Austrians like to show off their serious appreciation of classical music. But if you want them to erupt into joyful singing, you’ve got to play them some Austropop. And you may learn some Dialekt, too It was two o’clock on a Friday morning. I’d followed a herd of colleagues to Bettelalm: a sweaty underground cavern […]
Three women now head the parties of the opposition. A small revolution for Austria Sometimes reality overtakes prophecy. Christian Kern was quicker with his resignation than was predicted in this column in the last issue of Metropole. His paradoxical intervention has surprised friends and enemies. He wants to be the Spitzenkandidat (lead candidate) of the […]
Why Vienna’s city government has completely reorganized itself and what it has to do with the FPÖ, expats and international managers It is an interesting but characteristic phenomenon. The government of red Vienna – once known as the worldwide socialist model for the introduction of municipal social services, Gemeindebauten (social housing) and the redistribution from […]
For newcomers, Austrians can take some getting used to. But if you’re planning to get sick, Austria is the place to be. Let’s be honest; if you’re planning to get sick, Austria is the place. That precious little green e-card in my wallet is my key to an Aladdin’s cave of medical cosseting. Before I’d […]
It doesn’t take being born here to belong. The most convincing Viennese are from all over Austria and the world and have adopted the ways of the city. Vienna lures you into its grasp and before you know it you’ve said “heast” or “oida”, at least under your breath. Here are 16 tell-tale signs you’ve made the cut. You […]
