March 2019 Highlights by AWA Office

THE

INTE RNAT I O NAL

W OME N ' S

MARCH

C L U B

O F

V IE N N A

2019

THE RED CARPET BY

L ISA

SHUL L

MARCH 2019/HIGHLIGHTS EDITOR'S MESSAGE I survived!! So, on we go... Firstly, good news: the Ambassador’s Coffee will be hosted by Mrs. Alexa Traina at the US Ambassador’s Residence on Thursday, 9 May from 10:00 to 12:00!! This edition was prepared way back in January and the forward-planning undertaken by all organisers and contributors was tremendous!! I handed over the bulk of the articles and photos to Virginia Sheridan, on 1 February, having finally persuaded her to take over as Highlights Editor and Designer. I am much relieved! March Events include: a Fashion and Design session with Laure Fesch, in which she will show us how to choose the perfect style of clothes; a visit to the exclusive shop owned by Susanne Kitz who designs and makes custom jewellery and handbags; and a new event, Dining Around the World, which will start with Turkey featuring a restaurant chosen by Bahar Akin. Professor Hannes Paulus will speak on How Orchids Deceive Insects, with admission fees donated to our chosen charity, Die Möwe (and the event will include, of course, Prosecco!) Tai Chi is the Health and Wellness topic for March, new for AWA. The second Charity Paint and Wine Evening, again lead by Emma Lang, will be followed by a Vernissage and Charity Bake sale! Two “Behind the Scenes” Tours are on offer this month. The first takes place at the famous, handmade chocolate maker Altmann and Kuhne (who sell their products in exquisite boxes). The second tour is of the museum of Red Vienna in the Karl-Marx-Hof, which tells the remarkable story of the period in the 1920’s when Vienna became a socialist city. A glimpse into Pre-Fascist times. We hope you will join us for one or more events, whether on tour, in the clubhouse, at an off-site event or at one of our Coffee Mornings. Look for the signup links in our weekly emails.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 03 President's Message

MEMBERS

04 New Members/Art 05 Home Away from Home/ Rose Marie Gatscha 06 A Flash of Inspiration: Ida Vickers/ Virginia Sheridan ISSUES

07 The War on Waste Begins/ Mary Wagener FOOD

08 All Roads Lead to Dumplings/ Suzanne Orrell 09 Venuss: Heaven on Herrengasse/ Virginia Sheridan ACTIVITIES

10 Activities 12 Calendar 14 Tours, Trips, Social Events EXPLORE

16 Go Bezirk: Innere Stadt 18 Breathtaking Bohemia/ Helena Advini 21 Helping Hands Build Houses/ Delaney Sheridan 22 Reports: AWA Board, FAWCO 23 Make the Most of Vienna/ Beverly Bachmeyer AWA VIENNA IBAN: AT59 1952 0018 0009 2361

Sheila Hargreaves

Highlights is published by AWA Vienna, on a monthly basis from October to June, and is sent to all members.

Cover photo: Erin Silangil and her dance teacher enter the Rathaus for the Blumenball. Photo by Lisa Shull.

All inquiries should be addressed to: AWA Vienna Attn: Highlights Editor, Singerstrasse 4/11 1010 Vienna All rights to the printed material in Highlights, including advertising and the cover painting/photo, revert to the contributors following publication. Highlights is printed on chlorine-free paper.

HIGHLIGHTS TEAM Editor/Layout: Virginia Sheridan/awahighlights@gmail.com Assistant Editor: Sheila Hargreaves/sheilahargreaves@a1.net Advertising Manager: Nadia Di Paola/ 0678 125 2229/ awahighlightsads@gmail.com Assistant Advertising Manager: Ivy Melchor /01 966 2925 / awa@awavienna.com Online design/Email posts: Erin Silangil /01 966 2925 / spindler.silangil@gmail.com, Ivy Melchor /01 966 2925 / awa@awavienna.com

ZVR-Zahl 327744193 Eigentümer, Herausgeber und Verleger: AWA Vienna, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Wien. Für den Inhalt verantwortlich: Offenlegung/Herausgeber: Sheila Hargreaves, Krautgartengasse 3A/2/3, Himberg bei Wien Diese Zeitschrift dient dem Zweck, Freunde der American Women’s Association über Aktivitäten der Organisation zu informieren.

MEMBERS

4 ALEXANDRA SALEHI-VOGLER When Alexandra was 20

years young, she left her native Vienna to study art in Florence, Italy… and stayed for 19 years! There she finished her studies, married, raised two children and started an art gallery/antiques business with her husband. When next she returned to Vienna after so many years of living abroad, she sought new friendships with "international" people living in Vienna. By joining AWA, she says that she could combine her Austrian lifestyle with meeting interesting people from different countries. Her passions include painting, framing, art-craft, cooking and dancing. NATHALIE GOLDSTEIN Nathalie, an “Enrolled Agent” (IRS Certification) is the co-founder and CEO of MyExpatTaxes - the only tax software specifically designed for US Expats. With a background in Technology and Finance, Nathalie previously held a Chief of Staff position for Cisco Systems in Vienna, Austria after relocating from San Jose, California in 2015. Nathalie is very passionate about empowering Women in Business and all aspects of life. Aside from work, Nathalie enjoys everything to do with health and fitness including whipping up delicious nutritious meals and lifting weights. Currently, she and her husband live just outside the Vienna border in Lower Austria, where they have built a home and are settling into the Austrian way of life.

NEW MEMBERS/ART ANIKA STEN MATHIASEN Born in Germany, Anika is a US citizen who has also lived in Brazil and Colombia. She is a painter, art educator, a mother of two teens (ages 13 and 15). Her Danish husband works with the UN. Although she’s a new Vienna AWA member, having just arrived six months ago, Anika belonged to an AWA chapter in Colombia and said that their Google group helpful for answering random questions. We may not have a Google group, but we do have Facebook and the helpful office staff to answer most questions! CONNIE PHILPOT A retired U.S. diplomat, Connie moved here with her (retired diplomat) husband three months ago when he took a job with the OSCE Secretariat. In her Foreign Service career, Connie served in the US plus seven countries, mainly in Eastern and Central Europe. In her “retirement,” she has observed elections for the OSCE/ODIHR in Ukraine, Belarus and Macedonia; taught international in Poland and Virginia; been on numerous speaking engagements for the professional association of the Foreign Service; and served on a citizen advisory group for budget and fiscal affairs for the Arlington County government. She is currently writing a novel based on her grandparents’ emigration from what is now Belarus and early life in the US. Connie is happiest when she is on a long run, hike or cross-country ski outing with her husband.

T H E W A L L S H AV E E Y E S If you’ve attended an activity in the AWA Clubhouse lately, you may have noticed that the walls have eyes. Lots of eyes. And hair and fur and stripes… All part of an informal exhibition of paintings by member Annick Dengg-Gauthier. Inspired by the museums she visited while living in Paris, New York, Zurich, Munich, Vienna, she decide to start painting six years ago. “It is a hobby which I truly enjoy,” explained Annick, who says she is still in the “learning process” and regularly attends classes at Art schools in Vienna. It’s clear from the variety of faces – young and old, men and women, stately and edgy – that Annick is intrigued by her models. “When I see a picture of an interesting animal or person, I want to paint them and try to show their personality.”

When asked if she’d be willing to sell her paintings, Annick laughed. “Of course. Art classes are expensive!” Anyone interested can contact her directly (europolitan@chello.at). Annick also shows her creative flair in picking restaurants for the monthly Ladies’ Dining Experience (see page15 for more details).

H O M E A W AY F R O M H O M E

MEMBERS

B Y R O S E M A R I E G AT S C H A

As I collected my thoughts to select a topic for this AWA article, I was experiencing our typical January weather - bleak, rainy days, some snow, and temperatures hovering around freezing. Although city cultural events were numerous, I was more inclined to stay at home for a good part of everyday. My desire for warmth reminded me of last summer and the unforgettable six weeks my husband and I spent studying at the International Academy of Fine Arts in Salzburg (summeracademy.at). The Academy was founded in 1953 by Oskar Kokoschka and offers intensive workshops during July and August in the Hohensalzburg Fortress. The courses, directed by outstanding artists from all over the world, include Painting, Printmaking, Drawing, Collage, Sculpture, Installation, Performance, Mixed Media, Photography, and Curating. Participants number about 300, twothirds of whom are professionals (artists and art students) and hail from more than 50 countries. Although participants are required to apply and to send in examples of their work to instructors for approval, very few are turned away. My daily pilgrimage to the school began with a short trip by cable car, which offered spectacular views of the city and surrounding countryside. My class, which focused on photography, was held from 10am to 6pm, and for those who wished to remain for lunch, a delicious vegan meal was offered at a very low price.

