Professional Documents
Culture Documents
‘To show
Young Voices of the New Europe
modern man
his true face.’
Otto Wagner
Euro 2,- | June 2006 The Newspaper of Webster University Vienna | Vol. 4 No. 2
Fears Flooding
,
In Iran: ‘No
Smoking Gun’
On the Danube US Amb. Schulte
Speaks at WUV
Record Water Levels in Eastern Europe Threatened by Mazin Elfehaid
Thousands and Suggest Impacts of Global Warming In an Apr. 12 guest lecture at
Sacrilege!
conducted by the Center for Eu-
ropean Reform in London.
Immigrants represent a more
flexible labor reserve, often more
willing to take jobs that require
The Church Fathers Have Every Right to be more relocation and mobility
Afraid: Organized Religion is in Trouble than natives. It seems no coin-
Austria - a (Reluctant)
framework of law and society, or- lieve something for which there is, particularly in fields such as Infor-
ganized religion is in trouble. and can be, no proof. mation Technology, or as in Aus-
And anyway, this is fiction, tria, in engineering and the highly
ESSAY and these quibbles are beside the skilled building trades. The
Autocrat in Belarus
tomatic, and gains can be lost. On Iran, he urged great cau-
Fischer’s realism has helped In Central Europe, the idea of tion. “All I can say is, I have expe-
make him popular outside of Ger- freedom means a great deal. But rienced [things like this, and the
many, and particularly here in so- the chances are not good that all harm] is not only the suffering of
cialist Vienna. of their newly-built institutions the people, but the damage to the
Winning Soundly, Lukashenko Ended Hopes for Change “Fischer is certainly a per- will succeed without a single gov- spirit of the country”
sonality admired by Austrians,” ernment. “You cannot have a Eu- From a recent gathering of
agreed Karl A. Weilguny, a man- rope that is open and have these American, European and Middle
by Andrey Siletski to obtain 50% of Beltransgas. With Lukashenko ignoring agement consultant in Vienna countries closed off,” he said. “We Eastern leaders in Washington
As the smoke of public dis- However, uncomfortable with the warnings, the E.U. Council of who had come simply out of in- cannot live under two different D.C., Fischer had left convinced
sent and revolutionary temper the practical takeover of essential Foreign Ministers on Apr. 10 de- terest to hear this important, if principles.” that “we must combine moderni-
settled on October Square in the national economic resources, Lu- clared Lukashenko and 30 mem- often controversial leader. By extension, Fischer sees zation with an Islamic govern-
center of Minsk, ardent support- kashenko demanded harsh terms bers of his government persona Joschka Fischer was a “ ‘68er,” an open Europe dependent on ment” – an opinion he expected
ers of Alexander Lukashenko were that had left Russian authorities non grata, restricting their pres- part of the German student protest the success and stability of all of to be unpopular. Yet how quickly
celebrating the re-election of their resentful. ence in any of the 25 European movement against and a left-wing its neighboring countries. In the this could happen was very prob-
president for the third term. Win- Referring to international member states. labor organizer at the automobile East, he sees a “cultural decision” lematic. Even Turkey, far more
ning an overwhelming majority market prices, Lukashenko esti- The list of top officials, factory where he worked. How- to make, to bring the New Inde- modern than many of its neigh-
of votes, Lukashenko successfully mated the cost of Beltransgas to banned from traveling to Europe, ever left-wing terrorist attacks by pendent States under the Euro- bors, he expects, will be hard
dismantled Europe’s last hope for be at least $5bln, while Moscow included senior members of the the Red Army Faction pressed to meet EU stand-
change in Belarus, vainly strug- tagged its price at only $700 mil- presidential administration, top (RAF) during the 1977 ards within the 10-year goal
gling for democratic elections and lion.
freedom of speech. Nevertheless, since the early
officials of the KGB, or Commit-
tee of National Security, which still
Deutscher Herbst (Ger-
man Autumn) caused him
‘I have the set for membership.
However, he did not see
Scheduled for Mar. 31, the 1990’s, Russia has been enjoying bears its name from the Soviet Era, to abandon violence as a impression that how Turkey – the southern
presidential inauguration was privileged transit prices on gas election supervisors, judges, and a tool for change, and turn most member of NATO
postponed for twenty days, dur- and its export to Western Europe. prosecutor involved in processing to the new Green Party. the better things “ensuring our security
ing which Lukashenko unexpect- Currently, it pays $0.75/tcm per cases against opposition members, Today, Fischer de- against the USSR” – could
edly disappeared according to scribes himself as “the last get and the more be kept out.
from the nation- the Interna- of the live Rock-and-Roll- “If we close the door,
al media, raising tional Herald ers of German politics,”
we overcome the where will we be?” he
the speculation Tribune. in the era of “the Play- ghosts of the past, asked. “We will have a Tur-
of his dete- Praising back-Generation.” key full of disappointment,
riorating health Europe’s ac- He is puzzled by the the less popular with a Russia standing by.”
among opposi- tion, presiden- political mood he sees to- Whether modernization
tion activists. In tial candidate day, as seen in the French Europe is with will happen in these coun-
reality, however, Alexander “non” and the Dutch tries is, then, the decisive
L u k a s h e n k o’s Milinkevich, “nee” to the EU Consti-
the young’ question for Europe, with
orchestrated tri- also leader of tution. Although the Eu- decisions based on the con-
umph was over- the Belorus- ropean standard of living sequences.
shadowed by a sian United keeps rising, the idea of Europe pean umbrella. For while Russia “But decide we must,”
series of unfortu- Democratic appears to becoming less and less has European roots, it is “so huge Fischer said. “Because when Af-
nate events. Forces, called popular. it has its own character” that must rica begins to export its problems,
Courtesy of the Associated Press
Immediately the sanctions “I have the impression that not be allowed to influence East- the Mediterranean will not be
after his victory “one of the the better things get and the more ern Europe. wide enough, walls will not be
on Mar. 19, Lu- most effective we overcome the ghosts of the Bigger challenges await in the high enough, to protect us from
kashenko re- measures that past, the less popular it is with Middle East, also “our immediate all this.”
ceived an urgent the European the young,” Fischer said, “—how neighbor.” he said.
note from Mos- Pa r l i a m e n t much the EU Expansion means, “Globalization means that The Jan Patocka Memorial Lec-
cow, in which and the Eu- and yet how unpopular it is.” we have to care for our neighbors tures are in honor of the Czech phi-
Russian authori- ropean Com- This is the paradox of EU – not (just) militarily, but with losopher, who though banned from
ties declared a mission have,” ambivalence, that the success of chances for development. We have teaching and publishing under com-
sharp increase in according to transformation carries within it to invest not primarily financially munist Czechoslovakia, became an
Alexander Lukashenko won the presidency by a huge margin
gas prices to Eu- Belorussian the seeds of forgetfulness and the – although that when necessary intellectual and moral leader of the
ropean export rates. one hundred kilometers through news agency Belaplan on April dangers of complacency. In 1989 – but with opportunity.” Czech underground.With poet-presi-
Russian gas would be sup- Beltransgas pipelines, a ridiculous- 10. Berlin was still divided. “To overcome a moderniza- dent Vaclav Havel and others, Pa-
plied at prices “equivalent to Eu- ly low charge that Belarus grants Meanwhile, there is growing “We had the luck to break tion blockade – this is our special tocka was also a signer of the Charter
ropean levels,” announced Alexei its neighbor for both political and concern that Lukashenko’s gov- this control,” he remembered. “I challenge – without coming to 77 defense of human rights.
Miller, head of Russian gas giant economic support, according to ernment, labeled by the E.U. the thought so often during those ne- any military conflict.” The series has included finan-
Gazprom on Mar. 30, to $270 per Interfax on Mar. 7. “last remaining dictatorship” in gotiations, ‘You won’t be able to In relation to the US invasion cier and philanthropist George Soros,
thousand cubic meters (tcm) in Thus, Russian vindictive- the West, may be confronted with hold out, to find a solution to all of Iraq, he seemed to make a dis- distinguished Middle East scholar
2007, from the current $46.99/ ness is nothing less than a note of a new kind of resistance that no these different issues. tinction between US government Edward Said, former U.S. Na-
tcm, according to a report in the warning that may have irreversible security apparatus will be able to During the Cold War, Germa- policy and the American people. tional Security Advisor Zbigniew
Financial Times the next day. consequences for Lukashenko. contain. ny had the greatest U.S. military “Most Americans would not Brzezinski, Polish Nobel Prize win-
Energy Minister Alexander By accepting Russian terms A series of blasts that shook presence in Europe and a budget have done that,” he said. “But we ning novelist Czeslaw Milosz, and
Ageev was bewildered. Prospects of ownership, Beltransgas will the city of Vitebsk in the north- growing every year. In 1989 this all have to deal with the conse- Austrian writer and human rights
of skyrocketing gas prices were become a powerful political and east of Belarus last year suggest a disappeared overnight.” quences. These are our neighbors, activist Eli Wiesel.
causing panic in official Minsk. economic tool in hands of Krem- shocking pattern that could devel-
The Belorussian president’s un- lin authorities, while Lukashenko op if the current political scenario
disguised confidence quickly will most likely see the demise of persists.
changed to uncertainty and even his power and the gradual take Troubled by predictions of in-
despair. over of Belorussian sovereignty. creasing unrest, Lukashenko was a
He realized that his widely The twilight of Lukashenko’s changed man when he reappeared
heralded success in the elections presidency has been further accel- before the public after his twenty-
was largely due to perceived eco- erated by EU diplomatic sanctions day absence. He appeared pale
nomic stability and promises of protesting the allegedly fraudulent and sullen on television, stand-
increasing social welfare benefits. elections in Belarus, a true mile- ing most of the time with his fists
Aware of Russia’s vindictive re- stone for Europe. clenched.
sponse to complaints by Ukraine Speaking on behalf of the There were noticeable bags
and Moldova of soaring gas pric- European Union on March 24 in under his eyes, even at the eu-
es, which had led to a brief cut in Brussels, Austrian Foreign Minis- phoric announcement by the head
supply of natural gas in January, ter Ursula Plassnik announced the of the Central Election Commis-
Lukashenko realized that he is not decision to take restrictive meas- sion, Lydia Ermoshina that “people
in the position to bargain. ures, including a ban on travel made this decision in free, fair and
The surprise was Russia’s for Lukashenko and other top democratic elections,” according to
drastic policy reversal, which now Belarus officials, to “express our the Moscow-based Kommersant.
threatened to remove Lukashenko misgivings about the violations of Lukashenko seemed to sense
from power. Apparently, he was international electoral standards,” the growing resentment – of politi-
paying for the unsettled dispute according to a report in the Associ- cal isolation from Europe and eco-
over privatization of Belorussian ated Press on March 24. Plassnik nomic pressure from Russia, of his
state-owned Beltransgas, a gas dis- also called on Belorussian presi- political status as the dictator and
tributor that controls 6,742 km of dent to stop violent persecution oppressor of freedom and democ-
pipelines and transports devalued of protesters, after police forces racy. Finally, it was resentment of
Russian gas to Europe. stormed an opposition tent camp his unwelcome presidency that will
In May 2003, Gazprom held in the center of Minsk and arrested bring the last autocratic govern-
official negotiations with Minsk more than 200 demonstrators. ment in Europe to its end.
Politics 5
Still in Hiding
Serbia’s Ties to the EU Hang on Delivering Karadzic and Mladic
by Duska Gonja their territory. But the truth was, Carla Del Ponte, remains com-
The April 30 deadline has that most of the time, they didn’t mitted to their capture and has
Courtesy of CNN
govern for a full four-year term. was stuck and taxes had not been tion, successor of the Communist nia opened up a secret said everything
But if you take a look inside lowered as promised. More to the Party, had very strong roots with Bosnian-Serb under- had been done to
the Italian political scene, there is point, the leader of the right and older people, the unions and the ground military com- try to bring in the
chaos. The center left coalition led richest man of Italy had himself poor. Berlusconi understood that plex near the town of fugitive. He said
by Prodi was able to win only by a been accused of tax evasion, of leftist voters were a very rigid Han Pijesak, where it Mladic was “alone”
Serbia’s Former General Ratko Mladic
remarkably thin margin of 24,000 controlling the media and accu- group of people that had voted in was claimed that Mladic on the run since the gov-
votes, meaning only 0.1 percent of mulating too much power into his every past election for the left and had been as recently as July 2004. that have made the arrest of either ernment had cracked down on his
the overall vote. Although many own hands. And according to the would continue to do so. However, a NATO-led operation man more likely in Serbia. support network.
believe the center-left coalition the polls, there was a clear majority of That is why he decided to ap- at the time failed to find him. One is that the Serbian gov- “His entire network has been
Union (L’Unione) is strong and Italians who were against Italy’s peal to the undecided voters. It It was also revealed that ernment has changed its attitude uncovered; Mladic is now hiding all
united, there are already a couple involvement in the war in Iraq. was in Bersluconi’s favor to have Mladic was still an official mem- and now is co-operating with The alone,” Kostunica said. Serbia was
of small leftist parties that have Most of the foreign newspa- as many people as possible partici- ber of the Bosnian-Serb military Hague Tribunal. hoping to reach a new deal with the
started asking for more represen- pers as well as almost all the Ital- pate in elections. Only by having as recently as 2002 and was still A video showing killings of EU by July to take its first step on
tation in the new government that ian dailies not owned by Berlus- a large number of those that were receiving a military pension. Srebrenica captives shocked many the road to eventual membership.
is yet to be formed. coni had clearly positioned them- undecided or had not voted in the Although he is originally Serbs who, up until now, had All other countries in the Balkans,
A new election law that came selves in favor of Prodi and the past, could the right narrow the from Bosnia, however, there are simply not believed a massacre of except Bosnia, already have such
into force only a couple of weeks left. The Economist’s front page disadvantage and maybe win the strong rumors that his real sup- 8,000 Muslims had actually taken stabilization and association agree-
prior to the elections favors the headline on the election day was: elections. port comes from Serbia. Leading place in Srebrenica in 1995. With ments, providing for closer political
Union in the lower house, the “Berlusconi, Basta! (Berlusconi, Finally, one must never forget Serb politicians have admitted for less sentiment on Mladic’s side, and economic ties with the EU.
Chamber of Deputies, where Enough!)” that in Italy anything can happen. some time that democratic con- Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav But Del Ponte has already
they hold a comfortable majority Nevertheless, the Union won This is a very curious thing about trol over every aspect of and part Kostunica pledged to hand over called for the EU to take a tough
of more than 60 votes. But when elections by only 0.1 percent of Italians; most of them do not be- of the Serbian security structures Mladic by the end of April. stance on Belgrade and Rehn said
it comes to the Senate, the lead the votes. Berlusconi’s party, Forza lieve in the state, rather they tend has been little more than wish- And in the background, the that the next round of talks, set for
narrows down to only two votes. Italia, ranked first among the po- to believe in the person. And from ful thinking. Serbian politicians irrepressible figure of the UN’s 11 May, could be called off unless
Knowing that the Italian constitu- litical parties, leaving the biggest this perspective, Berlusconi has have always denied Mladic was in Chief Prosecutor at The Hague, Mladic is arrested.
tion allows perfect bicameralism, leftist party, Democrats of the always appeared in their eyes as
Prodi will have a tough task get- Left, more than 8 points behind. a successful entrepreneur. More
ting his program through the Sen- How can this all be explained? than a vote between the Italian
ate. More to the point, the Italian As a start, Berlusconi had right and the left, as in the last
Senate has seven lifelong mem- more media support on his side elections in the United States,
bers, who are all respected senior throughout the weeks of the elec- Italians voted in favor or against
politicians, but at the same time toral campaign. One of the biggest Berlusconi. And although most of
unpredictable, when it comes to daily newspapers as well as three his critics accused him of not hav-
casting their votes. national private TV channels, all ing done enough for the Italian
The situation isn’t much better owned by Berlusconi, obviously economy, North Italy, the most
in the other camp. Berlusconi and played his game. According to industrialized part of the country,
his House of Liberties Coalition a study published by the Italian still voted for him.
