Category: Austrian News

Halloween polarizes opinion: For some, October 31 is a day that brings centuries-old customs to life; for others, it’s just another occasion for marketing and sales. Originally strongly influenced by Celtic traditions, Halloween has changed considerably over the centuries and is now a colorful spectacle in many countries. The origins: from Samhain to modern Halloween The origins of Halloween go back to the ancient Celts in Ireland and Scotland. The Celtic festival “Samhain,” celebrated on October 31, marked the end of the harvest season and the transition to the dark…

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Will the long weekend bring the onset of winter to Austria? At least, past forecasts suggest so. GeoSphere Austria explains what the weather change will ultimately look like. Autumn is currently pleasantly mild. The high fog usually disappears during the course of the day and makes way for the sun. According to past forecasts, the weather should have changed significantly from All Saints’ Day. “The Alpine region is likely to be flooded with cold air from the north-east. A drop in temperature of 15 degrees is to be expected on…

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As Halloween approaches, Austria transforms with a unique blend of ancient traditions and contemporary festivities, creating a season rich in folklore, community gatherings, and eerie celebrations. Though Halloween, as celebrated in the United States, was introduced to Austria in the 1990s, the nation has since embraced and adapted the holiday, mixing imported customs with local practices and age-old beliefs. The Influence of Catholic Observances In Austria, Halloween coincides with a more traditional holiday, Allerheiligen, or All Saints’ Day, observed on November 1. This is a time when families visit cemeteries…

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The City of Vienna’s Cybercrime Helpline, which was founded two years ago as the first point of contact for cybercrime, has supported over 2,000 potential victims of fraud since its inception. This year, the helpline has been contacted more than 1,000 times. An analysis has shown that cyber fraud was the reason for consultations in around 55 percent of situations. This mainly involves the loss of money and information online. Phishing and blackmail emails are the next two biggest factors in the requests for help, each accounting for around eleven…

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As the meteorologists from Geosphere Austria forecast on Sunday, we can expect calm and, above all, mild fall weather in the coming week. Although most days start with fog or high fog, this will usually clear quickly and allow the sun to shine. Daytime highs will be in the double digits throughout, with temperatures of up to 19 degrees possible. Monday will start with fog and high fog again over the lowlands valleys and basins. Away from the fog, it will be quite sunny. As the day progresses, however, the…

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In his TV address on National Day, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen called on us to work together to find solutions to the many challenges we currently face. To do this, we must “let go of old recipes” and “dare to try something new,” he said in his speech on Saturday evening. He also recommended “new approaches” in terms of approach, style, and results for the future federal government. At the same time, he swore the population to painful reforms. “There is no painless way to solve the problems”…

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In 1965, the government and parliament discussed what the national holiday should commemorate in the future. They finally decided on perpetual neutrality. This and the declaration of neutrality are commemorated in Austria today. The “National Holiday” has only existed since 1965. From 1955 to 1964, October 26 was called “Flag Day.” The State Treaty, which restored Austria’s sovereignty, was signed on May 15, 1955. This important day in Austria’s history has always been celebrated. Every year, visitors can look forward to a colorful program from the army, politics, and police.…

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The first stage of the 2024/25 school year is already over on Friday, and the week-long fall break is just around the corner. The school-free days bring calm weather with high fog and sunshine. Perfect conditions also prevail in the mountains. A reason to get out your boots and go hiking. The weather couldn’t be more typical for fall. In the lowlands, high fog often makes for dull hours, and the sun first has to prevail against the grey. But the mountains and hills, on the other hand, will collect…

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