Vienna Past and Present

Try as we might to talk about literally anything else, Eurovision keeps pulling us back in. Are we closet fans? Maybe. Probably. OK, fine—yes. In this Zeitgeist episode, we set out to cover a range of current topics... but then Austria won Eurovision again, and suddenly we’re back, clumsily covering a topic we know little about. But we do know that  JJ has officially captured our hearts. Stephen watches the winning entry live on air and—shockingly—realizes he might actually enjoy the whole dramatic spectacle. Resistance was futile. 

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://dietagespresse.com/damit-oesterreich-teuren-esc-2026-nicht-ausrichten-muss-marterbauer-ruft-3-000-mal-fuer-schweden-an/

Wasted Love, Austrian Eurovision entry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coGaxAWtp58

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/arts/music/eurovision-how-to-win.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JE8.MzUg.jbIOX3S6CkWM&smid=url-share

‘It’s going to be expensive’: Austria frets about price tag of hosting Eurovision

'There is anxiety' - RTE 'fears' winning Eurovison & facing huge staging costs, claims Ireland's first winner Dana | The Irish Sun

JJ & Conchita Mashup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaTvgfopHkU

This week, we step onto one of Vienna’s most curious bits of street furniture: the humble street scale. Scattered across the city in over 150 locations, these coin-operated relics have no real reason to still exist—yet somehow, they do. We dig into their surprisingly rich history, from imperial times to today’s random encounters with your own body weight on the sidewalk. Along the way, Stephen and Carmen have a small (but passionate) spat about the proper unit of weight (spoiler: it’s kilos), and we can’t help but wonder just how much Emperor Franz Josef’s muttonchops might have tipped the scale.

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://wien.orf.at/stories/3301198/

https://www.numismatikforum.de/viewtopic.php?t=20435

https://www.derstandard.at/story/1231152644414/stadtteil-poppscher-kampf-gegen-die-fadesse

https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000124660026/ewige-schwergewichte-die-oeffentlichen-personenwaagen-in-wien

In this episode, we’re talking all things Arnold. After watching the Netflix documentary Arnold, we came away with a new-found respect for the man who went from a small town to global superstardom. But we don’t stop there—we dig into a few stories the doc left out, discuss what makes Arnold such a uniquely Austrian export, and explore the concept of Schmäh (that special Viennese blend of charm and cheek) and how Arnie’s got it in spades. Plus, Carmen and Stephen briefly revive an old dispute about the existence of smoothies in Europe. Come for the bodybuilding, stay for the schmäh. 

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Williams

https://www.derstandard.at/story/2276076/schwarzenegger-stadion-duerfte-umbenannt-werden

https://www.klippmagazin.at/spots-1/arnie-und-sein-stadion

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkur_Arena_(Graz)#Kontroverse_um_den_Stadionnamen;_Namens%C3%A4nderung

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After_Dark_(magazine)

Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6516300

Long before Dubai put ski slopes in the desert, Vienna had its own indoor skiing dream: the Schneepalast (Snow Palace). Opened in 1927 as the world’s first permanent hall for year-round skiing, it was the brainchild of Dagfinn Carlsen—a man who clearly thought no idea was too ambitious. With two ski slopes, a toboggan run, and even a ski jump, Carlsen envisioned competitions, lessons, and endless winter fun... all under one roof. The only problem? The "snow substitute" was a slippery mix of soap and sawdust that behaved nothing like actual snow. Unsurprisingly, things went downhill fast. Oh, and did we mention there's also an assassination attempt in this story? Join us for a deep dive into one of Vienna’s strangest and most forgotten experiments in winter sports history.

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://magazin.wienmuseum.at/der-schneepalast-1927

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dagfin_Carlsen

https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Nordwestbahnhof

https://finanzbildung.oenb.at/docroot/waehrungsrechner/#/

In this Zeitgeist episode, we’re sticking our heads in the sand and focusing on the real hard-hitting topics: sausage stands and football. It’s the zeitgeist we want to be living in. We explore the Würstelstand as a cornerstone of Viennese cultural heritage, and Stephen quizzes Carmen on Viennese expressions—only to question her credentials when she doesn’t quite pass the test (but at least she's impressed by his pronunciation). Then, we shift gears to American football and why it’s suddenly gaining traction in Austria. Sausage, slang, and sports—what more could you ask for?

