2025

Opinions 13. June 2025

Mental Health and Gun Law, A Brief Reflection on the Graz Shooting Case

The vicious school shooting in BORG Gymnasium in Graz on 10 June 2025 which claimed 11 lives, has undoubtedly cast a suffocating shadow over Austria’s peaceful, tranquil, and safe image. When the headlines of the world’s media point to the territory of this small, politically neutral country, not because of its music and art, or landscape and hidden champions, but terrorist incidents, how big is the challenge it is facing? One can discuss about the campus culture in the Austrian secondary schools, where the relationship between the pupils as well as that of between pupils and teachers has always been…

Allgemein, Brief News Review, Opinions 4. June 2025

Brief News Review

On 4. June, the US government’s doubling of tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum imports to 50% for the EU came into effect. Meanwhile, the Trump administration sought “best offers” from trading partners to avoid other punishing import levies from taking effect in July. Representatives from both sides came together in Paris, trying to reach some agreement.  The 27-nation EU’s trade negotiator, Maros Sefcovic, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said their meeting in Paris was constructive. Greer said the talks demonstrated “a willingness by the EU to work with us to find a concrete way forward to achieve reciprocal…

Chinese Community in Vienna, Culture & Literature 26. May 2025

The Splendor of ACMA Concert, an Ode to Peace

On 24. May, the Borromäus Music Hall in Vienna welcomed a high-levelled concert, witnessing a sincere and cheerful ode to peace.  Organized by the Austrian Chinese Musicians’ Association (ACMA) and the Austrian Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, the concert took “peace” as the main theme, and arranged a beautiful repertoires that integrated Chinese characteristics with Western classics. The acclaimed musicians included no less names as Benjamin Beck, principal viola player of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Mira Alkhovik, soprano of the Vienna Volksoper, and Andrei Maksimov, young baritone of the Vienna State Opera. They have all joined ACMA…

Culture & Literature, Interviews, Opinions 17. May 2025

UPF Conference on “Family-Orientated Policies for Sustainable Development” Successfully Held in Vienna

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to celebrate May 15th as “International Day of Families” worldwide. To mark the occasion, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Austria, together with the Family Federation for World Peace, the Austrian Women’s Federation, and the Iranian Wisdom House Vienna, organized a conference on May 17th addressing the topic of “Family-Orientated Policies for Sustainable Development”. The conference, held at the venue of Seidengasse 28 in Vienna and moderated by MC Marinela Stefanc, saw an international crowd as well as renowned speakers who presented and discussed the importance of the concept of family…

Chinese Community in Vienna, Culture & Literature 24. March 2025

2025 Chinese Opera Festival in Europe: Traditional Aesthetics of Chinese Opera through the Form of Costumes and Its Innovative Game with the Magic of LEGO

On 19. March, the third information event of “2025 Chinese Opera Festival in Europe” was held in the MuTh Konzertsaal in Vienna. After its grand opening in the University of Vienna as well as the euphemistic follow-up event in the UNO City Vienna, the Festival completed another happy event showcasing the fascinating beauty of the Chinese Opera tradition.  Highlighting the professional lecture of “Aesthetics and Form of Traditional Chinese Opera Costumes” held by Prof. GONG Yuan from Chinese Opera Academy and the interactive game of “Legendary Chinese opera in the world of Lego” led by Dr. Brigitta SCHWARZER, MBA, the event…

Chinese Community in Vienna, Culture & Literature, Opinions 20. March 2025

SHANGHAI RESTAURANT in Vienna: The Art of Exquisite Cuisine with Matching Wine

Tim’s SHANGHAI RESTAURANT, located at the heart of Vienna, has been an established institution for high-end dining and wining since years. The classic interior decoration with the defining red tone reflects a good-old-time Shanghai flair. Boasting of an ambience of both elegance and coziness, this “Herzstück” in the city center is regularly frequented and cheered by its customers. The exquisite Chinese food with a touch of nouvelle cuisine and fusion offers a perfect combination of optical charm and palate joy.  But Tim is not just a restaurant owner. He is a wine expert, too. To challenge the pairing of Chinese…

Culture & Literature 14. March 2025

Welcome to the Golden July Music Festival Vienna 2025

The Golden July Music Festival Vienna, starting in 2019, has become one of the largest music festivals in Vienna, combining concerts and summer academies. The Festival continues the tradition of German and Austrian music while promoting the dissemination of early music, modern music, jazz and folk music, thus enhancing Vienna’s unique image as the world’s music capital. New stars are shaped here every day as shiny as gold on the way to the success at the international stage.  This summer, the Golden July Music Festival Vienna will be arranging, together with Articulus Opera, a concert belonging to the opening program…

Opinions 25. February 2025

Secretary-General António Guterres’s Remarks to the Human Rights Council

Mr. President of the General Assembly, Mr. President of the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner,Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, We begin this session under the weight of a grim milestone — the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the UN charter. More than 12,600 civilians killed, with many more injured. Entire communities reduced to rubble. Hospitals and schools destroyed. We must spare no effort to bring an end to this conflict, and to achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions. Conflicts like the war in Ukraine…

Interviews, Opinions 4. February 2025

Climate Change, Its Impact on Tibetan Plateau and the Corresponding Educational System

While global warming is causing fatal disasters in Europe, America, Asia and other continents, the climate issue needs urgent acknowledgement, responsible discussion, and quick action-taking. Yet, there is enough discrepancy in opinions around the world, be it political, economic, ecologic, or social. People from different cultural backgrounds would naturally react to changes in different ways. The global problem of the climate crisis, however, cannot be solved without the global consensus holding onto the agreed principles. Complication wins the stage when geopolitics comes into play, unfortunately. For instance, when Tibet becomes a key word in discussion, the focus is often automatically…

Chinese Community in Vienna, Culture & Literature, Interviews 26. January 2025

The 2025 Chinese Opera Festival Grandly Opened in Vienna

On January 23, the grand opening ceremony of the 2025 Chinese Opera Festival in Europe was held in the University of Vienna. With huge curiosity, the Viennese from academic circle, media outlets, art and culture fields, business world as well as other professionals crowded into the auditorium, Hof 1 of the Altes AKH campus, located at Spitalgasse 2/Alser Straße 4, 1090 Vienna, to see the World Heritage Site of the Chinese Opera, and to experience the legendary charm embodied in it. While the concept of “Gesamtkunst” by Richard Wagner is more than familiar on the European opera stage, the comprehensive…