Umschlag 11 X 11

Home , Geschriebenstein, Lackenbach, Rattersdorf, Reichsgau, Weppersdorf

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFBURGENLAND. AUSTRIANTHE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE PROJECT BYTHIS ISCO-FINANCED EUROPEAN UNION, THE 11x11 11 success chapters on 11 years objective 1 in burgenland gerhard loibelsberger 11x11

11x11

11 success chapters on 11 years objective 1 in burgenland

gerhard loibelsberger 04

05 investing in enterprises, infrastructure and minds

to Burgenland between 2007 and 2013. These funds ensure that the success of the objective 1 programme will proceed. This book draws up a balance sheet on two funding periods The four main priorities of the future funding policy are: and 11 years of objective 1 programme in Burgenland. Based on examples one can read up how objective 1 funds have 1. Creation of competitive regional economic contributed to accomplish a far-reaching modernization of structures not only the economic structures but of the entire region in the past years. The granting of objective 1 status has initiated 2. Research, technology and innovation a tremendous process of catching up. 3. Qualification, training and education

According to Statistics Austria, Burgenland has become 4. Decrease of the economic north-south disparity the province with the strongest growth in Austria. In 1995 in Burgenland there was a gross added value of about EUR 3.5 billion, in 2003 it increased to EUR 5.4 billion. In 1995 we had about With this programme Burgenland will not only be in a 2.1 million overnight stays in tourism, in 2005 the magic position to develop existing economic structures further, number of 2.5 million overnight stays was reached for the but it will also be able to go new and innovative ways. At first time. Since 1995 more than EUR 985 million, i.e. ATS the same time, this programme will see to it that the 13,5 billion, of objective 1 funds have been granted. These number of success chapters in Burgenland will constantly funds were made available jointly by the European Union, increase in the years to come. the Austrian Federal Government and the Provincial Government of Burgenland. HANS NIESSL Provincial Governor of Burgenland

We have caught up tremendously in the past 11 years. Now the time has come to overtake. This is why even after 2006, after the second objective 1 funding period will have come to an end, we need further support through the European Union. Based on the phasing-out status there will be a total of EUR 158 million out of EU funding pots available 06

07 gründerzeit!

Hitherto, if one spoke about Gründerzeit in Austria, one Naturally, one could argue that there are many more usually referred to the time between 1857 and 1873 during chapters of success to be found in Burgenland, since which the Danubian Monarchy went through a genuine objective 1 funding has fundamentally changed all areas economic boom. Chances are that language usage is about of society, economy and agriculture in the province. And to change and that in 30, 40 or 50 years, Gründerzeit will as many of my interview partners conveyed to me, these refer to 11 years of objective 1 funding. changes are not only of fundamental, but also of sustainable nature. The title of this book “11 x 11 – 11 success chapters on 11 years of objective 1” was chosen deliberately. The nature Consequently, I would like to wish all readers a sustainable, of the title is supposed to create associations like “success i.e. thought provoking reading pleasure! formula”, “recipe for success” or “Success 101”. After all, in the history of the 2nd Republic there is hardly another GERHARD LOIBELSBERGER Author example of such a success strategy which was planned so consistently and which was, although this is rather un- typically Austrian, fully implemented (see interviews in “Objective 1 and Politics”). 08

09 contents

foreword page 4 – 9

part 1 page 10 – 31 everything you´ve always wanted to know about objective 1

part 2 page 32 – 177 interviews on 11 years of objective 1 in burgenland

objective 1 and politics page 34 – 45

objective 1 and economy page 46 – 55

objective 1 and jobs page 56 – 65

objective 1 and tourism page 66 – 79

objective 1 and pleasure page 80 – 91

objective 1 and agriculture page 92 – 107

objective 1 and nature page 108 – 127

objective 1 and environment page 128 – 141

objective 1 and architecture page 142 – 153

objective 1 and change page 154 – 165

objective 1 and the future page 166 – 177

part 3 page 178 – 195 from cinderella to golden daughter – a concise economic history of burgenland

objective 1 and euregio west nyugat pannónia page 188 – 191

objective 1 and regionalmanagement burgenland page 192 – 195

editorial details page 196 10

part 1 everything you´ve always wanted to know about objective 1

About 11 years ago, around Austria’s accession to the European Union people in our country were confronted with a new catch phrase. This new term was called objective 1.

Burgenland received objective 1 status and was granted objective 1 funds. This fact did not only sound great to the people of Burgenland, it also calmed down many people in the remaining parts of Austria who were concerned that our country would not profit enough from the EU accession.