The camaraderie in the classroom created an atmosphere of openness and sharing that encouraged creativity and the idea that anything is possible. Except for excursions into the city

to take photographs, much of my day was spent discussing visual storytelling and photography projects with 16 students of all ages and all levels of expertise. Outside of class, the artistic cacophony that is Salzburg enveloped me: operatic arias streaming from open windows and through piazzas; street musicians playing Mozart under arcades; horse carriages clip-clopping on the medieval pavement; and blessings from street beggars. My photography course was entitled “The Notion of Home,” a topic that touched a nerve in me

even at the close of my fourth year in Vienna. Ahlam Shibli, a Palestinian photographer well known for her documentation of life on the West Bank, was our instructor. Throughout her career, she has used her visual images tell a story of “the loss of home, the fight against that loss and the restrictions and limitations that the idea of home imposes.” Although I cannot compare my personal experiences with those on the West Bank, I do recognize that some superficial aspects of home, like familiarity with a neighborhood and its shops, provided a semblance of home for me in Vienna. With guidance from Shibli, I developed a project that led me to a specific neighborhood in Salzburg called Lehen, some sections of which are inhabited by Turkish immigrants and exhibit a stark contrast to the old town and the affluent visitors to the Salzburg Festspiele. Here I chose to photograph an area called “Kebab Mile” which provides a “notion of home” away from home to Turkish immigrants specifically as it relates to their food culture. My photographs were taken on the Ignaz-Harrer Strasse, the main artery of this populous and diversified district in Salzburg where tourists seldom venture. The culmination of the course was an Open House exhibit at the Fortress. Hundreds of photographs from 17 participants were exhibited showing a variety of approaches to the “notion of home.” The exhibition space was buzzing with the reactions of family, friends, and the public. I’m indebted to my teacher for introducing me to the concept of artistic photography, and to my husband for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone.

PROFILE

A F L A S H O F I N S P I R AT I O N : I D A V I C K E R S

6 Click. Flash. Click. Flash. These are the sounds of Ida Vickers, photographer, at work. And they are also the sounds of Ida Vickers, the human, when inspired.

I think my life has been a series of 'Aha' moments,"Ida

explains, poised on a velvety red couch in her home/studio located near trendy Neubaugasse. “At 17, when I had my first camera, I knew I wanted to be a photographer. I just didn’t know how I was going to get there.” Ida continued working on her degree in Sinology. For six months she studied at a school in Hangzhou (near Shanghai), and immersed herself in Mandarin language, culture and history. There she was also exposed to an international community of students and teachers. “I returned home to ‘quiet’ Munich and really missed my expat life. I joined Internations [an organization of expats in 420 countries], and I looked for opportunities to hang out with international people. I knew I didn’t want to stay in Germany for the rest of my life.” Click. Flash. Aha! Ida started modeling informally for photographers, an experience that became instrumental in developing her future photographic philosophy and vision. “I was modeling lingerie but was feeling very insecure about my body. When the photographer showed me the photos, I was shocked. Did he photoshop away my belly? No, that was the way I actually looked to someone on the outside. Seeing those photos really helped me with my self-esteem!” Click. Flash. Aha! That’s when Ida knew that she would focus on natural portrait photography, with an aim to boosting the confidence of her subjects through the process. She began by taking photos of her friends, but only as a hobby. That is, until one modeling connection led her to a certain British expat art photographer based in Vienna: Colin Vickers. A print from that first shared session adorns her kitchen wall. And like that print, the relationship endured beyond the photo shoot. She moved to Vienna and later married Colin. Their shared studio is the cavernous, parquetfloored front room of their apartment, furnished

BY VIRGINIA SHERIDAN

with the velvet couch, lighting equipment, a computer center (“Professional photography is 10% taking photos, 90% processing the photos,” Ida says of the computers.) The living quarters are just a few steps away. “I have a very short commute to work,” Ida jokes. Life-sized photo portraits on the studio wall show off Ida’s newest and perhaps most passionate project: 50 over 50. “When you look at advertising and media, it’s like women become invisible after age 30, and even those women are portrayed in such a ‘cookie cutter’ way.” Inspired by a book on a similar theme, Ida’s goal is to showcase inner beauty and to capture her subjects in ‘being genuine.’ Click. Flash. Aha! “The first 10-20 minutes of a photo shoot, regardless of the subject’s age, is very stiff. It takes time for them to relax, to trust me, for me to get to know them. But there’s always a moment when their guard crumbles, when you see someone just allowing themselves to be there. It’s cool to see, cool for them to see it.” Several AWA members have already joined the project, and Ida offers participants a free print in exchange for consent to use the photo for a future project – perhaps a book or an exhibition. The cost of the basic photo shoot – which includes hair, makeup and wardrobe for up to two people, is about 250€. Can Ida offer any professional advice for amateur photographers? “Don’t keep everything in digital form. Make prints, make books. We are the most photographed generation in history, but in 50 years there will be no photos of us because the technology will have changed or we will have accidentally deleted them. It shouldn’t require electricity to view photos of your loved ones! I cherish a print photograph I still have of my grandmother from the 1920s". Click. Flash. Aha! said the writer, inspired. Ida Vickers has been an AWA member for 7 years and

organizes monthly Museum Nights. For more information on Ida’s work, see http://www.idavickers.com

T H E WA R O N WA S T E B E G I N S BY MARY WAGENER

“Single use” plastic bags are to be phased out by 2020! This announcement by Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP), the Minister for the Environment (Umweltministerin) was one of the final actions taken by Austria in the last weeks of its EU presidency. With that decision, Austria became the third European Union country (after France and Italy) to legislate against plastic waste. According to Köstinger’s ministry, the

food industry alone is responsible for 400 million plastic bags each year resulting in 5,000 to 7,000 tons of plastic waste. By contrast, cloth bags can be recycled and paper bags can be composted.

The "Plastiksackerl-Verbot" (ban on plastic bags) is intended to demonstrate that Austria is committed to reducing waste altogether and excess plastic in particular. Although it’s true

that the European Union (EU) has begun to address waste reduction by suggesting a ban on plastic cutlery, straws and cups, obtaining a precise agreement among all 28 (27 after Brexit) EU members will likely take more time. Meanwhile, Austria wants to move faster on these initiatives and to demonstrate its domestic commitment to a clean environment. This suggests that the nation wants to present itself as an environmental policy leader, one that enacts laws to preserve its natural beauty. (As a bonus, it could enhance Austria’s appeal to international tourists interested in visiting a forward-thinking country with an unblemished countryside. This seems to have worked well for Scandinavian countries.) As with any regulation, the devil is in the details. These began to be hashed out, or at least thrashed out, in January at a summit composed of government officials (including Chancellor Sebastian Kurz), environmental activists, plastic specialists and large chain store representatives.

CULTURE

In addition to the phasing out of plastic bags, plastic packaging must be reduced by at least 25%. Microplastics in perfumes and cleaning products will also be prohibited. Austrian regulators do foresee plastic packaging to remain necessary for certain sanitary items. Nonetheless, pharmacies will not be exempt from the ban on plastic bags. Nor will hot dog and kebab stands or bakeries.

Of course, cynics will point out that, as a small country, Austria’s efforts to decrease plastic packaging will only be one clean drop in an ocean of global pollution. Nevertheless, it is a signal to fellow Europeans and to international visitors. visitors. And for a greater impact on the wider world, know-how based on the excellent Austrian system Elisabeth Köstinger (ÖVP) of recycling and waste control could be exported with pilot projects to Asian countries, which produce 80 percent of plastic waste. The packaging industry is already on the defensive, noting that when it comes to finding ecological solutions, the elimination of plastic is only one factor. The industry is committed to developing recyclable products, which are both lighter and less expensive. The main goal for the industry, however, is to prevent spoilage –– if possible with packaging that passes as sustainable. Compromises are yet to be agreed upon, but most believe that eliminating single-use plastic bags is a good start. The war on waste has begun.

