Latest news with #KatharinaWieser
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
A night of music, memory, and celebration: 60 Years of The Sound of Music
The highlight of the evening was a special musical tribute by the Mozart Children's Choir The Austrian Ambassador's residence came alive with melodies and memories as guests gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the beloved classic The Sound of Music. The evening, hosted by Katharina Wieser, offered a heartfelt blend of nostalgia, cultural exchange, and joyous musical performances. The celebration began with a warm welcome reception where guests were greeted with drinks and a serene film montage from The Sound of Music playing in the background, setting the tone for the night. Austrian Ambassador Katharina Wieser João Ribeiro de Almeida. Ambassador of Portugal You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rates Today in Delhi | Silver Rates Today in Delhi Sunanda Rao gave a special solo performance. Her heartfelt renditions of some of the film's most iconic songs were met with warm applause Saskia Rao - de Haas and Shubhendra Rao at the event Ambassador Wieser delivered the opening address, expressing her delight in hosting an event that not only honoured a cinematic masterpiece but also celebrated Austria's rich musical heritage. The highlight of the evening was a special musical tribute by the Mozart Children's Choir. The young vocalists captivated the audience with a 20–25 minute performance featuring timeless songs from the film. The evening was more than just a tribute to a beloved film; it was a testament to the enduring power of music to connect people across cultures and generations. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Indian Express
‘Come with curiosity and patience… Delhi will reward you with unforgettable memories': Austrian Ambassador
'I've been posted in Delhi for nearly four years, and it has been a fantastic experience' — that's how Katharina Wieser, Austria's Ambassador to India, summed up her experience of living in Delhi. She enjoys a stroll through Lodhi Gardens and says the cultural depth and variety of the city are among the things that have stood out during her stay. Wieser has served as Austria's envoy to India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka since July 2021. A seasoned diplomat with over three decades of experience, she has held key leadership roles in the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the Office of the Austrian Federal President. A passionate advocate for female diplomacy and inclusive leadership, Ambassador Wieser champions multilateralism, gender equity, and constructive global dialogue in her efforts to strengthen Austria's partnerships worldwide. She holds a degree in South Asian Studies (Indology) from the University of Vienna and a post-graduate diploma in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University's Bologna Centre. Wieser speaks to The Indian Express as part of a series of interviews with diplomats about Delhi — their home. Excerpts: One place in the city that you love to visit often? One place I visit often is Lodhi Gardens — it's an oasis amid the bustle. I love the symbiosis of historic architecture and luscious greenery, how you can feel the city breathing there, despite the overwhelming traffic just outside. Three things that stood out in Delhi during your stay? First, the cultural depth and variety — it's rare to find such an enjoyable mix of cultures, of old and new. I celebrate every corner of history that I can explore on my weekend outings. Second, the openness, curiosity, and enthusiasm of the people: wherever one goes, one can always strike up a light-hearted and fun conversation. Third, I'd say the contrasts — the beauty of historic monuments sitting right next to daily urban chaos and poverty. It's fascinating, though at times it can feel overwhelming for newcomers. Does pollution in Delhi bother you? How do you and your family deal with it? Pollution, particularly in winter, is a concern — as it is for many residents. We use air purifiers, avoid outdoor activities during high-pollution days, and try to stay informed. We are very privileged and have the capacity and opportunity to protect ourselves, but many people do not… this issue is surely one of the big challenges of the immediate future. It's a long-term challenge, and tackling it will require both policy and public commitment — not just in Delhi, but across the region. Is there anything you would suggest that Delhi's administrators work on to make this city a better place? Well, yes… while the city has made great strides in areas like Metro connectivity and digitisation, more sustained efforts are needed in waste management, improving air quality, and urban planning. Addressing the burning question of waste and traffic management would make an important contribution to reducing air pollution, and would make visiting Delhi more attractive to tourists as well. How is Delhi different from other major capitals or cities you have served in? What makes Delhi truly unique is the pace and