Within no time objective 1 became the catch phrase in terms of economic policy in Burgenland. And there was more to it as words were followed by actions immediately. In the year 1995, with the start of objective 1 funding tremendous changes took place in Burgenland. Since then investments, construction, research and newly established businesses have emerged all over the province. Six technology centres, countless business start-ups, schools and research centres came into being and a great many jobs were created. Nature and tourism projects were supported and investments in better training of employees were made. All these efforts and many more have contributed to Burgenland’s economy being in a a very good state after 11 years of objective 1 funding. This is even more emphasised by the fact that in terms of economic policy Burgenland of today does not rank last anymore among the Austrian provinces. 12

13 revitalization castle ruin landsee interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 70 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 22

There are two forms of programming documents: How are funds granted and to what extent?

• In most cases they are Community Support In general objective 1 funding amounts to a maximum of Frameworks (CSF), which are subdivided into 75 % of the total costs respectively of a minimum of 50 % Operational Programmes (OP). They describe the of public spending. The maximum level of funding may social and economic framework conditions in the be increased to 80% for regions in member states which country respectively the region and they set out are supported by the cohesion fund (Greece, Spain, Ireland development priorities as well as the targets to be and Portugal). For the most remote regions and for the attained. Furthermore, they contain information on outlying Greek islands the maximum level of funding is financial management, monitoring, evaluation and 85 %. control systems. The operational programmes present the priorities in a region or in the area in need of Within the framework of objective 1 there are the following funding (e.g. traffic, education, business promotion). Structural Funds co-financing ceilings: In the framework of objective 1 Germany, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Northern Ireland • With regards to investments in infrastructure decided to present community support generating substantial revenue, Structural Funds frameworks and operational programmes. contribution may not exceed 40% of total costs, there is a 10 % increase for those member states covered • Single Programming Documents (SPD) are used by the cohesion funds. The percentage can be within the scope of objective 1 if the programmed increased by a maximum of 10% of total costs if funds are less than EUR 1 billion. A SPD is a single other than direct assistance financing is used. document containing both the information of a community support framework as well as that of • With regards to investments in businesses the contri- an operational programme. In the SPD the priorities bution may not exceed 35 % of total costs (50 % in the of the programme, a summarized description of outermost regions and outlying Greek islands). planned measures as well as a preliminary financing In the case of investments in SMEs this percentage plan are contained. In the framework of objective 1 can be raised by a maximum of 10 % of total costs if Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, the Netherlands, financing other than direct assistance is used. the UK, as well as Sweden decided to use this option.

The financial assistance

For 2000 – 2006 a total of EUR 213 billion are allocated to finance structural improvements within the European Union. EUR 159 billion are designated to the Structural Funds. As the financial resources are mainly used for countries with the most urgent problems the objective 1 programme disposes of the greatest part of funds with about 70 % of Structural Funds resources (EUR 137 billion). All Structural Funds (the ERDF, the ESF, the EAGGF, Guidance Section, and the FIFG ) are involved in the financing of the objective 1 programme. fruit-trees scattered on agricultural land in the pinka-strem valley objective 1 | funding: 70 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 14

is objective 1 a magic word, a magic formula? Probably not. But Objective 1 is another word for solidarity in Europe. It serves as an example that richer regions support poorer regions and help them to become part of an economically flourishing Europe.

What is objective 1? The terms objective 1 funding and objective 1 area derive from the fact that they have priority within the scope of Objective 1 is part of the regional policy of the European European cohesion policy (=promotion of solidarity within Union. This is why objective 1 funds are only given to the EU). regions. Generally, in the framework of objective 1 only one regionalized target is supported. The importance of cohesion policy is also stated in parts of the Treaty on the European Union. It explicitly says to Objective 1 involves those regions in which GDP per head “promote harmonious development” is imperative. does not reach 75 % of the average for the European Union. Furthermore, the treaty also stipulates to “narrow the gap In general these regions have a number of economic between the development levels of the various regions”. indicators “in the red”, e.g.: Due to this common European policy more than 2/3 of the appropriations of the Structural Funds are allocated • a low level of investment • an unemployment rate which is higher than average • a lack of services for businesses and individuals • poor basic infrastructure

In short: Objective 1 funds promote the development and structural adjustment of regions lagging behind.

What is the reason behind objective 1?

