Category: People and Places

Vienna, Austria – [19 July 2025] — Vienna’s recent Barrio Fiesta came alive with cultural pride as indigenous tattoo artist and cultural bearer Ate Wamz (Wilma Gaspili) showcased the ancient Filipino art of batok—a sacred hand-tap tattooing tradition passed down from the Cordillera highlands of the Philippines. Hosted by “Filipina in Austria (Babaylan Europe), a Filipino cultural group in Austria, Ate Wamz led a live tattoo session at the festival, offering a unique and spiritual experience for attendees, reconnecting with their heritage through skin and ink. Babaylan Europe is a…

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Vienna, July 19, 2025 — In what has become Austria’s largest outdoor Filipino cultural gathering, the Filipino community in Vienna came together today to celebrate the much‑anticipated Barrio Fiesta. Organized by the Council of Filipino Associations in Austria (CFAA), led by Chair Elmer Blanco, and supported by the Philippine Embassy, the one-day event drew thousands of attendees from across Austria and neighboring countries. The festivities commenced with a solemn and uplifting Holy Mass, celebrated by Fr. Ely Dalanon, chaplain of the Filipino Community in Vienna, joined by four Filipino concelebrant…

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Vienna, 17 July 2025 — On 17 July 2025, the vibrant cultural journey of Ate Wamz—the renowned indigenous tattoo artist and cultural bearer—began in Vienna. ENFiD‑Austria warmly welcomed her with a Bienvenida Dinner featuring a Tattoo Session, a fitting homage to her craft as a mambabatok, preserving the Batok (traditional hand-tap tattoo) tradition of the Philippine Cordilleras. Ate Wamz, also known as Wilma Gaspili, hails from the Kankana-ey/Kalanguya tribes of Benguet and has been a passionate cultural ambassador since 2018. Her work is deeply rooted in ancestral techniques, utilizing lemon-thorn…

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Since 2015, the proportion of migrants in the Austrian population has risen by around 38 percent. With this increase, criticism of coexistence between locals and migrants has also grown. However, most immigrants feel a powerful sense of belonging to Austria. This is according to data presented on Wednesday by Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) and Stephan Marik-Lebeck from Statistics Austria. According to this data, an average of around 2.51 million people with a migrant background lived in Austria in 2024. This includes “first-generation” persons (born abroad) and “second-generation” persons (born…

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Vienna, July 16, 2025 – The Filipino choir group VOCALISMO left an indelible mark on Vienna last night with a stirring performance at the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy Church (1100 Vienna), winning over an enthusiastic audience on July 15. The choral group opened with beloved original Filipino compositions, delivering heartfelt renditions that resonated deeply with expatriates and music lovers alike, including those from Vienna. They were met with warm applause, celebrating Filipino heritage in the Austrian capital. VOCALISMO then shifted gears, surprising the crowd with international hits. Their version of “I…

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ESC winner JJ has added another statuette to his collection: Vienna’s mayor, Michael Ludwig, awarded the young countertenor the Golden Vienna City Hall Man on Tuesday as a “visible sign of appreciation.” “He is a Viennese who represents our city. We are very proud of him,” said Ludwig. JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, was honored in the Red Salon of City Hall in the presence of his family: “I am speechless.” The award is only given to “special personalities,” Ludwig reminded the audience. He decides who will be…

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Vienna, 15 July 2025— Music lovers are invited to experience the rich harmonies of the Vocalismo Choral Group, under the baton of renowned Maestro Prof. Dr. Lester Delgado, as they bring their vocal artistry to multiple venues in and around Vienna this week. The group’s first performance takes place today, Tuesday, 15 July, at noon at the Rotunda of the Vienna International Centre, promising a midday treat of choral excellence. Later this evening, they will hold a Mass and mini-concert at 18:30 at the Salvator am Wienerfeld Church, blending sacred…

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Vienna, Austria – July 8, 2025 — Music lovers are in for a treat this July as the celebrated choral ensemble Vocalismo brings its uplifting performances to Austria in a series of free-entry concerts titled “Vocalismo in Vienna!” under the baton of renowned conductor Maestro Prof. Dr. Lester Delgado. The concert series begins on Tuesday, July 15, with a Mass and mini-concert at 6:30 p.m. in Salvator am Wienerfeld Church. The journey continues on Friday, July 18, with a full concert at 17:00 in the scenic town of Podersdorf am…

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The global choral stage lit up on July 3, 2025, as the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers delivered a stirring performance at the legendary Musikverein in Vienna, Austria. Held in the Brahms Saal—celebrated for its exceptional acoustics and classical legacy—the concert marked more than a musical milestone; it was a tribute to the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence, blending artistry with national pride. A Choral Legacy Spanning Generations Founded in 1963 by National Artist for Music Andrea Veneracion, the Philippine Madrigal Singers—affectionately known as the “Madz”—have spent over six decades defining…

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