Lectures

A historical journey spanning 1,000 years, with a focus on 640 years of Habsburg rule and the key developments that have shaped Austria and its people to this day.

An architectural, cultural, and musical journey through the ages, exploring the magnificent legacy of the Habsburgs and their deep connection to Vienna’s history.

This lecture explores Her Majesty’s leadership skills and political acumen, highlighting what the modern individual can learn from her example. Austrians from all walks of life continue to regard her as a national icon.

This is the Habsburgs’ most celebrated couple. While Franz Joseph struggled to hold his multi-national empire together, his beloved Sisi (Elisabeth) pursued an increasingly unconventional lifestyle of her own.

Around 1900, Vienna experienced an extraordinary cultural flourishing, most vividly expressed in the arts. Painters such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, designers such as Josef Hoffann and Kolo Moser and architects like Otto Wagner, defined this remarkable era.

In this lecture, I talk about the typical Austrian Christmas markets, the special foods, drinks and celebrations, and the many different customs, partly of Pagan origin, which we cherish during this season.

Emilie Flöge was an influential Austrian avant-garde fashion designer in Vienna around 1900. Although she is best known for her intimate bond with the painter Gustav Klimt, this association has often, however, overshadowed her own achievements as the founder of a highly successful fashion salon and an active member of Vienna’s artistic avant-garde.