September 2017

It's done – our Web designers have closed our "virtual construction site" and the completely redesigned homepage is now online. 

What remains are the classic colours of red and gold, otherwise you can expect a clear new design with many new photos and videos, information about your Hotel Austria and Vienna, an easy-to-use booking system with many advantages for guests booking directly... Regardless of whether you visit our site using a classic PC, a tablet or a smartphone, the website naturally adapts to your device. Why don't you have a look for yourself? – www.hotelaustria-wien.at.

...and the result can be admired on our new website. Gerry Mayer Rohrmoser and his team spent 2 full days creating new shots and panoramic photos in all areas of our hotel, with a lot of attention for detail and of course technical know-how. 

In addition to great photos, some short videos were also produced, as can now be seen online. Some faces might perhaps look familiar to you…

Mrs DONNA started working in the Service / Kitchen areas at Hotel AUSTRIA for the first time in January 2011.
A few months later, she married our Mr SASA and has become the happy mother of two sons, George & Max!

After her parental leave, Mrs DONNA at first provided suppor to our TEAM on certain days; for a few months now, she has been back FULL-TIME in the Service and Kitchen areas for your comfort.

"WELCOME BACK – Mrs Donna!"

An exhibition in the Orangery of the Belvedere is dedicated to the fascinating dialog between Gustav Klimt's work and the art of antiquity.

Gustav Klimt was influenced by the art of the ancient world. Selected objects in the exhibition "Klimt and Antiquity. Erotic Encounters" highlight the central shift in his understanding of antiquity. While his early work focused mainly on thematic details, it was above all the spirit of antiquity that he transferred to this own stylistic idiom in the years after 1900. This development is illustrated through the comparison of Klimt's works with examples from the ancient world.

A highlight of the exhibition is the 1907 reprint of the Hetaera Dialogs of Lucian (ca. 120-185 CE) illustrated with drawings by Gustav Klimt. This extraordinary, erotic work combines the revealing drawings of Klimt with furnishings of the Wiener Werkstätte designed by Josef Hoffmann into one of the most beautiful books of the European Art Nouveau period.

Klimt and Antiquity. Erotic Encounters, 23 June - 8 October 2017
www.belvedere.at

Pieter Bruegel the Elder is one of the most important Dutch draftsmen in the world. The Albertina is dedicating a comprehensive exhibition to him.

The drawings and graphic prints by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (around 1525/1530-1569) are among the most valuable objects owned by the Albertina. Based on these works, the exhibition "Bruegel. Drawing the world" presents the full range of his drawings and graphic prints. Furthermore, his artistic origins are highlighted by comparing high-ranking works of important predecessors such as Hieronymus Bosch or Albrecht Dürer. A total of 90 works are on display. The exhibition casts light on Bruegel's importance as a "painter of farmers", as an innovator of landscape art and as a sociocritical satirist.

That's because Pieter Bruegel the Elder designed a complex world of imagery in an age of political, social and religious upheaval on the cusp of the Dutch war of independence against its Spanish rulers. Humorous and down to earth, witty and critical was how he reflected social circumstances. Bruegel's drawings were already highly prized during his lifetime. Many were widely disseminated as templates for copper etchings.

Bruegel. Drawing the world, 8 September - 3 December 2017
www.albertina.at

During "Sign Week Vienna", everything revolves around the topic of city signage and sign painting for one whole week.

Vienna has a long tradition of individual city signage and was once considered to be the metropolis of the art of sign painting. Numerous historical signs, particularly above entrances to businesses, have long since disappeared, but a few still punctuate today’s cityscape. "Sign Week Vienna", which is being held for the first time, aims to remind us of this slowly dying tradition and dedicates itself to typographies in the public space from 19 to 27 September 2017.

The program is diverse and ranges from exhibitions to film presentations, lectures and workshops, as well as city expeditions to places where old signs can still be seen. Prizes for the design of old and new shop fronts will also be awarded during Sign Week Vienna.

