Features

Editor’s note: A few days before Kabul fell to the Taliban, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Austria, Manizha Bakhtari, agreed to an interview with Metropole, answering pre-approved questions in writing, under the condition that none touched upon deportations.

South-African Liani Drury (49) is a mom, an artist, a university lecturer, a seamstress, a coach, and a citizen of Vienna. Above all, she is a grief counsellor who overcame her own loss through a journey of healing and hope.

Becoming Viennese means learning to understand everything from “Schau ma mal” to “Strudel mit Schlag”. But in truth, no one's experience is the same.

The cabaret performer writes the music and lyrics for Pizzera & Jaus. He spoke to Metropole about black humor and the benefits of therapy – he also told a few dirty jokes.

Mouddar Khouja first came to Europe in 1981. In 1985, he moved to Vienna, where he has been helping the Austrian-Syrian business community thrive.

We take you on an enchanting journey to a city as it was before the war - bridging history and civilizations for more than 5,000 years.

Words have always been dangerous. Now, with social justice warriors on the prowl, they can make or break careers.

From The Vienna Paradox to The Edge of Irony, the distinguished literary critic and professor emerita examines the seminal literature and thought of Austria’s interwar period.

As opportunities dry up in the West, COVID-19 has compelled many to return to Central and Eastern Europe in search of a brighter future.

The city has seen it all, yet it remains as charming as ever. It’s small alleyways tell the stories of past generations and its mosques and churches speak of prophets

From Czech to Turkish, a Babel of languages is heard alongside German on Vienna’s streets. With 42% having roots abroad and English in all schools, multilingualism is (again) the norm.

Invisible, unseen, discreet: Professional interpreters bridge gaps and facilitate communication, and in Vienna, their work is often at the heart of the matter.

Now in her 60s, the native Bulgarian had spent most of her life in Sofia, until unimaginable circumstances brought her to Vienna to transform the lives of others.

It was for a place in the company of the Wiener Volksoper that Petar Naydenov came to Vienna from a theatre in Bavaria eight years ago.

Bulgaria is home to legends and myths, stories of centuries past, monuments of battles lost and won which all shape the landscape.

One of the most charming valleys around Vienna, the easiest way to fall in love with the Kamptal is on a bicycle.

“Corruption has been with us as long as mankind, but there’s been progress: If you can’t expect to get away with something, you might think twice about committing it.”

The two friends decided to join forces. And in 2016, they set up the non-profit organization Austria for Beginners.

The lure of Alpinism is stronger than ever– but there’s more to it than just the ascent. It’s about discovering the world from above, and the things in yourself that got you there.

How a Bulgarian living in Vienna is building brides between countries and people ― figuratively and literally. Aneta Bulant-Kamenovа

German Chancellor Angela Merkel testified before the German Bundestag last Friday regarding her actions on behalf of the now disgraced company.

Ignored disruptions, cross-town shuttle diplomacy by the EU led JCPOA Joint Commission demonstrates good faith on all sides.

Raised bilingually in Sofia, and re-established in Vienna, artist Borjana Ventzislavova is a woman of many worlds.

Just three months on from January’s low point, the European Union’s vaccination effort has rebounded, predicting 70% of adults protected by mid July.

When national governments closed borders and asked people to stay put at the beginning of 2020, Ivan Krastev and his family decided to go back to Bulgaria.

Austria's fintech sector has recorded exponential growth in the last five years, with new startups seemingly popping up every month. These fresh and innovative companies are rapidly becoming an integral part of the financial system.

The coronavirus is shaping our lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of April 19 to April 25, 2021.

Schools will resume in-person instruction on May 17. Starting on May 19, restaurants and hotels can reopen, culture and sports events can take place again – for those who are tested or vaccinated. Here are all the details

Moving to a new country brings many challenges. Here’s how community advice and music help Bulgarians settle in.