(Casa delle Liberta) are having a Institute of Media Monitoring, Even after the elections it is
difficult time accepting defeat. In- investments in Berlusconi’s three hard to tell who the real winner
deed, Berlusconi has made it clear national private TV channels had in Italy is. It is hard to predict
that he will ask for a recounting increased by 15% during the final what will happen in the coming
of the votes because of the many month of elections. months. But one thing is for sure:
irregularities that, according to Recently released movies, Prodi will form the new govern-
his party, occurred. Although the soap operas and serials were being ment of the left, while Berlusconi
courts have given their final deci- televised by Mediaset, Berlusconi’s will not be Prime Minister any-
sion and have validated the results media group, in order to increase more – at least for the time being.
6 Politics
NO SMOKING GUN ernment announced that, along Bookstore. “This would have no
cent) unemployment rate among Continued from page 1 with having enriched Uranium, impact,” Schulte said, though shied
young people. The need for more controversy and capable of it was also building a complex of away from any further comment on
flexibility in hiring seems obvi- smoothly incorporating pointed 3000 centrifuges to be operational what appeared to be a diplomatic
ous in the wake of last year’s riots challenges into his argument. by March 2007. According to taboo.
in poor, largely Arab suburbs of “I just want you to know that Schulte, such a large number of The US has joined with the
Paris, where joblessness runs far in light of yesterday’s important centrifuges of this kind can spin UN in calling for a Weapons of
higher. announcements [that Iran has en- enough uranium to make nuclear Mass Destruction-free zone in the
Many of the protesters did not riched uranium for the first time], weapons within a year. Middle East “In order to achieve
seem to have much to do with the I have asked my assistant to clear Most experts disagree with this this, countries need to feel free and
law proposed by the French gov- my schedule except for Webster number however. A report pub- safe,” he said. “Israel and Palestine
ernment. Those affected were stu- University. In fact, I worked on lished by the Institute for Strate- need peace and Iran is the biggest
dents who had just finished Uni- a schedule with President Ahmed- gic Studies in London states that, opponent to this.”
versity but who were without out inejad personally so that I could if Iran wanted to, it would take a The Arab League, a council
connections or recourses to enter come here,” Schulte said, speak- minimum of 3 and could take as consisting of political leaders in
the job market. For instance, the ing in a clear, succinct and some- long as 15 years to produce nuclear the Middle East, has also recently
Courtesy of The Associated Press
marchers were not poor. Besides what informal manner. weapons. called for such a WMD-free zone,
union members, those leading Iran has been developing a nu- It is with this in mind that the Gulf Daily News reported in
the protests were politically active clear program since the 1950’s and Schulte says that tough, multilat- late April, and as reported by the
high school and university stu- has been party to the NPT since eral diplomatic aims are in order BBC, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali
dents, often with clear objectives, 1970. Members of the NPT are to “reinforce IAEA authority and Khamenei has issued a fatwa forbid-
pre-set political goals. obliged to refrain from producing demonstrate to Teheran that they ding the production, stockpiling, or
One could argue, of course, nuclear weapons, though they may are isolating themselves.” The goal, use of nuclear weapons.
that solidarity was a value shared develop nuclear technologies for he maintains, is to convince the Ira- When asked what evidence
by most of the revolutionaries, peaceful means such as energy pro- nian leadership to “step off the path there was for the possibility of Iran’s
thus anybody was justified in par- duction. of confrontation and choose coop- nuclear ambitions being anything
ticipating in the protests. True, Iran’s recent announcement eration.” other than peaceful, Schulte re-
but in this case those who had of a uranium enrichment program The questioning began with ferred the audience to the IAEA’s
Privileged protesters forced the Prime Minister to back down little to do with the issue directly has faced severe criticisms from the WUV director Dr. Arthur. website (www.iaea.org). The nu-
outnumbered those affected by it. international community. Because “I know this may be a naïve clear program had proven links to
COMMENTARY
concern. The second raised many
doubts as to whether the French
manent employment could be
worse than the short-term jobs
the United Nations Security
Council by the IAEA board
been defiant dialogue continue. Ameri-
cans can be impatient;
Future Uncertain
school Ben Franklin will open the budget (pending 22 million in August have indicated they will
in January as a charter school federal relief money to come). return in January when the cam-
– turned into a charter school With 12,000 enrollments and pus opens again. Both UNO and
like many other public schools the federal aid, no faculty and Xavier will set up trailer colonies
to restart while the dysfunctional staff positions will have to be cut. on their campuses in January to
In Spite of Pressures, Most WUV Students Feel Confident elected School Board continues to Two colleagues in the History De- house faculty and staff that lost
be marred by their usual infight- partment retired a semester earlier their houses in Katrina.
by Andrey Siletski observe the environment and give “Now, as look I back, I realize ing and backbiting, usually divid- than planned. But no stories of Many people are making
and Rita Pollozhani some critical thoughts about the that it was my fault that I haven’t ed along racial lines. colleagues “abandoning the ship” enormous personal sacrifices to
In spite of increasing pressures world that surrounds us.” learned it,” he noted with a deep Ben Franklin will open be- and moving away have come to rebuild New Orleans, in higher
from an increasingly demanding In specific situations, how- sense of resentment. cause the principal and teachers my attention yet, even though education and elsewhere. These
job market, Webster Vienna stu- ever, students were less clear. Clear plans for graduate and parents took matters into one would expect everyone pon- personal commitments will fuel
dents feel on the whole optimis- Austrian companies do not give school were rare, reported by only their own hands (without asking dering his/her options. Former the come back, but we will con-
tic about their futures hoping to hiring preferences to Webster three students. The others were the School Board) and cleaned Presidents Bush and Clinton were tinue to need the nation’s help as
bring their plans to life, accord- degree holders, reported 38% of willing, but had little to no idea of up and rebuilt the first floor of on the UNO Lakefront campus well to achieve full recovery.
ing to a recent survey of student the students. And some suggested where they wanted to go. their badly flooded school. They this week to announce the dis- On Dec. 3 the D-Day Mu-
opinion. And while three quarters Webster was not yet competitive (In this group were also sen- got enormous help from plenty of persals of some 90 million dollars seum opened up again, after the
of seniors had no fixed job at the enough in the Austrian higher iors about to graduate in Spring, volunteers and also UNO. from their “Bush-Clinton Katrina opening of the zoo and “Christ-
time of graduation, the major- education system. Summer or Winter of 2006, and The quiet determination of Fund” raised from private dona- mas in the Oaks” in City Park
ity had a clear direction and were Even though WUV is now most of the application deadlines the University of New Orleans to tions. 35 million will go to higher this past weekend, another ray of
confident they would be able to accredited in Austria, a Webster for Master Programs end before be up and running as quickly as education, 1,5 million to UNO hope of rebuilding/reconstituting
find an opportunity in their cho- Bachelors’ is sometimes chal- the February or May 2006. These possible seems to be the best kept (most Gulf Coast area universities of key institutions defining public
sen field. lenged by the University of Vi- students felt that some kind of secret in town and has not been will receive support). Here too, it and civic life in the city.
“I’m planning to work in the enna as qualification for pursuing support from the Webster fac- reported in the media here. UNO was individual initiative and pri-
field of management after I com- the advanced degrees many stu- ulty and administration as to the reopened classes on Oct. 11 on its vate generosity that brings hope Günter Bischof has been “post-
plete my studies at Webster,” said dents find all important. requirements and timing of these satellite campus in Jefferson par- and relief to New Orleans. Katrina” visiting professor of his-
Business Administration major “I think that obtaining a applications in general would be ish (1,000 students enrolled in Meanwhile, across town Tu- tory at Louisiana State Univer-
Irena Kraljevic with unconcealed Masters degree is essential to con- helpful.) regular classes and 7,000 in on- lane University has announced sity in Baton Rouge during the
excitement. “I am waiting for a temporary highly competitive job So how might Webster Univer- line classes); meanwhile the main major retrenchments in academic fall of 2005 and will return to
positive response from a company market,” said a Business major stu- sity be helpful to its graduating sen- Lakefront campus opened again and athletic programs. Nine ath- the University of New Orleans
in New York, where I could finally dent from Slovakia. “A Bachelors iors? First, students recommended early in December and so did the letic programs will be cut (pre- in January to teach and chair the
apply my skills in practice.” degree is simply not enough.” He thematic workshops, such as those Library; intercession classes begin dictably not football). 230 faculty department of history.
The survey measured opinion was considering continuing his organized by the Career Develop-
Precious Words
in four essential areas: confidence studies at Webster, although. ment Center (CDC), as well as in-
in career choices, experiences in Thus it was not clear why formation sessions about Austrian
the Austrian job market, ambi- these same individuals had shown labor laws for non-Austrian citizens.
tions to continue with higher so much confidence in their Web- Second, information sessions
graduate education, and finally, ster undergraduate degree. Only about alternative systems of higher
recommendations on how Web- 2% thought companies give pref- education, i.e. US vs. British vs. GAO Study: Book Prices Up at Twice the Rate of Inflation
ster could support them better. erences to Webster degree holders, French universities, so that stu-
The survey included forty stu- although only a sixth had so far dents would be able to make more by Sean Delaney for Webster Vienna Student. For deciding factors in making a sale.
dents from all majors, with six- applied for one or more jobs re- informed decisions about their op- Every semester book prices at Ben Fasching-Gray, manager of the Tenured professors usually cre-
teen seniors, twenty juniors and lated to their major, and one had tions for graduate school. Finally, Webster rise another few euros. The Webster Vienna Bookstore, it was a ate their materials, Fasching-Gray
four freshmen. been hired on the second try. help with graduate entrance exams trend is not just at the European management decision. said. However granting only part-
Twenty five percent of seniors Perhaps surprisingly, a full would be very helpful, with support campuses, but has been a trend at “If I buy back a book that goes time status to faculty is an easy way
reported finding a job related to 77.5% had never even applied for from language and math teachers or campuses across the U.S.. out of date, then I am stuck with for institutions to save money. The
their major before graduation, a job related to their major in the advisors for GMAT, GREs or Law So the Government Account- the cost,” he says. Many univer- costs are simply passed on to book
leaving three quarters as yet un- Austrian job market, and only five Boards and university specific exams ability Office (GAO) of the U.S. sity bookstores are owned by large companies, and ultimately on to
committed. A comfortable ma- for an internship, one of whom such as those for Oxford or Cam- Congress decided to look into the chains like Barnes & Noble, and students.
jority of those still without a job was accepted on the first try. It bridge, or the Columbia Graduate matter and has generated a study on for them it is relatively cheap to buy With students spending over
(65%), knew the kind of job or is possible that Webster students School of Journalism. Students also textbook cost increases. What they books back. five billion dollars a year on text-
career they wanted to pursue. rely on personal contacts and suggested workshops where students found was that the cost of textbooks Perhaps Universities should books, the industry has become a
However, this left a third of the other “special arrangements,” as can take sample tests and exercises. has increased at more than twice take a page from Viennese interna- money making giant, and with fre-
interviewed uncertain o their fu- described earlier. Overall students appear gener- the rate of inflation, an average of 6 tional schools a start a loan system. quent revisions, it becomes harder
ture prospects. The question then was why ally satisfied with their studies at percent per year instead of inflation’s Mr. Fasching-Gray supports a sys- to buy used books that are current.
Yet overall, confidence was such a large proportion of stu- Webster. At the same time, they are 2.5% for 2004. Book price inflation tem that would have Universities Publishers, however, must re-
high. Of those who did not have dents feel so negatively about the generally uninformed about their has kept pace with the rate of tuition buy enough books for a few years lease lower-cost books in interna-
a job already, a considerable ma- Austrian job market, when only a possibilities and oddly unmotivated increases, which is about 7%. and would charge a small fee over tional markets to meet standard pric-
jority felt that their Webster un- small faction had any first-hand to address the problem, either from The result is that from 2003 those years to loan out the books es abroad. And for some students in
dergraduate degree would be very experience with it. In follow-up confusion or fear, or because of the to 2004, students in four-year in- each year. Many books change very the U.S., these books have become
advantageous in they job search. interviews, many assumed that if lack of support. stitutions paid an average of $898 little from edition to edition, so an option. But book companies have
Only four students had had any they didn’t speak German profi- “Support from the faculty is a year each for textbooks and sup- only subjects like computers would limited the number of books that are
doubt that their time at Univer- ciently enough and did not have something that our university lacks”, plies, 26% of their tuition and fees. need the latest update of a book. allowed to re-enter the U.S.
sity had been valuably spent. Austrian citizenship, they would confessed Ivana Markovska, a senior It was even worse for first-year stu- The GAO study cites several rea- So maybe more teachers should
“Webster helped shape my have little chance. student from Macedonia. “I think dents in institutions attended by sons for the consistent rise in textbook use handouts; or maybe we don’t
understanding of the world,” said “When I think of Austrian that if students were given a more many low-income students, whose prices: The availability of used books, always need the latest edition. Or
Ruta Kurselyte, Computer Sci- job market, I feel a certain level of transparent picture of employment average cost 3/4 of their total costs demand for textbooks, and rising pro- maybe universities and govern-
ence and Media Communications restraint,” said Mladen Kovacevic, opportunities, the result would have for tuition. In both cases, the study duction costs all affect prices. ments should be required to take a
major, as well as teaching her im- an International Relations student been significantly different. Some- said, textbooks alone represented Quite a bit has been invested in refresher course in Economics 101,
portant skills that she can now ap- from Croatia. “I think that for- times I feel that vital information the overwhelming majority of these supplementary materials for adjunct and remind themselves that educa-
ply in the rapidly changing world: eigners have a hard time finding a simply doesn’t get to students due to non-tuition costs. faculty, the study said. These supple- tion is a Public Good, and that in
“During my studies, I was not job here, especially if they do not organizational failures.” One way that students at most ments are particularly important for just a few years, the students of
aware of how much I was learning, speak the language. Perhaps, there is a certain truth universities keep prices down is by adjuncts whose earn-as-you-go sta- today will be paying the pensions
but now, when I look back, I see “The only solution, I guess, is in this statement. Another question buying used books and selling them tus does not allow them the time to of their parents’, their professors’,
an enormous change in my ability to learn German as soon as pos- is how do we overcome it? back to the book store at the end create their own supplemental ma- and the politicians who ought to
to write stories, to raise questions, sible and try to integrate,” he said. of the year. This is not an option terials. These materials can be the know better.
8 Scenes of Vienna
marionette starring at him while
being held together only by a cou-
ple of strings. He didn’t look too White Roses
happy.
Mozart’s look-alike was giving On Every House, Victims Remembered
directions to a young Australian
couple when I left Stephansplatz By Dardis McNamee cathedral, while thousands looked
to proceed down Kärnternstrasse, Friday May 5th. Walking on. Along the wall, a hand full
perplexed yet also amused at the home along the Hollandstrasse in of enlarged portraits of a few of
sum of nonsense and cultural Vienna’s 2nd District, I was puz- the more famous bore witness yet
courtesy of wilkens.dynds.org
clashes one witnessed on a 20 zled to see in nearly every door- again to the depth of the loss.
minute walk. way a handful of delicate white The names on the tags had
I decided for myself that I roses. Sometimes they were at the been written out by hundreds,
liked the variety of guests for side of the stoop, sometimes along maybe thousands, of middle
bringing color and diversity to the the window ledge beside it. school children, a massive under-
picture; and lets not forget their They were young roses, only taking of thought and coordina-
economic contributions to the partly open, in white somehow tion. That day the children were
city whilst they are here. more fragile. At first I thought… let out of school, to walk through
It did however make me won- But who would abandon such the streets of their neighborhoods,
der how Vienna, a city that so ve- lovely flow- delivering
hemently denied foreigners could ers? the tagged
They have a dance, the tourists and the Viennese, each aware of the other yet never holding on to tight.
stand a tourist invasion like the It was flowers, to
one I witnessed. a warm the build-
wilt quickly
ings that
had once
been other
On Stephansplatz: A Potpourri of Languages and Maps while witnessing the lack of ap- without wa- p e o p l e ’s
preciation that I find normal com- ter, unpro- homes.
