'Austria' - tagged features

The Europe of the 19th century didn’t have the same need to search for ways of grieving. Death wasn’t hidden or taboo in the way it sometimes is now. Nowhere was this perhaps more true than in Vienna, home to one of Europe's largest cemeteries. Viennese funerals are often grand affairs, with high fashion and live music. In fact the tradition is so rich that the Austrian capital has created a funeral museum. 

he former United Nations Secretary General Kurt Waldheim died last week and will be buried this weekend in his native Austria where he served a term as President. Waldheim caused an international row after he left the UN, when it was revealed his service with Hitler's army during World War 2 included time with a unit which committed atrocities in the Balkans. Deutsche Welle’s Kerry Skyring reports from Vienna, 

Austria hands over the Presidency of the European Union to Finland on Saturday 1st July. Over the past 6 months, Austria had the job of finalising details of the EU's post 2007 budget, as well as moving the Lisbon strategy forward. This initiative aims to increase Europe's competitiveness and to create more jobs. But an unexpected challenge came Austria's way when Russian energy supplies were suddenly threatened in the depths of the very cold last European winter. Kerry Skyring reports on the highs and lows of the Austrian EU Presidency. 

Cafés are often associated with communication and local culture. They are also a very typical symbol of our common European heritage. That's why the Institute of the Regions of Europe, backed by the Austrian EU Presidency, launched a project called "Café d'Europe". 27 cafés in 27 European capitals have held coffeehouse discussions with writers and the public to discuss European issues. The details from Radio Prague.