In this Zeitgeist episode, we’re feeling festive as we dive into holiday traditions from around the world. Carmen and Stephen compare the Christkind to Santa Claus and explore the wild world of St. Nicholas and Krampus—because what’s Christmas without a satanic helper? But we don’t stop at Austria and the U.S.; there’s a delightful sidebar about how Christmas is celebrated in Japan, from fried chicken to commitment to kitsch. Whether you’re team Christkind, Santa, or Colonel Sanders, this episode has something for everyone who loves a good holiday tradition.

For more, check us out on social media at viennapastandpresent or at viennapastandpresent.com. Reach out to us at viennapastandpresent@gmail.com. We love hearing feedback and ideas. Danke!

In the second and final part of our deep dive into Jörg Haider, we explore his fall from grace and untimely death. Along the way, we consider whether Carinthia might just be the Texas of Austria, discuss the correct pronunciation of Phaeton, and dissect the many rumors that swirled around his tragic end. We also examine Haider’s lasting legacy, unpacking the cult of personality that mythologizes his life while conveniently overlooking his corruption and greed. It’s a roller-coaster episode—much like Haider’s life itself.

For more, check us out on social media at viennapastandpresent or at viennapastandpresent.com. Reach out to us at viennapastandpresent@gmail.com. We love hearing feedback and ideas. Danke!

Links

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/jorg-haiders-fatale-erbschaft-7060375.html

https://time.com/archive/6944641/joerg-haiders-troubled-legacy/

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6rg_Haider

The FPÖ of Jörg Haider - Populist or Extreme Right-Winger? (archive.org)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/feb/04/austria.ianblack

https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/der-lange-schatten-100.html

https://www.dermaerz.at/kaernten-ein-politischer-sonderfall-in-oesterreich-2/

https://www.diepresse.com/layout/diepresse/files/dossiers/hypo/index.html

Jorg Haider successor tells of their 'relationship' (telegraph.co.uk)

In our second Zeitgeist episode, we’re diving into what’s happening in the world—and in our lives—right now. We break down how Austrian elections work and the latest on coalition talks, before taking a detour to discuss why on Earth the Detroit Lions have made the Austrian news. Responding to a listener email from Joanna, Carmen shares a review of the Christmas markets she’s already visited (impressive, considering they’ve only been open a week!). And while we do talk about the elephant in the room—the U.S. election—we also admit to sticking our heads (or feet, in Carmen’s case, who was literally on the beach) in the sand. So grab yourself a glühwein and tune in for some casual conversation and hot takes.

For more, check us out on social media at viennapastandpresent or at viennapastandpresent.com. Reach out to us at viennapastandpresent@gmail.com. We love hearing feedback and ideas. Danke!

Detroit Lions make it on ORF: https://sport.orf.at/stories/3134174/

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vier-Prozent-H%C3%BCrde_(%C3%96sterreich)

This week, we dive into the rise of Austria’s far-right FPÖ party and its controversial leader, Jörg Haider, whose meteoric ascent left a lasting mark on Austrian politics. As we explore the twists and turns of Austrian politics and Haider’s influence, Stephen’s dog Bo voices his disapproval loudly in the background. We also take some classic Viennese detours, including the city's obsession with academic titles and Carinthia’s infamous road sign debates. Join us for a revealing look at Austria's political landscape—and how we got to where we are today.

For more, check us out on social media at viennapastandpresent or at viennapastandpresent.com. Reach out to us at viennapastandpresent@gmail.com. We love hearing feedback and ideas. Danke!

Links

https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000122364439/ein-blick-auf-den-zauber-des-joerg-haider

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/jorg-haiders-fatale-erbschaft-7060375.html

https://time.com/archive/6944641/joerg-haiders-troubled-legacy/

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6rg_Haider

The FPÖ of Jörg Haider - Populist or Extreme Right-Winger? (archive.org)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/feb/04/austria.ianblack

Jörg Haider Interview from the 80s: https://youtu.be/gfFKCx6IY3Q?si=rale3TFtzpZH_-tX

Oe24 Haider documentary: https://youtu.be/--T7O6gurwQ?si=9cAMlbJCI8-ulQtP

ORF Haider documentary: https://youtu.be/zyieK8ZSID8?si=FgYWHTWxOfbP3T2G

What does an assassination attempt have to do with the height of Vienna's City Hall? More than you’d expect. In this episode, we uncover the strange connection between political violence and architecture, with a surprise appearance from Mexico along the way. Stephen and Carmen agree that, when it comes to underground enclosures, they'd much rather explore a wine cellar than a crypt filled with skulls and bones. And despite what you may think, it turns out the Viennese love bending the rules. Get a glimpse into how these quirks shaped Vienna's skyline—best enjoyed with a glass of wine!

For more, check us out on social media at viennapastandpresent or at viennapastandpresent.com. Reach out to us at viennapastandpresent@gmail.com. We love hearing feedback and ideas. Danke!

Welcome to our first-ever Zeitgeist episode, where we chat about what's happening in Vienna, the world, and in our lives right now. This week, we're tackling everything from single-use plastics and Cybertrucks to the terrorist threat that forced Taylor Swift to cancel her Vienna shows. Plus, we attempt to introduce the German word Sommerloch to the American lexicon—because let’s face it, the English translation just doesn’t cut it. Join us for a lively, casual conversation about the headlines, our hot takes, and a few good laughs along the way.

For more, check us out on social media at viennapastandpresent, viennapastorpres on Instagram, or at viennapastandpresent.com. Reach out to us at viennapastandpresent@gmail.com. We love hearing feedback and ideas. Danke!

What do Mozambique, Tianjin, and the Nicobar islands have in common? Very little! Except that they were all sites of the Habsburgs' clumsy attempts at an overseas empire. In this episode, we dive into three little-known and ill-fated colonial ventures that saw the Habsburgs trying their hand at global expansion with less than stellar results. And while the lasting impacts of these colonies are near non-existent, you can see some in one of these places – if you squint.

For more, check us out on social media at viennapastandpresent or at viennapastandpresent.com. Reach out to us at viennapastandpresent@gmail.com. We love hearing feedback and ideas. Danke!

Links

• http://english.china.org.cn/english/culture/72974.htm

• Austrian East India Company - Wikipedia

• Bankipur (Bengal) - Wikipedia

• Austro-Hungarian concession of Tianjin - Wikipedia

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_III,_Holy_Roman_Emperor
• https://secretvienna.org/aeiou-isnt-just-a-string-of-vowels/#:~:text=There%20are%20multiple%20possible%20meanings,comes%20from%20Frederik%20III's%20notebook.
• https://www.habsburger.net/de/kapitel/aeiou
• https://www.vienna.at/raetsel-geloest-das-bedeutet-das-kuerzel-a-e-i-o-u/7994782
• https://www.habsburger.net/en/chapter/weak-yet-tenacious-emperor-frederick-iii
• https://hdgoe.at/1919_tianjin
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_concessions_in_Tianjin

The letters "AEIOU" can be found scattered throughout Vienna, etched in stone, engraved on buildings, and inscribed in art. But what do they mean? In this episode, we unravel the mystery behind these enigmatic letters that have puzzled historians and locals alike for centuries. These seemingly simple vowels are linked to grand ambitions of world domination and the Habsburgs' intricate political strategies. Join us as we explore the fascinating history and myriad interpretations of "AEIOU", from the Middle Ages until today.