intensity of engagement, and the sheer dimension of both challenges and opportunities. Delhi alone is two to three times the size of Austria in terms of inhabitants, so one has to keep putting everything into perspective. For Austria, this setting has provided fertile ground for strengthening our bilateral ties with India. Over the past few years, we've seen meaningful growth across sectors — be it green technology, higher education, innovation, or cultural exchanges. Favourite food in the city? Ah, the food! It's a culinary journey in itself. I've developed a special liking for South Indian food and love getting a dosa in one of the many great eateries or restaurants, like Carnatic Cafe or Nathu's. But honestly, it's often the home-cooked meals and street food explorations that truly capture the soul of Delhi's food culture. Any memories or meetings from the city that you think will stay with you always? One memory I'll definitely cherish is celebrating Diwali with 'my' Austrian Embassy team, thanks to our wonderful Indian colleagues who organise a traditional celebration with diyas, sweets, (loud) music, and lots of laughter and dancing every year! And as one example of the many cultural events organised by the Cultural Forum of the Austrian Embassy, I will always remember the screening of the movie, Mehrunisa, which tells a beautiful story about an 80-year old actress — played by the iconic Farrukh Jaffar — standing up for herself and against patriarchal reflexes in the Indian film industry. It is a movie by an Austrian director (Sandeep Kumar) with Indian roots, shot entirely on location in Hindi in India, and produced in Austria. The screening at the Austrian residence (on the occasion of International Women's Day) was a beautiful example of the power of the new and inspiring people-to-people connections coming up between Austria and India! If you have to introduce Delhi to someone back home, what will you tell them? I would say Delhi is not only a city — it's an experience. It's chaotic and challenging, beautiful and green, exhausting and exhilarating, all at once. I'd tell them if you come here with curiosity and patience, Delhi will reward you with unforgettable memories. But you should also be prepared for some sensory overload and a crash course in urban resilience. Is there anything that you or your family would miss once you say goodbye? Without a doubt, we'll miss the people. Delhiites have a warmth, openness, and generosity that has really touched me. We'll also miss the festivals, the cultural events, the markets — and perhaps even the unpredictability of life here! I have formed friendships that go beyond diplomacy, and those personal connections are what make a place truly feel like home.
Times of Oman
09-03-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Austrian envoy Katharina Wieser stresses need for closer India-EU cooperation, calls 2025 "EU-India Year"
New Delhi: Austrian Ambassador to India, Katharina Wieser, expressed her optimism regarding the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union. She also said that the India-Austria ties moving in a positive direction, and stressed the need for closer cooperation between India and the EU. Speaking to ANI, Ambassador Wieser talked about the FTA negotiations and said, "I think it's something that has to come and that will come. We are very, very optimistic now. We have the political commitment from the highest level... It has to be a beneficial and partnership and agreement for both sides. There has to be enough in it for both sides to be able to sign this agreement. But I'm pretty sure that we will." "And I think the geopolitical, the global situation at the moment is such that closer cooperation between India and the European Union is the thing to do. We have been saying quite often that 2025 is the EU-India year," she added. Her remarks came on the sidelines of a cultural opera music event organised by the Austrian and German Embassy in New Delhi. Noting that the ties between India, Austria and the European Union has been intensifying over the past years, Ambassador Wieser affirmed hope that the trend will continue in the coming years. "I think that bilateral ties between India and let's say the European Union as a whole have been intensifying a lot over the past years and also with the individual countries like also with Austria. We saw many high-ranking visits as you know in the past years and in particular last year also with Prime Minister Modi visiting Austria. I'm convinced that the trend will continue. We have seen a lot of movement and intensification in all areas of our partnership, in the business sector, in the cultural sector, scientific cooperation," she said. Notably, she observed that there has been a lot of interest from the Austrian side with delegations coming in across avenues such as political and technical level. "So we are really, it's sort of really a very dynamic moment and are getting more and more interest from both sides, from Austria towards India and also the other way round. So I think we're in a good space", the Ambassador said.
