Austria's Cultural Diversity: A True Melting Pot?

Austria is a multicultural country. Its capital, Vienna, is home to a central library that holds an extensive multilingual collection. In addition to German, the library has full collections in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, English and Turkish. There are also collections of at least 500 items in 12 other languages, and smaller collections in a further 13 languages. Vienna's migrant population accounts for 25% of the city's population, and the central library has become a truly democratic multicultural space.

Austria's multiculturalism is also reflected in its cuisine, which has been influenced by German, Hungarian, Czech, Jewish, Italian and Polish cuisines. The country's population is ethnically diverse, with notable Slovene, Croatian, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian minorities. Austria has also welcomed numerous immigrant, refugee and transmigrant groups, particularly since the end of World War II. In recent times, many migrants and refugees have come from the Middle East and North Africa.

Austria's immigrant and refugee groups

Austria is a multicultural country with a significant proportion of its population being immigrants and refugees. As of 2023, there were about 842,600 third-country nationals (TCNs) in Austria, representing 9.3% of the population. The largest groups among TCNs are Serbian and Turkish nationals, which may be due to the targeted recruitment of workers from the former Yugoslavia and Turkey in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Austria hosts around 146,000 refugees and subsidiary protection holders and over 18,000 asylum seekers. Most refugees come from Syria (close to 58,000) and Afghanistan (around 41,000). In addition, there are also large communities of immigrants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, and Romania.

The integration of immigrants and refugees in Austria is guided by a National Action Plan that focuses on labour market inclusion, language acquisition, and the completion of values and orientation courses. The plan aims to facilitate the integration of immigrants into Austrian society by improving their German language skills, providing practical experience within the labour market, and creating social contacts.

One example of a successful integration initiative is the Viennese central library, which offers a truly democratic and multicultural space for people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The library holds collections in multiple languages, including German, English, Turkish, and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. It also provides language learning materials and internet access, catering to the needs of asylum seekers, youths from migrant backgrounds, and tourists.

Austrian dialectical differences

Austria is a multilingual country, with nearly all Austrians knowing at least two languages. The country's official language is German, but there are several dialects of German spoken throughout the country, and the vocabulary and pronunciation can vary significantly from region to region.

Standard Austrian German

Standard Austrian German (Österreichisches Standarddeutsch) is the standardised version of Austrian German used in official communications, government policies and announcements, mainstream media, and public education. It is largely similar to Standard German, with a few differences in vocabulary and pronunciation. The Österreichisches Wörterbuch (Austrian Dictionary) was first published in 1951 and officially set the standards for Austria's particular form of German.

Dialects

In their day-to-day lives, most Austrians speak one of several regional Austrian German dialects, which differ from Standard Austrian German and from each other. Some native Austrians report that it is difficult to understand Austrian dialects from other regions. For example, people from Vienna might struggle to understand Tyroleans, who live on the other side of the country.

Most Austrian dialects fall into the Bavarian dialect family, which is part of the High German group of dialects. Bavarians tend to soften, drop, or swallow final consonants, and tight vowel sounds often get broader. Unlike Standard German, Bavarian dialects use double negatives.

In the Reutte District and Vorarlberg, which border Liechtenstein and Switzerland, about 10 million people speak Alemannic dialects. Like Bavarian, Alemannic dialects are a variation of Hochdeutsch (High German). In Alemannic, the Standard German "gut" (good) becomes "guat", and "bisschen" (little bit) becomes "bitzle".

In the state of Styria, in the southeast of the country, about a million Austrians speak the Steiermark (Styrian) dialect. In this dialect, "ja" (yes) becomes "jou" (similar to "yoh" in English), and "Apfel" (apple) becomes "Oupfel".

The Viennese dialect, spoken in greater Vienna, is based largely upon the Bavarian dialect family. In Viennese, "ei" is pronounced "a" or "ah". Final consonants can get dropped, with "Schule" (school) pronounced as "Schui" or "shoo-ee".

Pronunciation

In Standard German, the common syllable "ei" is pronounced like the English word "eye". In western Austria, it sounds more like "owe-uh".

Tyrolean accents add extra consonants to Standard German words. For example, "gestern" (yesterday) is pronounced "geschtern" or "ghesh-tern" in Tyrolean, and "du bist" (you are) becomes "du bissht". The vowel sounds also get skewed, so that "musst" (must) sounds like "mooh-ahsht".

Vocabulary

There are many words that differ in Austrian German from their usage in most parts of Germany. For example, "Jänner" is used for "January" instead of "Januar", and "Erdapfel" is used for "potato" instead of the German "Kartoffel".