FOOD

ALL ROADS LEAD TO DUMPLINGS

8 If the road to Hell is paved with good intentions,

BY SUZANNE ORRELL

then I hope the road to Heaven is paved with dumplings. My dumpling obsession

began with matzo ball soup that was served at every Passover and Hanukkah dinner when I was growing up. In its simplest form, a dumpling is a mass of dough cooked by steaming or boiling. In its most complex form, it’s a meator vegetable-filled pasta or dough packet constituting a meal unto itself.

Take for instance the humble matzo ball. Made from combining matzo meal (literally finely ground matzot) with rendered chicken fat and an egg, matzo balls are cooked in salted water and then ladled into hot chicken broth. Griessnockerl, a first cousin to the matzo ball, is made from semolina flour, butter and an egg and then cooked in the same manner as a matzo ball. On cold winter nights, or at holiday tables surrounded by family, there is nothing more satisfying than a lighter-than-air dumpling swimming in a bowl of steaming broth. These are simple dumplings done right. But it seems every culture has its own version of a dumpling. When I think about it, maybe the the Silk Road is metaphorically paved in dumplings and all I have to do is follow it to indulge my dumpling obsession. I’d begin in China with its dozen or so varieties of dumplings. Then I’d take a branch road into Tibet for Momo and into India

GRIESSKNOCKERL* Recipe serves 4

for Samosas. Once back along the main route, I’d head straight for Tashkent and a steaming bowl of Chuchvara. Georgia would be my next stop for the mighty Khinkali, a soup dumpling meant to be slurped after a generous amount of pepper is sprinkled on top. Manti in Turkey would be next. These little gems are coated in a tangy yogurt sauce topped with a sprinkle of zesty sumac. Then I’d make my way into Greece for sweet honey-drenched Loukoumades. Finally I'd end my journey in Rome. All roads lead to Rome so they say, and the Silk Road is no exception. I’d feast on Ravioli in all its forms to mark the completion of my journey. But what about all the Pierogi in Poland, Pelmeni in Russia and Vareniki in Ukraine? Those dumplings are for another day and another journey.

In another pot heat beef stock to desired 50 g unsalted butter, at room temperature serving temperature. Using a slotted spoon, 2 large eggs, at room temperature carefully place 4-5 dumplings in a soup bowl. 150 g coarse semolina Ladle hot beef consommé into bowl and serve. 1/2 tsp salt *Adapted from “The Viennese Kitchen, Tante Hertha’s Book 2 Tbsps water of Family Recipes. 2 liters high quality beef consommé Put the butter in a bowl and using an electric mixer, beat until butter is well creamed. Add one egg at a time beating well after each addition. Continue to beat until the butter and egg mixture is light and fluffy. Add the semolina, salt and water. Mix by hand until all ingredients are well combined. Let batter rest for 1 hour. In a large pot, bring a generous amount of salt water to a boil. Take a teaspoon of the batter and use a second teaspoon to cup the batter helping to create an oval shape. Work quickly and drop dumplings into the boiling water. Once all the batter has been made into dumplings reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the dumplings for 8-10 minutes. Then remove the pot from the heat and let the dumplings rest in the water for another 5 minutes.

V E N U S S : H E AV E N O N H E R R E N G A S S E BY VIRGINIA SHERIDAN

As much as I do appreciate the non-hovering type of waiter, sometimes I actually do need to eat and pay the check quickly. "What you need is Venuss," said Irene S. How could the goddess of

love grant me more efficient eating options? She scribbled down an address and

assured me that I would indeed fall in love… with a heavenly little bistro on Herrengasse. The service at Venuss is as fast as it takes you to choose your selections and carry them to your table. Yet you are free to stay as long as you want. The check? You have it with you from moment one, as all your purchases are digitally stored on a card and you pay the cashier whenever you choose to leave. No hunting for missing-in-action waiters!

FOOD

salad, red wine and cinnamon-scented shallots... I couldn't choose so I opted for the sample of six for 7,50€. The hot bar stocks soups (organic lentils stewed in veltliner wine) and hearty, meatless, animal-product-free fare (like the Viennese potato "goulash"). Yes, this is an all-Vegan bistro (of course - it was an Irene suggestion!) But in a blindfold taste test, you might not figure that out, given the nuanced tastes and textures the talented chefs coax from their plant-based ingredients. Even the egg-free chocolate cookies were divine!

So much to love about Venuss. The atmosphere is cheery and fresh. The interior is bright and natural, with a variety of table choices including a cosy area in the back perfect for date night and streetfacing bar seats – perfect for people-watching or Although the food is presented cafeteria-style, it’s solo dining. Even the toilets are a “happy” space not self-serve (indeed, the smiling staffers patiently - enhanced with plants and a soundtrack of bird answer all questions – in German and English – as chirps. And the bistro is entirely smoke-free! Just they artfully plate the food for you). It’s far from prior to closing, they offer a "happy hour" discount fast-food bland or standard. There’s a cold bar (on the food, not the alcohol). A perfect place to with about 10 different fresh and creative salads escape the bustle of the tourist district. that change daily, all sourced from local producers Venuss, Herrengasse 6-8, 1010 with seasonal ingredients. Mushroom and beet tartar, pumpkin/thyme/rosemary and orange zest

Clothes of Loden and traditional Austrian style The family-run business pays highest attention to customer service and specialized knowledge Michaelerplatz 6, A-1010 Wien Tel.: +43-(0)1-533 80 32 Fax.: +43-(0)1-535 49 20 office@loden-plankl.at www.loden-plankl.at

ACTIVITIES

SOCIAL

CLUBHOUSE ACTIVITIES

Languages ENGLISH CONVERSATION FOR LEARNERS Thursdays at 13:00 with Lizzie Haszczyn FLUENT FRENCH CONVERSATION Weekly , Wednesdays at 11:30 with Françoise Delannoy or Antonia Zane

FALUN GONG Weekly, Wednesdays, 14:00 - 15:00 and 18:00 - 19:00 Nayiri Asvazadurian/ 0650 610 4545 / n.asvazadurian@gmail.com

Hobbies AMERICAN MAHJONG Weekly, Tuesdays at 13:00 CANASTA/ Weekly Wednesdays at 13:00 BOARD GAMES Weekly, Thursdays at 10:00 Words, Scrabble and numbers for fun. Lee Goodell / 0650 548 9596 / leegoodellusa@yahoo.com

GERMAN FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS Tuesdays at 10:30 by arrangement only with Monika Sautner, minimum two members ADVANCED BEGINNER GERMAN CONVERSATION Weekly, Tuesdays at 10:30 with Mona mona.angel.nilsson@gmail.com GERMAN CONVERSATION A1+ Weekly, Tuesdays at 12:00 01 876 2041/ andrea.s.melchiorre@t-online.de ITALIAN CONVERSATION Monthly, Mondays, 4 and 25 March at 13:30 Nadia Di Paola / 0678 1252229 FLUENT SPANISH CONVERSATION Mondays 18 abd 25 March at 12:30 Teresa Benet / ftmirella@yahoo.com BEGINNERS’ SPANISH CONVERSATION By arrangement only /minimum two members ftmirella@yahoo.com

Health/Exercise YOGA WITH IVY Weekly, Thursdays at 15:00 -16:00, except 21 March Maximum of six members with Yoga mats. awa@awavienna.com

Other BIBLE STUDY Weekly, Thursdays 10:00 - 12:00 With Sandy Shaffer: “Genesis for Today” from a study guide by a man who completed his doctorate at University of Vienna in the 90s. 02243 287 01 / sshaffer@entrust4.org AWA BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Weekly, Mondays from 15:00 until 16:30 with Stephanie Barrett OFFSITE ACTIVITIES

Languages FLUENT GERMAN CONVERSATION Weekly, Wednesdays, after Weekly Cafe Sluka Coffee. During lunch in different local restaurants.