By Paul Krauskopf with me. I escaped “ehrot-en- places as their glasses, hair, wrist ing from tourism. tected. I
Walking my 20 minutes turm-ehstrasse” unharmed just to and even ears! Maybe we are in a time where T h e y picked
home through the first district walk right into the next danger But this group stood out certain diffusion takes place; tour- were tied one up
last turned into a neck-tourning zone: a bunch of drunk British more than anything because they ists invade, Viennese make way with stream- and read
tourist safari. I could not believe guys. had all surrounded a single square and hide. They have a dance, the ers, and I had the tag:
the amount of tourists that were Please remember, this was a meter on the “Stephansplatz” for tourists and the Viennese, each the fleeting On one
paving the streets in and around Saturday afternoon, about 3 p.m. no apparent reason; aware of the other yet never hold- thought they side, was
Stephansplatz. A potpourri of lan- I began to wonder; not so Only by blending in and ing on to tight. might be printed
guages and city maps awaited my much why they were already progressing your way through While Europe is Vienna’s left from a bridesmaid’s bouquet, the memorial:
still sleepy eyes. drunk at 3 p.m., but much more, the uniform crowd could you see guest in these beautiful months of or someone’s table decorations, “More that 80,000 Austrians
While I walked the first ques- where had they been able to raise and hear a puppeteer dangling his summer, Viennese retire to hold tossed aside with festive abandon. were murdered under the Na-
tion arose: where in the world to get this smashed in the middle marionette. He had picked out a their summers rest until the tur- But no; they were single stems; tional Socialist Regime,” it read.
have all these Italians been for the of the day? As I walked passed little Japanese infant, had sat him moil is over. no arrangements, no settings. And “On the 5th of May, we are taking
last couple of weeks? What are the them I picked up a sentence; one in front of his little fake piano and Just wait until the snow then I remembered. 80,000 white roses inscribed with
odds of hundreds of Italians book- of the drunken young lads felt it created an impromptu stage play comes, the icy wind returns that It was a day of commemora- the names of the victims to the ad-
ing Rome -Vienna all on the 25th was time to board a fiaker in or- in which the marionette together blows your hat off or sends you tion for those who had died in the dresses in Austria where these peo-
of March? Although the sky was der to make their way around with the Japanese baby where per- running after your umbrella. Holocaust. On Stephansplatz, in ple lived – as our neighbors – be-
grey and clouds hung low around Vienna quicker. He thought he forming a duet-cover version of That’s when you will see them the company of Austrian survi- fore they were taken away. These
Stephansdom, a warm breeze could declare his destination and the “Eagles” classic “Hotel Cali- emerge, mummified by countless vors, now aging and increasingly are the flowers of memory.”
eased its way through the Gassen the well-trained horses would take fornia”, surrounded by cameras layers of clothing, the cane held frail, 80,000 white roses, tagged On the other, in a round,
and swept over Stephansplatz. him there. that rattled off their flashes as if it in firm grip by the leather glove, with the names of the dead, were childish hand, the name Ernestine
I really couldn’t understand Still grinning at the thought was gunfire. mumbling and uttering how bad brought in buckets and arranged Hilfreich – which means Little Se-
how „Rotenturmstrasse“ had of the four attempting to board The Eastern-European pup- they have it and how much they in a vast meadow at the feet of the rious One; last name: Helpful.
turned into „ehro-ten-turm-es- the fiaker, probably all at once, I peteer was having the time of his hate the snow.
trasse“ within a day, the smell of see a rather familiar assembly at life, the dollar signs revolving in And just sometimes, when
„due expressi“ or a slice of „quat- Stephansplatz. About 250 Japa- his eyes as the Japanese crowd they suspect no ones looking, they
tro formaggi“ oppressing even the
rustic stench of the Fiaker riding
nese tourists, each equipped with
about 4 kg of photo equipment.
laughed and moaned at the pecu-
liar situation.
let their old, icy blue eyes roam
over the harsh emptiness of the Saturday Morning
by. The tour guides where easily iden- I left hoping that one of Stephansplatz, the corners of their
Without wanting to be mean tifiable by red and blue balloons them would soon be identified as mouths will shake and crack as if When Assaulted by Sound, Retreat!
it was shocking as I’m sure you that dangled above their heads, at- the parent of the poor child and awoken after years of Stone Age,
would agree, had you been there tached to them at such interesting take him far away from the brittle and they while actually, smile.
by M.T.M. Childs notonous agony of his persistent
this explanation, I proceeded to ing, and sorting out belongings Many a sleep-in Saturday party techno.
queue up in a somewhat different, from the overhead rack, long be- morning, my deep slumber has It was then when it started.
Courtesy of nuenergy.org
safety of his current and earning force Vara to take off her clothes, by the EU, that about 140.000
him the epithet of ‘a wizard of she starts screaming and immedi- women and girls from Eastern
electricity’. The Chicago Expo- ately gets slapped. Europe are secretly brought to
sition was the first large public The 2004 docudrama by Western Europe annually.
event to be lightened by electric-
ity fully operated by Tesla’s alter-
world’s electricity, according to West, and substantial investment The Holocaust, to listen to their Irving, are also an attempt to gain
the World Health Organization. in improving the reactors. statements, belongs to each and possession of this morbid event by
Only 27 new reactors are under In the early 1990s, some every one of them. The memory removing it from historical mem-
construction, and not one out of US$400 million was spent on of the Holocaust is misappropriat- ory entirely.
the remaining 22 countries with improvements to the remaining ed on a regular basis for a myriad What better way to possess an
nuclear power is currently build- reactors at Chernobyl, while in of purposes: “Palestinian Holo- event than by completely denying
ing any new reactors, including March 2001, a US$36 million caust” [sic], “Nuclear Holocaust,” that it ever occurred?
the U.S., Canada and the West- contract was signed for construc- and “Animal Holocaust,” to name But what is the motivation?
ern Europe. tion of a radioactive waste man- just a few. Why misappropriate the Holo-
The western world has put agement facility to treat spent Comparisons of Saddam Hus- caust? Everyone recognizes this
its nuclear power program on fuel and other operational wastes, sein, Osama bin Laden, Kim Jong event as significant and powerful
hold – in part, at least, because of as well as material from decom- Il and most recently Mahmoud and realizes that fascination with
Chernobyl. No matter how small missioning units 1-3. Amadinejad to Adolf Hitler are mass murder and its emotional
the risk, people say, it is just not It still remains unknown useful for justifying military ac- impact can be used to influence
worth it. The World Health Or- whether the accident could have tion and building political coali- people.
ganization (WHO) suggests that been prevented by the operators tions. Why not instead compare There are far too many politi-
this perception may change in the Miroslava is one of many Ukrainian children receiving daily treatment in Chernobyl. It’s clear that some these leaders to Joseph Stalin, who cal interests that have a great deal
using placental extract and ultraviolet lamps developed by Cubans
future, but only because the pres- safety procedures were violated admittedly killed more people to gain by “owning” the Holo-
sure to reduce CO2 emissions is though the southern hemisphere problems are “economic and psy- by the station’s technicians. Dur- than Hitler and whom Saddam caust. Let us be clear: The Holo-
even stronger. seems to have escaped. chological, not health or environ- ing the accident only 6-8 control Hussein regarded as his idol? caust does not belong to anyone,
But the reality of what hap- National authorities were mental,” the Forum reports. rods were used despite there has The answer: The industri- and remembering it should serve
pened is nonetheless harrowing. surprised at the scale of the prob- The environmental lobbying been a standard operating order alized mass murder of millions to remind us of what evil deeds
The explosion at Chernobyl, lem, and none had effective se- group Greenpeace predicts more stating that a minimum of 30 makes the Holocaust unique and we are capable of as human be-
is thought to have been caused curity plans in place. Outside of serious health effects, anticipating rods were required to retain con- causes us to question our very ings. Instead of invoking it on all
mainly by steam pressure and the Soviet Union, countermeas- up to 93,000 extra cancer deaths, trol. humanity. Stalin may have mur- possible occasions, we should in-
chemical reactions with the ex- ures were pretty much limited with other illnesses taking the toll Despite all the costly safety dered more people than Hitler, ternalize it and let it guide us in
posed fuel, blowing the 1000- to restrictions and prohibitions as high as 200,000. precautions, no experts deny that but he did not do it in assembly- our future decision-making.
tonne lid clear of the core. A on the marketing, consumption The actual site of Chernobyl there is always a possibility of hu- line fashion. Whether out of disrespect,
second explosion threw out frag- and importation of certain foods was cleaned up quickly following man error. How could we ever be The Holocaust combined false motives or misguided inten-
ments of burning fuel and graph- thought to be contaminated or the event -- with the initial insu- sure that no planner, no designer, modern technology with primor- tions, any appropriation of the
ite from the core and allowed air from contaminated areas. lating ‘sarcophagus’ completed in no maintenance engineer, and dial racism. It defied comprehen- Holocaust should be questioned.
to rush in, causing the graphite The health consequences are only seven months in November ultimately no political leader, sion that a modern, industrial- We owe at least that much to the
moderator to burst into flames. enduring strongly, according to 1986 -- and radiation levels on would ever make a mistake? ized nation could use its tech- memories of those who perished.
The exact cause of the second WHO. A notable rise in thyroid
explosion remains unknown, but cancer in the most contaminated
it is thought that hydrogen may areas, rising from 4-6 incidents SEX TRAFFIC desperately struggling in the affection, as when Elena escapes all, thought-provoking.
have played a part. per million children annually in Continued from page 10 water, screaming and crying for her pimp and wanders through Tantalizing as a thriller, but as
After the explosion, a plume the Ukraine between 1981 and apartment when their pimp en- help. Her fight not to sink is the streets of London or tries to realistic as a documentary, this
of smoke, radioactive fission 1985, to 45 incidents per mil- ters, and without any warning, portrayed from under as well as console her sister. movie is based on an excellent
products and debris rose up lion between 1986 and 1997. In pulls out a gun and shoots the over water for several minutes. Mostly, however, the film screenplay which holds up on
about 1 km into the air. The all, 64% of all Ukrainian thyroid third girl dead. She had con- With screen writer Mor- makers rely on the acting of repeated viewings.
material was carried northwest cancer patients under 15 lived in tracted herpes, and she was now gan and cinematographer Chris their characters, their voices Though shocking with its
by the wind- mainly to Belarus the most contaminated regions, useless. Seager, David Yates creates a and facial expressions and relentless clarification of forced
though other areas were affected, the provinces of Kiev, Chernigov, The scene is shot all in one world of realistic brutality, cor- bearing. prostitution, it still may not
including Ukraine. Zhitomir, Cherkassy, and Rovno. take, and there is no music. Only ruption and violence that the All unknowns, the cast change much.
It is estimated that about The cancer is most prevalent the sound of the short sound of prostitutes are forced to live in. delivers strong performances But it does help to inform
3.5%, or 6 tons, of the uranium in children under five at the time the pimp’s firearm is heard, fol- In this production we see all throughout -- especially An- the public about this world of
dioxide fuel and fission products of exposure, and is thought to be lowed by the cars driving past aspects of this business -- the amaria Marinca, in the lead role horror, not easily forgotten.
escaped as well as many other ra- caused by radioactive iodine con- -- and a deadly silence. Though perspectives of the prostitutes, of Elena,, for which she was
dio-nuclides - principally xenon, tamination in milk and certain the two Moldavian sisters make the pimps, the customers and named ‘best actress’ 2005 by Sex Traffic - Great Britain 2004;
krypton, iodine, tellurium and foods collecting in the thyroid no noise, the shock and look of the prostitutes’ families. BAFTA. Granada Television Production
caesium, around 200 times that gland. The disease is treatable horror is unmistakeable. Overall, Yates uses ordinary This movie, as shocking and David Yates – Director, Abi Morgan
of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki and not often fatal. Although the Later in the film, Vara and sounds, like cars passing, tones brutal it may be, is a powerful – Screen writer, Chris Seager – Cin-
bombs according to the WHO. risk has subsided as the iodine Elena are brought to Italy on a of voice, bird calls, or club mu- portrait of a true-to-life situa- ematographer
At first, the Soviet govern- has decayed to low levels, the dis- boat on a cold night. When a sic in the brothel scenes. tion without any glorifications. Actors: Anamaria Marinca – Elena
ment tried to deny that anything ease takes years to show up and coast guard ship appears, their There is little if any drama It contains many brutal scenes, Visinescu, Maria Popistasu – Vara
had happened, until the plume the number of cancers diagnosed pimp just throws Elena over to the music, either sentimental but they are essential, as it is Vivinescu, John Simm – Daniel Ap-
was detected outside of the USSR is still increasing. board. And while she is res- or anxious, used only to sup- they that make the film so up- pleton, Wendy Crewson – Madeleine
by workers at a Swedish nuclear The accident also left psy- cued, it is horrible to watch her port the few scenes of relief or setting, touching and most of Harlsburgh
12 Modern Times
quire that both men and women my. Unfortunately, many listen
The average marriage age for be small or large – a determinate Persians, Assyrians, Japanese and not a matter of force. “Let there be
women has increased from 18 share” (Qur’an 4:7). Hindus. Russians and Germanic no compulsion in religion: Truth
years old before the Revolution to A woman’s share of any in- people also practiced it as well as stands out clear from Error: whoever
21 today. Education for women heritance is half of a man’s. What some Egyptian and Greek kings. rejects evil and believes in Allah hath
is obligatory and universal. More some scholars argue is that be- During the many wars that grasped the most trustworthy hand-
than 75 percent of the population cause of men’s financial obliga- occurred between Arabian tribes, hold that never breaks. And Allah
is under the age of 25 – well over tions, which by far exceed those of where thousands of soldiers were heareth and knoweth all things.”
90 percent of both men and wom- the women’s, the share cannot be killed leaving many widows be- (Qur’an 2:257) The question is if
en are literate, even in rural areas. equal. The man is responsible for hind, Prophet Mohammad re- the same logic should also apply to
University enrollment is nearly earning money and for supporting ceived revelations from God al- the Hijab.
equal for men and women. And as generally voted for women. 13 a marked rise in the number of the whole family; whereas a wom- lowing a man to take up to four There is a major debate wheth-
women’s education has increased, women were elected to the majlis women working as journalists, an has no responsibilities towards wives on the condition that he was er religion is violating women’s
Iran’s birthrate has fallen stead- and began campaigning to change publishers, professors, and even her family’s income and expendi- capable of treating them all fairly rights in Muslim countries. But
ily and is now estimated at 18.29 the status quo. The most popular elected heads of universities or tures. Her property is for her own and providing support to them. if anyone studies Islam, it will be
births per thousand people. woman to run was Faezeh Hashe- members of parliament. use, unless she wishes to spend it Since in most of the Arab easy to understand that there is
The new Islamic Woman is a mi, the daughter of ex-president Divorce for her family voluntarily. countries men have continu- much difference between how the
reality, and will undoubtedly be a Rafsanjani. Even though she still Dr. Jamal A. Badawi, a promi- In the modernized life of today ously married more women, the laws are interpreted and what the
force to reckon with in the future. formulates her calls for change in nent Islamic scholar, says that “al- the economic situations usually re- culture has adjusted to polyga- Qur’an says exactly.
elegance, she puts it down again, rich enough to attract any girl’s um grades and get accepted to of young women from all over
without making a sound. Not a attention, and looked pretty de- University. Professors liked her; Eastern Europe.
single detail gives away what is cent for his age. her female classmates didn’t. Low living standards, pres-
really on her mind. They met in a hotel one No, she didn’t use her body to sure for a perfect appearance
Jane is 24, but she has al- evening. She told him she need- get good grades. She was simply from the media, and the wish
ready experienced many things ed money. smarter and faster than the oth- for a perfect, fantasy life – it all
in life that others never will – He did not hesitate. Again ers. leads them to jump onto a fast
and wouldn’t want to – in a life- and again, they met for secret She was gifted somehow. train of selling their bodies.
time. She gets a lot of attention rendez-vous, It was very com- When I met up with her two children. an international company.” He Some, like Jane, succeed,
on the street, and she’s aware of fortable – she got money for all in the capital city, where she “He was gay when we met,” said she was the only woman for if you want to call this success.
it. She knows not only how to the things her parents could not was keeping company with one she said. “But he cannot take whom he felt any attraction. But mostly, the girls end up in
use it, but also how much it’s afford, and he had the company of “her” men. He was a well- the risk of being uncovered. “What about his wife,” I local and foreign whorehouses,
worth. of a pretty young girl – just one known public figure, hand- He is too famous and respected asked. “He respects her a lot,” where they are treated worse
Everything started when more proof that he was still a some, with a beautiful wife and – a Lithuanian headquarters of Jane said. “She knows it all, but Continued on page 10
On the Town 13
Hangover
colonized my couch.
