Fall 2011

Time to Say Goodbye

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:46:39 +0000

Dear Readers,

I would never have thought that I would write you this letter one day! Haven’t I just arrived in the U.S. some days ago? Well, no, it has been two and a half years, but time has passed by so fast thanks to a flurry of activities at the embassy, a lot of travels (not enough!), and many visitors from Austria, among them most notably Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.

Dr. Hannes Androsch in Washington, D.C.

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:40:25 +0000

On Wednesday, September 7, 2011, the former Austrian Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance, Dr. Hannes Androsch, examined prevailing myths and opinions about Austria with an audience of Austrian expats and Americans. The discussion was preceded by a presentation of the book “Austria. Past, Present and Future,” of which Androsch is the editor. In the book, renowned scholars, experts, and journalists take on the task of rectifying the image of Austria and the Austrians. A wine reception sponsored by the Austrian Embassy concluded the evening.

Austrian Tennis Champ in Washington, D.C.

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:35:53 +0000

The Austrian tennis champ Jürgen Melzer, currently ranked 21st in the world by the ATP World Tour, met with Hans Kordik, Counselor for Agriculture and Environment at the Austrian Embassy, on the occasion of the ATP 500 Tournament “Legg Mason” on July 31, 2011.

Roll Over America to Washington, D.C.

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:30:51 +0000

Over 50 so-called Velomobiles (recumbent human powered vehicles) have recently crossed the continent from Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C. on a tour called Roll Over America (ROAM). The tour was designed to showcase the benefits and practicalities of human-powered vehicles, while the riders shared the experience of the grand tour across the continent.

Austrian Science Talk 2011 at the New York Academy of Sciences

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:24:04 +0000

The annual Austrian Science Talk (AST) took place on September 10, 2011, at the New York Academy of Sciences. The conference provided about 130 participants with an opportunity to learn about recent R&D policy developments and new career as well as funding opportunities. It also facilitated the establishment of research collaborations between North America and Austria.

New Honorary Consul for North and South Carolina

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:16:39 +0000

The new Honorary Consul of the Republic of Austria for North and South Carolina was sworn in by the Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Christian Prosl. The businessman Roland Zimmer has spent most of his life promoting the relationship between Austria and South Carolina. On September 15, 2011, Zimmer was sworn in as Austria’s new Honorary Consul for North and South Carolina during a ceremony at the Piedmont Club in Spartanburg, SC.

Austria Welcomes First I-CITE Study Tour on Renewable Energy

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:10:06 +0000

The objective of the I-CITE Study Tour, which took place from August 21-26, 2011, in Bavaria, (Germany) and Upper Austria, was the promotion of renewable energy from biomass. On their 5-day trip, 20 American and European scholars and representatives of agriculture and forestry seized the opportunity to discuss the potential for innovative policies, long-term goals, and political leadership in the renewable energy sector.

Decoration of Honor in Gold

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:08:10 +0000

Photo: Gernot WiednerOn August 12, 2011, Dr. Christian Prosl awarded Mrs. Marie Helene Morrow the Decoration of Honor in Gold for Achievements for the Republic of Austria. Morrow (née Fischer) has been the Austrian Honorary Consul in San Juan (Puerto Rico) since 1981. Her father, Kurt Fischer, was a Jewish doctor who had been expelled by the Nazis. In his day, he was the Honorary Consul in Haiti, where Marie Helene was born in 1941.

Morrow completed her studies in New York and speaks English, Spanish, French, and some German. She dedicated many years of her life to public service and philanthropy, and received many awards over the years. Among others, she has been elected one of the “Ten Outstanding Women of Puerto Rico for humanitarian work.” Currently, she runs six jewelry stores in Puerto Rico (Reinhold Jewelers, named after her deceased husband).

Adrian C.S. Kainz Distance Learning Center

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:49:53 +0000

Adrian C.S. Kainz (Photo: Virginia Holocaust Museum)The Adrian C. S. Kainz Distance Learning Center The Virginia Holocaust Museum has named its new distance learning center after the Austrian Gedenkdiener (Austrian Holocaust Memorial Servant) Adrian Kainz, who served at the Museum from 2010-2011.

The Adrian C. Kainz Distance Learning Center was established to offer students and teachers selected programming in addition to already existing programs. With the Museum’s brand-new conference system, it is now possible to hold both national and international audio and video conferences. The honor underlines the importance of the work of the Austrian Gedenkdienst and the valuable contributions it makes abroad.

Ingrid Dohm

Administrator — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:42:51 +0000

Ambassador Christian Prosl and Mrs. Patricia Prosl-Hurni, in cooperation with the American-Austrian Cultural Society, opened the doors of their residence for a delightful and special evening filled with chamber music by Earl Williams (cello) and Raymond Wertheim (piano) and an exhibition of artworks by award-winning Austrian-American painter Ingrid Dohm.