Other BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP Monthly, Tuesday, TBA March at 13:00 This month, we will discuss Irish writer Mike McCormack’s novel Solar Bones. The story is narrated by Marcus Conway, a civil engineer married to a teacher in County Mayo on Ireland’s scenic west coast. It is All Souls’ Day in early November when he sits at the family’s kitchen table and recalls in loving detail the unremarkable aspects of his daily life in the family and on the job. The result is a fascinating picture of days in one man’s life. For our April meeting, date TBA, we will read Nobel Prize Winner VS Naipaul’s A Bend in the River. All are welcome! Mary Wagener / mary.l.wagener@gmail.com SINGING GROUP Weekly, Fridays, beginning 1 March, 10:30-12:00 Sing with the AWA choir, led and accompanied by Sandra Schweighofer on her piano! Lidice Pollan/ lidice.pollan@gmail.com/ 0699 1924 7478

ACTIVITIES Health & Sport SOCIAL TENNIS Weekly, Thursday mornings, time by arrangement. Reservation required to guarantee the time and court. WALKS AROUND THE RING Tuesday Walk Weekly, Tuesdays at 10:00 Meet in front of the main entrance to the Staatsoper. Leader: Jacqueline Finniss

SOCIAL

Places, Lectures, Gatherings:

Justizpalast/ Supreme Court Schmerlingplatz 10-11, 1010 Wednesday, 20 March, 14:00

Sunday Fitness Walk Weekly, Sundays at 11:00 Meet at 10:55 in front of the main entrance to the Staatsoper. We walk in the direction of the Bristol Hotel. Leader: Minoo Cassens

Note: Please be on time as we will be taken past the security check as a group!!

Weekly Coffee WEEKLY COFFEE AT CAFE SLUKA Weekly, Wednesdays, 10:00 - 12:00 Café Sluka, Weihburggasse 4, 1010 Weekly Coffee Chair: Gerda Moes, 0676 387 2450 Other hosts: Urte Paulus, 0676 6765829 /Hyacinth Krippner, 0650 554 7156 /Lini Stangl, 0664 179 7031/ Helena Schasché, 0676 331 8626 /Heike Little, 01 789 0199 MAWA (Men of AWA) COFFEE Weekly, Wednesdays 10:30 - 12:00, Robert Blaukopf/ robert.blaukopf@gmail.com

Competent, friendly staff will welcome you to our office. We strive for excellence in everything we do, and as a patient you should accept nothing less. Our primary goal is to give you both a great smile and a healthy, long-lasting bite. We are committed to providing the best possible treatment using state-of-the art orthodontics in a caring, friendly environment. Billrothstrasse 58 1190 - Vienna +43 1 36 77 222 smile@claudia-aichinger.com www.claudia-aichinger.com

Senatspräsident Dr. Michael Schwab, one of the judges presiding over a panel, will be our guide through the historic building which still houses the Supreme Court. Dr. Schwab will treat us to an “infotainment” (his own words) explaining the importance of this impressive court house, the legal system in Austria and the function of the Supreme Court. After the meeting we are invited to Coffee in the Great Hall by the Supreme Court. Commissioned by Emperor Franz Josef I in 1873, this neo-classical building houses the Supreme Court and the appellate (appeal) court. He formed the institution after the revolution of 1848 to ensure justice in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the tumultuous years after WW1, an organised riot set the Palace on fire and irreplaceable documents along with the law library and the cadastral (land ownership) register of Vienna were lost. After reconstruction, the roof and glass dome of the Aula were damaged by WW2 bombing. After a second refurbishment, the Palace was finally reopened by the President Fischer in 2008. Sign up: by Tuesday, 19 March awa@ awavienna.com Leader: Helene Gressenbauer helene@gressenbauer.org, 0664 920 9807 Friends and partners welcomed!

MARCH CALENDAR

Monday

Tuesday

04 13:30 13:30 15:00 15:00 17:00

Beginners’ Spanish Conversation** Italian Conversation Baby & Toddler Group Charity Committee Mtg Happy Hour @ Marriott

FRIDAY, 1 MARCH

Wednesday

05 10:00 10:30 10:30 12:00 13:00 15:00

Tuesday Walk around the Ring German for Absolute Beginners Adv Beginner German Conversation German A1+ Conversation American Mahjong Fashion and Design:Stylist Tips

06 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 18:00

Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka MAWA Coffee French Conversation Fluent German Conversation Canasta Falun Gong Falun Gong

10:30 Spanish Culinary Experience

11 13:30 Beginners’ Spanish Conversation** 15:00 Baby & Toddler Group

12 10:00 10:30 10:30 12:00 12:30 13:00

18 12:30 13:30 15:00 18:00

Fluent Spanish Beginners’ Spanish Conversation** Baby & Toddler Group Prosecco and Popcorn Film Night: Goodbye Christopher Robin

19 10:00 10:30 10:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 16:30 17:00

25 12:30 Fluent Spanish 13:30 Beginners’ Spanish Conversation** 13:30 Italian Conversation 15:00 Baby & Toddler Group 15:00 Seniors’ Afternoon Tea Party 19:00 Paint & Wine Evening

Orf Radio Funkhaus

Tuesday Walk around the Ring German for Absolute Beginners Adv Beginner German Conversation German A1+ Conversation Dining Around the World: Turkey American Mahjong

Tuesday Walk around the Ring German for Absolute Beginners Adv Beginner German Conversation German A1+ Conversation Dining Around the World: Turkey American Mahjong Green China Tea Tasting one leaf Cooking for the Homeless Bucket List Group

13 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 18:00

Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka MAWA Coffee French Conversation Fluent German Conversation Canasta Falun Gong Falun Gong

10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 14:00 18:00 18:00 19:00

Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka MAWA Coffee French Conversation Fluent German Conversation Canasta PLG: Justizpalais/Supreme Court Falun Gong Falun Gong MAWA Dinner Night Ladies’ Dining Experience: Moyoma

26 10:00 10:30 10:30 12:00 13:00 13:00

Tuesday Walk around the Ring German for Absolute Beginners Adv Beginner German Conversation German A1+ Conversation Tour: Altmann & Kuhne American Mahjong

27 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 18:00

Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka MAWA Coffee French Conversation Fluent German Conversation AWA Board Meeting Canasta Falun Gong Falun Gong

The in-house musicians perform propanda, bombed during the war and is now a listed historic property. for the public in their acoustic hall We started our tour at the FM4 throughout the year. studio where Chris, an Englishman, We toured several of the studios (we were our lovely guide's first was the DJ on duty. FM4 is a pop station, bilingual with an emphasis English-speaking group), one being the home of radio drama, for the 20+ on Austro-pop. (The audience is dramas recorded each year, with predominantly Austrian in the age range 16 to 40.) The facilities, state- three types of staircases for different of-the art when built in the 1930’s, footstep sounds, and other sound effects such as a flushing toilet!! were commandeered for Nazi

THIS AND THAT:

@ AWA Clubhouse @ Off-Site Location ** By arrangement only

See pages 10-11, 14-15 for event/activity specifics

Thursday

Board Games Bible Study English Conv for Learners Yoga with Ivy Ladies’ Wine Evening

08 10:30 Visit to Kitz Designer 10:30 Singing Group

SUNDAY 10 11:00 Sunday Fitness Walk around the Ring

14 10:00 Board Games 10:00 Bible Study 13:00 English Conv for Learners 15:00 Yoga with Ivy 17:00- New Member Welcome

15 10:30 Singing Group 17:00 Orchid Lecture w/ Prof Dr. Hannes

Board Games Bible Study English Conv for Learners Senior’s Luncheon: Rebhuhn Health & Wellness: Taijiquan

22 10:30 Singing Group 12:30 Monthly Luncheon: Ansari

SUNDAY 24 11:00 Sunday Fitness Walk around the Ring

28 10:00 10:00 13:00 13:00 15:00

Board Games Bible Study English Conv for Learners Red Vienna Tour Yoga with Ivy

The Uhrenmuseum of the Wien Museum, located on Schulhof behind the Kirche Am Hof (and opposite where Orson Welles hides in a doorway whilst on the run from the British military police in the Third Man film) is housed in an altbau building. Originally a bakery with low ceilings and a spiral staircase, when it was acquired by the city, the first thought was to tear it down to make the road wider! Thank goodness they didn’t. About 850 of the 7,000 clocks are on display, originally collected by a university professor with a love of math and astronomy. The timepieces ranged in complexity from very simple candle clocks to an enormous standing clock with 27 arms and a multitude of dials that marked not only time but also the movement of the planets and the rotation of the Earth’s axis.

SUNDAY 17 11:00 Sunday Fitness Walk around the Ring

21 10:00 10:00 13:00 13:00 15:00

BY SHEILA HARGREAVES

Friday

07 10:00 10:00 13:00 15:00 19:00

Of Clocks and Clergy

The largest item was the original time mechanism of the medieval Stephansdom, with a 20-kilo weight that took 8 hours to unwind down into the spire. Eventually the structure of the spire, with a clock face on each side, began to crack under the weight of the mechanism, so it was removed. Nowadays the Dom clock faces are on the front façade.