The European Union sees itself as a union of states, which maintain close economic relations and which deal jointly with questions of common interests. This idea can only to support regions where development is lagging behind. work if there is a sufficient degree of economic and social (= Objective 1 regions). cohesion among the individual member states. Currently this sum amounts to more than EUR 137 billion. revitalization castle ruin landsee interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 70 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 24

25 esterházy gardens interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 75 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 16

How did objective 1 funding come into being? member states. Especially with the accessions of the UK and Ireland (1973), Greece (1981) and Portugal and Spain Already in 1957 a common balanced development was one (1986), the economic disparities between regions increased of the aims of the European Economic Community (EEC). drastically. Since then structural policy has been an Initially the single market was to guarantee the indispensable element of the community reducing development of the member states and to enable the discrepancies in development and standard of life. decrease of the discrepancy in development of certain regions. For this reason the European Social Fund (ESF) In addition to the European Social Fund, further structural was created in order to promote the employment and funds with specific goals were created. Apart from the mobility of employees within the area of the community. structural funds there is a cohesion fund since 1993. This Because of strong growth and low unemployment the fund finances environmental and infrastructural projects in fund was of little importance in the 50s and 60s. those member states where GDP per head is below 90 % of The economic crisis of 1973 and the following economic the Union average (Spain, Greece, Ireland, Portugal). The development revealed great disparities between certain concept of economic and social cohesion was laid down in the Single European Act (1986). Together with the single the most convincing example is without doubt Ireland. In market and the European Economic Union it constitutes 1983 its GDP per head amounted to 64 % of the Union’s the first pillar of the European Union ever since the Treaty average rising to almost 90 % in 1995 and to 118 % in 2001. of Maastricht (1992). The striving for solidarity is still a central priority which is also expressed on the financial level: The promotion of structurally weak regions But successes on national level cannot deceive that constitutes the second largest spending factor of the between certain regions of the Union discrepancies in European Union (the largest spending factor being the standard of life are still in existence or are even increasing. Common Agricultural Policy). This is why in 1999 the Agenda 2000 was adopted. The Agenda 2000 is an action programme supporting the Thanks to structural policy measures implemented over effective implementation of community policy. decades a clear approximation between economies can be seen in those EU-member states which take part in the Economic and Monetary Union. Spain, Portugal, Greece and Ireland have improved their economic situation. But

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the objective 1 programme for burgenland When the first objective 1 funding period in Burgenland came to an end the European Commission decided that Burgenland needed continued support in its development. For the period 2000 – 2006 funds were granted anew to Burgenland within the framework of the objective 1 programme. The total budget of investments is to amount to EUR 864 million of which EUR 283 million are financed by the European Structural Funds.

The Structural Funds investments in Burgenland concern 277 586 people or 3.4 % of the Austrian population. The The funds aim at improving the region’s economic unemployment rate is below the Austrian average as a performance and the competitiveness of its businesses. third of the workforce is working outside the region. There is a special focus on innovation, technology transfer People who are not mobile or who live in remote areas of and the development of business cooperation networks. Burgenland have only limited access to employment in The five funding priorities in Burgenland: other regions. There are great regional disparities in Burgenland. The north of Burgenland has a central position • Business and Industry between important Austrian, Hungarian and Slovakian 1 economic regions. The central and southern part of Development of a middle-class in Burgenland by Burgenland have rather little possibilities for economic supporting regional SMEs. Businesses do not only development, in turn there is a rather high percentage of receive direct investment aid, but they are also agriculture of 6.3 % in these regions. assisted through other measures (management quality, internationalisation, innovation). To increase What are the aims of objective 1 in Burgenland? SMEs own financial resources new financing through venture capital is foreseen. Three basic aims were defined: Furthermore, the strengthening of • to develop Burgenland into a modern Central economic infrastructure as well as European Region the development of information and • to prepare for EU-enlargement (carried out in 2004) telecommunications technology is • to reduce internal disparities within Burgenland supported. revitalization jost mill interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 70 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 18

world heritage lake neusiedl interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 75 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh Furthermore, it also contains the financial framework for • the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee the years 2000 – 2006. With regards to structural policy Fund (EAGGF) the Agenda 2000 has two priority aims: It contributes to the structural reform of the • improving the use of structural policy instruments agricultural sector and to the development of rural (= funds) in order to strengthen economic and social areas. cohesion • continuation of structural policy within the frame- • the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance work of future enlargements around Central (FIFG) and Eastern European countries. This specific fund contributes to the structural reform of the fisheries sector.

The financial resources of Structural Funds are allocated Where does the money for objective 1 come from? on the basis of multi-annual programmes. The majority of funds are used for programmes with a limited number To grant financial assistance (= subsidies) for structural of aims. Furthermore, there are special programmes on adjustment the European Union has created Structural specific topics of European importance, the so-called Funds. These Structural Funds are important funding Community Initiatives. instruments within the EU. This is underpinned by the fact that about a third of the entire EU-budget is used for the Who is currently being supported? financing of Structural Funds. In the period of 2000 – 2006 some fifty regions, home to At present, four Structural Funds allow the European Union 22% of the European population, receive subsidies. The to grant financial assistance to resolve structural economic subsidies from the Structural Funds support economic and social problems : activities in these regions. They adapt and raise the educational level of human resources and encourage • the European Regional Development Fund (EFRD) investments in businesses. Its principal objective is to promote economic and social cohesion within the European Union. Financial Planning of objective 1 funding resources from this fund are used to reduce imbalances between regions or social groups. An essential element of the implementation of regional policy is programme planning.