Then someone (it might have
been me) had the bright idea of
having an Irish Car Bomb, fol-
A Night at Do & Co
lowed by other shots of some-
How One Last Beer Turns thing else. Eddie looked at me as
A Warm Atmosphere and Good Food: Worth the Extra Cost
Into Oh-So Many More if I were the devil. Perhaps I was;
and poor Eddie would be the one
By Sean Delaney For one thing, we decided to who would pay for it. By Sandya Gain Candles were burning and flowers lacquered platter and consisted of
Monday night drinking is meet at the Merry Monk, But I was will- It was Easter Sunday evening were placed on each. Visitors are several fresh varieties of Sushi, like
never a good idea. But I was alone, hardly a sober deci- ing to make a when we arranged to meet at able to see into the open kitchen, California Roll, Sake Maki which
doing some reading when Eddie sion. The Irish pub gesture. He DO&CO, a restaurant right which I think is always a good is with Salmon, Kappa Maki
called, and asked me if I wouldn’t was empty when we was leaving, so across from Stephansdom in cen- sign. All the fresh and colourful – with cucumbers, Tuna Maki,
like to have just “one last beer” arrived, but for the I figured that tral Vienna. The restaurant is on vegetables were laid out on a huge Maki with shrimps, San Francisco
before he left for the US. Me, my few friends sitting I would pay top of the Haas Haus, a controver- chopping block. Yet although the Roll, Hotategai Nigiri (scallop)
book, and the US colonialism I at the bar. These for everything. sial modern masterpiece by Hans restaurant was full, we didn’t have and Trout Nigiri.
was reading about were not both- are friends who Later I would Hollein that offers a view over the I ordered beef which was
ering anyone. “Why did he have claim to like the regret this; whole of Stephansplatz through sprinkled with tiny pieces of chilli
to call tonight,” I thought. “dank,” the thick, the bill was its floor to ceiling windows in and rice as a side dish and a deli-
I was exhausted; the seven red unwholesome €73…
€ Oh, which the Dom and surrounding cious spicy sauce. Though I was
bulls I had guzzled were wearing darkness that hides Vienna, Vienna, buildings are reflected. the only one who ordered a Sor-
off; sleep had hegemony over my our problems from the how could you betray Already a few minutes late, I bet for dessert, no one could resist
thoughts. He said he didn’t care; world and maybe even me? And what have was relieved when the cathedral the colourful ice balls that came in
Courtesy of DO & CO
maybe not, but I would be the from the others in the you done to my bank appeared in front of me. The four colors.
one with the last laugh. bar. A waitress, yes, account? As morning entrance is a little hard to find, The waiters were very friend-
A little more “negotiation” – I Jen, sitting on a stool broke, we took the tucked away around the corner on ly while not intrusive, and most of
wouldn’t see him for a month -- behind the taps serv- first U-bahn home, Stephansplatz 12, but eventually all attentive, immediately refilling
and I was putting some pants on ing drinks, was talking to my and I said good-bye to my good I found my way. With an eleva- our wine and water glasses as soon
Courtesy of Blain Hefner
and heading for the bar. I mean friends. She’s good at her job and friend. tor that was lit a smoky red from as their volume tended to become
this was the friend that, on a proceeded to give me great head Arriving home at 5:30 in inside, I was taken up to the 7th less. Conversation flowed, with
whim, agreed to go to Oktoberfest on my beer. Well she is good, but the morning; I was exhausted. I floor where a greeter took off my many interesting and funny tales
with me. How could I miss this? this night she was also sore and collapsed on my couch, not re- cloak and escorted me to the ta- to raise our voices to be heard. of our summer trip to the states,
Seconds out the apartment, hardly moved from that stool the ally sleeping, but merely waiting ble where the others were waiting. All of us ordered Asian food the postage-stamp hotel my
I turned around. I had forgotten whole evening. for the punishing hangover that The restaurant was fully booked, and only to smell it and see how friend’s mother was staying at, the
my phone. Seconds later, it was One beer turned into five and would strike when my alarm beck- but luckily we had a table right beautifully it was prepared and Italian elections as well as some
my book. This was pathetic. the night meandered on in spite oned me to class. And this was all next to the windows and enjoyed presented on the plates. The Wok funny stories of the week before.
My mind was trying to tell me of the 9am wake-up call Eddie on a Monday. the fantastic view over the magical vegetables were served on round, While it’s not inexpensive,
it was a bad idea. I was damning would be needing in a few hours If the rest of the week had the night lights of the square. deep dishes with cushioned rice DO&CO is definitely worth the
my friend for leading me astray. I to make it to the train heading for same in store, I might just decide The atmosphere in DO&CO and a sweet sauce. They were a prices. After we finished dinner,
kept telling myself it would be a the Munich Airport. to give up drinking, a thought is elegant, yet somehow not over colourful composition of mixed we wanted to have a drink down-
quiet night, but somewhere in a I kept feeding him drinks; that had never crossed my mind done. The whole restaurant is kept vegetables, lettuce, sprouts, cau- stairs in the bar but found it full.
more honest corner of my mind, soon he would understand how before that night. in warm light - beige and sand liflowers, turnips, carrots, mush- For the bar as well as for the res-
Ipost_webster
knew it would surely turn into a
01.03.2005 I had felt
19:58 just Seite
Uhr a few hours
1 before As I said, drinking on a Mon- colours, the tables decorated with rooms and pieces of bamboo. The taurant, reservations should be
night of pure debauchery. at home where I had thoroughly day night is never a good idea. bright tablecloth and napkins. Sushi Mix was served on a narrow made in advance.
Stephan Eberharter.
Besuchen Sie den Unser Ski-As und zweifacher Gesamtweltcupsieger jetzt
neuen Online-Shop!
auf einer Sondermarke!
www.philatelie.at
Vienna Events
Events Calendar
As usual, the Jugendstil Events Calendar team will be presenting the latest, hippest,
most cultural and coolest happenings in order to make your life in Vienna as enjoyable
and (if you’re sober enough) unforgettable as possible. The Vienna Events Team wel-
comes any information on upcoming events: please email us at newjugendstil@yahoo.
com and we try to make space for it in the next issue.
For all future Webster party entrepreneurs: If you want your party or happening men-
tioned in our publication, please make sure to let us know as early as possible for listing
in the Parties section of the Calendar.
Sincerely,
Ruta Kurselyte, Mazin Elfehaid and Jugendstil staff
In concentrating on the signifi- by Stephen Oliver. A Turkish del- time a second couple enters the
cance of the bus stops, this ex- egation from Cairo, a goose ´in room, but their future projection
hibit attempts to show that there disguise´ and a hilarious plot of is dim. Finally, an old man enters
is much more to these common mistaken identities. the room… Dreams of the young,
landmarks than most assume. Presented by the Wiener Kam- experience of the old, and fragil-
According to the exhibitors, they meroper in cooperation with the ity of the life itself converge in an
serve as “post office, coffee house, Wiener Mozartjahr 2006 exciting musical by Jon Fosse, di-
advertising column and a place May 11, 13, 16, 18, rected by Luc Bondy.
to sleep.” Bus stops have much May 23, 25, 27, 30
more impact on our daily lives June 1, 3
than we are perhaps even aware of. All performances at: 19:30
Markus Steinmair’s exhibit tries to Wiener Kammeroper
bring awareness to that. 1., Fleischmarkt 24
May 11-29. (01) 512 01-77
Architekturzentrum Wien
7., Museumsplatz 1 MANON LESCAUT
(01) 522 31 15-32 By Puccini
‘La Cage aux Folles’ at the Volksoper: the popular, provocative comedy musical of homosexual love. www.azw.at Manon Lescaut is an opera in four
acts by Giacomo Puccini to an
BLACK, BROWN, WHITE Italian libretto by Domenico Ol-
THEATER in English Markowsky and Laura Mitchell. EXHIBITIONS Rather than focusing directly on iva and Luigi Illica, based on one
May 9- Jul. 1, 19:30 South Africa’s deep social cleav- of the greatest novels of the 18th
DRESDEN The Intertnational Theater H.R. GIGER ages, this collection of images century, L’ histoire du Chevalier Black Brown and White
The play by Ian Leonard Directed 9,. Porzellangasse 8 A surrealist painter combining taken by photographers from all des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut
by Danny Scott takes place in (01) 319 62 72 airbrush and freehand painting around the country aims to al- by Abbe Prevest. First perform- May 15-20, 20:00; May 21,
a hospital in Munich in the late www.internationaltheatre.at/ techniques, Swiss national H.R. low the viewer a glimpse into the ance:Teatro Regio, Turin, 1893. 19:00; May 27, 20:00; May 28,
1950s. The Characters are caught office@internationaltheatre.at Giger has contributed more than country’s everyday existence. Of His third opera, and first success. 19:00
in sexual personal and political a fair share of icons to popular special note are photographers June 2, 6, 10 Akademietheater
post-war divisions. Each storyline culture. Most famously, Giger David Goldblatt and Omar Bad- Wiener Staatsoper 3., Lisztstraße 1
captures the idiocyncracies and THEATER in German created the creatures for the “Al- sha, who focus on black workers 1., Opernring 2 (01) 514 44 4140
humanity of the characters as each ien” movies, but his work was also commuting to central Pretoria, (01) 51444 2250 info@burgtheater.at
struggles with his own quirks and seen on “Poltergeist II” and “Spe- and the Indian population living www.akademietheater.at
weaknesses and some find the DIE STADT OHNE JUDEN cies.” This exhibit features more in the city of Durban.
ability to love and forgive. Helmut Peschina’s dramatisation than 100 of Giger’s originals. Until June 18. MUSICALS THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS
Premiere: May 22 of Hugo Bettlauer’s novel is being Opens May 24. Kunsthalle Wien (in ENGLISH)
May 24-26, June 2 and 3, 19:30 satged in the legendary Bellaria Kunst Haus Wien 7., Museumsplatz 1 Written by one of the greatest an-
Interkulttheater, Kino under the Direction of Ma- 3., Untere Weissbergerstrasse 13. (01) 521 89-1201 SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER cient Greek tragedians, Sophocles,
6., Fillgradergasse 16 tin Oelbermann. (01) 712 04 95 www.kunsthallewien.at (in ENGLISH) Oedipus (Do you mean The Gos-
(01) 587 05 30 “Die Stadt ohne Juden” (The City www.kunsthauswien.com The Hot and funky 70’s are back pel at Colonus?) at Colonus tells
www.interkulttheater.at Without Jews) was Bettlauers with an exciting performance on the story of Oedupus’ tragic life.
OPERA
most successful novel, was trans- EVERYDAY LIFE the stage of Wiener Stadthalle. Blinded and doomed for exile, he
LOVE’S A LUXURY lated into many languages and Focusing on everyday technology, Descend into a colorful realm of seeks a place where he can finally
Written by Guy Paxton and Ed- was made into a film in 1924 (two this exhibit aims to enlighten the IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA Disco with the greatest hits of rest in peace.
ward V. Hoile, Love’s a Luxury is years after its publishing) with visitor on the application, func- The Barber of Seville is a French the Bee Gees, including “Night In this original production, a phil-
an archetypal frenzied farce set in Hans Moser playing thr lead. The tion, and history of things such as play by Pierre Beaumarchais writ- Fever,” “Staying Alive,” and “You osophical narrative is combined
the 1940’s which includes mari- Author was murdured by reac- the light switch, mixers, refrigera- ten in1775, and originally enti- Should be Dancing.” by the brightest voices of New
tal misunderstandings, mistaken tionary Austrian copnservatives tors, vending machines and cos- tled Le Barbier de Seville. Acomic May 16-28, 20:00 York gospel chior and world-fa-
identities, female impersonation, in 1926. metics. By focusing on each item opera in two acts entitled Il Bar- Wiener Stadthalle, Halle F mous soul band, The Blind Boys
a knobbly kneed scout master, May 5-6, 20:00 individually, the exhibit begs the biere di Siviglia by Giacchino 15.,Vogelweidplatz 14 of Alabama.
pretty girls, a missing dog and the Bellaria Kino question: Is technology affecting Rossini was based on Beaumar- (01) 98 100/0 June 14-15, 21:00; June 16-17,
very secretive A.B.C.I.D – ‘the 7., Museumstrasse 3 our daily lives so much, that it is chais’s comedy with a libretto by service@stadthalle.com 21:30
Actor’s Branch of the Criminal (01) 523 75 91 in fact dictating its direction? Cesare Sterbini. The story of The www.stadthalle.com Gustav Adolf Kirche
Investigation Department’! Until Oct. 31. Barber of Seville is continued in 6., Lutherplatz 1
May 22 - Jul. 1, 19:30 MARIA BILL SINGT EDITH Technisches Museum Beaumarchais’s play The Marriage LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (01) 597 34 30
Vienna’s English Theatre PIAF 14., Mariahilferstrasse 212 of Figaro and theMozart opera (in GERMAN) gumpendorf@evang.at
8., Josefsgasse 12 20 of her most famous songs lead (01) 899 98-6000 based on it, which was composed A provocative comedy musical www.wvb-evang.at
(01) 402 12 60-0 the audience through Edit Piafs www.tmw.ac.at in1786. The Barber Of Seville is by Jerry Herman. In sunny St. NOTE: This performance is
tickets@englishtheatre.at life. Milord, Mon Dieu, La vie en WAITING FOR THE BUS one of the most famous operas Tropez the extravagant family of based on the ancient Greek myth
rose and Non, je ne regrette riens. ever written. Especally the aria Georges, owner of the legendary “Oedipus at Colonus”, while the
PLAY IT AGAIN SAM The little sparrow drank herself to “Largo el Factotum” with its “Fi- night club “La Cage” is about to musical arrangement is presented
In one of Woody Allen’s finest an early death at 48 but has stayed garo”-chant is well known to most face an intricate challenge that in the form of gospel (choir with
romantic comedies, Allan Fe- in the hearts of all all who hear her people. would change the life of his son religious motifs). Hence, the
lix, film critic and worshipper of musik. An unforgettable evening May 30 Michel. name of the event is “The Gospel
Humphrey Bogart, has been re- of laughs and tears. June 1 May 12, 19:00 at Colonus”.
cently deserted by his spouse. His May 17-19, 19:30 Both nights at 20:00 Volksoper Wien
friends, step in and console him Theater Akzent Wiener Staatsoper 9., Währingerstraße 78
JAZZ CONCERTS
by fixing him up with a variety 4., Theresianumgasse 16-18 1., Opernring 2 (01) 514 44 30
of eligible young women. Little (01) 501 65 3306 (01) 51444 2250 tickets@volksoper.at
do they know that Allan is being AKZENT@akzent.at www.volksoper.at MONIKA STADLER
coached by Humphrey Bogart. Jun. 29 19:30 L’OCA El CAIRO “Vom Barock zum Jazz”
Allan tries to assume the persona Wiener Urania (The Cairo Goose) SCHLAF (GERMAN) Monika Stadler is an Austrian
of Rick- the tough macho man 1., Urainiastrasse 1 A new libretto by Stephen Oliver A couple, in search of a new harp player who initially special-
from Casablanca- and is a dismal (01) 712 61 91 including the eight sketches by apartment enters an empty room. ized in classical music, but is now
failure in the dating game. Direct- office@urania-wien.at Varesco and W.A. Mozart. Trans- They dream of a new life with successfully using her instrument
ed by Jack Babb and starring Jason www.events.at Get groovy on Saturday Night lated by Luisa Saviori to music their happy family. At the same for fine jazz tunes. She manages
On the Town 15
Vienna Events
to delicately mix classical music, Halle E Museums Quartier. 20, Adalbert-Stifter-Strasse 73 Holmes Place romantic, of the life of Wolfgang
jazz improvisation and influences (0820)600600 (01) 332 46 41-0 22; Wagramer Strasse 17-19 Amadeus Mozart.
of foreign cultures. Good show. 7., Museumsplatz 1/5 office@planet.tt (01) 263 8989 Reservations required.
