cafebabel.com

Vienna and the lords of the Danube

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:06:54 -0000

Over the last three milennia, the residents of the Danube stopped fighting over iron mines and become impeccable bureaucrats cooperating in regional forums. Huge dirty beards have been replaced by neat sideburns and designer sunglasses. Everything runs smoothly and effectively under their control, as if they had caught up with the heights of central European civilisation. Portrait of a river and its guardians

AKW Lobau: Vienna caravan communities away from it all

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:37:53 -0000

The story of the caravan commune AKW Lobau demonstrates that Vienna is not nearly as bourgeois and narrow-minded as is always claimed. The community is living proof that alternative enterprises do have their place in the Austrian capital. A flying visit

Cannabis legalisation: shopping for reality in Vienna

('Naomi R',) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:00:18 -0000

The Austrian capital has one 'head shop' for 100, 000 residents. It's perfect for cannabis amateurs, especially as the business is now commercial and legal, though smoking it in public is still not legal

Why one third of Austrians back the far right

('rhiannon_nicolson',) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:58:05 -0000

Votes dropped from 30% in the 2008 legislative elections to 15% in the presidential elections in late April. For many however, 15% is still too high. Is there really a lack of alternatives?

University: German students cross the Austrian border

('Joana Cansado Carvalho',) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 10:54:23 -0000

It fills up pages in both Austrian and German newspapers. The EU’s court of justice has taken a stand on the subject. In some classrooms some say that there is no cause for concern, while others warn that tension is in the air. What is really going on?

Film review Austria: The Bone Man is rootsy, rank and riotous

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:38:11 -0000

The world premiere of Der Knochenmann took place at the Berlin film festival on 9 February. The bittersweet crime caper, starring the unfortunate private detective Simon Brenner, provides an in-depth insight into rural Austria and its relationship with its European neighbours east of the Danube. In the Alpine republic, Brenner is something of a folk hero. Here’s why

The Bone Man’s Josef Hader & Wolfgang Murnberger: ‘Intelligent nastiness is our speciality’

('Lindsey Evans',) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:19:21 -0000

As it comes out in cinemas, ‘Der Knochenmann’ is the third film adaption by Austrian crime author Wolf Haas. Josef Hader reprises his role as unemployed private eye Brenner, while the film is directed by Wolfgang Murnberger. cafebabel.com meets up with both in glittering Vienna

Cinema: Persepolis hits the UK

('Jens Wiesner',) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Released on 25 April in an English-dubbed version, a review of Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi's Oscar-nominated animation of a girl displaced in Vienna

Interrail for the future

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:23:00 -0000

Spanning north to south, stretching east to west: travelling in Europe as of 2020 will be easier and faster thanks to the upcoming Trans-European Transport Network (TEN)

Masks and carnival, immortal combination

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The masked festivities of Venice and Vienna have increasingly become commodified as tourist attractions. Amidst European celebrations, masks have lost their social function

Austria - after the Mozart marathon

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Last year, on January 27, Mozart Year opened with much celebration. Have we learned anything about the musical genius?