• the European Social Fund (ESF) As a first step the member states present development It is the main financial instrument allowing the programmes. These plans contain a detailed description European Union to realise the strategic objectives of of the social and economic situation of the country (per its employment policy. region), a description of the strategy to realise the laid down development aims, as well as details on the planned usage and form of the financial participation of Structural Funds.

The member states present the programming documents, in which the general guidelines of the Commission are taken into account, to the European Commission. 28

2 • Research, Technology and Development 4 • Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Nature Conservation

EU-funds will contribute to the creation of competence and The development of these sectors will be encouraged by: technology centres and business incubators, as well as to - investments in farms the creation of establishments for higher education and the - aid to young workers development of research projects. - vocational training measures - improvement of processing and marketing methods 3 • Tourism and Culture Furthermore, additional special measures are planned: Tourism will be developed through investment aid - the support of a wide range of rural activities accompanied by measures improving the quality of tourism - village renewal and development products, marketing and networking among tourism - improvement of road network and other infrastructure businesses. This also concerns the expansion of tourism - landscape preservation infrastructure as well as the utilization of cultural heritage for tourism purposes. 5 • Human Resources Funding in this field is aimed at reducing unemployment, promoting equal opportunities, improving vocational training and combating social exclusion.

In addition to these five main priorities, there is the so- called technical assistance, which provides financial resources for the management, monitoring, auditing and evaluation of and information on objective 1 funding.

nature park raab „development concept neuhauser hügelland“ leader+ | funding: 60 % implementing body: federal ministry of economics and labour 20

21 nature park landseer berge leader+ | funding: 60% implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 30

How are objective 1 funds managed in Burgenland?

The implementation and administration of a programme is in the hands of the so-called managing authority. The EU-Managing Authority for the objective 1 programme in Burgenland has its seat at the Authority of the Provincial Government Burgenland. It is responsible for the co- ordination of around 40 partners participating in the implementation of the programme on national, regional and European level. The monitoring committee, which meets under the chair of the managing authority once or twice a year, is the most important programme committee. Representatives of the competent ministries, of the implementing bodies involved in co-financing, social partners and representatives of organizations for equal opportunities and sustainable development are members of this committee.

The secretariat is run by the Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning (ÖRÖK).

The programme is managed by the so-called implementing bodies dealing with the various fields of assistance. The implementing bodies are also responsible for project guidance and project support. Thus, the implementing bodies play a major role in programme implementation and in providing local project support in the regions.Each fund is monitored by the respective ministry (ERDF: the Federal Chancellery, ESF: the Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour, EAGGF: the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management). The ministries are given the relevant data by the managing authority and the competent implementing bodies.

The Authority of the Provincial Government Burgenland is the managing authority for the entire programme. EU-Managing Authority Landesamtsdirektion Europaplatz 1 A-7000 Eisenstadt Tel. +43.2682.600-2992 Fax +43.2682.600-2994 E-mail [email protected] Web www.burgenland.at view from esterházy palace, eisenstadt 32

part 2 yearsinterviews of objective on 11 in burgenland1

MAG. BRIGITTE EDERER DR. FRANZ VRANITZKY KARL KAPLAN CHRISTOPH BUBESTINGER ROMAN HAUSWIRTH JOCHEN WOGRANDL THOMAS REISNER MAG. ANDREAS KREUTZER GABRIELE RECHBERGER BERT JANDL DI MARKUS GRAF ZU KÖNIGSEGG ALEXANDER GOEBEL WALTER ESELBÖCK GERHARD KRACHER JOSEF LENTSCH ERICH STEKOVICS MATHILDE DEUTSCH WERNER SINKOVCS DR. RUDOLF KRACHLER MICHLITS FAMILY DIPL. ING. THOMAS BÖHM ING. MAG. HANS LUKITS MAG. JOSEF MÜNZENRIEDER ING. MAG. JOHANN WACHTLER ING. JOHANNES HORVATH ING. REINHARD KOCH & ING. JOACHIM HACKER MICHAEL KNOPF OTTO KAPFINGER GERNOT HEINRICH ANTON MAYERHOFER DR. FRED SINOWATZ ANNEMARIE NEUBAUER UNIV. PROF. DR. ROLAND GIRTLER MAG.(FH) KATHARINA KAITAN ELENA SCHMALL LARA SOLEDER PETER WAGENTRISTL FLORIAN SCHWEIFER DR. WALTER FEYMANN PROF. (FH) MAG. INGRID SCHWAB-MATKOVITS PAL STIPKOVICS RMB 34

objective 1 and objective politics

„Since January 1st 1995 Austria has been a member of the European Union. By accessing the Union Austria renounced a part of its sovereignty, it is, however, entitled to participate in the organs of the Union within the framework of the treaties. The membership in the European Union led to a “europeanization” of great many political areas.”