29 10:00 Bake Sale and AWA Vernissage 10:30 Singing Group

SUNDAY 31 11:00 Sunday Fitness Walk around the Ring

Charity Bake Sale The well-attended event raised over 300 €! Afterwards we presented a "cheque" to Wiener Frauenhaüser, and the Vice Director of our new charity, Die Möwe shared how they help abused children and their families. Thank you to all who baked the delicious goodies!

The clocks that caught my eye were the early mobile clocks (with a single hand because minutes and seconds weren’t yet so important); the astronomical clock with altar-shaped wings built by a priest; paintings with working clock faces as part of the scenery, one in particular showing the city wall near Schwedenplatz, with a river toilet in the foreground; a bar clock with a figure that drinks a tiny beer every 15 minutes; and a three-hour Hourglass, apparently used on pulpits to signal the priests to end their sermons - a product of the Reformation.

TOURS/TRIPS/SOCIAL EVENTS

EVENTS

14 Dining

& Drinking

AWA CULINARY EXPERIENCE: Spanish Style with Teresa Benet Friday, 1 March from 10:00 to 14:30 Teresa welcomes AWA members to watch and help her prepare Tapas and Paella. Cost is 12€. Bring an apron! Sign up: ASAP, awa@awavienna.com

SENIORS’ LUNCHEON: Rebhuhn Thursday, 21 March at 13:00 Berggasse 24, 1090 A traditional, unpretentious gasthaus serving Vienna favorites at moderate prices right across the street from the Freud museum. Sign up: with Phyllis Wieser directly 01 320 8418 / phylliswieser@aon.at

MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Ansari Cafe & Restaurant Friday, 22 March at 12.30 HAPPY HOUR COCKTAILS: Praterstrasse 15 - 1020 Wien Cascade Bar, Marriott Hotel This location is lovely and quirky and highly recommended Monday, 4 March, from 17:00 to 19:00 if you enjoy Georgian food with a modern twist. Varied and Parkring 12a, 1010 delicious menu! Fabulous conversation and relaxation hosted by Minoo and Sonja who have lived around the world and have many tips to Sign up: by Wednesday, 20 March share. Two-for-one drink prices and €5 all you can eat buffet awa@awavienna.com AWA contact is Nadia Di Paola / 0678 1252229 available. Bar is at the back of the lobby floor. Toast to life with us - and bring friends! Sign up: by Monday, 4 March noon awa@awavienna.com LADIES’ WINE EVENING: Dreiklang Restaurant Thursday, 7 March at 19:00 Wasagasse 28, 1090 It is spring, life is beginning anew, and we are also venturing out into a new meeting place. Welcome to Dreiklang, an organic restaurant with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal and mainly vegetarian meals and drinks. Let’s toast spring with some organic wines and Prosecco. Seating is limited to 15, so sign up quickly! Sign up: by Wednesday, 6 March awa@awavienna.com NEW!! DINING AROUND THE WORLD: Focus on Turkey at Kent Restaurant Tuesday, 12 March at 12:30 Märzstrasse 39,1150 (U3 or Tram 49) The Kent in the 15th Bezirk is the best Turkish restaurant in Vienna. Bahar Akin, a native of Turkey, will guide us through a sampling of authentic cuisine and share cultural insights. Sign up: by Thursday, 7 March MAWA (Men of AWA) DINNER NIGHTS Wednesday, 20 March, at 18:00 MAWA (Men of AWA) is the group for spouses of AWA members. New members are especially encouraged! Robert Blaukopf / robert.blaukopf@gmail.com LADIES’ DINING EXPERIENCE: Moyama Restaurant Wednesday, 20 March at 19:00 Börsegasse, 3 - 1010 Vienna Annick’s choice for March focuses on mainly Japanese cuisine (but also Korean and Thai). High quality at a moderate price. Sign up: with Annick directly by Friday, 15 March europolitan@chello.at Annick Gauthier / 0699 1968 8173

SENIORS´ AFTERNOON TEA PARTY: Grand Hotel Monday, 25 March at 15:30 Kärntner Ring 9, 1010 (1st floor) Lively Ladies meet to chat and exchange views. Sign up: by Friday, 22 March. verasaunders@gmx.net Vera Saunders/(01) 990 6492 evenings

At the Clubhouse FASHION AND DESIGN: Tips from a personal stylist Tuesday 5 March at 15:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 To look beautiful you don’t need to wear the latest trend or fashion. You need to wear clothes that complement your natural colors and body type. The mission of Laure, alias “Mademoiselle Fesch is to make shopping for clothes and getting dressed an easy, efficient and fun process! It's all about establishing a personalized style that's in line with each person’s look, lifestyle and budget. awa@awavienna.com PROSECCO & POPCORN MOVIE NIGHT: Goodbye to Christopher Robin Monday, 18 March at 18:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 For this month’s movie night, we’ll be watching Goodbye to Christopher Robin, starring Donhnall Gleason, Margot Robbie and Kelly Macdonald with Will Tilston as Christopher Robin. Sign up: by Thursday, 7 March before noon, awa@awavienna.com /AWA 01 9662925

TOURS/TRIPS/SOCIAL EVENTS BUCKET LIST! Tuesday, 19 March at 17:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 We live our dreams, that's what we do as the bucketlisters of AWA! Riding an elephant, swimming with a great white shark, finding a personal solution, helping children in need, improving special skills, eating a nice piece of Schwarzwälderkirschtorte as we did in our childhood… No goal is too small or too high. Join us once a month to create your own list, find and give support, and fulfill your dreams! Sign up: by Monday, 18 March awa@awavienna.com Urte Paulus HEALTH AND WELLNESS: Taijiquan Thursday, 21 March at 15:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Toni Zalud lived in China for a number of years and studied Taijiquan under one master in Wuxi and another in Shanghai. She currently studies under a Viennese master, who is highly regarded. She will demonstrate a few moves, explain the philosophy and promote Taijiquan as a health and wellness process. The moves are fun and easy to learn, can be performed individually as well as in groups, and is proven to increase health in myriad ways. Sign up: by Tuesday, 19 March awa@awavienna.com

Charity Events Orchid Lecture and Discussion Friday, 15 March from 17:00-18:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 by em.o.Univ. Prof Dr. Hannes Paulus Pollination is really important for both flowers and insects! No pollen, no new plants. No flowers, no nectar for food for insects. Some flowers have learnt to attract insects by deceiving them. For example, members of some Mediterranean Orchids imitate female insects to attract males. Includes Prosecco and, of course, Prosecco! Sign up: by Wednesday, 13 March awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804 Paint & Wine Evening Monday, 25 March from 18:00 to 21:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Get in touch with your creative side and Join us for a fun evening of painting and wine sipping! No artistic experience necessary as artist/art teacher Emma Lang will guide us step-by-step in painting a beautiful mirror frame. Participation cost of 25 € includes all necessary art supplies and a couple of glasses of wine to help the creativity flow. Read more about Emma on her blog blog.emmasartroom.at The masterpieces will be on display in the clubhouse for our second AWA Vienna Vernissage on Friday, 29 March at 10:00. All proceeds from the evening are for our charity, Die Möwe. Limited to 20 participants, so register early to secure a seat! Wear casual, paint-friendly clothes. Sign up: by Thursday, 21 March awa@awavienna.com

EVENTS

OUTREACH ACTIVITY: Cooking Dinner in a Homeless Shelter Tuesday, 19 March 16:30 - 20:00 hrs in 1030 Wien Volunteers prepare an evening meal for 55 homeless residents in an emergency shelter and clean up afterwards. Contribution for the ingredients/guide is €12 per volunteer. We also support the homeless guide with work and integration. Sign up: by Thursday, 14 March (spaces limited) awa@ awavienna.com Eva Schlögl/ 06991 9079888