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.patriots.com/news/austrian-football-association-announces-partnership-with-the-new-england-patriots

https://viennavikings.com/wordpress/2022/09/american-sports-studie-football-immer-popularer-jeder-2-osterreicher-kennt-vikings/

https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000235661/football-214sterreich-ist-europas-f252hrende-kraft-rund-ums-laberl

https://viennavikings.com/

https://apnews.com/video/vienna-united-kingdom-unesco-food-and-drink-4627d1ebef3d4341b651a3017830cfc7

Vienna’s much-loved Würstelstand gets UNESCO recognition | Euronews

Celebrations around the big event - The best Super Bowl parties - from free to deluxe - Vienna | Heute.at

Super Bowl Parties 2025 - the coolest in Vienna and all of Austria

https://www.stadt-wien.at/veranstaltungen/sportevents/superbowl.html#google_vignette

Why is Vienna considered the ultimate playground for spies? We start with the Habsburgs' surprising innovations in spycraft and how Metternich made “the walls listen” with his sophisticated network of informants. From there, we uncover how the city evolved into the espionage capital of the world, from its Cold War heyday to modern cloak-and-dagger operations.  And for those with espionage aspirations, we wrap up with some tips and tricks—just in case you’re looking to trade in your day job for a double life.

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://unipub.uni-graz.at/obvugrhs/content/titleinfo/213364/full.pdf

https://greydynamics.com/vienna-a-city-of-spies-a-history-of-espionage/

https://www.thecipherbrief.com/book-review/viennas-history-of-espionage

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria_and_Russian_intelligence

 https://secretvienna.org/the-city-of-spies-about-viennas-history-of-espionage/

https://www.bmi.gv.at/104/Wissenschaft_und_Forschung/SIAK-Journal/SIAK-Journal-Ausgaben/Jahrgang_2007/files/Beer_3_2007.pdf

https://www.derpragmaticus.com/r/spionage#:~:text=Spionage%20und%20ihre%20Technologien&text=Die%20Spionage%20richtete%20sich%20als,ge%C3%B6ffnet%20und%20wieder%20verschlossen%20wurden.

https://www.bbc.com/news/10564994

https://www.wienmalanders.at/blog/unterwelt-wien

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.

Ten years ago, Conchita Wurst took the Eurovision stage by storm, redefining glamour and shattering boundaries. Join us as Carmen pretends to be a Eurovision aficionado while Stephen rolls his eyes. Together, they reminisce about the hotel in Istanbul they stayed at during Conchita's win, and how much it smelled like cat. And that's not all: get ready to do your morning workouts with Conchita! Yes, you read that right. Tune in to find out how you can sweat it out with one of Eurovision's most iconic winners.

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

https://www.wursttv.com/

Russian Politicians Slam 'Bearded Lady' Conchita Wurst's Eurovision Win (billboard.com)

Conchita Wurst (@conchitawurst) • Instagram photos and videos

Before Vienna had public toilets, masked figures roamed the streets with poop buckets. Yes, you heard that right. It wasn't until the 1880s that the city saw its first public toilet, a milestone met with both relief and controversy. The church, ever vigilant, worried these new facilities would become dens of sin. And let's not forget Stephen, who shares his shameful yet hilarious experience with us. So, how did Vienna go from poop buckets to modern public conveniences? Join us as we dive into the bowels of this history, and explore the world's oldest underground toilet.

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

Links

https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/%C3%96ffentliche_Bed%C3%BCrfnisanstalten

https://www.architektenlexikon.at/de/33.htm

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96ffentliche_Bed%C3%BCrfnisanstalt_am_Graben

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abtrittanbieter

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Beetz_(Bauunternehmer)

https://finanzbildung.oenb.at/docroot/waehrungsrechner/#/

https://der.orf.at/unternehmen/aktuell/pk_wiener_moderne100.html#:~:text=Die%20Wiener%20Moderne%2C%20die%20Zeit,%2C%20Literatur%2C%20Musik%20und%20Geisteswissenschaften.

https://www.sagen.at/doku/Wien_Beetz/Beetz_Wien.html

San Francisco Tried to Build a $1.7 Million Toilet. It’s Still Not Done. - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Most of us had Pez dispensers when we were growing up. Even if you think you didn't, you will later remember that you did-- just ask Carmen.

But did you know it's an Austrian story? From it's humble beginnings as an anti-smoking mint to the subject of a minor international scandal-- and a charming Netflix documentary-- we'll tackle the whole story of this ubiquitous, unassuming little candy.

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

When's the last time your city elections required papal intervention? Stumped? Well in Vienna's case, it was the 1897 election of Dr Karl Lueger, a consequential, controversial figure that left an impact on the city in ways both seen and unseen. Why did Emporer Franz Josef refuse to confirm his election 3 times? And how does Carmen review the church frescos that supposedly contain his face? This 19th century political story sounds strikingly familiar today.

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