Heinrich Neisser, Gerhard Loibelsberger, Helmut Strobl „Unsere Republik auf einen Blick – Das Nachschlagewerk über Österreich“_Ueberreuter, Wien 2005 expansion of the festival site wiesen objective 1 | efrd | funding: 64 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 7 36

a flair similar to the austrian state treaty negotiations could be felt

AN INTERVIEW WITH MAG. BRIGITTE EDERER Born and raised in Vienna. In 1980 graduation from university, degree in Economics. Works at the Department for Economic Research at the Vienna Chamber of Labour. 1983 to 1992 Member of the Austrian Nationalrat (National Council). 1992 to 1994 State Secretary for Integration and Development Co-operation. 1994 to 1995 State Secretary for European Affairs. 1995 to 1997 Member of the Austrian Nationalrat. 1997 to 2000 City Councillor for Finance, Economic Affairs and Public Utilities in Vienna. Since January 2001 Member of the Board of Siemens AG Austria, since December 2005 Chairwoman of the Board.

deliberately refrained from taking on the role of a defender. And there was a considerable scepticism because of Q.: When did you become State Secretary for EU Affairs? Austria´s neutrality. BE.: In 1992. Q.: What were the crucial points? Q.: What was your job description at that time? BE.: Well, in the mean time they are known to everybody: BE.: Together with Foreign Minister Alois Mock it was my the transit question, Austria’s neutrality, the question of task to prepare Austria’s accession to the EU, on national high agricultural subsidies for Austria. as well as on EU level. The biggest obstacle, however, was Q.: Was it difficult to push through objective 1 funding for to convince the Austrian population of the European Union Burgenland? and to reach a positive referendum. It was quite a lot of work. But I really have to say that Q.: Were you involved in accession negotiations right from BE.: the start (February 7th 1993)? politicians and the administration of Burgenland acted very professional in the whole process. There was not only BE.: Yes. wine and lake tourism on the agenda, the presented facts were always rational and precise. Q.: What was the starting position of Austrian EU-accession negotiations? Q.: Do you remember any details of these special negotiations?

BE.: The starting position was not an easy one. Due to BE.: I am not going to disclose any intimate facts, but the historic reasons the reservations were quite strong. It was representatives of Burgenland knew quite well how to feared that a strong “Germanic bloc” might come into create the right atmosphere. Somewhat a flair similar to being. In France these reservations could be dissolved at that during the Austrian State Treaty negotiations could last. Franz Vranitzky’s good relationship to Francois be felt. Mitterrand and to Jacques Delor played a major role in this. Germany also contributed to it. Helmut Khol Q.: In your opinion, what do you think was the reason why renovation of the haydn hall of esterházy palace objective 1 | efrd | funding: 100 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 7 38

at the vote in the European Parliament on May 4th, 1994 Q.: Is there a future for a Burgenland-Hungarian, only 378 of 517 MEPs voted for Austria’s accession? (a Pannonian) economic region?

BE.: For the obvious reasons and reservations and because BE.: I am not a friend of vague prognoses. But I think that they did not approve very much of the special conditions the economic region Austria and its Eastern neighbours which Austria had negotiated. wil be closely linked in the future. We will see if some Q.: How did you feel on January 1st 1995, Austria’s accession regions like Pannonia or Vienna-Bratislava will actually date? (“We’re in! Finally!” or “Let’s roll up our sleeves!“) become economically successful .

BE.: I was immensely pleased that this historic decision Q.: How do you see the future development of the European was a clear cut one and that I was actually involved in it Union, especially with regards to the Eastern enlargement? on a small scale. BE.: Austria was and still is profiting the most from EU Q.: What are (were) the advantages of objective 1 funding enlargement, and enlargement will definitely continue. I for Burgenland? just feel that the speed has been a bit too fast lately. The BE.: With the help of these funds Burgenland was in a enlargement steps which have been decided need to be position to go on a dynamic modernization course. This carried out, but then particular attention should be paid was extremely important for the province. to consolidate the European Union. Europe needs to make

Q.: How has Burgenland changed in the past 11 years? its political structure viable and capable of action.