Behind the Scenes

KITZ Designer Handbags and Custom Jewellery Friday, 8 March at 10:30 Weihburggasse 7, 1010 Frau Kitz has a talent for exclusive design that is famous in Viennese society. She will tell us about her creative process and production techniques, and of course show us her beautiful jewellery and bags as we sip a complimentary glass of Prosecco! Sign up: by Wednesday, 6 March awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804 Green China Tea Tasting and Culture one leaf Tea Lounge Tuesday, 19 March at 14:00 Fluchtgasse 2, 1090 At one leaf Tea Vienna offers the opportunity to brew, taste and savour their unique collections of carefully selected teas. With a light snack. Cost is €15 Sign up: by Thursday, 14 March awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804 Tour of Altmann & Kühne Tuesday, 26 March at 13:00 Negerlegasse 9, 1020 This wonderful chocolate firm makes all their products by hand. It is a small production area with a few workers creating small chocolates which are then packed into the most delightful boxes - so special that customers bring them back to be refilled. Sign up maximum of 16. Meet in the foyer. Sign up: by Thursday, 21 March awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804 Tour of the Red Vienna Museum Thursday, 28 March at 13:00 Waschsalon Karl-Marx-Hof, Halteraugasse 7, 1190 This small museum gives visitors an insight to the period when Vienna first became a socialist city. Karl-Marx-Hof was built with the aim of giving its residents space, fresh air, indoor toilets and showers. It had 1382 flats, occupying only 18% of the grounds. In 1934, it was the scene of a mini revolution. Cost of tour €10. Sign up: by Tuesday, 26 March awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804

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GO BEZIRK! MEMBER TIPS FOR

INTRO Who needs guided tours or guidebooks to tell us what to see in the various districts of Wien? We have a more reliable and insightful resource: our own AWA members!

Each month Go Bezirk will focus on one of Vienna’s 23 numbered neighborhoods, starting with the Innere Stadt, the historic heart of Vienna. (But then we’ll skip around to keep it

interesting.) Our resident experts will share where they eat, trinken Kaffe, and take their guests for the ultimate tour. Go Bezirk with us and explore more of Vienna!

OUR INNERE STADT 1010 EXPERTS

Margarita Rand: Loves the 1st for its “fantastic architecture, beautiful gardens and many cultural options.” A 9-year resident. Rosanna Romano: Has kept her postal code at 1010 for 18 years because it’s “everything you can wish for!” Nayiri Asvazadurian: A resident since 1987. Enjoys “the old, traditional coffeehouses Cafe Central, Cafe Havelka, Cafe Landtmann, Cafe Demel.” Irene Schlegelmilch: “It was always our dream to live bang in the city center, having always lived before in leafy suburbs.”12-years at her Stephansdom-view residence. Veronika Rutkowski: Loves Innere Stadt because, despite the changes, it is still a “small village” to her. She moved to the 1st with her parents in 1957. Rocelyn Kielnhofer: Moved into the 1010 two years ago and describes it as “full of life.”

FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS

Café Gerstner, Kärntner Str. 51 Cafe Korb, Brandstätte 7-9, “because it's an institution, full of character,” -Rosanna. Cafe Diglas, Wollzeile 10. “Best Apfelstrudel in town and generous cake portions!” -Irene Haas & Haas, Stephansplatz 4.“Perfect in the summer,” -Veronika Cafe Sluka, Kartnerstrasse 13-15. Meeting spot for weekly AWA coffee. The Guest House Bakery, Führichgasse 10.

FAVORITE LUNCH/BRUNCH SPOT

Le Bol, Neuer Markt 14.“Cosy, tasty, same waiters over years. A kind of casual elegance. I recommend the ‘Monsieur Seguin’ salad with goat cheese.” – Margarita Joma, Hoher Markt 10. "Lots of vegetarian choices!" -Rosanna Miznon, Schulerstrasse 4. “Good value, cheerful, quick and tasty Israeli food.” -Irene Elisar for Lebanese cuisine (Johannesgasse 27), Da Capo for pizza (Schulerstraße 18), Ouzeri Bistro Ellas for Greek food (Wollzeile 2), Grand Ferdinand Hotel for brunch (Schubertring 10-12), Beaulieu for French food and ambience (Ferstelpassage, Herrengasse 14) INSIDER TIPS

“Walk the connecting rode between Judenplatz and Tuchlauben and stop into Grimm Bakery. I love their chocolate muffins! -Margarita Rocelyn recommends: the Sisi Museum (Michaelerplatz, 1010), often overlooked as visitors rush through the Hofburg to the Museum Quarter. Particularly interesting are items highlighting the Empress’ rebellious nature and interest in sport. Also the Haus der Musik (Seilerstaette 30), an interactive sound museum on five floors where you can, among other things, compose your own walz via an interactive dice game. "At the inner courtyard at Weihburggasse 16, you find the Vermischte Warenhandlung. The shop itself is picturesque and has a nice selection of gifts, artificial flowers, tableware etc. The courtyard is beautifully green and has a lot of verandahs (Pawlatschen).” - Veronika Nayiri loves Hian Jewellery Workshop in Seilerstätte 22. Founded by siblings, the brother is the goldsmith and the sister is the graphic designer. Every item is handmade and incorporates recyclable “resourcesaving” metals. In their workshops, you can learn to make your own piece of jewelry in 2-3 hours. “Walk along the Wollzeile! It has lots of small, independent boutiques, cafes Diglas

I N N E R E S TA D T 1 0 1 0

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and Heiner, and a big Reformhaus (Staudigl, selling Vegan/Organic cosmetics and other products). And Stadtpark is at the other end - perfect for a break. I just wish it were pedestrianized!”- Irene

before. The church is suddenly alive. If you go at 16:00, you can walk around at leisure until they close the lattice for Mass at 17:00. - Veronika

“Hotels such as the Ritz Carlton, Bristol, Le Meridien, Palais Coburg, Ferdinand and Park Hyatt have great high tea buffets which I love so much!” - Rocelyn

*Tiefer Graben was once filled with water.

Merkur Hoher Markt is perfect for the weekly shop and for special treats. It’s the flagship store of the Merkur supermarket chain, open till 21:00 and there’s a great wine bar on the top floor.” - Irene “Visit the interior of Stephansdom when it’s getting dark. They installed a new lights system that is absolutely sensational and allows you to see statues, reliefs, sculptures everywhere, where there was only darkness

DID YOU KNOW...?

*UNESCO added Viennese coffee houses and balls to their Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The grand buildings of the 1010 account for the majority of the 400+ balls hosted each year. *Innere Stadt's Coat of Arms - white cross on a red background - dates back to 1270 and is also the coat of arms for the City and State of Vienna. *The Palais Coburg Gotha was owned by the Austrian Railways and used as an office building for many many years! This is really hard to imagine now that it’s the 5-star Hotel Palais Coburg Residence. There is the beautiful Basteigarten there, where you can have breakfast, small snacks until 6 p.m. and a small business lunch for 23 €

You want to showcase your neighborhood. Where would you take me for the “perfect” day? Margarita: Through Freyung and Kohlmarkt over to the Hofburg and around Ring past the Kunst Historisches Museum, Parliament and Rathaus and into the Volksgarten to see the roses. We would finish in Le Cru (Peterspl. 8) with a Glas of Moet and maybe visit an exhibition in the Albertina! Rosanna: We would start at Meindl am Graben. It's incredibly expensive, but it's such fun to have a look around this very stylish "supermarket." From there we would have coffee in the Aida cafe just around the corner, where the waitresses are all dressed in pink! We would then take a short walk through the Ferstel Passage, where the interior is just splendid! Finally a visit to the Kunst Forum (Freyung 8), a small art museum which often has excellent exhibitions.

Veronica: I would start at the hotel Marriott, show you the Palais Coburg from the street, walk through Weihburggasse, stop to have a short look at Franziskanerplatz, continue to Liliengasse and then walk through the courtyard of the Deutscher Orden, then cross through the house passages to Lugeck, Sonnenfelsgasse, Schönlaterngasse, Heiligenkreuzerhof, Basiliskenhaus, through Jesuitengasse, take a look into Jesuitenkirche and end at Luegerplatz. In April Go Bezirk will feature Alsergrund, the 9th District. Contact us if you reside there and wish to share your tips and recommendations!

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B R E AT H TA K I N G B O H E M I A : B Y H E L E N E A D VA N I

Walk through this land, this magical land, and your senses will be delighted by the variety of architecture from

different historical periods and artistic styles. You can start at the Romanesque rotunda on the memorial hilltop of Říp (where by legend the Czechs first settled), then continue through Baroque palaces, and finish off your trip at the functionalist villa of Tugendhat in the Brno city. Welcome to the Czech Republic, to the Kingdom of Bohemia! Architecture, Art and Music We have mysterious Gothic structures, like the Cathedral of St. Vitus at Prague Castle or the Cathedral of St. Barbara in the town of Kutná Hora. We have Renaissance palaces and one of the oldest Renaissance portals, built in 1492, at the chateau in the town of Moravská Třebová. For the beauty of the Renaissance, see the chateau in the town of Jindřichův Hradec. The Baroque Church of St. Nicholas in the Lesser Quarter in Prague is one of the most valuable Baroque structures in Europe. Not enough Baroque? Why not see the Loreta pilgrimage site in Prague, with its world-famous carillon or the Benedictine monastery in Broumov.

