Supplementary Info on Carinthia & Austrian Culture

I got a message this morning that I think makes a good supplement to the information that I provide on TourMyCountry.com. As I state in the "about" section, the website draws my personal, subjective view on Austria - here you can read on an alternative approach from one of my readers:

"Darf Ich mich vorstellen, Ich heisse xxx, geb Spittal a.d. Drau und lebe seit xxx in NYC wo Ich meine Firma besitze. (May I introduce myself, my name is xxx, I was born in Spittal an der Drau and live in NYC, where I run a company - translation included by BM)

Since I don't have umlauts on my keyboard, and its simpler and less formal, I'm going to continue in English. I just stumbled accross your web site and felt the urge to write you and compliment you on a good job. If you will please endulge me,however, there are some things I take exception to, like the harsh and trivial way you deal with Carinthia for one. Don't get me wrong, I'm no big fan of many of my narrowminded provincial-landsmen, but because some Europeans didn't like Haider, it's hardly fair to describe them as xenophobes or right-wing nazis.

They are certainly not. You conveniently left out the fact that for almost 50 years, the Kaerntners, being good socialists, elected SPO for their Landeshauptman (governor - comment added by BM) and Klagenfurt, Villach and Spittal Mayors. That is until FPO's Hfrt. Leopold Guggenberger, former Mayor of Klagenfurt upset the applecart! Shame on you?

The Socialists of couse delivered the goods and votes for the party machine in Vienna, which took them for granted and usually delivered very little in return for Kaernten! But of course, that's to complicated and political to expain and you do have to sell google adds. (socialist co?) Which leads me to your analysis of Vienna, where you do hit the nail on the head. Das ist Wiennerisch - stets arrogant! Myself, like you, I love Salzburg. The Salzburger is open, friendly, productive, elegant, cultured, and business friendly. In short, the cutest little "big city"in Europe, and I've seen them all, while working in Copenhagen for xxx in the mid 70s.

It is my chosen home in Austria although I have cousins all over. Overall, you've done a great job of presenting Austria to the world, but remember one thing, before you bash Sound of Music, for all the corny stuff you correctly point out. Austria was unfairly labbeled a nasty little nazi country where Hitler came from. (promoted by the likes of Lillian Helman and Otto Preminger, who just wouldn't be persuaded otherwise by their good friend Chancellor Bruno Kreisky)

The movie broke that mold, and you should praise Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp family in Vermont for that ! ! ! Thanks to the turn of events from that movie, Austria and its rich culture, recieved renewed interest and a tourist tide from all over the world, which has not receeded to this day. You can thank your wealth and prosperity in many ways to that annoying (to us Austrians) fake movie. Keep up the good work and if your ever in NYC, look me up. Best regards and pfeadi.'"

Further Reading:
http://www.tourmycountry.com/austria/freedom-party.htm