BE.: As I said, Burgenland of today is a modern one and Q.: In your opinion, what is going right and what is going also the people are more self-confident than they used to wrong in the economic policy of the European Union? be. That’s why I don’t understand why so many people in Burgenland are eurosceptics. It is actually quite paradox! BE.: As I said, at first the European Union needs to become a genuine political union, and above all the European Q.: What will happen in Burgenland when objective 1 Union has to achieve a co-ordinated economic policy funding comes to an end? aiming at growth and employment. Targeted public BE.: Burgenland does not have to fear anything. A solid investments will be required. That’s why I think it’s base has been developed in the past years and on this appropriate to have a disussion on the European budget. base the modernization process in economy and society will continue. we did not leave any money in brussels

AN INTERVIEW with KARL KAPLAN Born in Weppersdorf. Teacher’s college, worked 3 years as a teacher. Then 10 years as officer in the Austrian Armed Forces. 1975 start of his political career. 1996 to 2004 Member of the Provincial Government Burgenland responsible for Economic Affairs and Tourism. Since April 2004 President of the Football Association Burgenland.

advantage of.

Q.: What did you feel on January 1st 1995, the day Austria Q.: How has Burgenland changed in the past 11 years? accessed the EU? KK: The people in our province have become more self- KK: I was very pleased. confident and optimistic.

Q.: Was it difficult at the beginning to put the objective 1 Q.: What will happen in Burgenland when objective 1 programme into practice? funding comes to an end?

KK:There were enormous initial difficulties. We virtually KK: It will go on, since there will be further subsidies. And had to go out and look for projects. It was quite hard to this is very positive because there are quite a large number get the new objective 1 programme into people’s minds. of projects and ideas which can be sustainably continued But in the end we made use of the funds to full extent and implemented this way. and did not leave any money in Brussels. Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland?

Q.: Are there any specifically interesting projects you KK: In 1995 a new era started. I think the future will be a remember? bright one, especially for the young people in our province. KK: The town of Güssing for example, it has developed In former times those with a good education had to go to tremendously! Today the town is not only self-sufficient Vienna or even abroad to find a job. Today there are in energy, it is also home to the European Center for qualified jobs for young people in Burgenland. Renewable Energy. The expansion of thermal baths in Q.: In your point of view, is there a “Pannonia”? Burgenland was also a very important project. In former KK: There is not only the Pannonian climate, but also a years the tourism season ran from May to September, but Pannonian economic region. I call it the “Golden Triangle”: today, thanks to the thermal spas, Burgenland is a year- Vienna – Bratislava – Györ. round tourism destination. Q.: Does this economic region have a future within the Q.: What were the advantages of objective 1 funding for European Union? Burgenland? KK: I am convinced of it. KK: Jobs! And of course a great many new opportunities opened up for the economy. Opportunities which we took Q.: How do you see the future development of the European 40

Union, especially with regards to the EU-enlargement? Q.: Your personal statement to objective 1 funding?

KK: One has to act with passion, but also with caution. I KK: The objective 1 funds were heaven-sent. They gave us think it would be wise to cut down speed and to the opportunity to start off the economic engine. consolidate the existing Union. Q.: In your opinion, what is going right and what is going Q.: According to you, which products from Burgenland will wrong in the economic policy of the European Union? have good prospects on a global market in the future?

KK: There is only one objective and this is quality. If we KK: The positive side is that in economic terms Europe has keep to quality we will be successful – our wineries serve become a factor of power and counterpart to the US, Japan as a very good example in this respect. The funding of and China. The negative side is that many things are research and development is also an important factor. centrally regulated in Europe. Q.: What will Burgenland look like in 2050? Burgenland, do you actively participate in the upcoming championship hosted by Austria? KK: The Central European region will be a true jewel in Europe. We will be one of the best practice regions in KK: Of course! I am a member of the Committee of the Europe ... Austrian Football Association, and I am active in youth football. Q.: What are Austria’s chances in the European Football Q.: What do you find more exciting, politics or football? Championship in 2008? KK: Both are thrilling if you pursue them intensively and KK: They are not as good as I would want them to be, but with a passion. And if you enjoy what you are doing you they are not as bad as some fear. will succeed in it. Q.: You are the President of the Football Association

cselley mill new objective 1 | efrd | funding: 100 % implementing body: authority of the province of burgenland, dept. 7 42

complete renovation of the outer facade of the austrian jewish museum eisenstadt objective 1 | efrd | funding: 100 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 7 the biggest success of objective 1 funding is its running out AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. FRANZ VRANITZKY Born in Vienna in 1937. Degree from World Trade University, Vienna. 1976 to 1981 Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Creditanstalt Bankverein. 1981 to 1984 Chairman of the Board of Directors of Österreichische Länderbank AG. 1984 to 1986 Federal Minister of Finance. 1986 to 1997 Austrian Federal Chancellor. 1995 Winner of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen. 1997 OSCE special envoy to Albania.

able to travel to Corfu with no uncertainties left. I guess you could say that I enjoyed this achievement to the full extent.

