Austrian Cultural Forum Washington

01/04/2023

Check out this exhibition from the Stadtgalerie Lehen in Salzburg by contemporary artist Carl Prokop called “Traces and Remains.” It is taking place until January 28, 2023.

Prokop is from Klagenfurt, Carinthia in Austria, and studied architecture before studying art in Vienna and in New York. He has concentrated on art as part of public spaces in the past years and has exhibited works in Austria, the USA and Italy, among other countries.



Image © E.P. Prokop

Link: https://www.stadt-salzburg.at/termine/stadtgalerie-lehen/ausstellungen-stadtgalerie-lehen-2022/traces-and-remains/

01/02/2023

Please join the German International School on Thursday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. for their "Wunderbar Together" gala concert (followed by a reception) to benefit the German International School Washington, D.C.

Enjoy a wonderful evening of music and celebration with family and friends featuring our GISW students and Broadway and opera professionals from the New York Opera Society.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the school's 60th Legacy Campaign (Arts Division).

Concert tickets can be purchased for USD 25,- and/or concert tickets followed by a reception (Austrian specialties and Swiss Raclette) for USD 50,-.

Link: https://stats.slimcd.com/soft/multisession.asp?sessionid=96C33C193DA2E98D4C459866DCDEA77E1D2D1178

12/31/2022

How do you celebrate New Year’s Eve in Austria?

Usually, people have a large meal in the evening and go out to see the fireworks. We gift each other good luck charms like little pigs, four-leaf clovers, horseshoes and ladybugs, as all of these are symbols for good luck in Austria.

At midnight the Danube Waltz is played on the radio and a lot of people start waltzing – it doesn’t matter if you can dance or not.

It is also very common for Austrians to cast lead to do a little fortune telling for the upcoming year – the shape of your heated lead dropped into cold water will tell you what you can expect for the coming year!

A happy new year from us, the ACF Washington DC!

#2023

12/29/2022

The so called “Raunächte” (magic nights) are the twelve nights after Christmas where the old year shifts into the new year from the end of December to the beginning of January.

This tradition dates back to Celtic times when people believed in the holiness of the time in between two years – called “in between time” or “in between years”.

They combine the mysterious and magical rites of fortune telling, animals who speak, smudging, incense burning and getting rid of the old spirits to make place for the new ones of the following year.

12/28/2022

If you have ever been to Austria during winter time then you have definitely noticed the country’s passion for winter sports. There is great effort made to showcase the Austrian alps to those who want to visit.

Because of the beautiful mountains in Austria, the most common winter sports are skiing and snowboarding. Next up is cross country skiing with long skis and long poles but mountains are not a must for this sport, just a little bit of snow is needed.

Sledding is also common as well as ice skating on frozen lakes that are designated for ice skaters.

Are you ready for your next winter holiday to Austria?

12/26/2022

Stefanitag is a Catholic holiday in Austria celebrated on December 26 and is also referred to as the second day of Christmas. It commemorates the early Christian Saint Stephen.

Traditionally people in Austria visit grandparents or other extended family on this day.

You might also know the famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, which is one of the most beautiful sights to see in Vienna.

12/24/2022

From everyone at the Austrian Embassy and all Austrian Consulates and offices all around the country: We wish you a Merry Christmas Eve. We Austrians celebrate today on the 24th.

We hope our Advent calendar series has helped you gain some insight into Austrian traditions, but also made you appreciate the cultural interwovenness of the Austrian and US Christmas season.
Have a wonderful day with your loved ones, and enjoy some great food!

12/23/2022

For many people, it is tradition to decorate their houses for the holiday season. This may include string lights, mistletoes, maybe some Santa and reindeer figures.

But in Dyker Heights, things look a little different. The Neighborhood in Brooklyn is famous for its over-the-top Christmas decorations. Life-sized Santas, snowmen, sleighs, loudspeakers blasting Christmas carols – a must-see for every Christmas enthusiast!

12/23/2022

Adventkalender Tür 18

Check out this beautiful rendition of Hallelujah from Gardemusik Wien (Austrian Armed Forces Band)! They visited the ACF DC this past fall.