Austrian literature and the arts

Austrian literature and art have a rich history, with many notable figures contributing to the country's cultural output. The country's literary tradition is closely connected with German literature, with most Austrian literature being written in German. However, Austrian literature has developed a distinct style and character of its own.

Origins and Background

Austrian literature began to flourish in the 19th century, with novelists and short-story writers such as Adalbert Stifter, Arthur Schnitzler, Franz Werfel, Stefan Zweig, Franz Kafka, Thomas Bernhard, Joseph Roth, and Robert Musil, and poets including Georg Trakl, Rose Ausländer, Franz Grillparzer, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Paul Celan.

However, Austrian literature did not gain widespread recognition until the 19th century. Several factors contributed to this, including the dominance of the imperial court, which viewed culture as a political tool and censored all books mercilessly. Additionally, the late emergence of German literature meant that Austrian literature was not considered "classic" until the late 18th century when Goethe and Schiller began writing.

The Search for a Definition

Defining Austrian literature is challenging due to the dynamic and diverse nature of the field. It has been influenced by various regional traditions, languages, and ethnic and religious minorities within the multi-ethnic Habsburg monarchy, Austrian Empire, and Austro-Hungarian Empire. One example is Franz Kafka, who identified as "German" in relation to the ethnic minority living in Prague rather than as part of another part of the empire.

Medieval Period

During the Middle Ages, there was a homogeneous zone along the Danube River, spanning from Bavaria to the eastern territories. Travelers and bards brought new influences as they moved along this route. At the same time, the Alps and their isolated valleys developed their own unique regional cultures.

The first German texts were written around 750 in the early Middle Ages to translate Latin religious books. The Benedictine communities in Melk and Salzburg were notable literary and religious centres during this period. Ava (1060–1127), the first known German female writer, wrote within this tradition.

High and Late Middle Ages (1170–1500)

The Crusades brought new influences to Austrian literature, with knights becoming more prominent and prosperous. The oral minnesang, a form of poetry dealing with knights' love and worldly themes, emerged during this period. The Nibelungenlied, one of the most important literary works of the time, was created by an unknown minnesang poet most likely in the territories of Austria.

Baroque Period

The Thirty Years' War had a significant impact on Austrian literature, with writers reflecting on the sufferings of the time or escaping into more peaceful and beautiful worlds. Religious writing and sermons were also important genres during the Baroque period, which was influenced by the Counter-Reformation.

Enlightenment

Around 1720, philosophy and the idea of literature as a tool for educating the reader became strong motivations for Austrian literature. The ideas of Enlightenment took root, and ancient classic cultures (Greek and Roman) inspired poets, artists, architects, and writers. Austrian literature was also influenced by Freemasonry and criticism of the clergy, resulting in more educative and instructional works. Satire became a popular literary genre during this period.

First Half of the 19th Century

The ideas of the Enlightenment continued to influence Austrian literature in the early 19th century, with poets, artists, and writers drawing inspiration from ancient classic cultures. The Napoleonic Wars and the growing political oppression that followed led to a focus on domestic and non-political themes in literature.

The Biedermeier movement in literature, music, visual arts, and interior design emerged during this period, reflecting the growing urbanization and industrialization of the time. Writers such as Nikolaus Lenau and Franz Grillparzer are associated with this movement.

First Half of the 20th Century

The Jugendstil movement, which originated in Vienna, encompassed writers such as Arthur Schnitzler and Stefan Zweig. Another important centre of Austrian literature during this period was Prague, which was home to many German-speaking, mostly Jewish authors who made significant contributions to Austrian and world literature. These included Franz Kafka, Robert Musil, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Franz Werfel.

The end of World War I reduced Austria to a small, predominantly German-speaking country, leading to a sense of conviction among many Austrians that only a union with Germany could save the country from downfall. This conviction paved the way for the country's annexation by Hitler in 1938.

After World War II: Group of Vienna

Austrian literature after World War II reflected the diverse experiences of its writers, including those who had been in concentration camps, those who had emigrated, and those who had remained in Austria during the Nazi regime. The Group of Vienna, formed in 1954, included writers such as H.C. Artmann, Friedrich Achleitner, Konrad Bayer, Gerhard Rühm, and Oswald Wiener.

Thomas Bernhard, one of the most important writers of this period, constantly attacked Austria's tendency to ignore its Nazi past in his works. Another notable writer, Marianne Fritz, created a linguistic and fictional universe that dealt with the decline of the Austrian empire, using an artificial language that broke linguistic norms to achieve a more rhythmic speech.