Q.: Two years later, on October 17th 1996, during a discussion Q.: What led to Burgenland´s designation as objective 1 in the Federal Council it was critized that until that day area? Burgenland had only received 8 million Schilling (!) from the EU. What were the initial difficulties? FV.: Before the accession negotiations started the Austrian federal government had developed a draft, a so-called FV.: One always has to keep in mind that EU-funds are “funding scenario”. We were all of the opinion that due always tied to projects, the applicant has to hand in a to the economic indicators Burgenland would be eligible project first. If there are no projects handed in, there will to become an objective 1 region. Bruce Millan, EU Commis- be no subsidies. This has to be seen from the perspective sioner for Regional Policy back then, had a key role in this of the initial phase. As long as things are at the beginning question. He had to be convinced. During his numerous no subsidies will be granted ... Additionally one has to visits in Burgenland Brigitte Ederer, State Secretary for EU- consider that at that time the density of companies in Affairs, and Karl Stix, the Provincial Governor of Burgenland, Burgenland was rather low compared to the Austrian put in quite a lot of efforts to convince him. That’s why at provinces in the west. the Austrian accession negotiations the objective 1 status for Burgenland was not an issue anymore. Q.: From today’s point of view: What were the advantages of objective 1 funding for Burgenland? Q.: What did you feel on June 24th 1994 in Corfu when you signed Austria’s accession to the European Union? FV.: It sounds a bit paradox, but the biggest success of objective 1 funding is its running out. Had the funds not FV.: It was an absolute day of success in my professional been effective, a striving for a continuous grant of subsidies career. All the efforts and convincing I undertook nationally would be essential today. and abroad were crowned with success on that day. Since we had had a positive referendum on EU-accession, I was Q.: How has Burgenland changed in the past 11 years? 44

provincial museum new (amongst other things improvement of accessibility for the disabled) objective 1 | efrd | funding: 100% implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 7 FV.: I have a whole range of personal impressions in this and development as well as education have to be pushed respect. Burgenland had made considerable efforts even forward. Additionally, at a summit of heads of govern- before the accession to bring industrial ments on unemployment at least one has to stand up settlements into the province. Today there is and say: “Let’s tackle the problem together!” Instead there a notable range of new companies – even in is a contraproductive offical version which says: “The EU the IT-sector. It is also remarkable that the is not in a position to create jobs.” No wonder this leads open-mindedness and the desire to move on to EU-frustration. of the people in Burgenland has grown so much. Recently I met winemakers of Q.: Regarding Austria’s restless commitment in Southeast- Burgenland in Moscow, who acted so ern Europe you said “A rolling stone gathers no moss.” Now, naturally in an enviroment which is not wholly unproble- in the case of EU-enlargement a great many pepole wish matic. In tourism, the skillful combination of culture, music for the stone to come to a standstill. What is your opinion? and landscape, for example at the opera festival in the FV.: People’s reservation against the EU-enlargement derive quarry of St. Margarethen, is very successful. The downside from their thinking that the one or the other economic of rapid modernization is that many small villages are difficulty is a consequence of enlargement. It is the duty confronted with a massive population drain. But on the of governments to inform people on two things. Firstly, whole I feel that there is a permanent mood of optimism the new countries have to strictly comply with all in Burgenland. conditions, otherwise there is no accession. Secondly, when all conditions are met, each enlargement offers good Q.: How do you rate the phasing out after the end of the economic opportunities to us. objective 1 programme?

Q.: Karl Kaplan, former member of the provincial govern- FV.: Undoubtedly this is a very important topic with which ment of Burgenland, is talking aobut the “Golden Triangle the regional government is dealing at the moment. But I Vienna-Bratislava-Györ”. Is there a future for a Pannonian think that there is a solid foundation. Burgenland can lean economic region within the European Union? back and look at the economic scenery from a distance now. FV.: I would definitely say so. Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? Q.: In which direction should regional funding respectively FV.: In addition to the objective 1 programme, one also has regional policy in the European Union go? to mention the opening of the East. The authorities in Burgenland have made full use of this fact by imple- FV.: With the accession enormous regional political tasks menting cross-border projects like EuRegio West Nyugat have come around for the European Union. It is important Pannónia. This is a very good example of how a Europe of to invest rapidly in infrastructure in the regions. In general, the regions can become reality in the future. all business locations need to receive continued funding.

