Culture

The culture of Vienna is a vast potpourri of Eurasian influences. The city has been the center of cultural exchange and education with many world leaders and artists having lived in it at some point in their lives. Various festivals are held all through the year in Vienna to celebrate its varied culture and love for learning.

High-end cosmopolitan living is the main characteristic of Vienna's culture. The cognoscenti' populace is very appreciative of performing arts, theatre and music that appeals to Viennese aesthetic sense. Since the initial growth of the city, concerts have been the main source of entertainment for locals as well as visitors. A special form of Austrian theatre called the Cabaret is very popular in Vienna. It comprises story telling, songs and a witty, energetic narrative that forms the backbone of the play.

More recently, the Viennese film industry has gained critical acclaim for its artistic finesse. Film festivals such as the one at Rathausplatz are held each year to honor opera-based masterpieces. The Vienna International Film Festival or Viennale showcases one of the greatest contemporary, international and local films, shorts and documentaries. Hollywood has also received its mark from Austria in the form of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Scholastic cultivation is also a very important feature of Austrian culture. Some of the world's best literary works in German and other languages come to us from Vienna. Even works like ‘Bambi' and ‘Heidi', which have been an integral part of childhood reading are works of the Viennese authors. The ‘Father of Modern Psychology' - Sigmund Freud was a citizen of Vienna as was his daughter, who furthered his theories of psychoanalysis.

A. Music

There are two main schools of music that have originated or widely practiced in Vienna. The first is the Viennese Waltz, natively known as the Wiener Walzer. By itself, the term Vienna Waltz signifies a ballroom dancing form that is a combination of various ceremonial dances such as the Minuet, Polonaise, and Quadrille etc. The music that accompanies the Viennese Waltz is typically instrumental and when vocals are included they often resemble yodeling styles. Much of the music in the 1960's classic ‘The Sound of Music' has been inspired by the Viennese Waltz tunes.

The second, more popular form among the burgess is the folk music of Vienna or Wienerlied. The Wienerlied finds its inspiration in things most musicians would stay away from such as death, war and revolution. It is morbid in origin but quite pleasant to hear and its main expression is that of story-telling. The instrumental background is formed by the harp, violin, zither and clarinet, whereas yodeling provides the vocal support. A Viennese yodel of a different type is called ‘dudeln' and is generally rendered instead of regular tenor notes. A contemporary variation or the Wienerlied called the Schrammelmusik is also becoming popular in the capital. It comprised rhythmic singing to the tunes of the accordion and guitar.

Vienna has made a significant contribution to the genre of western classical music. In fact, the concepts of the sonata and string quartet come down from the Viennese musical scene. Immortal composers such as Ludwig von Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart created some of their greatest symphonies in Vienna.

In Vienna visitors may often notice a clear distinction between music for entertainment purposes and music for artistic appreciation.

B. Language

The official languages of Austria are German for official purposes and Slovenian on a regional level. There are two official languages and the others are Alemanic, Bavarian, Croatian, Hungarian, Romanian and Walser. The last among these is the Austrian Sign Language that is a derivative of the Russian Sign Language.

C. Religious Practices

Vienna is a liberal, secular city, which in accordance with the Austrian law, allows individuals above fourteen years of age to choose their own faith. Nearly half of Austria's population is Roman Catholic and Vienna forms the seat of the Roman Archdiocese. Nonetheless, about a quarter of the capital's citizens do not actively practice any religion. Islam too has a minor presence in the city and the first Islamic school was opened in Vienna in late 1999.

Christian celebrations and customs make up the majority of Vienna's religious practices. These include the Advent season that starts off four weeks prior to Christmas. Literally speaking, Advent is the time for fasting but given the festivities it is surrounded by, people cannot be blamed for a little blasphemous feasting. Traditionally small bags for each day of the four weeks, intended to act as a calendar, are presented to people. A new bag is opened on each new day to reveal a small present or edible for the day. Children are also asked to devise a wish list that is left on windowsills and thereafter collected.