Czech artists have breathed life into our buildings and spaces. Alfons Mucha, a painter, illustrator and graphic artist who lived in Paris during the Art Nouveau period, was famous for his stylized theatrical posters of Sarah Bernhardt. He also created the monumental work The Slav Epic, a series of twenty canvases depicting the history the world’s Slavic peoples. Musically Czech claims that famous trio of 19thcentury composers Smetana-Dvořák-Janáček. During the Habsburg rule (Austro-Hungarian Monarchy) their music helped our capital city, Prague, become an important center for music and allowed Bohemia to have its own national style at last. Smetana, Dvořák and, a little later, Janáček were in the right place at the right time, and found three very different ways to inspire the “Czech rebirth” through music. Even today Czech performers like world-renowned violin virtuosos Jaroslav Svěcený, Pavel Šporcl bring classical music to a wider audience and younger generations. And let’s not forget the art of Bohemia Crystal, some of the world’s best, with a long tradition in our country. Legacy of Charles IV In the Capital City of Prague you can immerse yourself in the 14th century when Charles IV, reigned as King of Bohemia and also Holy Roman Emperor. Prague was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The name of this great King, a patron and founder of culture and arts, remains on many of our monuments and institutions: Charles University, Charles Bridge, Charles Square, etc. High Gothic Prague Castle and part of the Cathedral of Saint Vitus by Peter Parler were also built under his patronage. Today, Charles IV is still regarded as the father of our country. The legacy of Charles IV extends beyond the

CHARLES IV TO MILOS FORMAN capital to other towns worth visiting: for example, the historical spa town Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) on the west of Czech Republic near German border. At the site of a hot spring, Charles IV established a spa called the Horké Lázně u Lokte (Hot Spas at Loket) while on expedition during a stay in Loket (Romanesque castle near Karlovy Vary) in 1350. The location was subsequently given the German name "Carlsbad" in honor of the emperor, who extolled the healing powers of the hot springs (according to legend). Karlovy Vary is a town of remarkable beauty and every July hosts The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, one of the world’s oldest film festivals (and currently an important film event in Central and Eastern Europe). Or you can travel to the opposite side of the Czech Republic to Olomouc, a University city with a UNESCO World Heritage Center located on the Morava River. An ecclesiastical metropolis and the historical capital city of Moravia, today Olomouc is the sixth largest city in the Czech Republic. Because of its crossroads location, it became the largest trade centre in Moravia and acquired various royal privileges in the reign of Charles IV. Nature

Leave the cities behind and journey into beautiful southern Bohemia to draw from the power of nature. Located

near the German and Austrian border, it is a region of countless fishponds, pine forests and extensive peat bogs. For typical examples of this scenery, visit the areas near České Budějovice, Třeboň and Veselí nad Lužnicí. However, South Bohemia also includes the rugged mountain landscape of the majestic Šumava Mountains, Novohradské Mountains and Blanský les. Countless beautiful places are also found in the area east of city Jindřichův Hradec. Thanks to the little-disturbed wild country, abundant freestanding granite blocks and tall hills, the area is rightfully dubbed the “Bohemian Canada.” History

Not every period was as harmonious for Bohemia as that of Charles IV, and two struggles for independence really tell this subsequent story. The first was the conversion from the AustroHungarian monarchy into the federal state Czechoslovakia (1918) by its first president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (“President Liberator”)

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with the help of Allied forces at the end of World War I. He is regarded in a way as the father of his country much like George Washington is for the United States. Under Masaryk’s watch, Czechoslovakia became the strongest democracy in central Europe. The second struggle for freedom was from communist rule, which lasted for 40 long years (1948-1989). “The Velvet Revolution” against the Communist regime in 1989 was led by “the Velvet President” Václav Havel. Havel was a former dissident and also well-known writer. In his works such as The Garden Party and the Memorandum, Havel used an absurdist style to criticize communism. Czech-born Personalities During the communist era, many interesting personalities emigrated, unfortunately, from the former Czechoslovakia, for example: Milan Kundera, the award-winning author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being; Madeleine Albright, a US Ambassador to the United Nations, and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1997-2001); Jan Tomáš “Miloš” Forman, a film director, screenwriter, actor, professor best known for his works One Flew Over the Cuckoo´s Nest (1975) and Amadeus (1984), which both earned him Best Director Academy Awards. Perhaps Forman´s story best captures the success and tragedy of our country’s complicated late history. His parents died in a concentration camp, and his family property was confiscated by the Communists. He was thus rooted in an expression of defiance (seen in his works of dark humor) and the strong desire for freedom seen in his work in the Czech Republic and abroad when he emigrated after the Russian invasion. When Forman died last year, he was remembered by the Hollywood stars and his former colleagues as a great film director, who also had an ability to preserve an irrefutable belief that the human spirit can prevail over oppression. Since 1989, the Czech Republic has been operating in a democracy. It is not a big country, nor does it have access to the sea or giant mountains, but here you can find treasures on a smaller scale. The Czechs have Forman's and Havel´s sense of black and absurdist humor. I hope that their desire for freedom will live on.

AD FEATURE

HELPING HANDS BUILD HOUSES

20 As I write this from my laptop in a well-lit,

heated apartment in downtown Vienna, I think about Eduardo, a 15-year-old boy who was struggling to complete his homework before sunset because his family’s house lacked electricity. I met him this past November in a small village just outside of Braga, Portugal while on a trip with the Habitat for Humanity club at my school, the American International School (AIS). There I was able to see these challenging conditions first-hand, and to help Eduardo and his family build a new, well-lit home. The trip in part fulfilled requirements of AIS’ International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) program, to encourage personal and intrapersonal development and build world citizens via realworld experience. IB students are required to complete CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) hours, so the volunteer opportunities at AIS are abundant, including visits to refugee and elderly homes, fundraising for various organizations, and children’s relief trips. I chose the Habitat to Humanity trip to Portugal not only because it provided a needed service, but also because it required me to help build an actual home, an entirely new experience for me. Habitat for Humanity is a global, non-profit housing organization that works to connect families in unacceptable living condition with a large network of volunteers. Habitat for Humanity’s efforts have helped over 1 million families in more than 25 countries since 2015. Zena Khartabil, a new AIS 11th grader who attended the Habitat trip, said she was surprised by the easy access to volunteer opportunities abroad. “I would’ve never dreamed of volunteering abroad while at my old school [in Canada],” she describes, “I felt so fulfilled, like I actually made a difference. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

BY DELANEY SHERIDAN

Our Habitat for Humanity club trip focused on renovating a pre-existing house that had fallen into disrepair. We applied plaster over brick and cement walls that would eventually shelter one particular family, who worked along with us. Dressed in hardhats and work clothes, we spent six hours a day at our task. One memory that is particularly “cemented” in my mind happened at the end of one workday, after I finished plastering a wall with Eduardo’s sister, Sofia. In a moment of

celebration and relief, we gave each other a big “high-five” with plastercaked hands, sending and explosion of stucco all over our overalls. The AIS

Habitat team is forever bonded to the family through blood, sweat and plaster, and continues to fundraise for Eduardo and his family. You can contribute to this cause via our Go Fund Me link:

https://www.gofundme.com/habitatforhumanityaisv

If you are out of high school, don’t fret! There are many local volunteer opportunities for people of all ages, many with the AWA. This past December I worked with the AWA in cooperation with Österreichischer Tafel Sammeltag, where I collected food donations at a small Lidl grocery store. Although I had never been involved with the AWA before, the women working on shift with me were very kind and welcoming. Not only did I get to help out the local community, but I was also able to practice my developing German skills. I have learned that any amount of volunteering makes a difference. It takes a lot of individuals to build a house, a lot of hands to collect food, but in the end people are housed and fed. I am looking forward to more volunteering opportunities, even beyond my school requirements. AIS is a frequent advertiser in Highlights. For more information on volunteering opportunities via AWA, contact Irene, awavpfundraising@gmail.com Below:The author, top row, third from left, with AIS Habitat for Humanity club members.

