People

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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

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.

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

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

“Nothing is impossible for those you love”

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

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.

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.

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

“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.”

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.

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.

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

What does it mean to be German in Austria? A satirist, a local activist, a musician, a community manager, and a TV and radio star share their experiences.

Kraus sets her sights on educating audiences and widening the platform for women in the Austrian art world. In some ways, being German helped.

Viennese legend Susanne Widl discusses her Café Korb upbringing, her illustrious past and the future of how we spend time together – inside the 'Kaffeehaus' and out.

A fixture in the traditional 'Kaffeehaus' – the creation of German master joiner Michael Thonet became a legend of 19th-century design.

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

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

From the Vienna Boys Choir to the University of Music and Performing Arts, Serbian musicians bring a unique soulfulness to the Austrian musical tradition.

Actor Aleksandar Saša Petrović feels indestructible when he thinks in Serbian. A talk about movies, life and what it means to be Viennese.

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

From health and security providers to scientists and civil servants, these Serbians have become a key part of Austrian society.

A story of two couples and their children through the generations, with different histories and reasons for moving to and staying in Vienna.

A new collection of essays by the renowned journalist retakes the pulse of Central Europe 30 years after communism, and finds the optimism faded into disappointment, fueling an exodus.

Here are some of the most important Serbs that spent time in Austria.

Culture, attitudes and habits of thought are shaped by our mother tongue: Polish, a Slavic language, thrives in Vienna with the help of several institutions.

“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.’”

Polish artists bring Vienna’s streets, stages and dance floors to life

From community organizing and trekking through the Alps to conducting top-notch research, these Poles enrich our city every day.

From first coming to Austria as a child to being elected to Parliament, Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic has always been a fighter.

Far from cliché of being cleaning ladies, over 20,000 these women start businesses, organize protests and defend minorities – making the city their home abroad.

Founded in 1741, the Burgtheater always had a strong link between language and national identity, but today it stages an international ensemble of artists. Just like the Volkstheater, Vienna’s stages are opening up to Europe and beyond.

Since the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungarian musicians have adored Vienna’s art scene. The tradition of displaying their talents in Vienna continues to this day.

The shoe designer is blending the line between fashion and art with sculptural footwear.

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

More than 25,000 Hungarians live in Vienna. We talked to some of them to learn why they moved here and what makes them feel at home.

The story of a man who extends boundaries, in more than one way.

“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.”

Since the launch of the Hungarian-German bilingual elementary school in 2019, Viennese parents can give their children an authentic 'magyar' learning experience.

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

On the Enlightenment’s mixed legacy, European solidarity and lessons of the pandemic.

The head of Lena Hoschek’s couture atelier, designer Thomas Kirchgrabner describes demanding clientele, recounts his rise in Austria’s fashion scene and how he met his boss.

To make it on the boards that mean the world, you need talent, passion and grit. Even more so, when you start out from a modest background.

You cannot escape old age. An estimated 456,000 people in Austria depend on care services and the numbers continue to rise. Many prefer 24-hour care at home. In 2018, this meant around 65,000 caregivers worked.

The Austro-British filmmaker stretched the boundaries of documentary and film technique, exploring interactive storytelling and the application of virtual reality to the experience of art.

At the Viennese label Kids of the Diaspora, founders Leni Charles and Cherrellone do everything together – even motherhood – creating a space where everyone belongs.

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

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

The pandemic could be the making of the EU, says the former ÖNB governor. On coronabonds,” the “frugal four” and the clever Mrs. Merkel.

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

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

How the far-right deceives the public and undermines democracy. A conversation with linguist Ruth Wodak.

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

“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.”

“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.”

No stranger to challenges, the general manager of the Vienna Business Agency, Gerhard Hirczi is placing the city’s assets front and center.

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

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

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

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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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.

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

Mayor Michael Ludwig shares the secret to Vienna’s top ranking for smarts and livability: Planning with people in mind by Margaret Childs.

At the Wien Museum, the US-educated Austrian scholar wants to use the incidents of history to question the way we live now. In Vienna, museums are ...

At a gaming café outside Vienna, Monika Racek, the CEO of the Admiral Casinos and Entertainment AG talks addiction, legislation and why old ladies pla...

"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...

“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 digi...

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

In the first installment of our new series of how expats built their careers in Vienna, we talked to Maurizio Poletto, the designer behind E...

In an age of confusion, historian and author Timothy Snyder looks to the past for a guide to the future of the West. On a pleasant evening in late O...

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 about ...

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

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

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

The CEO of the Vienna Stock Exchange, Christoph Boschan, on financial literacy, sharing the wealth and north German Gemütlichkeit.

On a rainy Wednesday morning, the busy Coffee Pirates on Spitalgasse is overrun by hipsters, students and a group of young moms exchanging baby tips. ...

Stepping out to Warda Network's rooftop balcony reveals a panoramic view of Vienna's picture-perfect 8th district. This, apparently, is the city f...

The new director of the Austrian Cultural Forum in New York on diversity, connecting artists and putting discovery over instruction.

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

“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...

“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...

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

“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...

Pop star and comic Otto Jaus waxes poetic about fame, being funny and attempts to define the many meanings of the word Schmäh.

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 s...

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...

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...