Author: admin

Light, Folklore, and Festivity: Austria’s Advent Traditions Shine Before Christmas

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Vienna, November 29 – As the first candle flickers on Austria’s Advent wreaths, the country enters a season that blends quiet reflection with vibrant folklore and bustling markets. The wreath, a circle of evergreen branches adorned with four candles, has become the centerpiece of Advent in Austrian homes and churches. The Wreath of Anticipation The Advent wreath tradition began in 1839 when German theologian Johann Heinrich Wichern created a wooden ring with candles to help children count down to Christmas. Austria quickly embraced the custom, weaving wreaths from fir branches…

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Intelligent people often have the same favorite color

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Blue, red, or yellow? According to a study, people with high IQs tend to like a particular color. Does your favorite color say something about your character? Yes, say certain studies, which go one step further: it can even influence how confident and intelligent you are perceived to be. Among all colors, blue stands out, as it is associated with calmness, concentration, and reliability. A Korean study called “Intelligence and Color Preferences: Is There a Connection?” examined the relationship between color preferences and intelligence. Nine hundred participating students were asked…

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Freezing rain: Black ice warning for parts of Austria

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On Saturday, a shallow warm front will move in from the west. This means that dense clouds and precipitation will prevail from Vorarlberg to Salzburg and the Waldviertel region already in the morning. The snow line will be between 1,300 and 1,600 meters above sea level, and below that, there is a risk of freezing rain and associated black ice formation. Further to the southeast and south, away from thick fog patches, sunshine will prevail until the afternoon. Then thick clouds will move in here as well. However, little to…

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United Nations Women’s Guild Announces 56th International Festival Charity Bazaar in Vienna

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Vienna, Austria, November 29, 2025 — The United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG) will hold its 56th International Festival Charity Bazaar at the Austria Center Vienna, Bruno Kreisky Platz 1, 1220 Vienna. The event runs from 10 AM to 5 PM and is open to everyone. This annual festival brings together international art, food, music and handicrafts from around the world. Each booth showcases the cultural spirit and creativity of the UN community and its partners. All proceeds from the event will support the charity projects of the UNWG, which focus…

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New virus spreading – what you need to know

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A new strain of flu is currently spreading in Austria. Experts are urging caution and prevention. The flu is making itself felt earlier than usual this year, by a few weeks. “Influenza virus detections have recently increased in Austria. Compared to previous seasons, this is about two to four weeks earlier,” explains virologist Monika Redlbeger-Fritz from MedUni Vienna and head of the national influenza reference laboratory. In addition, after two relatively harmless flu winters, it looks as if Austria is facing a severe flu epidemic this time around. This is…

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Black Friday: Bargain hunters should avoid these pitfalls

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Black Friday and the following Cyber Monday mark the start of Christmas shopping for many, as Rainer Trefelnik, chairman of the Federal Trade Association, puts it. Austrians will spend around 520 million euros on shopping on these days, according to a survey by the Chamber of Commerce. Last year, the figure was 430 million euros. Trefelnik hopes that at least part of this sum will be spent in domestic retail. In any case, the majority of business (more than 80 percent) will be done online, and the primary motive for…

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Paskong Pinoy in Wien 2025: A Filipino Christmas Pop-Up Market and Celebration of Creativity, Community, and Christmas Spirit

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Updated on November 28, 2025 – Vienna, Austria — The Filipino Christmas season is arriving early in Vienna! Organizers of Paskong Pinoy in Wien 2025 invite everyone to experience the warmth, creativity, and festive joy of Filipino culture at the Marikit Markt, happening on Saturday, 29 November 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM at Hotel am Brillantengrund (Bandgasse 4, 1070 Vienna). This year’s celebration promises a vibrant showcase of Filipino artistry, flavors, and traditions, bringing the spirit of Pasko to the heart of Europe. Event Highlights Whether you are…

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From Waiting to Wonder: The Relevance of Advent Today

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On Sunday, November 30, 2025, the season of Advent begins. It is more than a countdown to Christmas—it is a sacred season of preparation, hope, and renewal that calls Christians to reflect deeply on Christ’s coming and His promise to return. Advent is four weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before December 25. The word Advent means “arrival” or “coming,” and the season invites believers to prepare their hearts for two realities: the celebration of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and the anticipation of His second coming…

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Philippine Embassy Hosts Seminar “Migrating for Love and Avoiding the Pitfalls”

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Vienna, 25 November 2025 – The Philippine Embassy in Vienna hosted an in-person and online seminar titled “Migrating for Love and Avoiding the Pitfalls” on November 25, 2025. The session was open to married Filipinos and couples preparing for marriage who reside in Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic. Leaders from several Filipino organizations in Vienna joined the event in person, including VFÖ, WFWP, CFAA, and PACC. The program was organized by the Philippine Embassy in collaboration with LEPO and MIED. The seminar tackled a sensitive but urgent issue.…

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