May. 28, 14:00 mqpoint@mqw.at www.holmesplace.at Jun. 16, 16:00
Liechtenstein Museum Wien, www.mqw.at/news.en.html LECTURES Filmarchiv Austria
Herkules Saal BIKING IN VIENNA (01) 332 36 94
9., Fuerstengasse 1 MOZART’S ENLIGHTMENT The cheapest way to combine www.kultur.park.augarten.org
(01) 31957670 ROCK CONCERTS By Peter Gay workout with sightseeing. There office@kultur.park.augarten.org
info@liechtensteinmuseum.at Yale University Professor Peter are different routes in Vienna with
www.liechtensteinmuseum.at Gay will present a fresh overview special biking paths, you can bike OTHER
LOCAL HEROES BAND of the period in which Mozart around the ring, or if you want to ENTERTAINMENT
DIANNE REEVES WITH CONTEST FINALE worked, suggesting ways that this fill your lungs with fresh air enjoy
RUSSEL MALONE The last stage of the show will be new social and political environ- Spanish Riding School the Donauinsel, where no cars THE SPANISH RIDING
& ROMEO LUBAMBO held in Viennese Arena. The show ment influenced Mozart and are permitted. As a service to all SCHOOL
Dianne Reeves a.k.a “The Queen is about young bands and new continues to frame wide-ranging REMEMBERING FORCED guests and residents alike, bikes This is the oldest and last riding
of Jazz” is back in Vienna. Several hopes of Austrian music scene. debates on religion, politics, and MIGRATION IN EUROPE are available for rent at special sta- school that still practices classic
shows that Reeves really walks in Influences and styles of bands personal identity. By Claus Leggewie, Philipp Ther tions in Vienna, with a credit card riding in its pure and original
the footsteps of Sarah Vaughana or range from pop, hip-hop, to rock May 2, 19:00 Forced migration has accompa- inserted in an automat. The first form, right down to the attire.
Ella Fitzgerald. This time she will and electro music. The show will Vienna City Hall, Festsaal nied religious and political per- hour is free. Senior instructors demonstrate
be accompanied by two extraordi- culminate in late May where win- 1., Lichtenfelsgasse 2, Feststiege I secution, as well as war, through- For rental stations and routes see: the classic equestrian rearing of
nary guitarists. Russel Malone who ners will pick their prize. (01) 4000 out human history but has only www.wien.gv.at/verkehr/rad- the Lipizzan horses from young
already supported the programs of May, 27, 20:00 office@wienmozart2006.at become a topic of serious study fahren/stadtrad/ stallions to the fully trained hors-
Mary Connick jr. and Diana Krall, Arena Wien and discussion relatively recently. es. This is presented with a com-
as well as Romero Lumbambo who 3, Baumgasse 80 CLEANSING THE NATION Contemporary internal and inter- SPECIAL EVENTS mentary on history, tradition, and
has lent his talent to artists such as (01) 798 85 95 AL BODY: PUBLIC HEALTH, national displacement of persons breeding of these special horses.
Maria Monk and Al Jarreau. arena@arena.co.at WELFARE AND “RACIAL HY- will be discussed in comparison to This presentation gives insight
May. 16, 19:30 www.arena.co.at GENE” IN WWII VIENNA the historical ones. VIENNA FESTWOCHEN into the ‘Secrets of the Spanish
(01)242002 By Herwig Czech June 1, 14:30 This year’s Wiener Festwochen Riding School.’
3., Lothringerstrasse 20 30 JAHRE ARENA OPEN AIR In accordance with the National Institute for Human Sciences, offer presentations From coun- Shows run year round.
ticket@konzerthaus.at In June, Viennese Arena is cel- Socialists’ racist and biologist 9., Spittelauer Lande 3 tries like China, South Africa, 1., Michaelerplatz 1
www.konzerthaus.at ebrating 30 years of existence, so views, Nazi medicine did not (01) 313 58 - 109 Sweden, France and music, art
during the month every few days concern itself with care for the Sabine Assmann,
ULRICH DRECHSLER JAZZ various bands will be performing sick, but with the protection of assmann@iwm.at
QUARTETT for the anniversary, local as well the ‘national body’ and in par- www.iwm.at
Saxaphonist Tord Gustavson has as foreign. Some of the perform- ticular with keeping the ‘national
broken out of the back up band to ing bands are Papermoon, Denk, genotype’ pure. Human life was CONFIGURATION III: WHAT
present present his own music in Texta, Tito & Tarantula, Arctic subjected to a relentless cost-ben- THE WORLD THINKS IS
his own personal style, described Monkeys, Hatebreed, etc. efit analysis. IMPOSSIBLE
as bring his experiences, people June, 01-28, 18:00 May 17, 14:30 Those in 18th century Viennese
and locations now coming to life Arena Wien The Institute for Human Scienc- society seen as “figures” or “ob-
in his own blend. 3, Baumgasse 80 es, Library jects”- a historical narrative al-
Mai. 29, 19:30 (01) 798 85 95 9., Spittelauer Lande 3 most unchanged to this day. How
(01)242002 arena@arena.co.at (01) 313 58 - 109 Black women, men and children
Human & Places www.arena.co.at Sabine Assmann, of those times resisted and how Tito Tarantula appearing at the ‘30 Years-Arena’ Festival
3., Lothringerstrasse 20 assmann@iwm.at they developed forms of breaking
ticket@konzerthaus.at DIE KILLERPILZE www.iwm.at out and persistence. and theatre many more. A special Prices range from 20-160 euros.
www.konzerthaus.at Die Killerpilze are very young June 21, 19:00 highlight will be the production (01)533 90 31-13
Austrian punk-rock band. Age of Kuffner Sternwarte of Sophocles’ tragedy “Oedipus” (01)533 90 31-40
INSEN: ALVA NOTO band is between 13 and 17 years. DOMESTIC PLAN PRODUC- 16., Johann Staud Strasse 10 in a new version by the Gospel at evamaria.schoebinger@srs.at
& RYUICHI SAKAMOTO They have produced and com- TIVITY AND MARGINAL SP- (01) 914 81 30 Colonus. www.spanische-reitschule.com
Sakamoto plays the piano parts, posed their debut album them- ILLOVERS FROM FOREIGN remapping.mozart@initiative. May 12 – Jun. 18
while Alva Noto refines the tunes selves and been touring the coun- DIRECT INVESTMENT minderheiten.at Fr – Sun 10:00 – 21:00 ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK
via digital post-production. This try for some time already. Their By Carlo Altomonte of Bocconi http://remappingmozart.mur.at/ Musikverein Wien CARTNUNTUM
is done in a subtle way which Debut single has appeared on 21st University, Milan, will give an in- Börsendorferstr. 12 Celebrating the 2000 anniver-
leaves enough of the soft piano of April called “Richtig Scheisse”. sight into the real option theory of (01) 5892222 sary of the former Roman town
notes to surface. Their music can Really young hopes of Austrian investments and its implications, SPORTS www.festwochen.at of Cartnuntum, the archaeologi-
be described as a successful and punk-rock scene. which were empirically tested by kartenbuero@festwochen.at cal park that sits in this former
rare combination of free associa- May, 26, 20:00 the author himself through a de- HORSE RACING Roman town is opening a large
tion and dreamlike beauty. Planet Music veloped database of foreign direct Top horse racing weekends at BALKAN FEVER 2006 exhibit on Legionsadler and Bru-
Jun. 29, 20:30 investment (FDI) operations in the Magna Racino, 15 kilome- This is the only music festival idenstab (Roman Eagle and Druid
Central and Eastern Europe. tres south outside from Vienna from the Balkan. Not to miss is Staff). The Cartnuntum Museum
May 18, 16:00 in Ebreichsdorf. You can watch the guitar music by the Trio in- is located just outside of Vienna at
The Institute for International the horse races from a classical fernal presenting old Macedonian Bad Deutsch-Altenburg. Visitors
Economic Studies, tribune browse through the ra- folk music. can experience the rapid develop-
Seminar Room cino area,don`t forget to bet on Apr. 21 – May 14 ment from a military camp to one
1., Oppolzergasse 6 your favourite horse and feel the Various locations of the most important cities of the
(01) 533 66 10 24 spirit of Englands famous Ascot. (0699) 1 9131411 Roman Empire. Computer anima-
Julia Woerz, woerz@wiiw.ac.at Noblesse oblige, so please dress www.balkanfever.at tions assist in this time travel to
www.wiiw.ac.at properly, even if the races start in office@gamuekl.org ancient eras.
the morning you will be expected March 21-November 12
THE “SCIENCE OF CON- to dress. MUSEUMS QUARTIER Hauptstraße 3,
SCIOUSNESS”? : A CRITIQUE Every Saturday and Sunday In the whole yard of MQ there 2404 Petronell-Carnuntum,
OF NATURALISTIC THEO- morning, but starting time differs will be anchorages offering the (2163)33 77 0
RIES OF THE MIND a little bit, so check the details on opportunity to relax and drink. www.carnuntum.co.at
By Thomas Szanto their webpage: There will be music and fashion
The efforts made in contempo- www.magnaracino.at highlights like Brazilian festival CRUISE TO WACHAU
rary cognitive science towards and the Modepalast 06. Every Sunday the MS Admiral
the establishment of a naturalistic YOGA May 4 – Sept. 30 Tegetthoff travels between Vienna
framework for phenomenology For the stressed and burned out Museums Quartier and the Wachau. There are short
are undoubtedly of significant sci- after too many parties in your last (0820) 600600 stops in Korneuburg, Tulln and
entific relevance. term. You might just ease your soul www.mqw.at Krems, before a final 2 hour stop
May 24, 14:00 and body with a little oga. Close office@mqw.at in Durnstein before returning to
The Institute for Human Scienc- to Webster University the Holmes the Vienna.
es, Library Place Life Style Club offers now MOZART ON FILM Every Sunday from May 14 to
9., Spittelauer Lande 3 special Yoga sessions twice a week. The Austrian Film Archive invites September 24, 8:35
(01) 313 58 - 109 You will get addicted to this relax- guests to dig deep into the back Reichesbrucke, DDSG Schif-
Ms. Assmann, ation soon. And after your session shelves to see a fine list of film por- fahrtszentrum, Handelskai 365,
assmann@iwm.at take a swim at Vienna`s pool with traits of the composer in honor of Vienna (U1 Vorgartenstrasse)
www.iwm.at the most spectacular view over the his 200th birthday. Countless ver- Price: 22 Euros
‘Schlaf ’ at Akademietheater, by Jon Fosse, directed by Luc Bondy NETWORK OR CENTER? : whole city.. sions: classic, bizarre, modern and www.ddsg-blue-danube.at
16 On the Town
‘Beauty De Luxe’
Ms. Pretty Goes to a Cosmetics Trade Fair and
Finds Herself Trapped in a Kafka-esque Nightmare
By Ruta Kurselyte foot with plastic bags. A most Later things got a little better.
After a cold winter and slow charming man in a tasteless tie A very tall, very solarium-ed girl
spring this year, we decided to and badly-cut suit launched into in very vulgar high-heels, the ones
visit a widely advertised (in Vor- a fast patter in German describing that strip dancers wear so proudly,
magazin, at U-bahn) Beauty the wrappings – showing some and a string took the stage – a
de Luxe exhibition at the Wien pictures of bubbles that were sup- model for body painting. All body
Messezentrum, and sent our best posed to be human cells and tox- – that was it. No clothes.
‘man, “Ms. Pretty,” who knew her ins between them and how magi- Ms. Pretty looked at her
way around this mad world of cal those bandages are and so on watch, then at the band of dancers
marketable aesthetics, and articles and on… that were surely not older than 16,
“The birds just didn’t sound right,” in a sightless world. Charlie Chaplin greets a blind girl in City Lights
of must-have-style. “What are these plastic bags then again at her watch…
The website promised a lot: for?” asked Ms. Pretty. “Where were the censors
Dialog im Dunkeln
new trends in plastic surgery, “For those toxins to collect when we needed them?” she won-
the sun-tan shower (the one that after they come out of patient’s dered. But nobody was listening.
is explicitly shown in new Pink skin,” the man explained. Impres- Thank God. Nobody would have
video “Stupid Girls”), state-of- sive. And slightly disgusting… By understood her anyway. What do
the-art professional make up and looking closer at those bags, our they care about mental beauty?
hair dressing, and other exciting reporter found the brand – “Top- Overall, this was all about THE
Discovering First Hand What it Really Means to be Blind
things. pits” cooling bags. BODY.
“Wow”, thought Ms. Pretty, “Well thanks,” she smiled All in all, it was getting to be By Paul Krauskpf but the trees, the grass, the smells Maria calmly answered questions
“that looks like a place to start a sweetly, and walked away, nearly too much. Did you ever wonder what it and even the miniature waterfall and shared anecdotes. I ordered a
spring shape-up.” crashing into a woman toasted Ms. Pretty was just heading was like to be blind? What it was were real. As far as I could hear. beer and when asked what it was.
At the Wienerin magazine to a golden brown by a solarium towards the exit when a petite like to spent your time - from Although the birds somehow just “Ottakringer,” Maria answered
booth, visitors were welcomed (which the magazines now admit Asian girl crossed her way. “Let walking around in your living didn’t sound right. quickly. In a moment of cocki-
with a gift subscription of two free is not entirely healthy…). She me tell you about acupuncture,” room, to visiting a crowded bar From the beginning the lack ness, I ripped off the label. It’s
issues and a glass of champagne. forced a piece of paper at Ms. she said, taking Ms. Pretty’s fin- - in complete darkness? It seemed of dimension made it impossible what I do with every bottle, but
People were smiling and seemed Pretty to fill in, so, if she were ger, put on it a little angled circle impossible at first, but once you’re to walk in a straight line. I ran what was the point this time when
to be really enjoying the event. lucky, she could win some fantas- made of wires and starting to pull- exposed to it for over 45 minutes, around like Frankenstein, holding I couldn’t even see it?
Already? tic machine not unlike a vacuum ing it up and down, while going you learned to adjust. “Dialog im onto everything I found in order After an hour in the world of
Dunkeln” catapults into a numb to compensate for the loss of my darkness, it all ended as abruptly
world of sounds, smells and vision. Maria quickly became the as it had started. Suddenly around
touches. While leading through safe haven, when it was time to the corner there was light and in-
an obstacle course that would’ve end the “ten step expedition to stantly the cane, which had been
usually been a daily routine, it the left”. As soon as we were com- so essential, became a useless stick
made you instantly dependant on pletely lost we shouted out her again, our steps firm and the pace
one person. In my case, her name name and she would firmly grab fast. We were welcomed by a
was Maria. our arm and lead us further along warm, dimly lit hall and involun-
After we had paid the 7,50� the way. tarily, several shouted out:
we were huddled into a group I realized later that the for- “Licht!”
of 5.We headed down the stairs, est, even with all its intensive Maria slowed her pace as we
Courtesy of Ruta Kurselyte
a wide, gradually descending sounds and smells, was an easier rushed towards it, and I wondered
aisle adjusted for the blind, and world to decipher than man what it was like for her to expe-
stopped at a dimly lit corridor made environments because of rience that every day, to be left
marking the entrance to the world the high contrasts. behind by her once-helpless flock
of darkness. We were each handed Not so the gate to an un- as they returned as masters to the
a white cane, shown how to hold known house, our next station, world of light. It was then that
it about 20 cm away from our where merely finding the entrance we saw Maria for the first time, a
bodies and make a semi-circle would have been impossible with- young woman in her late 20’s with
while walking. out Maria. curly hair and a warm face. Now
A solarium-ed girl in vulgar high heels took the stage for body painting. All body – that was it. No clothes.
