AUSTRIA, THE COUNTRY OF THE MUSIC.

Austria is a country in centre Europe, which belongs to EU since 1999, and which had adopted the euro as the official coin. It limits with Czech Republic and Germany at north, Slovaquia and Hungary at east, Slovenia and Italy at south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein at west. Austria’s capital city is Vienna.

-          Austria’s geography:

This country has around 84.000 km², 8’3 millions of inhabitants and an alpine climate, which is characterized for its humidity and for its really low temperatures, which are reduced relating to altitude. A very important part of the country is in a high altitude.

-          Characteristics:

The principal language of this country is the German. Austria is one of the richest countries all over the world, as well as one with the smallest unemployment rates of the world. It’s a federal and democratic republic since 1920. It is divided into 9 states, which are divided into districts and this, into municipals. Austria’s religion is predominated by catholic christianism. The educative system has a very high level, and it owns 20 universities around the country.

 

-          Culture:

1.       Music:

1.1   Austria has been the birth country of lots of composers such as:

a) Wolfang Amadeus Mozart. Composer and pianist from Classicism, who includes all the genders of his age. He was a prodigious melodist since he was a little boy. He was married with Constanze and he had two sons. When he died, he was 36 years old.

b)  Joseph Haydn. Composer from the Classicism, he is known as symphony and string quarter father. He had an interesting friendship with Mozart. He was married with Maria Anna Aloysia Apollonia Keller, but he hadn’t got any children with her, but with her secret love, Luigia Polzelli. He died with 71 years.

c)  Johann Strauss, the father and the son. The father was a composer, specially of waltzes. He took marriage with Maria Ana Streim, and had three children, all of them boys. He died with 45 years. His son Johann is also known for his waltzes, and he’s more famous than the father, although he never had his parents support. He took marriage with Hetty Treffz, then with Angelika Dittrich and then with Adele.

d)  Franz Peter Schubert. Austrian composer and introducer of Romanticism. He was a famous follower of Beethoven, but he wasn’t recognized in life. He was a really important melodist of lieder. He contracts a syphilis which made him became myopic. He died with 31.

   1.2 Austrian hymn is called Bundeshymne, and it was selected after the Second World War, to replace the one wrote by Haydn. The actual hymn is an adaptation from the Little Masonic Cantata, from Mozart. 

2.  Language:

In Austria, people speak German, but there are also some dialects Austro-Bavarian.

3.   Cinema and theatre:

 Despite Austria has an abundant list in cinema and theatre world, this country doesn’t stand out for that. It’s true that some Austrian films, such as The White Ribbon or Inglourious Basterds, are very famous, as well as some actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Romy Schneider. A very known film director is Fritz Lang.

4.      Nobel Prizes:

Here, I’m going to name one scientific from each prize Austria has received.

4.1. Bertha von Suttner: Nobel Peace Prize. 1905

4.2. Victor Franz Hess: Nobel Physics Prize. 1936.

4.3. Carl Ferdinand Cori and Gerty Cori: Nobel Physiology or Medicine Prize. 1947

4.4. Friedrich Hayek: Nobel Economy Prize. 1974

4.5. Elfriede Jelinek: Nobel Literature Prize. 2004.

4.6. Martin Karplus: Nobel Quimic Prize. 2013.

5.      Food:

Austrian food comes from Austro-Hungarian kitchen. It is one of the most multicultural of all Europe because it has the influence of several gastronomies:

5.1. Wiener Schnitzel:

5.2. Schweinsbraten:

5.3. Kaiserschmarrn:

5.4. Kloß: masa redonda de patatas, carne o cualquier otro ingrediente, rellenas de fruta o pan.

5.5. Sachertorte: chocolate cake with two sponge cake bases, separated by apricot jam and cover by black chocolate.

5.6. Tafelspitz: veal meat cooked with chive sauce and potato mash.

5.7. Spätzle: macaroni bowl with fresh cheese and parsley.

5.8. Eierschwammerl: a meal made with chanterelles, a special type of mushroom.

5.9. Caramelos PEZ: small sweets known because they are served into dispensers with cartoon forms.

6.     Sports:

6.1 Olimpic Games: Austria scarcely succeeds in the Olympics, not even won a medal at the London Olympic Games, but has more success at the Olympic Winter Games.

6.2. Austrian Football League: The Austrian football team is not particularly good, it is eliminated very soon in the world championats, but there are some players that could be noted:

6.2.1. Matthias Sindelar, Considered the best Austrian player ever.

6.2.2. Anton Polster, the highest scorer in the Austrian league.

6.3. Other sports:

6.3.1. Niki Lauda, three times champion in Formula 1.

6.3.2. Felix Baumgartner, paratrooper and first person to break the sound barrier.

7.      Other interesting characters:

7.1. Politics:

7.1.1. Leopold V, Duke of Austria at the XII century.

7.1.2. Maria Theresa of Austria, Archduchess and sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, besides Empress of the Holy Roman Empire.
7.1.3. Marie Antoinette, queen consort of France in the XVIII century.

7.2. Painting:

7.2.1. Gustav Klimt, avant-garde painter.

7.3. Medicine:

7.3.1. Hans Asperger, autism researcher pediatrician.

 

QUESTIONS

 

1- Have you ever visit Austria?

2- What is your favourite food from the ones I have noum?

3- Did you known any of the Nobel prizes I said before?

4- Could you tell me any other Austrian person who destaques in any sport?