Like most Christian states, Vienna too has the traditional jolly old guy in red - St Nicolas. However, his gift-giving largesse is supplemented with an anti-hero - Krampus whose sole duty is to punish those who have been naughty and not nice.

Easter too is a time for fun and revelry with one of the more unique customs being, that of the Easter Fire, which is lit on the eve of the festival. If people wish, they can jump over the fire in order to be blessed.

D. Major Events

Ball Season

Date: January - February

This is the annual season for the bourgeoisie to party with all the élan they can muster. The balls are open to tourists and visitors as well. Every ballroom dance from foxtrot to the jive can be practiced among groups of professional dancers from all over the world. If not for dancing, people should witness a Viennese ball to experience the culture of the city. The flow of the rhythm, ladies in gowns dressier than the Academy Awards Red Carpet and men looking sharp in their tuxedoes are a sight to behold. Many of these balls are costumed affairs so all those romantic images of meeting that masked stranger of your dreams could very well come true.

The most prolific and extravagant of these balls is the Opernball that has been taking place in Vienna since 1877. If you manage to sneak in to this one, be prepared to be dazzled by some of the biggest stars in the world.

Date: February

Location: Vienna State Opera;

Opernring 2,

1010 Vienna.

Spring Festival

Date: March

A celebration of classical music all month long.

Osterklang Festival - Easter Celebrations

Date: April

Wiener Festwochen (Vienna Festival)

Date: May-June

The best time to experience the theatre and concert culture of Vienna.

Vienna Marathon

Date: May

Anyone can join the throng of runners for a citywide marathon that lasts for 42 km. The runners pass the city's notable monuments and heritage sights and this could be an energetic way to whiz past the landmark monuments of Vienna.

Location: Marathon starts from United Nations Building in Vienna.

Life Ball

Date: May

This charity event aims at raising funds for AIDS and HIV patients and for continuing research work in this area. Started way back in 1963, the Life Ball is a premier event in Europe that brings together the most famous names in entertainment.

Donauinselfest

Date: June

This is a modern music (rock, pop, hip-hop) fest that takes place annually on the Danube Island in Vienna. Entry is generally free.

KlangBogen Festival - Musical Festival

Opera Film Festival (Festival am Rathausplatz)

International Dance Festival Film

Date: July - August

Rund um die Burg

Date: September

A literary festival where some of the most famous international and local authors come and showcase some of their latest works and conduct reading sessions.

Viennale

Date: October

This is the Vienna Film Festival that attracts contemporary and parallel cinema masterworks from all over the world. Visitors who have a taste for authentic, artistic, multicultural, cinematic experience can have their fill.

Wean Hean

Date: October

A great way to understand and assimilate the local folk traditions of music.

Christkindlmarkt - Christmas Market

Date: November-December

Various gifts articles, trinkets, local culinary surprises and every little thing Austria is famous for can be bought from little huts that dot various regions of the city.

New Year's Eve

Date: 31st December

The last day of the year, Vienna is transformed into one big party ground with fireworks, open-air parties and balls taking place all over the city.

E. Etiquette / Do's and Don'ts

Do's

- Learn a few German terms that can be used in polite conversation

- Formal clothing is preferred as far as possible.

- Use the appropriate term (Magistrate/Doctor/Professor) to address people in Vienna's extremely hierarchical society as opposed to a simple Mr/Mrs/Miss.

- Bring your dog along since this city is extremely fond of them, they are even allowed in restaurants.

- Watch where you walk since the love for dogs also translates into littered streets.

- Stay away from areas such as the Karlsplatz underground complex or Gürtel area, which are known as hangouts for unsavory elements of society.

Don'ts

- Be too loud and audacious on the streets

- Try to enter nightclubs/ opera houses/ theatres in casual attire like jeans and a T-shirt

- Wear tennis shoes or sandals, as they are equally unacceptable.

- Pet someone's dog without prior permission.

- German/Austrian/nazi humor is not at all well received and should be diligently avoided.

- Bargain or even try to haggle when shopping.