Easy – until I tried to do it. Lumbering through the house the situation was reversed and
Ms. Pretty came to a big cleaner, to purify the air in her liv- on about its useful effects for “eve- The cane was to become one out the back door, we were forced suddenly Maria seemed helpless
room filled with bubbling con- ing room. The woman tossed in a rything in one’s life.” Ms. Pretty wiggly pointing stick, a measure to cross an intersection on the and vulnerable.
versations, polished nails and the piece of candy as compensation. felt a little sick. Besides her fingers of my uncertainty as I stumbled way to our bus stop. The board- We thanked her and went on
buzz of a tattooing machine and, Time to move on. Faces were had started hurting from the sharp about in the dark trying to make walk ended abruptly, causing us to our way into a world of color that
and music from some far-away changing and loud voices compet- angles of those idiotic circles. But out objects a meter away from us. bump into one another while try- now seemed dense, full of high
stage. Colorful bottles with magi- ing – and frustrations rising. From the Asian girl was looking some- As soon as the dim light ing to line up at the traffic light. contrasts and a grey sky that had
cal creams and cure-all vitamins all sides, colorful pamphlets were where off in the distance and just turned green, we walked in to The slow clicking signalled us a new shimmer to it I didn’t re-
filled the bright displays; up-beat flying, offering to lengthen and/or talking, talking, talking… meet our (blind) guide Maria. a green light, so we crossed in a member seeing before.
sounds spilled out from speakers thicken hair, get rid of cellulite, or “Two circles cost 12 euros, but The first meeting wouldn’t be in manner that would have caused Vision is the sense we use for
hanging from the ceiling. improve your career success with for you I can give both for 10,” my world, but in hers-- in the hysterical laughter in broad day- 80% of our perception, Maria had
The whole event seemed alive the help of some magic magnets she whispered conspiratorially. dark. After a minute of clumsy light. The bus was clearly a hy- told us. Now that I had gained it
– maybe a bit too alive. worn an hour per day. Or was it But Ms. Pretty had already step-by-stepping and grabbing for draulic construction of some back, it seemed like a superpower.
“Where to start?” Ms. Pretty two hours…? turned her back and was head- a handrail, I heard the voice that sort, but Maria refused to admit And just as I was looking
thought for a second, when she Then suddenly, eyes turned ing for the exit, her head spin- would become very familiar in the to any ruse, and insisted it was a around, astonished at all the
was accosted by a countrified to the stage, where a show of posh ning from all these smells, faces, next 45 minutes. real bus. detail, I remembered the beer
woman with a very loud voice hairdressing was getting under sounds and colorful packages. It We would participate in She didn’t want us only going label that must still be in my
insisting she should try a gooey, way. It looked funny: young girls took another 10 minutes wander- what it was like to live a day in through the motions. pocket. I took it out and un-
ketchup-like spread slathered pretending to be podium super ing through the bewildering floor her life, emphasizing she had said After another stop at the folded the paper.
across a piece of bread. “All natu- stars and one very arrogant hair- plan, before she finally found the participate, not experience. There greengrocer we hit the bar. Here It was not Ottakringer, but a
ral,” apparently, with special vita- dresser dispensing trade secrets. door. The exit was probably hid- were seven of us, which suddenly we met other groups and were random brand I had never heard
mins and other mysterious ingre- One girl had to get down on her den on purposely, she mused, seemed like a lot. supposed to interact. Yet the help- of. I mused over the many reasons
dients. “Ketchup? But I thought knees while her hair was being so unhappy customers end up In case we got lost, we were lessness and disorientation made for this. But in the end, in came
this was a beauty exhibition!” Ms. done – all this for beauty? trapped in this Kafka-esque night- to just call out her name and she small talk almost impossible. Af- down to the fact that I had be-
Pretty was getting confused. Beginning to tire, Ms. Pretty mare. would come get us. There were a ter five minutes of silent interac- lieved her and so experienced the
Maybe a foray by brand was headed for the bar that was situat- Finally outside, she breathed few giggles of nervous laughter. tion in the dark, Maria called us vulnerability of being blind.
not such a bad idea. So off she ed right in front of the stage, just in the fresh air, thought nostalgi- Shouting out for help to a person to a table. I had really tasted the familiar
went – to a Panasonic booth of- in time to take in a Girl Band of cally about a bike ride in the park we’d just met? What other choice Like little kids, we toddled in brand of beer – or thought I had
fering big massaging chairs, which six dressed in fashionable hip-hop on a Sunday morning and juicy did we have. her direction, kicking over chairs – merely because someone else
many were already enjoying. Well, outfits trying to dance to the hit apples from the market, experi- I blinked; my eyes tried hard and hitting our knees on table- had told me it was so.
no, that wasn’t what Ms. Pretty song “Can I Have It Like That” ences that could actually work to focus; Open or shut, there was legs. From around the bar guides Not until I could see again,
was looking for. by Pharrell and Gwen Stefani, but bigger miracles than all those no change. yelled out their names, and groups could I even argue or question
Suddenly a plastic model never quite catching the beat. magical soaps and creams, most First encounter; the forest. of 4-5 grown up men and women what Maria had told me. I was
appeared right in front of her “Do those singers know what likely boiled up in a witches caul- They had avoided any brush or trudged towards them like in the glad, no, unendingly grateful,
wrapped all around with colorful their song is being used for?” won- dron somewhere deep in the for- rough ground, branches or fallen movie March of the Penguins. that I was able to leave this state
bandages and covered hand and dered the reporter. ests of Poland. logs lying around to trip over, Sitting around the table of complete dependency behind.
add for Webester-3.ai 3/29/2006 11:37:11 AM
www.opec.org
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
Oil is everywhere,
whether it is your iPod, laptop,
contact lenses, sunglasses,
mobile phone, backpack
or jacket.
For
M
CM
MY
Everyone
CY
CMY
Everyday
Everywhere
OPEC is an international Organization of 11 oil-exporting developing nations. It was The principal aim of OPEC is the co-ordination and unification of the petroleum
established in September 1960, in Baghdad by five founder Members — the Islamic policies of Member Countries and the determination of the best means for safeguarding
Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. their interests, individually and collectively.
Qatar joined the Organization in 1961, Indonesia in 1962, the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab The Organization is committed to providing a stable oil market, with fair prices for both
Jamahiriya in 1962, the United Arab Emirates in 1967, Algeria in 1969 and Nigeria in 1971. producers and consumers, on a sustainable basis.
The OPEC Secretariat was initially based in Geneva, Switzerland, before moving to Vienna, Due regard shall be given at all times to the interests of producing nations and to the
Austria in 1965, where it remains to this day. necessity of securing a steady income to an efficient, economic and regular supply of
petroleum to the consuming nations; and to a fair capital return to those investing in
Membership is open to any country with a substantial net export of crude petroleum and the petroleum industry.
which holds fundamentally similar interests to those of the Organization’s Member Countries.
18 Arts & Letters
“When I think about it, I don’t be such a caring person. But then I thought you have to show it.
know anything about him -- he says… such brutal things. That’s what I did. […] It is not
Although he likes to talk,” Eva – When he’s the Führer.” humanizing. I think it’s rather
Braun muses. “He’s changed so As much as Eichinger tries responsible. I say, ‘a closer look.’
much. He only talks about dogs to humanize him, Hitler is still And maybe this is the thing to
and vegetarian meals.” the “monster” while doing busi- do in these days. What Chap-
In the 2002 German docu- ness. lin did many, many years ago
mentary, Blind Spot: Hitler’s “If there’s a battle in Berlin, [in The Great Dictator] was to
Secretary, Traudl Junge talked of we’ll fight to the last man,” Hit- make him ridiculous. That was,
him as a father figure. ler barks. “We can’t worry about at that time, the right thing to
“I admit, I was fascinated these so-called civilians now. In do. But not now.”
by Adolf Hitler,” she tells the a war like this there are no civil- “So I was looking for the
interviewer. “He was a pleasant ians.” center of this evil, and I didn’t
boss and a fatherly friend. I de- When Albert Speer begs him find a heart. I found a hole, or
liberately ignored all the warn- to spare the German people, he [an] emptiness.”
ing voices inside me and enjoyed again is cold-blooded: “If my Eichinger is convinced that
the time by his side almost until own people fail this test,” he Hitler produced his own final
the bitter end. It wasn’t what he says, “I will shed not one tear scene ‘completely and conscious-
said, but the way he said things for them. They deserve nothing ly.’ He only made other people
Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler greeting new recruits in Oliver Hirschbiegel’s film of the Führer’s last days
and how he did things.” else. It’s their own destiny. They believe that they would come
Hilter seems to have the themselves are to blame.” out victorious, but he knew it
same influence on his under- Performances in the film was over. He planned his down-
Music Review would be great if he would again. work. Though he sings one for- the rhythm guitarist, weren’t on on his drums, Smelly’s drum work
And though the lyrics are gettable Spanish ditty with sam- board as well. This CD gives more has the power to make you say
Aging Punks
painfully clichéd at times (“Cul- pled drums, his work as a musi- vocal time to the man whose voice “my god, how does he do that?”
tural revolution / now, neo-con- cian is fun, solid, and surprisingly has been dubbed “the mel-yell.” NoFX has always worked well
servatives run outta town…”), complex. Great guitar solos here But as always, it’s the incred- together as a band, and this album
what’s here is mostly very good. and there, chugging and fast riffs ible synchronization between doesn’t disappoint. Although they
There are songs dealing with what all round, and not a whole lot of Melvin and El Hefe that make the don’t stray too far from the tried-
Getting Old and Giving a Big “60%” aging means to the guitar work a joy to and-true, it’s a formula that works
band (they don’t care listen to. The album’s and will always been fun to listen
by Mazin Elfehaid But after several (dozen) about it), the horrors title track, along with to. Couple the intensity of the
After three years of silence, times through the CD player, it of a numbing consum- “The Man I killed,” musicians with the pure wit of Fat
punk-rock band NoFX is back has, much like an acquired taste, er culture, the death and “USA-holes,” are Mike’s lyrics (“No longer svelte
with their 10th studio album in turned out to be a very solid re- penalty, and people amongst the best stuff / they gotta punch new holes in
two decades. Entitled Wolves in lease. who think they can on the CD. the Bible belt,” and “We march to
Wolves Clothing, it’s a fast paced The bad news first: Nofx change the world from One thing that re- the beat of indifferent drum”) and
punk rock frenzy that is in many frontman Fat Mike (who also the comforts of their ally stands out on this you’ve got yourself an explosive,
ways what their previous release, writes the lyrics) still has a ma- homes. album is the drums. fun, thought provoking, and yet
The War on Errorism, should have jor bone to pick with the US’s Additionally there Erik Sandin has some totally sensory experience.
been. Neo-Conservative faction, result- are the usual “silly of his best drum work Some might accuse NoFX
The last album received a ing in lyrics that seem more like songs,” this time in the of NoFX’s career of being too comfortable, maybe
tepid reaction from critics and agenda-pushing, and are anything form of a 34-second on this release, and even a little played out. The band
longtime fans, and while this lat- but timeless. Nofx have always ode to a long lost lover, its something that, would probably agree. Their first
est album, released late April, has been a socially and politically a song about Japanese by itself, warrants a song, “60%,” and the song’s re-
some of the same weaknesses, it is critical band. But listening to a hardcore sex bars, and, purchase. Never re- prise, sum up what this album is
in many ways a much more solid song about how evil George Bush believe it or not, a trib- petitive (except for all about: “Welcome to our mis-
piece of work. and his cronies are gets old very ute to all the old punk- Wolves in Wolves Clothing: A solid NoFX release the awful sampling sion statement / total self debase-
It does take some getting used quickly. And it is possible to uni- rockers who have died on “Contado En Espanol”) ment / and not giving our all.”
to though. At first, it seemed like versalize the same political points, over the years. Only NoFX could variety from a tried and true for- Sandin, or ‘Smelly’ as his band- Honesty is a very valuable thing.
another “medio-core” album, a and produce songs as timeless as make something like that amusing mula give this album a fun, fast- mates have dubbed him, is simply Clearly, giving only about
term coined by the band referring Bob Dylan. without it becoming meaningless. paced edge. an amazing drummer. Sometimes 60% is totally ok with all of them,
to music with simplistic and un- Fat Mike has done this in the Lead guitarist El-Hefe gives Of course, NoFX wouldn’t be commenting on the guitar, some- and to be quite frank, NoFX at
original songwriting. past on albums like The Decline; it the listeners more of his signature half the band it is if Eric Melvin, times almost playing the melody sixty percent still rocks!
Arts & Letters 19
Literary Encounter
Irving By Accident
Quaint or Racist?
in America when they have the how a country so society can seem com-
slightest hint to any racial mi- heavily dependant on pletely unremarkable to
nority. Would Meinl change the tourism could not realize another.
figure of such historic signifi- the backwardness of it all, the As S.I Hayakawa said “In
cance in Vienna? hesitation – evident in the little the age of television, image be-
The Meinl Logo is a Long-Standing Tradition The logo used in America things -- towards a more diverse comes more important than sub-
looked like this: cultural understanding of the stance.”
The reds remained, but the surrounding world, is what Aus- The image of the “Mohr”
By Ardalan Maher boy wears the Fez, as he does their places of establishment a facial color was lightened, to a tria is lacking. The Viennese will will probably remain in Austrian
The significance of the logo in this 1924 version, a popular worldlier feel. mix between grey and brown, still buy their coffee, its part of culture, and the people from
the ‘Meinl Coffee boy’ says a headdress with an attached black The new logo is different. The and its structure is in some man- their culture, but will they ever around the world who associate
lot about Austria. Originally tassel. The boy’s exotic facial facial features aren’t displayed as ner more detailed. The back- try and understand that the logo with Austria and Germany, take
designed in 1924 by a Viennese features are clear to the eye, the accurately as that of the 1924 ground color is completely blue, on their cup might offend the it as it is and judge the picture
artist Josef Binder, and later classic gold earring, the servant’s image. Here, the boy’s face seems a modern touch, especially for a people of another country, may- by what it means to the local
modernized in 1950 by Otto collar with the matching gold to be facing downward, the red company such as Meinl. be an immigrant from Africa, culture, according to the history
Exinger, the company describes embroiled buttons. The boy is collar sticking out from bellow But wouldn’t what forced Morocco, Arabia? of the country they find them-
the logo as combining “Turkish depicted sipping a coffee, pick- his chin more clearly visible, the Meinl to change the logo in Imagine an Austrian drink- selves in.
Sultanate and Arabic traditions ing up the cup with one hand. facial color is clearly darker, now America, make it wise to change ing out of a cup with a swastika Foreigners accept the Aus-
with those of the Baroque Angels The color of the figures face closer to black. This in Austria as on it, or maybe a picture of Adolf trian “Mohr” because new global
of European architecture”. is clearly brown, hinting towards simplified logo has well? The glo- Hitler, Stalin, or Mussolini? Cer- understanding has made people
Familiar things easily pass either someone from an Arabic become minimalist, bal definition tainly a disturbing iconographic more tolerant. Tourists come to
unnoticed. I have lived in Aus- or African background, some- showing more by of the term image, one that would awaken Austria to learn and understand,
tria a long time. And in the Iran thing quite exotic in 1924. The showing less. The “worldliness” has awful memories for many Austri- even though they might not al-
of my childhood, I was never ex- image was supposed to give the reds echo the red changed over the ans. Minorities feel the same way, ways agree with whatever they
posed to a so-called “black” or viewer a sense of worldliness, a velvet cushions of a years, and to- the picture of a black servant can see, they respect the culture.
“colored” population. Perhaps sense of exoticness, a very popu- Kaffeehaus, widely day, something arouse feelings of shame or fear, However this doesn’t excuse
that is why it was easier to ac- lar cultural outlook towards the popular in the 20s as common as and possibly a sense of hopeless- Austrians from trying to under-
cept the glamorous historical world at a time when traveling and 30s to decorate American Logo the “Mohr” in ness toward the traumatic his- stand what effect this simple
significance of the ever popular wasn’t as easy as it is today. Cof- public spaces, like the “Café Alt Austria is looked as an insulting tory of his or her peoples. image is having on their guests;
“Mohr” figure. feehouses and Hotels often used Wien” open since the 1930s, or slight to a minority by others. Image can be astonishingly a good host should always be
In the earlier portrayals the the image of the “Mohr” to give the Sacher Hotel. It’s a color As a Middle Easterner my- powerful. Take the swastika humble.
Business & Media 21
which last year made the largest
Media
initial public offering in Vienna’s
history, worth �1.1 billion, earns
all of its revenue there.
This long association and
CNN‘s New Look
mutual reliance helps the Wiener
Hardly Revolutionary, But at Least it’ s Calmer
Börse to accommodate local sen-
sitivities, as it did in its alliance
with the Budapest exchange.
Rather than an outright takeover, By Sean Delaney thought to be easier to grasp as a
Wiener Börse engineered a deal in Three months after the whole.
which it joined a consortium of launch of CNN International’s But none of this is particu-
banks to purchase 68.6 percent of “new Look,” media profession- larly radical, and is still far from
the Budapest exchange from the als in Europe are left scratching innovations in other markets.