Contemporary Authors

Contemporary Austrian literature continues to thrive, with writers such as Marie Anders, Dimitré Dinev, Olga Flor, Thomas Glavinic, Constantin Göttfert, Marianne Gruber, Wolf Haas, Klaus Händl, Ludwig Laher, Daniel Kehlmann, Michael Köhlmeier, Melamar, Gabriele Petricek, Doron Rabinovici, Julya Rabinowich, Kathrin Röggla, Erwin Uhrmann, Vladimir Vertlib, and Christine Werner, among others.

Austrian religion and secularism

Austria is a multicultural country with a diverse range of religions and secular beliefs. While the country has a long history of Roman Catholicism, increased secularism has led to a more neutral legal system and a decline in religious affiliation. Nevertheless, religion continues to play an important role in Austrian culture and society.

Religious Landscape

Austria has a rich religious landscape, with a variety of faiths and beliefs coexisting. According to a 2021 national survey, 68.2% of Austrians identify as Christians, with the majority being Roman Catholics (55.2%-61%). Eastern Orthodox Christians make up 4.9%-7.2% of the population, while Protestants account for 3.5%-5.6%. Islam is the religion of 8.3% of Austrians, and smaller communities of Buddhists, Hindus, and Jews are also present. Approximately 22% of the population does not belong to any religion.

Historical Context

Austria has a long history of Roman Catholicism, dating back to its time as part of the Holy Roman Empire and the influence of the Habsburg monarchy. However, other faiths have also left their mark on the country. In 1781, during the era of Austrian enlightenment, Emperor Joseph II issued a Patent of Tolerance, granting limited freedom of worship to other confessions. This reflected the religious diversity of the monarchy, which included Orthodox Christians, Protestants, and Jews.

Secularism and Religious Freedom

Despite its religious history, Austria has become increasingly secular, with a significant portion of the population having no religious affiliation. The country's legal system is strictly secular and neutral, guaranteeing freedom of religion for all citizens. This includes the right to abstain from religious activities and the protection of all types of religious beliefs. The Austrian Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice.

Religion in Daily Life

While religion may not play as prominent a role as it once did, it still influences various aspects of daily life in Austria. Many Catholic holidays are also government holidays, and the Catholic Church's governing body in Austria, the Austrian Conference of Catholic Bishops, holds significant influence. Additionally, the country has a strong tradition of religious education, with compulsory religious instruction in public schools for those who choose to participate.

Religious Diversity and Coexistence

Austria's religious landscape is characterised by diversity and coexistence. The country has a long history of immigration and has welcomed refugees and asylum seekers, leading to an increase in religious diversity. While there have been challenges and incidents of societal discrimination, Austria generally promotes tolerance and respect for different faiths. The country's commitment to religious freedom and its inclusive language policies contribute to social cohesion and a sense of community among people of various religious backgrounds.

Austrian sports and outdoor activities

Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, with a varied landscape of mountains, hills, forests, lakes, and rivers. Austrians have a deep love of nature and the outdoors, and this is reflected in the country's culture of sports and outdoor activities.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Austria is famous for its skiing and snowboarding, with extensive ski areas and modern cable cars. The country's mountainous landscape offers the perfect conditions for these sports, with challenging runs for experienced skiers and snowboarders, as well as gentler slopes for beginners. Cross-country skiing is also popular, with thousands of kilometres of trails available.

Hiking

Austria's varied landscape provides the perfect setting for hiking, with trails to suit all abilities. There are gentle walks through valleys and meadows, as well as more challenging routes up into the mountains. Winter hiking is also possible, with the opportunity to enjoy the unique experience of hiking through snow-covered landscapes.

Cycling

Cycling is a way of life in Austria, with the country's network of trails and roads providing the perfect setting for both leisurely rides and more challenging routes. Mountain biking and gravel biking (a combination of road and off-road cycling) are also popular.

Climbing

Austria's mountains provide ample opportunities for rock climbing and via ferrata (protected climbing routes). There are also climbing parks and high ropes courses for those looking for a more controlled climbing experience.

Water Sports

Austria has a high density of lakes, which provide the perfect setting for a range of water sports. Swimming, sailing, and diving are all popular activities, while the country's rivers offer the opportunity for rafting and canyoning.

Other Activities

Tobogganing is a popular activity in Austria, with many hills and mountains providing the perfect conditions for speeding down slopes. Ice skating is also a favourite pastime, with many outdoor rinks and frozen lakes to enjoy during the winter months. Horse-drawn sleigh rides are also a romantic way to experience the Austrian countryside in winter.

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