Vienna is becoming an international hub for the health and life science industry, which generates €3.4 billion in revenue. At Vienna UP'21, meet the biotech and medtech players whose innovations save lives and transform public health

While formally illegal in Austria, finding 3rd Reich memorabilia in Viennese antique shops is relatively easy as the war generation passes away.

For those moving west from Bulgaria, Vienna has become a favorite destination - a "Bulgarian village" in its own right.

The coronavirus is shaping our lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of April 11 to April 18, 2021.

Members of the Church are speaking out against the Vatican’s decision to bar priests from sanctifying homosexual unions.

Seeking to restore its 1960s allure, the iconic cinema is currently remodeling, partially financed by a cinephile crowdfunding campaign.

After 15 months leading Austria’s response to the pandemic, the widely respected leader stepped down on April 13.

“Nothing is impossible for those you love”

The creative industries are a leverage for the whole economy, making Austria’s creatives a competitive force on a global scale. At the innovation festival, Vienna UP'21, the sector and the people in it are front and center

“Politicians think we don’t like Vienna. In fact, the opposite is true: We’re critical because we love this city that much."

The coronavirus is shaping our lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of April 5 to April 11, 2021.

Finding good fish to cook at home just got a lot easier. A new stand on the Karmelitermarkt is a good place to go.

An internationally renowned nuclear lawyer and pillar of key treaties on nuclear safety, she was “the best of Europe.”

Recovered chats reveal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Finance Minister Gernot Blümel’s involvement, previously denied, in the appointment of state holding CEO Thomas Schmid.

Language is our wealth, our tradition – and a tool to understand the world.

For Bojidar Kassabov, everything began in October 1999. An agreement between Austrian and Bulgarian universities gave him the chance to study medicine in Vienna.

Public life has been halted once again by strict lockdown. But as numbers continue high, many question if the measures are really working.

The Bulgarian law graduate works for the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) and gives free consultations on labor and social security law in her mother tongue.

Here is a list of notable Bulgarians that you may have heard of.

Austrian companies thrive all across Central and Eastern Europe. From kickbacks to bribes, booming business often also involves layers of corruption.

The affair between Bulgaria and Austria can be described in many ways. And Vienna is almost always at its center.

The Nobel-Prize-winning chemist Emanuelle Charpentier laid the groundwork for her stunning scientific discoveries at the Max Perutz Labs in the Austrian capital.

The coronavirus is shaping our lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of March 29 to April , 2021.

Austrians make the most of their many religious holidays – here’s how they celebrate Holy Week.

As the weather improves but 'Kaffeehäuser' stay shuttered, the Viennese learn to love park life.

DATELINE Vienna, April 1, 2021: Inländerrum, Obstler, Marillenbrand and Zirbenschnaps supposedly found just as effective as AstraZeneca – and so much tastier!

Community Lead Pavel Naydenov introduces Vienna's Bulgarian community, the focus of this month's Home Is Where the Herz Is issue.

“I’ve got what you might call ‘helper syndrome.’ Being a lawyer is not just a profession for me – it’s a calling.”

Austria’s pandemic response upheld the country’s long tradition of opaque administration and little accountability – a special report.

A recent survey found that every second Austrian prefers staying silent over voicing an opinion.

Rather than elaborate historicism, the buildings are in the lighter, more playful Jugendstil style.

The coronavirus is shaping our lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of March 22-28, 2021.

Mozart’s Pamina is world famous, but the soprano who first breathed her to life has been forgotten.

March 25 marks the anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, as well as the birthday of the former Vice-Chancellor – an occasion to reflect on the European ideal.

“Corruption will never be 100% eradicated. But it’s important to set parameters and structures that show people that in the end, corruption doesn’t pay.”

An in depth look into Vienna’s religious communities during the pandemic.

The heightened debate has led to a surge in reported incidents of discrimination in 2020, with online harassment actually doubling.

The new deputy mayor has ambitious plans to improve the schools and launch an independent office to fight corruption ... big ideas for the junior coalition partner.