ADS

Interested in building your resume, meeting high profile people, promoting AWA in the expat and local community? Apply to be AWA's PR/Community Liaison volunteer! Requires strong people skills, enthusiasm, a willingness to travel to consulates and community events. Several hours per week of work. Contact the AWA office.

Sunday Service: 11:15 Rev. Matthew A. Laferty Sechshauser StraĂ&#x;e 56, 1150 Vienna tel: +43 1 895 8175 office@esumc.at I www.esumc. at U4/U6 LĂ¤ngenfeldgasse or 57A Grimmgasse A friendly, caring community with many different nations, cultures, and traditions. Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors We offer: - a place for worship, study, growth - an opportunity to find your own ministry - a chance to feel at home - toddler care - a wonderful and fun Sunday School - five choirs and special music - active groups for families, men, women, young adults, prayer and others

The English-Speaking United Methodist Church of Vienna

DW L IC NO E A W A B O A RHDE/AFA

REPORTS

JANUARY BOARD REPORT Board Members: We welcomed Virginia Sheridan to the AWA Board as Editor and Layout Designer, Her expertise and experience in journalism will already be noticeable in the February Highlights. The positions of Public Relations Chair and Community Relations Chair are still vacant. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to fill these positions! Treasurerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Report: Jillanne Gabler reported that, for the first time in many years, the budget at the end of

2018 was balanced with a small surplus. This is largely owing to the generosity of members who have donated during the year. Thank you! Highlights Advertising: Highlights is always on the lookout for new advertisers. Members who know of interested businesses should contact the office or Nadia Di Paola (see below) for details. Membership Report: 86 new members joined AWA last year, a new record!

2019 AWA BOARD Honorary President: Alexa Traina President: Sheila Hargreaves Vice President/Programs: Helene Gressenbauer-RĂśsner Charity Fundraising: Irene Schlegelmilch Treasurer: Jillanne Gabler Secretary: Susan Cole Weekly Coffee: Gerda Moes Internal Communications: Urte Paulus Membership: Sara Webmanager/FAWCO Rep: Beverly Bachmayer Highlights Advertising: Nadia Di Paola Highlights Editor/Layout: Virginia Sheridan

0676 755 9804/ sheilahargreaves@a1.net 0664 920 9807/ helene@gressenbauer.org 0660 6404410/ awavpfundraising@gmail.com 01 966 2925/ awa.vienna@treasurer@gmail.com 01 966 2925/ awaawavienna.com 0676 387 2450/ gerdamz@gmail.com 0676 676 5829/ Urte.paulus@gmx.at 01 966 2925/AWAViennaMembership@gmail.com 01 966 2925/ awa@awavienna.com 0678 1252229/ awahighlightsads@gmail.com awahighlights@gmail.com

FAWCO NEWS US VOTER REGISTRATION Register every year! Why? Even though you may have registered the previous year, your name may have been purged from the voter rolls. Instances of voter suppression (including purges of the voter rolls) have been reported in about half of the states. So to preserve your right to vote, FAWCO recommends that US Citizens living Overseas register every January, whether an election is scheduled or not. Registering to vote is easy! If you have not yet registered, now is the time. Simply go to the website of one of our partners, listed below, to register or to renew your registration. And then spread the word to your family and friends. https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/home. htm https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter/registration-ballots FAWCO CONFERENCE March 21-24, 2019, in Edinburgh. Contact Bev or Laurie via the AWA email to find out more about these events and to register! Or check out www.fawco.org. Go to the website to sign up for your free account. WIN THE FRIENDSHIP QUILT! This gorgeous books quilt will be raffled off at the Edinburgh FAWCO Conference (see above). Tickets

can be purchased without attending the conference at www.fawcofoundation.org WHAT IS FAWCO? FAWCO is an international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations in 31 countries worldwide. Founded in 1937, this global NGO seeks to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide, especially in the areas of human rights, health, education and the environment, among other goals. For more information, see the following link: https://www.fawco.org Note: Since AWA is a member of FAWCO, all AWA members are automatically qualified for FAWCO membership and programs regardless of citizenship.

MAKE THE MOST OF VIENNA

INFO

C O M P I L E D B Y B E V E R LY B A C H M E Y E R

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, TOTEM Neu Marx Saturday,9 March to Sunday, 7 April TOTEM follows the development of MAN as the amphibian crawling from the sea until the dream of flying. The characters mimic the giant Tortoise, which represents ancient civilization www.wien-ticket.at

KOLOMAN MOSER: Universal Artist Between Gustav Klimt and Josef Hoffmann MAK, Stubenring 5, 1010 until Monday, 22 April Koloman is considered one of the most important and influential artists of Viennese Art Nouveau. This is the first time that many of the 500 or so exhibits, largely taken from the MAK Collection, have been made accessible to the public. www.mak.at

VIENNA BLUES SPRING Wednesday, 20 March to Tuesday, 30 April Hundreds of Blues musicians (regional and international) performing all variations of the genre at various Vienna venues (but mostly Der Reigen, a bar/restaurant/music venue dating back to 1950s). Almost daily in what is billed the longest Blues Festival - sure to put an end to the Winter blahs! www.viennabluesspring.org

SPITZMAUS MUMMY IN A COFFIN AND OTHER TREASURES: Wes Anderson & Juman Malouf Kunsthistorisches Museum until Sunday 28 April www.khm.at Since 2012, the KHM has asked significant figures to create exhibtions after choosing items from some of the 4 million treasures in the collections.This trove has been assembled by Wes Anderson, an American filmmaker and Juman Malouf, a film set designer and author. The exhibition was designed by Jasper Sharp, the KHM Modern Art expert (who was also a friend of Lucian Freud).

RUBENS TO MAKART-LIECHTENSTEIN: The Princely Collections Albertina Museum Saturday, 16 February to Wednesday, 10 June Celebrating 300 years of the House of Liechtenstein, this collection, including acquisitions from the past 15 years, has never before been shown in Vienna. www.albertina.at

City of Women: Female Artists in Vienna 1900-1938

Unteres Belvedere 25 January to 19 May http://www.belvedere.at/ Vienna was an intellectual powerhouse in the early 20th Century and two male artists, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, were feted. But the contribution of 60 women artists in the years 1900-1938 has been long-neglected, and some of their works were hidden away in attics. It was difficult for female artists to break through, even before the Nazis condemned modernism as "degenerate". Vienna's Academy of Fine Arts did not open its doors to women students until 1920. Frustrated by male prejudice, a group of women founded the Austrian Association of Women Artists in 1910, which included: Broncia Koller-Pinell, a major contributor to Viennese modernism, whose reputation was forgotten with Nazi Germany's ascendancy. Teresa Feodorowna Ries, who fled Austria in 1942 when Nazi storm troopers ransacked her studio forcing her to leave all her works in Switzerland. Elena Luksch-Makowsky, known for the seemingly innocent self-portrait with her little boy that became controversial as women at that time were expected to concentrate on raising their children.

MORE VIENNA EVENTS For the full programme of Vienna events: https://www.wien.info/en/music-stage-shows/overview Events website in English: https://www.viennawurstelstand.com/ Helene Funke, from eastern Germany, whose work was exhibited in France alongside works by Matisse, Braque and Vlaminck. She lived as a recluse during the war in Vienna. Friedl Dicker, a Jewish artist who expressed her horror at Nazi abuses in several of her paintings, was deported to Theresienstadt concentration camp in 1942 (where she managed to teach art to the camp children), and was later murdered in Auschwitz. lse Twardowski-Conrat, a Jewish sculptor persecuted by the Nazis in Vienna who destroyed her biggest works and committed suicide in 1942, after she was ordered to report to the Jewish community with her possessions. Emilie Mediz-Pelikan, a painter admired for her use of intense colours and detailed brushwork. Her main theme was the power of nature, and her work often featured mountains and Mediterranean scenes.

AWA VIENNA OFFICE & CLUBHOUSE: Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Wien T: (01) 966 29 25 E-mail: awa@awavienna.com www.awavienna.com

OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Thursday, 10:00-16:00 Friday closed OFFICE MANAGERS: Ivy Melchor & Erin Silangil

Ã&#x2013;STERREICHISCHE POST AG INFO. MAIL ENTGELT BEZAHLT