12/22/2022

Spotlight on Hugo von Hofmannsthal

We are highlighting the Austrian author Hugo von Hofmannsthal today for the . Although he started his career as a renowned poet at young age, he is perhaps best known for his cooperation with Richard Strauss on a series of librettos, including Elektra.

Another crowning achievement is his co-founding of the Salzburg Festival in 1920, where his work Jedermann is still one of the key productions each year.

12/22/2022

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.

(Silent night, holy night
All is sleeping, alone watches
Only the close, most holy couple.)

These are the first lines of the world’s most famous Christmas carol ""Silent Night."" You have certainly heard it once before, but did you know that the song’s origins go back to Austria? The song was written by the Austrians Franz Xaver Gruber (music) and Joseph Mohr (lyrics) and made its first major appearance in 1818 in Oberndorf near Salzburg.

A little interesting side note: The text existed before the melody - the assistant pastor Joseph Mohr had written the lines as a poem and then went in search of a composer to enliven the words with music.

A lot has happened since then: ""Silent Night"" has now been translated into 320 languages and dialects all around the world.

12/21/2022

If you were ever presented with a plate of Austrian Christmas Cookies, you will know that “Vanillekipferl” are ALWAYS part of the spread.

These shortbread cookies are very popular in many European Countries and are sometimes even served year-round! If the picture below has spiked your appetite, check out the recipe in the post for your perfect Christmas-treat: Christmas simply isn’t complete without Vanillekipferl!

12/20/2022

Why do we have Christmas trees?

In the 15th century, German protestants used evergreen trees in winter as a symbol of Adam and Eve in paradise – it was not a symbol for the Christmas story, but rather one of hope. Initially, the trees were decorated with apples, nuts, and dates - only in 1730 were candles added in Protestant German culture.

By the 19th century, trees has become a more universal European Christmas tradition that was no longer tied to any particular religious confession.
The German Princess Henrietta of Nassau-Weilburg, who was married to the Habsburg Archduke Charles, introduced the first decorated Christmas tree to Vienna in 1816.

Later on in the 19th century, the tradition was brought to America by German immigrants, and in 1889 the first National Christmas Tree was set up in front of the White House in Washington, DC.

12/19/2022

We all love New York City, but Christmas in the Big Apple is a whole different ball game: the dazzling lights all over the city will take your breath away. Besides that, you can enjoy strolling around various Christmas Markets like the Union Square Holiday Market or the Bryant Park Winter Village.

Or, bundle up and hit the ice at one of the many ice-skating rinks that pop up all over town, such as the famous Rockefeller rink or Wollman rink in Central Park.
Another highlight is the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Let us know what your NYC Christmas highlights are!

12/18/2022

We are wishing you all a happy first night of Hanukkah!

12/18/2022

Austria is world-famous for its Alps and love of winter sports, and many regions of Austria celebrate a white Christmas every year.

In LA, however, the Angelenos have a few tricks to enjoy their white Christmas among the sandy beaches and palm trees. One of the most famous winter wonderlands can be found at the shopping mall ""The Grove"" where kids (and grown-ups 😊) can play in artificial snow without the frigid outside temperatures!

12/17/2022

"What is your choice of dinner for Christmas Eve? Is it a roast? Or some carp?

Or maybe you like to indulge in the wonderful world of fondues. Initially, you might think of a cheese fondue, popularized in Switzerland and France in the 1800s.

But in Austria nowadays, many families traditionally have a broth or even oil fondue! So, get your meats ready to dip and slowly boil. Pro tip: If you decide to go with the broth variant, you'll have the most delicious meat broth already prepared for the day after your dinner feast.

12/16/2022

In San Francisco, tourists coming during the Christmas season can take a Santas-on-Segways-tour or ride a decorated Fire truck through town.

If you visit Austria this year before Christmas, don't miss a guided tour in Vienna to learn about how Christmas was celebrated in the era of the monarchy, what the people's favourite pastimes were and how the Viennese prepared for the cold.

Graz' guided tours will show you around the various Christmas markets and Innsbruck's Volkskundemuseum (ethnographic museum) will show you a collection of Christmas cribs and tell you stories about local Christmas traditions in the olden days.