Hungarian brokerages that had their heads. The change from the “CNN still has a long way to
owned it. well know multi/layered, clutter go,” said Dr. Anthony Löwstedt,
So while the Vienna Exchange screen to what some have called a Webster Professor of Media Com-
MADE IN ENGLAND Five years ago, the interna- Europe, the Middle East, and Af- It was the over abundance of
tional contribution to trading rica – sets the new logo on a silver these elements, the visual clut-
IN WIEN ERHÄLTLICH
BEI BERNHART UND on the Wiener Börse was nearly and gold globe. The new jingle is ter, that had become exhausting
GLOOM. zero, but it now accounts for shorter and punchier, and many for audiences. With this change,
nearly half of the exchange’s graphic elements were removed to CNN International has returned
roughly �10 billion monthly “create a cleaner look.” to a purer and simpler form.
turnover after the steady promo- One of the biggest changes is “CNN International still uses
tion of its links with Central and the removal of the “ticker” across a lot of gimmickry, with the many
Eastern Europe. The Austrians the bottom of the screen. This has squares partially covering the
and their partners are now envi- been replaced with what CNN screen,” Freund said. “But there
sioning a future that could bring calls a “flicker.” seems to be an understanding that
the same kind of success to other Instead of full sentences viewers want to concentrate on
exchanges, and build a new re- scrolling across the bottom of the main image and not be dis-
gional empire of prosperity in the screen, phrases and sentence tracted too much by supporting
Central Europe. fragments flash as complete units, information.”
22 Business & Media
Courtesy of WorldPress.org
The raid caused an lice were genuine it
international uproar and would have issued
huge embarrassment for that statement in the
the Kenyan government, morning immedi-
especially after mak- ately after the raids.
ing promises to uphold It’s not worth the pa-
press freedom during per it is written on,”
the International Press said Phillip Murgor,
Institute’s annual con- former Director of
Kenyan President Kibaki turned against Media
ference held in Nairobi Public Prosecutions.
in May last year. The raid carried to suggest that these acts were car- According to agency reports,
out on the printing house of The ried out by the police,” said Tom 28 foreign missions including
Standard, the country’s second Mshindi, chief executive of the the UN, 31 civil groups and the
largest-selling daily, left Kenyans Standard Group in Nairobi. Kenyan Union of Journalists con-
complaining about the govern- International reaction against demned the raid. The Standard
ment’s repressive methods. Police the media raids was swift in Af- Group’s directors said in a state-
seized and burnt about 20,000 of rica and abroad. In a statement ment that they believe the raid
copies of the Mar. 2 edition in the released by The Africa Editors’ was a move by government aimed
street, disabled the printing press Forum (TAEF), Mathatha Tsedu at crippling the operations of the
and confiscated office equipment, its leader asked Kibaki and his Standard newspapers and KTN.
including 40 computers. government to “desist from, “We believe that the extra-
“We strongly believe that the and prevent the terrorism meted judicial settling of scores has no
deployment of such a group to against Kenyan journalist. We place in any country which be-
harass and intimidate the media is call for the immediate release of lieves in the rule of law. It is our
a gross abuse of power that threat- those detained, for the return of belief that the country is still
ens the very democratic founda- equipment stolen, and for the respecting its constitution,” the
tions of the country. We respec- government to pay for the speedy statement said.
tively call on you to ensure that, repairs of broadcasting and print- In 2005, the government
in the future, such military-style ing equipment vandalized by the tried endlessly to introduce a
raids on the media organizations rouge policemen.” new constitution that would have
are strictly prohibited, and en- Statements were also released curtail media freedom. However,
courage you to hold an independ- from both the British and US Em- about 60 percent of the Kenyans
ent public inquiry into how the bassy in Nairobi. The US embassy rejected it in a referendum held in
original decision was made,” said had in part asked the Kenyan gov- November that led to the govern-
a joint statement issued by the ernment to “identify and disci- ment’s current political crisis. The
Vienna-based International Press pline those responsible, and cease president sacked 29 of his minis-
Institute (IPI), the World Associa- efforts to intimidate the press.” ters and their deputies after the
tion of Newspapers (WAN), and Series of demonstrations were referendum. It also created a tense
Distripresse (in Zurich). held in Nairobi and Kisimu to relationship between the govern-
The Standard was attacked for protest what some radio callers ment and the media.
publishing articles claiming that termed as “the darkest moment” The president’s wife, Lucy
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki in Kenyan history and demanded Kibaki also created media up-
had secretly held a meeting with the resignation of the Kibaki’s roar when she slapped Clifford
a leading opposition member, government. The crackdown de- Derrick Otieno a KTN camera-
Kalonzo Musyoka. The paper’s scribed by government critics as a man and brought the operations
Managing editor Chaacha Mwita, ‘commando-like operation’ on the of The Nation newspaper to a
News Editor Denis Onyango media was carried out by a police standstill. Last year, the police
and reporter Ayub Savula, were squad known as the Kanga Crack repeatedly questioned reporters
charged with publishing ‘alarm- group that beat up the journalists at the East African Standard after
ing statements’ and later released and confiscated equipment and publishing confessions allegedly
on bail. Musyoka who denied computers from the KTN news- made by suspects in a murder
meeting Kibaki was dismissed room. However, by 2 p.m. local case. Criminal charges against
from the government after op- time on day of the raid, the Stand- the paper’s managing editor Dav-
posing Kibaki’s draft constitution ard Group published a special edi- id Makali were later dropped.
Sports & Travel 23
Croatia Anti-Toursim
With Summer: The Season of Embarrassment
by Ana Valjak would be in Cannes, but they still time or energy to make an effort to
The season of embarrassment don’t understand what that really be interesting to tourists. Mostly
has arrived. My foreign friends are means. To them it means stone people are just thinking about how
starting to ask me where to go to houses, donkeys, seagulls and to get as much money as they can
the seaside in Croatia. Although it pine trees coming right down to for doing as little as possible.
is beautiful, really Mediterranean, the sea. Shops are more often closed
I blush a deep red when I think The reality is big concrete then open. Coffee bars are always
of what is on offer for tourists. full of locals (the ones who have
Vacationing on the Croatian no time for tourists during the
coast usually means gambling. ‘Reality is season), so getting a table can
Maybe not in a casino, but the be like winning the jackpot.
result is the same. Tourists big concrete Croatia is proud of its cui-
come with money, spend it all, sine. Amazingly, though, we
and leave pretty much empty- block houses don’t want to offer it to foreign-
handed. ers. How dare they share in our
The other night, for ex- with charmless national pride! So it is almost
ample, I was at a dinner party
where several guests asked me
rooms to rent, impossible to get a decent meal
in a normal price-range. Mostly
to recommend a place to go.
I was in trouble. This was a
shopping malls, restaurant owners serve garbage
for the price of lobster. I find it
crowd of smart, fun people, and a lot of too embarrassing for words
interested in good traditional The most annoying
meals, pleasant small villages, plastic chairs’ drawback is the lack of op-
pristine beaches that don’t tions for tourists. There is
look like a mosaic of towels really isn’t much to do. Dur-
from the air, clubs that have ing the day people can bake
swingin’ music and so on. block houses with charmless in the sun, squeezed on the
After many hours on the In- rooms to rent, shopping malls, beach like sardines, or they can
ternet and reading brochures, we and a lot of plastic chairs. There go sightseeing and bake in the
were all in shock. The prices were may be one donkey here or there sun afterwards. It’s even hard
astronomical. Renting a family without any interest in walking, to find a nice souvenir without
house on the Adriatic is very close much less carrying anyone, only a label ‘Made in China.’ Well,
to renting a house on the Cote d maybe in posing for tourists and a global village and all that…
Azure, or chateaux in Provence. lump of sugar. The seagulls most- Restaurants and bars close at 11
Except, of course, that it’s not the ly dive into the sewage floating PM. The government doesn’t al-
Cote d’Azure, and these cottages along the shore, pine trees used low them to stay open any later
are certainly not chateaux. as hangers for towels or a trail of because the locals complain of
For some reason, my friends strewn toys, because every centim- the noise. They forget that we
still wanted to go. I guess they had eter is needed. live from the proceeds of tour-
heard so much about the wonder- The tourists imagine good ism and only have that chance
ful Mediterranean coast and warm company and even better music, five months out of year.
peaceful seaside. They know that all in all a very pleasant atmos- So how much longer can we
in Croatia the infrastructure is a phere. Boy, are they ever wrong! cheat our tourists? Maybe the
bit behind the times, as well as the They can count themselves lucky slogan should change: Pay your
clock, in most cases, so that they if the landlord smiles when you fee, but don’t bother coming;
can’t expect to be treated as they tip him. The natives don’t have the Then we’ll really love you!
Playing Pokemon
What’s This? Is somebody dying? Or being eaten alive?
by Mladen Kovacevic pearing as children playing cards to smaller towns, a pattern it has
On a freezing cold January that are the hot merchandise of continued ever since. Today, the
morning, you get up out of the the 2005-2006 season. This phe- number of players is growing by
bed to make yourself a cup of a nomenon is known as a Trading leaps and bounds.
hot coffee. During the ritual, you Card Game. With the increase of inter-
hear a hideous guttural roar from The Croatian LM Informa- est for the trade carding games
the nearby room and your blood tika, the official distributor of the among children, even the large
freezes in your veins. Is somebody card trading games, can not hide Croatian dailies promote and
dying? Or being eaten alive? As its excitement. A branch of enter- cover the tournaments. Tourna-
you enter the room you see your tainment that was almost non-ex- ments are in stages, where players
child in front of the TV watching istant only a few years ago now is must first win in their towns, then
a cartoon surrounded by little pic- a runaway success. in their counties and finally in all-
ture cards laid in a careful pattern At first, the only card trad- state finals where the winner gets
all around him. What’s this? Ac- ing game any one had ever heard a fee vacation or some other prize.
tually if you look closer, you can of was “Magic: The Gathering,” The audiences are mostly a prima-
make out the images of strange
little creatures…
played by only a few dozen fans.
But with the success of Pokemon,
ry- and high-school students.
Today, the country’s young-
Computer Consultants
This is Pokemon. Harry Potter and Lord of the sters are well acquainted with the
The creatures are the charac- Rings, Yu-Gi-Oh and others, trad- tournaments, and have turned it
ters of a popular Japanese cartoon
series in which the heroes of the
ing card games are going through
their own renaissance.
into a generational phenomenon.
How long the fever will last
PC Repair & Problem Solving
show are immersed in a quest of In 2002, the Pokemon televi- is very hard to predict. Children
becoming a Pokemon Master. sion cartoon was huge hit, at least are influenced their peers who
To become a Masters, they need for a while, and LM Informatika are players themselves, or by the Alexander Jaber
to defeat other trainers, and cap- decided to hold tournaments in movies and TV shows that lure
ture Pokemon creatures scattered the country’s two largest town, them into building their own
0676/ 181 9107
throughout the world. Zagreb and Split. The tourna- collections of cards. With fam- 10am-17pm
So they collect, and you col- ments proved so successful that ily finances improving in Croatia,
lect. And thus the creatures have they attracted a couple of hundred children can now indulge a little.
made it off the screen, becoming of fans. In 2003, LM Informatika If it’s not Pokemon, it will just be
not only specks of light, but reap- decided to expand tournaments something else.
24 Science & Technology
EUROPEAN FLOODS
Continued from page 1 or along the Baltic coastline
(1°C per century).
declared on 16th April, the The northern and central
Danube reached a record 8.48 parts of European Russia also
metres (26.4 feet) on 17th have experienced greater warm-
April. ing than the European average-
The recent trend of floods in some places exceeding 3°C
had been attributed by most of per century.
the scientist and studies to the The European Environ-
global warming threatening our mental Agency (EEA) reports
World with its severe conse- that Europe’s glaciers had lost a
quences. tenth of their mass in the last
Measuring Beauty
By Ruta Kurselyte ments of the human body. or spirit, it is also obvious that
There is little more mysteri- Beauty changes its definition it is part of human nature to be
ous and unrevealed than the defi- by the time, race, gender, culture attracted to something that is aes-
nition of beauty. It is so relative and other variables. But still, there thetically pleasing.
that definitions do not even come seems to be something constant Not so long ago, beauty was
close to describing what is actually that makes it mathematically a gift of nature, to be appreci-
beautiful. precise. Students of aesthetics say ated and wondered at. Now, we
Philosophers have tried. From that we classify certain people as have plastic surgery and some
the early days, they have sought to beautiful because their face struc- of these problems can be, as it
define, count and measure what ture comes closer than most to the were, solved.
it is that makes someone more Divine Proportion. Many of the What is clear is that we have
attractive than another, what famous Hollywood stars fit these come to see them as problems in
Entire streets and bridges were swallowed up by the rising waters of the danube in Bulgaria
it is that lifts someone on po- measurements, which can be the first place. Fortunes are spent
dium, while others remain on counted by taking distances be- each year to create “perfect beau-
the ground. tween various parts of the body. ty.” But where are the limits?
The answer, they have said, is
harmony, balance…
Probably the most convinc-
ing measure has come from what
Consciously or unconsciously,
artists and architects from all the
past civilizations used the Divine
Proportions in their works. For
“Is it too much to ask that
women be spared the daily strug-
gle for superhuman beauty in
order to offer it to the caresses
Letter from Sofia
is called Pi, Proportion, ratio = example, a master sculpture of of a subhuman ugly mate?” says
3.141, named after Phidias, a a woman’s body – a Greek Aph- Germain Greer, from The Female Thousands are Forced to Walk the Planks to Safety
sculptor, who first identified it. rodite created by Agesander – is Eunich (1970). Yes, women are
Pi was thought to be a golden largely based on those golden ra- much more the target group in
number, called by Renaissance tios. The Greeks said that all beau- this crazy beauty-market-driven Hundreds of people in Bul- more tired, many turned their ever, for Bulgarians still have
garia didn’t get to church for anger towards the government. a lot to overcome. Unusually
Easter this year, imprisoned Cursing the waters didn’t do high levels of ground water,
by the elements. Even in these any good. for example, will be a problem
times of atheism it wasn’t the At the very height of the for quite a while, and so will
lack of faith that kept this peo- crisis the opposition in Bulgar- the sewage system. Until these
Courtesy of Marquardt Beauty Analysis
ple home at midnight; it was ia introduced a no-confidence waters retreat, there is no hope
the waters that had crept up to vote against the government, of cleaning up and disinfecting
their doorstep. claiming that it was unable to all the pipes, which means that
“We can’t go out in the handle the situation. drinking water in the flood-hit
evening, because we might Accusations were renewed towns is questionable.
fall off the planks we use for of misappropriating the flood- Many houses will need ma-
a pathway right into the wa- aid from the summer, and jor repairs that their owners
ter,” a woman commented for petty excuses were offered in can’t afford. And then there
private bTV channel. The first reply. In the meantime the wa- are the mosquitoes – as insig-
floor of their house in the Dan- ters kept on coming, reaching nificant as they may seem, the
ube town of Nikopol had been a critical level and entered peo- insects carry disease and are a
Even with a perfectly proportioned face, there are endless variations in coloring and shapes that make beauty individual
flooded and her family had to ple’s homes. serious threat to public health.
use the neighbours’ bathroom. Having grown up by the Their population has grown
artists the “Divine Proportion.” It ty is mathematics. society. And yes, women tend to Still, they had painted the eggs Danube, I couldn’t help but immensely and money will be
is an irrational number with many To have some firm ground to follow those predefined rules of according to tradition, and worry whether the dikes would needed for dealing with them
unusual mathematical properties, stand on, Pi followers created a their beauty. Even if it is danger- looked forward to the holiday hold, whether my family would too.
including the solution to a quad- mask corresponding to the facial ous to their lives… with excitement despite the be all right, and whether I Now it’s up to the govern-
ratic equation. shape of those worshiped for their But nature is cruel. What overflowing river. would soon be reporting with ment and kind helping hands
Pi’s connection to the divine beauty, like Marilyn Monroe. Us- a human takes from it, nature There were stories like that impartial detachment that the to rebuild what was demol-
proportion is based on the rela- ing this mask, anyone may test takes back. It starts with an in- all over Northern Bulgaria courtyard of the kindergarten ished, to clean up the mess and
tion of three lines, each 3.141 their own features, to see if they nocent nose job, but then people along the Danube this Easter, where I had once played had deal with all the immediate
times the length of next smaller. fit this model of “perfection.” fall onto a fast train of changing, and with each centimetre added disappeared under two meters problems. People hope things
“Combinations of the three line Other studies by doctors and changing, changing… We have to the waters’ height, the fears of water. Now that the crisis will move faster and more ef-
ratios are said to be the had this possibility for grew. Memories of the severe has passed, I can report that fectively than last summer.
basis for the divine pro- only a couple of dec- floods in the summer of 2005 the waters are slowly receding Then maybe the next time
portion,” writes Cynthia ades. that changed the lives of about and none of these fears came people want to light a candle
M Piccolo in Geometry But do we know 2 million Bulgarians were still true. At least for me. in church, they wouldn’t be
of Human Anatomy, “ t h e students of Pi have shown that if what’s to follow? What impact too fresh. And as the waters Thankfully no one was lost risking their lives.
basis for everything perfectly pro- someone fits this mask, it often will it have to the future society? continued to rise and the peo- in the budging waters, and last --Petya Sabinova
portional, and thus aesthetically means that he is healthier than What will happen in 20 years to ple monitoring the dikes and summer’s tragedies were not Editor, Sofia News Agency
pleasant, in buildings, art, and liv- someone who doesn’t. For exam- those who had several operations? rescuing the stranded grew repeated. It’s not all over, how- www.novinite.com
ing things, including humans.” ple, if a person has a longer face, Will our faces, like Michael Jack-
One may call it complete non- he or she might be suffering from son’s, start to collapse under the
sense, but proportions based on Pi breathing problems and the ones strain of so many operations?
are found in animals, plants, the who have shorter faces, might New technologies are advanc-
solar system, the stock market, the have an overbite. ing; the next steps may target our
Bible and in many other things And while it may be argued genetics. A society of perfectly-
that surround us on an every day that these “standards” rob an ob- manufactured bodies will be cre-
basis – including the measure- ject of its individuality, identity ated. Where will we be then?