City officials remain optimistic as they try to find new ways to attract investors.

As the pandemic adds more strain to the system, Vienna’s immigration authority introduces new measures to combat delays.

Vienna-based personal and professional development coach Dilek Süzal shares how coaching can get you back on track and achieve your goals.

Quarantine got your tongue? COVID-19 has left an indelible mark on language.

The coronavirus is shaping our lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of March 15-21, 2021.

Antibodies produced after a coronavirus infection offer some protection against future illness, but extra protection never hurts.

Austria is a cultural powerhouse and more than willing to invest public funds in the arts. But where does all the money go?

Long-term expats will regain the right to vote in UK general elections later this year – a reform preceded by years of campaigning.

Maintaining the highest quality of life in the world is a costly endeavor – thankfully, there is always someone out there gullible enough to pay the bills. A satirical look at Austrian corruption.

The coronavirus is shaping our lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of March 8-14, 2021.

Larger than life on Vienna stages, he was equally master of opera and jazz: “Walking is for losers,” he would say. “I’m gonna fly.”

Even though borders were sealed as COVID-19 hit Europe, 2020 saw the Austrian population increase.

Press freedom in Central Europe is under renewed threat. Yet there are no systematic arrests of journalists as in Belarus or Turkey, less of the blatant acts of censorship common in Russia and few of the gruesome killings of reporters that are common in autocratic countries around the world. Instead, they are now following the Hungary model.

From the Finance Ministry to the World Bank and Transparency International, Economist Kurt Bayer sniffs out all kinds of corruption. Although sometimes, it just presents itself.

A chance to celebrate past achievements and promote gender equality, this year’s International Women’s day will mostly take place online – but with the third-largest gender pay gap in the EU, Austria has little to celebrate.

As criticism and corruption allegations pile up against his administration, the biggest cause for concern is Sebastian Kurz’s deliberate attempts to undermine the nation’s checks and balances.

The coronavirus is shaping our lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of March 1-7, 2021.

Strains from the UK, South Africa, and Brazil are worrisome, but there's no need to panic, as long as we follow the general measures to reduce spreading of the virus.

For the next opening steps, Vorarlberg will be a test region. Team sports for the young are to resume on March 15, other countrywide opening steps are envisioned for March 27.

Austria is no more corrupt than other European countries – although possibly more colorful. But the consequences for wrongdoers are often laughably mild. This may be changing.

If the measure passes, the Republic will dismantle its nearly 100-year-old Official Secrecy Laws – the last EU country to do so – and launch new measures increasing public insight into state operations.

The coronavirus is shaping our daily lives. Here’s what happened in regards to COVID-19 in Austria in the week of Feb. 22-28, 2021.

A year after the start of the pandemic, trust in the government has plummeted to new lows, as frustrations mount amid evidence of a new ÖVP scandal.

On March 16, 2020, European politicians closed internal EU borders to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It was more than a formality: this massive restriction on interpersonal relationships did not go over easily.

Animals are not the problem: Although this all began with a bat in a live wet market, coronaviruses rarely jump between species. And if so, it’s mostly from us to them.

The global pandemic doesn’t just affect your physical health; solitude also poses a threat to a generation in isolation.

In which Tree Number 1001 leaves the Café Eiles for the Justizpalast.

Concerns over virus mutations have led Germany to close its frontier to Tyrol, setting off traffic jams on the streets and brawls among top officials. Even Brussels has chimed in.

The Austrian vaccination program for SARS-CoV-2 is slowly but surely underway, but approximately one third would currently refuse inoculation.

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

Students of all ages and programs can find a quiet spot in some of Vienna’s traditional 'Kaffeehäuser' and the district 'Volkshochschulen.'

Europeans are delighted by Donald Trump’s departure but the road ahead is bumpy. Can the Paris Accord reduce global warming? Can the Iran Nuclear Deal be resuscitated? Can NATO’s rudder be steadied? Europe hopes so. Biden does too.