12/15/2022

What is different about celebrating Christmas in Austria vs. the US?

Austrians love freshly cut trees which they decorate not only with glass ornaments, sweets, straw stars or gilded nuts but also with real beeswax candles that are lit on Christmas Eve.

In Austria, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve when the “Christkind” (Christ child) comes flying through the window to place gifts under the tree. Before children open their Christmas gifts, Austrian Christmas carols like “Silent Night” are sung.

Apart from a huge variety of Christmas cookies, different Christmas meals are enjoyed in different Austrian provinces such as goose, carp, or various soups and Fondues.

12/14/2022

One of New York’s most famous Christmas attractions is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

And the most shining part of the attraction relates back to Austria! The 900-pound sparkling star on top of the tree was crafted with 3 million dazzling crystals by the Austrian manufacturer Swarovski.

The current version was designed by Daniel Libeskind and has been part of the decorations since 2018. And to make the star even more accessible, Swarovski produced a small look-alike tree ornament so everybody can have a little bit of Rockefeller Christmas magic on their own tree!

12/13/2022

Today we would like to introduce you to "Kiachl". Kiachl is a traditional Austrian fried dough pastry that is served in Christmas Markets throughout Austria.

As a general rule they are made of yeast dough but some recipes vary slightly. The dough is shaped in such a way that it is very thin in the middle and thicker on the edges. They are then fried in boiling lard. Kiachln are usually eaten with sauerkraut, cranberry jam or powdered sugar. Let us know which "topping" you would pick!

12/12/2022

One of the most endearing modern Viennese christmas traditions is the (heart tree). Decorated with over 200 glowing hearts, year after year it is one of the most sought after christmastime sightseeing spots in the country.

Facing the challenges of the current energy crisis in Europe, the city of Vienna switched out all lamps with eco-friendlier LED bulbs this year. Additionally, the Herzerlbaum will be lit about an hour less each day than what Viennese people are used to - i.e. switched on a little bit later and turned off a bit earlier.

Nevertheless, there's still enough time to enjoy this unique tradition.

12/11/2022

Today we celebrate International ! 🏔️❄️

Did you know that the idyllic Austrian village of Großarl, surrounded by the 3,000 meter tall peaks of the Hohe Tauern mountains, hosts the picturesque Salzburger christmas market?🎄🎁⛄️

12/10/2022

We still have three weeks to go until New Years Eve, but why not start preparing already?
If you want to spend it like a typical Austrian and also have your fortune told at the same time, (Molybdomancy) might be for you! In this tradition, small pieces of lead or tin are melted over a candle, and then quickly dropped into a bowl of cold water. The resulting shape tells you what the new year has in stock for you. Enjoy!

12/09/2022

The UNIVIE: SUMMER SCHOOL will take place from July 15 to August 12, 2023. The four week program offers high-level European studies courses, the Austrian Arbitration Academy, and German language courses.

The European studies courses are held in English and focus on Europe and the European Union. They cover political, economic, and legal transformations, and also historical and cultural aspects of the multiple transitions the continent is currently undergoing. The Austrian Arbitration Academy is designed for students of law and focuses on international dispute settlement by arbitral tribunals.

Given the intercultural and interdisciplinary aspect of the summer school, our program is of interest to students from all fields of study, but certainly of special interest to students who concentrate on Europe or study one of the following fields: Austrian Studies, European Studies, Political Science, Law (Arbitration Law, International Law, European Law, Comparative Law), Economics, History, Cultural Studies, International Relations, Interdisciplinary Studies, and/or German.

Students from all over the world have been drawn to the program. The Sommerhochschule has an outstanding academic reputation and offers an excellent opportunity to study German. The campus is located directly on the shore of Lake Wolfgang, one of Austria's most popular lakes in the picturesque Salzkammergut region.

Application deadline: April 30, 2023

Link: https://shs.univie.ac.at/summer-school/

12/09/2022

In Austria, kids are not expecting to see Santa and wait in line to sit on his lap; they do, however, like to lend their little helping hands in Christmas bakeries or by doing arts and crafts. When you visit one of the many Austrian Christmas markets, watch out for these opportunities and bake your own little bag of Christmas cookies.