26 Commentary
Jugendstil Revisited Once the test is passed, what has actually been accomplished? Will
the immigrant be more integrated? With the German language test the
the soul.
However, you might have
This student party poster was ap-
benefit is clear, but with the citizenship test it is not so easy to say. This gotten a different impression if you proved by WUV Student Affairs.
In Revolt Against an Age of Style over Substance is the age of globalization, especially in the great federations like the EU, had entered the building on Thurs-
where countries have free movement of people and goods. day, May 4th. A large poster for “just another student party” had been put
With this issue, the Jugendstil is now available on Vienna news- Today, when many are concerned by loss of identity that seems to up on a board, right inside the entrance of the University, advertising an
stands. After two and a half years of reporting on events, issues, trends come with globalization, societies feel under threat. This test is one way event at the just-opened Champagne Club at the Moulin Rouge.
and personalities, and long editorial meetings and bleary hours in front to hold the line. But why is this protection needed, and against whom? Against a background of deep glowing red, two hot chicks with the
of the computer screen, the Jugendstil has grown from a class project Now that the ideas of democracy and equality have finally become so barest of accessories are bumping and grinding to the thumping of some
to a regional newspaper, reported and produced by current and former established in Europe, after centuries of bloody wars, it seems ironic that invisible techno DJ. The one on the left, head thrown back, lost behind a
media students and faculty of Webster University Vienna. some are not happy. Some seem to want to go back to a pre-EU state fringe of hair in some unimagined ecstasy, is sliding her leopard skin hug-
Jugendstil comes to life at the height of the Media Age, an age of of things when borders were still being debated and Realpolitik held its gers down off her hip as she disappears into shadow.
shallow glamour and pre-packaged experience, of celebrity and self-im- grip on a European continent in turmoil. The one on the right, acres of skin glistening in the hot glare of a di-
portance, a kind of gilded cage of glitz and false impressions. When countries are trying to cooperate instead of compete, it seems rect spot, painted lips pouting from beneath a black fatigue cap and biker
The Vienna of today is a wider stage, perhaps, but one not so very illogical to close the door to foreign influences. Why is this fear of shades, has untied the top of her jungle bikini, and is sliding it up just to
different from that of an earlier Vienna of a century ago and the artists “other” so ever present? For some, there will always be “us” and “them.” nipple height, while a triangle of black thong just peaks out above the 5 cm
and intellectuals of the original Jugenstil movement in revolt against a But now, with Europe finally so close to unification, setting restrictions of slide-on Amazon fanny pants.
world of style over substance. on citizenship just does not feel right. Below, preposterously, are the words, “Dress Code: Evening Wear”
We, too, live in a time that seems to lack vision, when bravado -Mladen Kovacevic 22:00 – 23:00 Ladies Entry Free.
passes for courage, confessionalism for sincerity. Instead of news we get Right.
Slobodan Milosevic
staged events, instead of truth, yet another Big Lie. Sounds like a great time. Let’s go girls, “Come and get f****d!”
A century ago, fed up with the failures of political and economic Is that what women are, for those who designed -- and those who ap-
liberalism that could neither govern nor sustain the society, a collective proved - this poster?
revolt sprung up among educated young Viennese – Die Jungen, The Is the Moulin Rouge so charmless, so devoid of style and ambiance, so
Young. Playwrights Arthur Schnitzler (Dream Story, adapted for film as
The ‘Butcher of the Balkans’ is Missed by Some lacking in that special allure that makes a great nightclub, that they have to
Eyes Wide Shut) and Hugo von Hoffmannsthal, Sigmund Freud, satirical Slobodan Milosevic has lost his last battle. The former Serbian offer strippers and street walkers to get their male clients in the door?
journalist Karl Kraus, architect Otto Wagner, composers Gustav Mahler president’s death in March cut short his war-crimes trial at the Hague, What woman with a shred of self-respect would respond to a poster
and Arnold Schoenberg, artists Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt. denying his countrymen and the European court any satisfying closure like that? And if the women don’t come, or do come and wish they hadn’t,
This was Jugendstil Vienna. to the decade of conflict and violent disintegration he inspired. Even what’s the point?
Klimt defiantly rejected what he saw as empty forms and pledged after his death, the man called the ‘Butcher of the Balkans’ continues to Saddest, perhaps, is the misunderstanding of what great seduction is all
his fellow young artists, the Viennese Secession, would “save culture divide Serbian society, and leaves behind a Serbia whose reputation is about -- the allure of understatement, of mystery and suggestion.
from their elders.” Jugendstil Vienna took on culture in the broadest badly damaged in the eyes of the world. Advertisers seem unable to find any ways of selling without using nu-
sense; to them art and politics, aesthetics and ideas, were inseparable and Today, the region is still far from overcoming the devastating impact dity and even sexual violence. It seems that their minds have got stuck in
interactive. “To every time it’s art,” wrote Hoffmannsthal. Their task, of the wars Milosevic had been so eager to start. And yet, in Serbia, few a couple of limited areas of the female body, and their development some-
said Otto Wagner, was “to show modern man his true face.” are happy that Milosevic is gone. In fact, the people were glad to see him where between ages 11 and 13, before they learned how to spell “vulgar.”
At Jugendstil, this is our task as well. behind bars hoping for justice against the man who gave their country Or “ridiculous.”
Because a newspaper matters. Part Roman Forum, part soapbox, part a bad name. The poster is not sexy, and it is not inviting.
Hyde Park Corner, part Kaffeeklatsch, it’s important to have a place to as- “It’s a pity that the court did not reach a verdict,” said Sonja Biserko, And the reality that there is ugliness on nearly every newsstand in Vien-
semble your thoughts, to speak out, to be heard, to swap stories. How do I of the Serbian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. “The possible na is no excuse. This is a university, and we ought to be able to do better.
know what I think, until I hear what I say? And what you say. guilty sentence could have helped Serbs come to terms with crimes com- And we ought to at least be interested in what one another has to say.
Students at Webster have a lot to say. Nearly two-thirds of Webster mitted in their name. The chance is missed now.” -Ruta Kurselyte and
Vienna comes from Central Europe, countries still struggling to rebuild Since 2001, Milosevic has been facing judgment at the International Dardis McNamee
their societies and economies after 40 or more years of communism. Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The guilty verdict seemed inevita-
Another 10% are from the Middle East, and another from Western Eu- ble, but his death prior to the sentence allowed him to escape judgment.
rope and Asia, and a handful from North America. Students come a
long way to get here; they are ambitious, and brave. They see the world
around them – with all of its deep compromises and failed ideals - with
Most Serbians see this coincidence as the biggest injustice.
The reaction to the former president’s death in Serbia, however, still
remains divided. For some, Milosevic will always remain the saint, who
Something to Say?
a clear eye. They are not impressed by hollow celebrity, nor persuaded defended Serbian pride against their ‘enemies’. Others however will nev-
by commercial cant. They are skeptical of pomposity and can smell out er forget the fear and suffering he condemned them to and the heartless Comments?
self-interest behind the mask of condescension. destruction of so many lives and livelihoods.
They live in an age of corporate media – an age of image, sound One faction of Milosevic’s former political allies seek to gain an Questions?
bites and the tyranny of ratings, an age of global provincialism and short advantage from his death by claiming he was a political martyr. They
attention spans. But somehow they see beyond it. point out that the tribunal refused to let him go to Moscow for medical Complaints?
So read on: These are the voices of internationalism, possibly the treatment. His followers, now a tiny Socialist Party of Serbia, claim that
first real Global Generation, who respect local cultures as the key to
identity, while they reject the parochialism that insists on conformity.
Milosevic was killed by the Tribunal and have demanded the post-mor-
tem autopsy be performed in Russia, where some of Milosevic’s family
Contact Jugendstil
They ask hard questions and reject stereotypes. members are.
And they intend to be citizens of the world. Serbian president Boris Tadic expressed condolences to the Milose- Send an E-Mail:
-- Dardis McNamee vic family, but the government has refused to allow the ex-leader a state jugendstilwebster@yahoo.com
Editor in Chief funeral and Tadic did not attend the ceremonies. In 2003, the funeral of
Commentary 27
Letters to the Editor
Tagebuch
in direction of the sun, as if he is
going to embrace it.
As if that was not enough, he
has decided to built a zoo and cre-
ate a natural habitat for penguins!!
Penguins in a subtropical desert
climate!!??
“I never travel without my But there is no point in telling
diary. One should always have him that. Niyazov has the power
something sensational to read in to sack meteorologists, which he
did on one occasion, because he
the train” - Oscar Wilde was not satisfied with the weather
forecast they had predicted.
Dear Diary, Niyazov recently started re-
I was walking down Mariahil- Friday mornings. If there is a ter- naming everything. The Caspian
ferstrasse with a girlfriend of mine; rorist attack, it is most likely to Sea port of Krasnovodsk, the air-
browsing through windows and occur on Friday morning since port, stadium and the main av-
observing the world bustling by. this is the time that everyone uses enue in the state capital were all
It being the first day of Spring to prepare for the Sabbath. re-named Turkmenbashi.
(and actually feeling it), we de- 4. Avoid crowded places like He has also given his name
cided to get an ice cream. Standing bus stops, cafes, and the City to a meteorite, which landed in
in line behind a rather stout man Market, Makhane Yehuda. These Turkmenistan in 1999 and to the
with a receding hairline and a tall are open invitations to attack. world’s biggest carpet, whose mak-
man with a giant Great Dane. 5. Pedestrians are an endan- ing he ordered just for the purpose
“Oh my god, he’s huge!” my gered species in Jerusalem. Cars of naming it.
friend exclaimed, meaning the dog. always have the right of way, even there is no pricetag, do not pur- 21. Journalists are never in cians, ranking right up there with Week days and calendar days
The balding man spun around if you are already in the crosswalk, chase it. danger here. They stay in the best The Holy Book of Koran. were also renamed, so January
on his heels, completely red in the er I mean crosshairs. 13. If you go to the post of- hotels, which just look like they This guy never ceases to became Turkmenbashi, April be-
face and promptly exited the line. 6. Drivers here like to honk. fice, be prepared to wait an hour. are in the combat zone if you are amaze me. Just when I think he came Gurbansoltan, a month of
“Oh no, not you!” gasped my It does not matter if it is three The bank is not much better. watching CNN. It is really cam- used up all of his moves, here he his mother and June 10 became
friend, mortified. o’clock in the morning. They also 14. The food is great. ouflage. goes and strikes again. Yet some- the Day of Yanardag, honoring his
Too late. The fellow was al- like to honk for no apparent pur- 15. There are more taxis here Hope all is well. More to follow. how, his absurdities seem to be horse, which must be admired at
ready half way down the block. All pose other than to make noise. than residents or tourists and you --Prof. Gregory Weeks tolerated. First, he won the presi- all times and criticizing or insult-
proportions aside, he had proved A quiet neighborhood is worth a can ride one of two ways, with dential elections by 99.5%, not all ing him is followed by imprison-
surprisingly light on his feet. premium. the meter and without the meter. that surprising as he was the only ment!
I shrank back into my newspa- 7. Learn Hebrew, otherwise Usually you are better without the candidate. Niyazov’s pictures appear eve-
per, trying to disappear. you may eat something disgust- meter as long as you have agreed Then he proclaimed himself rywhere, from state buildings to
– Paul Krauskopf ing. on the price in advance. No mat- Dear Diary. Turkmenbashi – the father of all people’s homes.
8. Everybody here has a story ter which way you ride, the taxi The other day over coffee, a Turkmens. And finally he became All the currency bills, the
about the attack that almost got driver will try to cheat you. friend surprised me with an article the Eternal President, installing manat, have the portrait of Turk-
him or her. One minute a bus is 16. It does not rain for three on Saparmurat Niyazov, the presi- his cult of personality. menbashi, redesigned every time
there, the next minute it is gone. weeks, but when it does rain, it dent of Turkmenistan. While Turkmen people live in Niyazov gets a medal of honour.
Dear Diary, One minute your friend is there, pours and you are drenched to the I guess word had gotten abject poverty, on the margins of His portrait also appears on local
“Things I have learned in Jerusa- the next minute, he is dead. skin. After that, you have three around of my hobby of collecting existence, Turkmenbashi has been brands of tea, vodka and yogurt.
lem” (see below) 9. Automatic and semi-auto- weeks of nice weather again. everything possible about this ex- going on a spending spree - build- Apparently health matters.
1. Police cars always patrol matic weapons are a fashion acces- 17. Everything on the buses is tremely crazy guy. ing $100 million worth of palaces, Ministers are obliged to walk 30
with their lights on. It makes them sory. Soldiers, even dressed up as a blastproof and solidly anchored. Niyazov’s latest was that those race courses and shopping malls. km every month, and are forbid-
easier to see. They started doing civilian, never leave home without 18. You can pick up the Pen- who read his book Rukhnama The centre of the capital city den to smoke.
this after the second Intifada. them. tagon Channel here. Good to three times would become go of Ashgabat is dominated by the Once a passionate smoker,
2. Cats are a plague here. 10. Get used to being wanded know in emergencies. straight to the Paradise. Rukhna- Neutrality Arch, a 75 meters high Niyazov quit smoking after heart
They pop out of every garbage whenever you enter a building 19. Do not expect great serv- ma is a tome on Turkmen origins, arch with a 12-meter golden stat- surgery and banned it in the
bin. The good news is they also and being asked if you are carry- ice. It is not included. history, spiritual values and good ue of Turkmenbashi on the top, whole country.
make sure that there are no rats in ing a weapon. 20. You know you have been behavior. which slowly rotates for 360 de- He has also banned make-up
the garbage. Just do not adopt the 11. If you speak Russian or here too long when you can laugh Obey the rules and live a ful- grees 24 hours a day. and golden teeth, a symbol of
cats until you have taken them to Yiddish, you will make a lot of at signs that say “Welcome brave filled and happy life. Reading the The intention of the rotation success. Although Niyazov him-
a vet first. friends. tourist” or “Big discount for brave Rukhnama is now obligatory for is that Niyazov, who is presented self dyes his gray hair black.
3. Do not go shopping on 12. Count your change and if tourist.” everyone, from students to politi- with open arms, is always turned -- Nika Bracun