Julia Seidl, Author at Metropole

Online

In Vienna, 50,000 Demonstrated for #BlackLivesMatter

The trigger was the death of the US-American George Floyd during a police operation in Minneapolis. The protest in Vienna was the biggest in Europe.

Julia Seidl - June 12, 2020

Online

Simon Inou About the #BlackLivesMatter Movement and Racism in Austria

"I wrote so much and nobody listened. I no longer believed," says the journalist and media critic in his first public interview in four years.

Julia Seidl - June 4, 2020

General

The End of the City Bikes?

The all-purpose workhorses of the inner city are the last remaining rental bikes in public spaces. But they could disappear soon, says sponsor Gewista. The reason is a dispute over financing.

Julia Seidl - June 1, 2020

Spring, 2020

ÖBB Nightjet Takes You to 28 Destinations in Europe While you Sleep

Flight Shame getting to you? The ÖBB Nightjet offers low-impact alternative routes to several major European cities – or did so before the corona lockdown. A nightly trip to Milan on the eve of the coronavirus crises.

Julia Seidl - May 31, 2020

Coronavirus

Reopening the Borders | What Our Neighbors Are Doing

Austria, Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary plan a coordinated opening in mid-June.

Julia Seidl - May 23, 2020

Coronavirus

President Van der Bellen Addresses the Nation for a Third Time

“I don't think it's possible for us to see yet what significance this crisis will have for our society. Just as it is impossible for a drop of water to understand the course of a river.”

Julia Seidl - May 5, 2020

Coronavirus

Doomsday Music | 11 Dystopic Songs About the End of the World

Earthquake, disease or environmental disaster. Even before the crisis, these artists were already thinking about what the proverbial Last Days of Mankind might look like.

Julia Seidl - April 18, 2020

Coronavirus

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen Addresses the Nation for the Second Time on the Corona C...

“One day, we will look back on this strange, painful, unreal spring of 2020. And we will find: It has passed. It has passed.”

Julia Seidl - April 3, 2020

Coronavirus

Coronavirus | Everything You Need to Know About Food Delivery in Vienna

Some restaurants have switched to take-out, while large delivery chains have found new ways to safely bring your lunch or dinner.

Julia Seidl - March 29, 2020

Coronavirus

What to Read in Quarantine | Books Recommended by the Metropole Team

We have compiled a lively list of modern and classic novels and non-fiction, favorites of ours and, we hope, soon of yours.

Julia Seidl - March 23, 2020

Coronavirus

Coronavirus | Which Stores Are Open, Which Are Closed in Austria

Since Monday, March 16, Ausgangsbeschränkungen (movement restrictions) have been in force in Austria. How does that affect public transportation, can you go to the doctor, take a walk or buy hygiene products? Can the police penalize you? This list should answer all your questions.

Julia Seidl - March 18, 2020

Coronavirus

Coronavirus | Austrian President Van der Bellen Addresses Nation

“I am confident that we will succeed, just as we have already achieved a lot together in our country. Please look after yourselves! And together we will look after our Austria. Thank you."

Julia Seidl - March 14, 2020

Featured

Teachers Hope to Ban Cell Phones in Schools

About 12 years ago, the first “Handys” snuck into school classrooms - and stayed there, distracting students and frustrating teachers. The effects can no longer be denied.

Julia Seidl - March 10, 2020

Coronavirus

The Coronavirus in Austria | First Incidents, Few Fears

While some make dystopian jokes, others are buying the last face masks on the Internet. How the country is dealing with COVID-19.

Julia Seidl - February 27, 2020

Online

“Mein Fall” | Austrian Writer Tells of Sexual Abuse

As a choirboy at the Zwettl Monastery in the 1960s, novelist Josef Haslinger was regularly assaulted by his superiors. Now he wrote about it.

Julia Seidl - February 17, 2020

Online

16 Viennese Idioms That Make No Sense Whatsoever

The Viennese sometimes have their own special way of using the German language, especially when they lapse into dialect. It is often a mixture of gleeful malice, eloquence, flattery and charm.

Julia Seidl - February 7, 2020

Online

ÖVP Must Pay an €800,000 Fine

The People's Party has exceeded the upper limit of € 7 million in campaign spending for 2017. Now it is being asked to pay it back.

Julia Seidl - January 23, 2020

Online

Telenovela Subtitles for Government Ceremony

Politics sometimes resembles a soap opera. But this gaffe by the ORF takes the comparison to a new level. The results are frighteningly fitting satiric images.

