design is not just a profession, it's a way of life. Whether it's on the runway, backstage, on the go or online, these designers both live and love wh...
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People

Profile | Industrial Designer Daniel Huber of Spirit Design

Design is not just a profession, it's a way of life. Whether it's on the runway, backstage, on the go or online, these designers both live and love wh...
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People

Profile | Austrian Fashion Icon Susanne Bisovsky

Design is not just a profession, it's a way of life. Whether it's on the runway, backstage, on the go or online, these designers both live and love wh...
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People

Profile | Thomas Schranz on Holistic Design

Design is not just a profession, it’s a way of life. Whether it’s on the runway, backstage, on the go or online, these designers both live and love wh...
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People

Profile | Diana Grigorova, Flight Attendant at Austrian Airlines Knows how to Create a Special Journ...

Going to unfamiliar places can be daunting. We spoke to a youth hostel manager, an explorer turned Airbnb host, a flight attendant and a tourism board...
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People

Profile | Artist, Lebenskünstler, and Nomad Michael Fischer Rides the Airbnb Wave

Going to unfamiliar places can be daunting. We spoke to a youth hostel manager, an explorer turned Airbnb host, a flight attendant and a tourism board...
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People

Profile | Travel Manager Liesbet Vandebroek Debunks Myths About Belgium

Going to unfamiliar places can be daunting. We spoke to a youth hostel manager, an explorer turned Airbnb host, a flight attendant and a tourism board...
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July/August 2017

Profile | Florian Kritzner, Manager of Wombats Naschmarkt, Takes Care of Every Traveler’s Need...

Going to unfamiliar places can be daunting. We spoke to a youth hostel manager, an explorer turned Airbnb host, a flight attendant and a tourism board...
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People

Profile | Ingrid Mack of the Erotic Shop Liebenswert

Whether it’s the official “I do”, or playing games with gender and sexuality, her life’s work celebrates love, sexuality and femininity Ingrid Mack...
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People

Profile | Michelle Mock and the art of Wedding Photography

She gets high on people daring to say “I do”. This bubbly expat has dedicated her livelihood to capturing celebrations of love Michelle Mock, Weddi...
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