Dear Readers,

This issue is dedicated to outstanding Austrians:
Thomas Klestil who relentlessly promoted the interests of Austrians until his sudden death in July;

Heinz Fischer, his successor, who spent nearly forty years in national politics;

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, selected as new EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy;

Ernst Strasser, our Minister of the Interior, who has greatly enhanced Austria’s cooperation with the U.S.

But there are other people beyond politics building bridges between Austria and the United States.
Share new insights into the work of Stefan Zweig; read about the growing popularity of the German language abroad; and inform yourself of a new museum in Vienna.

Two Austrian historical icons make headlines - Vienna’s Diplomatic Academy and the Austrian "Rolls Royce of Pianos."

Yours sincerely,
Chritoph Meran