Julia Seidl - January 9, 2020

Online

English Cinema Vienna | Our Top 5 Picks

English Cinema Vienna | Getting tired of wanting to go to the movies, only to discover that you still don’t speak German? We got you covered.

Julia Seidl - December 14, 2019

Online

Devastating Weather Conditions in the South and West of Austria

Mudslides, snowstorms and floods cause sleepless nights for the residents of the affected areas.

Julia Seidl - November 22, 2019

Online

Calls for Violence Against Women After Wiener Linien Anti-Manspreading Campaign

Some Internet tough guys felt attacked by the Wiener Linien’s anti-“manspreading” campaign. So they started their own.

Julia Seidl - November 20, 2019

Online

Education Minister Bans “Original Play”

At this club, adults play with children in kindergartens and schools on mats on the floor. Experts see this as an invitation for pedophiles and child abuse.

Julia Seidl - November 12, 2019

Online

Outrage Over Contracts at Lauda(motion)

Under a new contract, future flight attendants face salaries below the minimum wage, loss of job protections, and uniforms at their own expense. The union calls these terms “unacceptable”

Julia Seidl - November 6, 2019

Online

Constitutional Court Rejects Last Ditch Appeal Against Smoking Ban

Several nightclub owners had appealed the absolute ban on smoking. They had one specific argument.

Julia Seidl - October 31, 2019

Online

Austria’s Next Vice-Chancellor | Coalition Carousel Part II

Red, blue, green and pink: Each party has its color, each its own leader. Here, the second two of four mini portraits.

Julia Seidl - October 20, 2019

Online

Austria’s Next Vice-Chancellor | Coalition Carousel Part I

Red, blue, green and pink: Each party has its color, each its own leader. Here, the first two of four mini portraits.

Julia Seidl - October 9, 2019

Fall 2019

Swarovski | Salt, Silver & Crystal

He lies there in silence, motion-, and emotionless. Eyes wide open, staring into the distance while a seemingly endless stream of silvery wa...

Julia Seidl - October 6, 2019

Online

The Fall of Heinz-Christian Strache

The long-time FPÖ leader – recently disgraced by the Ibiza video and a scandal over his expense account –announced yesterday that he is putting his party membership on hold, calling for party unity.

Julia Seidl - October 2, 2019

Online

The FPÖ Considers Expelling Strache

Shortly before National Assembly elections, news about the former head’s expense reports are causing a stir.

Julia Seidl - September 25, 2019

Online

What the ÖVP and Falter Are Fighting About

Last week, the weekly newspaper Falter published a report stating that the ÖVP is heavily indebted – now they’re seeking an injunction from the court.

Julia Seidl - September 21, 2019

Online

Who Lives, Who Dies

Last week, a woman in her mid-50s stood before the Vienna Regional Court because she assisted in the death of her partner. She says he would have wanted it that way.

Julia Seidl - September 14, 2019

Online

The Top 15 (Weird) Things People Google About Austria

Does Austria exist? Why do Austrian toilets have a shelf? The hive mind sure asks Google some strange questions.

Julia Seidl - August 29, 2019

Online

Heinz-Christian Strache’s House Searched

The far-right FPÖ is accused of having secured a top position at Casinos Austria by making political promises to Novomatic.

Julia Seidl - August 18, 2019

newsletter

#dichterdran | Women Show Literary Men How It Feels

In response to condescending treatment of an award-winning young novelist, many take to twitter to turn the tables and reveal sexist attitudes that often pass unremarked.

Julia Seidl - August 13, 2019

Online

#Schreddergate – Kurz‘ Social Media Manager Secretly Destroys Hard Drives

Shortly after the Ibiza video was published, an employee of the former Kurz-cabinet shredded several hard disks under a false name at a digital security firm.

Julia Seidl - July 27, 2019

Online

Female Only “I Am from Austria” Musical Now in Japan

The Japanese premiere of the Vereinigte Bühnen Wien in-house production will take place on October 4, 2019.

Julia Seidl - July 24, 2019

Online

New Party Funding Law Passed

With the votes of the SPÖ, FPÖ and JETZT, the Nationalrat (National Council) has decided to reform the funding of political parties.

Julia Seidl - July 8, 2019

Explore Vienna

Böhmischer Prater | The Fairytale Road

A whistle blares unmistakably through the bushes and shrubs. The little train is ready to depart. “Einsteigen bitte!” (All aboard!) says an au...