Sign Week Vienna, 19-27 September 2017
www.signweek.com

On with the dirndl and lederhosen: From 21 September to 8 October, the Wiener Wiesn-Fest will pitch its tents for the seventh time on the Kaiserwiese in the Prater. Austrian beer, local food, stars of the folk music and hit scene as well as traditional outfits make for a great atmosphere.

The seventh Wiener Wiesn-Fest, with the famous Giant Ferris Wheel as backdrop, is set to take place in the autumn of 2017. The festival offers great entertainment in traditional Viennese style. Visitors can choose from three festival tents with a varied program of music. There are concerts by the hit stars Andy Borg, Claudia Jung, Udo Wenders, Bernhard Brink, Marco Ventre and numerous folk music groups, including Powerkryner, Die Lauser and Jungen Paldauer. Young and old can look forward to a program packed with 700 hours of live music. Local beer and food ranging from Wiener Schnitzel to Brettljause (cold cuts served on a wooden plate) provide the right accompaniment to the musical enjoyment.

Over the course of nine days, each of Austria's provinces will present its own unique customs, cuisine and music. The Wiener Wiesn-Fest kicks things off daily at 11.30 am with a traditional pre-lunch tipple. Brass bands will perform alongside groups demonstrating the customs of each of their native regions. Admission to the Festival tents is free daily until 6.00 pm, with free admission all day on Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Wiesn-Fest Party gets underway at 6.30 pm in the festival tents with lots of live music. Tickets are required for concerts on Wednesday through Saturday. Live acts such as Boney M feat. Liz Mitchell, the Dirndl Rockers, Meilenstein and the successful German hit duo Fantasy provide the entertainment. The concert tickets cost from €37.82 per person when booking a whole table. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Particularly popular with the younger crowd is the traditional costume clubbing session (1 October, admission €12).

On September 22, the Rosa Wiener Wiesn-Fest will be held in the Wojnar Tent for the gay and lesbian community. This year's Rosa Wiener Wiesn-Fest will be expanded to include a brunch on October 7.

Along with the three festival tents, there'll also be five Alpine chalets as well as free entertainment for all until 1.00 am on the festival stage in the open-air Wiesendorf.

Wiener Wiesn-Fest, 21 September - 8 October 2017
Mo-Sa 11.30 am - 1.00 pm, Su 11.30 am - 8.00 pm
Detailed music program: www.wienerwiesnfest.at
Tickets: www.wien-ticket.at

Everything revolves around fashion in Vienna's MuseumsQuartier from 11 to 17 September. Around 70 designers present their collection: in fashion shows and in the sales area, which invites people to go shopping in quartier21.

This year is the eighth time that MQ Vienna Fashion Week will be erecting its fashion marquee in front of Vienna's MuseumsQuartier (MQ). Fashions shows will be held here daily again from 11 to 17 September. Alongside international designers, mainly Austrian labels such as Anelia Peschev, Michel Mayer, Callisti, MILK, Kayiko and Sabine Karner will present their works. Around 70 designers will show their collections on the catwalk over six days - from renowned fashion makers to newcomers. Over 10,000 visitors came last year.

MQ Vienna Fashion Week is also a sales fair: From 13 September, visitors can check out, try on and buy the latest collections of the designers in the pop-up stores and from 14 September in the sales area in Quartier21.

MQ Vienna Fashion Week.17, 11-17 September 2017
Detailed program: www.viennafashionweek.com
Tickets: www.wien-ticket.at

A new equine and fashion event comes to the Freudenau racecourse in the form of Vienna Ascot on 16 and 17 September 2017. Apart from the horse races, visitors will be entertained with fashion shows, food and a music program.

16 September is "Ladies Day". In addition to four races over different distances, the program will include a 'Frühschoppen' (morning pint) from 10.00 am, a fashion show and five o’clock tea. Furthermore - as befits an equine event - a prize will be given for the best ladies hat.

Things continue at a brisk gallop at the "Family Race Day" on 17 September. In addition to the Maria Theresa Cup (over 1,000 m in Montur), the Vienna Ascot Ladies Cup will also be held. A full-day children's program and musical entertainment guarantee a varied day at the races.

Vienna Ascot, 16-17 September 2017