Julia Seidl - July 2, 2019

Online

Marriage for All – Now For Foreigners, Too

+++ UPDATE +++ On June 26, a committee of the Austrian Parliament passed an amendment by the NEOS that makes same-sex marriage legal for couples li...

Julia Seidl - June 26, 2019

Explore Vienna

Schützenhaus | A Lock on Tradition

Dedicated to the cuisine of imperial times, to Otto Wagner Schützenhaus is steeped in history. The legendary architect Otto Wagner shaped modern Vi...

Julia Seidl - June 4, 2019

General

Stats I Gaming & Gambling

Julia Seidl - May 27, 2019

Online

In Case of a Nationwide Blackout

What would happen if the power failed across Europe? Last week, the Austrian government ran a three-day trial to find out – and they have some pointers for the rest of us

Julia Seidl - May 22, 2019

Online

The White Stallions as Cultural Heritage

Forgetting their differences, Austria and Slovenia join forces to seek UNESCO recognition of the Lipizzaner as an "immaterial world cultural heritage....

Julia Seidl - May 15, 2019

Online

Kurz in China

At the international Silk Road Forum in Beijing, the Austrian chancellor met Chinese leaders and signed several ambitious new bilateral treaties. W...

Julia Seidl - May 8, 2019

Online

Game Over at Carl Hilpert

With its owner retiring and no successor in sight, the Alt-Stadt’s oldest toy shop by Stephansdom will close after 147 years. Schulerstraße 1-3 is...

Julia Seidl - April 30, 2019

Online

Brutal Training at the Balletakademie

The elite dance training at the Vienna State Opera school is a scene of everyday emotional and physical abuse, says a recent exposé: Former students a...

Julia Seidl - April 24, 2019

Online

New Rules for Cyclists in Vienna

New rules for cyclists have been in force since April 1st as a result of the 30th amendment to Austria’s Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) Riding you...

Julia Seidl - April 17, 2019

Online

Kickl Proposes €1.50/Hour

Interior Minister Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) wants to limit the hourly wage for asylum seekers in public service jobs. To date, cities and municipalities ha...

Julia Seidl - April 2, 2019

Online

Google Launches “Market Finder” in Austria

An online platform with digital tools and practical know-how for exporters, the initiative was launched and introduced jointly with the Handelsverband...

Julia Seidl - April 2, 2019

Online

Creeping Message Control

Recent government moves appear to be aimed at restricting official data collection and distribution. The opposition sees this as unwarranted interfere...

Julia Seidl - March 26, 2019

Features

The Code Makers

Programmers are in high demand. Two Viennese are helping more women to close the digital gap. It’s going on 18:30, but the windows of the...

Julia Seidl - February 27, 2019

Books

Book Release | From Empire to Republic

Home Town Media presents From Empire to Republic Thanks for attending the event at Buchhandlung Kuppitsch Schottengasse 4, 1010 Wien In case...

Julia Seidl - January 31, 2019

Online

Austria Had One Police Tomcat – and It Ran Away

The tomcat was "hired" to chase away mice in the stables of the new police horses in the Military Academy Wiener Neustadt – but apparently, Austria’s ...

Julia Seidl - January 30, 2019

Online

“CEU has been forced out”

Because Hungary’s Lex CEU forbids Central European University (CEU) to accept new students after January 1, 2019, CEU says, it is forced to announce t...

Julia Seidl - December 3, 2018

Sport

Sports | Hit Me!

With more women getting involved in combat sports, we visited one of Vienna’s all-women gyms. The only man in the room has no arms, legs, hands, feet...

Julia Seidl - November 29, 2018

General

CEU to move to Vienna in 2019

Press Release - The Board of Trustees of Central European University (CEU) announced today that incoming students for its U.S.-accredited masters and ...

Julia Seidl - October 25, 2018

General

After Sexual Harassment on Facebook l Controversal Verdict in Sigrid Maurer Trial

On October 9, an Austrian judge hands down a controversial verdict. A young woman, called Sigrid Maurer, has to pay €4,000 to Albert Lastufka, the own...

Julia Seidl - October 11, 2018

Features

Travel | Living History

A stately gem in Lower Burgenland, Bernstein castle offers respite from modern living History has a way of drawing you in. Lords and ladies, knights ...

Julia Seidl - October 8, 2018

General

Austria’s Interior Ministry under fire for suggesting blocking “critical media”

On September 24, some troubling news broke: News outlets like Kurier and Der Standard published a leaked email that was sent from within the Interior ...

Julia Seidl - September 25, 2018