Q.: In an interview with a German radio station you once Q.: How do you see the chances of Burgenland in an said that a lot remains to be done in European policy. What increasingly global competition? did you refer to? FV.:: If Burgenland is able to continue its way of the past FV.: One of the most important motives why the European years where it specialized in education, research and model of integration has to be developed further is that development, culinary delights, culture and tourism it will it is the only answer to globalisation. European heads of have a good basis. governments have to get this message across to people. The political goals of the European Union have to be Q.: What is your personal relationship to Burgenland? communicated in a way that every EU citizens feels that FV.: My mother is a native of Lackenbach in Central his desires have been put into practice. Burgenland. I have many relatives there and I am also an Q.: The high percentage of unemployment, which is a honorary citizen of Lackenbach. Furthermore – and this is problem in almost every EU-country, is it also one of the something I am very proud of – I hold the “Komturkreuz things which need to be tackled? mit dem Stern des Landes Burgenland”, the highest decoration in Burgenland awarded by the provincial FV.: In order to bypass growth weakness in Europe research governor. 46

objective 1 and objective economy

“Before 1921 Burgenland was not a unity, the region was part of three different Hungarian counties. This is why it was a hard and long way until an economy like we have it today emerged in Burgenland.”

Robert Graf „Geschichte der gewerblichen Wirtschaft des Burgenlandes“, Eisenstadt, 1973 erection of the technology centre central burgenland objective 1 | efrd | funding: 49 % implementing body: wibag 48

there is a new economy

AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPH BUBESTINGER Born in 1978. Graduation from vocational technical secondary school for electronic data processing and organisation. Co-founder of NoSpooN communications and inventor of the Austrian online event magazine eventszene.at. In charge of editing, layout conception and public relations at NoSpooN communications.

it came to decide on the business location.

Q.: When was NoSpooN communications founded, and by Q.: Your slogan “We build the net” creates high expectations. whom? Why did you choose it?

CB.: NoSpooN communications was founded by the four CB.: We wanted our clients to be able to relate to our quite acting partners Jürgen Bierbaumer, Christoph Bubestinger, complex field of activity, but in a simple and concise way. Mario Rosin and Thomas Gartner in the Technology Centre The pompous and often incomprehensible terms of new Eisenstadt in the year 2000. economy used elsewhere did not seem appropriate to us as they do not match the language of our clients. Often Q.: What was the initial business idea? these terms tend to create more questions than they answer anyway. The sentence “We build the net.” puts it CB.: From the start NoSpooN communications has been into a nutshell and even non-experts will have no doubt active as an internet agency and content provider. We are about what we are doing. specialized in supporting the event and ticketing business and in event content providing and messaging services. Q.: Is the technical infrastructure in Burgenland sufficient? Soon we had references like our own event magazine, the complete online sales of Österreich Ticket, the Austrian CB.: As tenants at the Technology Centre Eisenstadt we market leader in ticketing, as well as numerous mobile are more than satisfied with our choice of location: Two ticketing applications for the Austrian mobile phone internet service providers in the office building are directly providers T-Mobile and ONE. connected to Austria Backbone, they enable a wide range of high performance connections which are necessary for Q.: How important was the support by objective 1 subsidies? the operation of our services.

CB.: The funds from objective 1 were an important factor Q.: How many people are employed at your company? but not the decisive one in our contemplations to establish the business. They became more important though when CB.: There are nine full-time employees, two free-lancers nospoon – development of online event calendar objective 1 | efrd | funding: 29 % implementing body: wibag 50

and numerous photographers at NoSpooN implementing high-quality solutions and above all, on communications. flexibility from the start. This attitude brought us advantages which others cannot provide. Q.: How did the idea to establish „eventszene.at“ come up? Q.: Into which direction will the internet develop in the next CB.: After five successful years in the event and ticketing years? business it was time to create a broad and independent project. The experiences we compiled in our daily work CB.: The supposed “anonymity of the net” is decreasing brought to light numerous necessities in this business and is already today only available to technically highly field and gave us the possibility to develop a broad and experienced users. This trend will continue - not the least well-thought out concept. Despite considerable of all because of problems like the incessant spam innovations the technical implementation was not that annoyance. At the same time those that were able to avoid much of a challenge thanks to our experience. After the this medium up to now, will not be in a position to continue implementation the aha-moment was quite big: Our quite to do so. In our field we are clearly observing this trend in ambitous aims of expected hits and users were exceeded small event organizers. by far! We feel very much confirmed in our work and we will ambitiously continue our way with eventszene.at. Q.: How important will digital media respectively online media be in the future? Q.: Is there a new economy? CB.: The internet has ceased to be an “underground” CB.: There is a new economy, but it probably does not medium for quite some time now. In establishing itself as exist as long as one might think. Paid online contents and a full-fledged digital instrument for information retrieval above all the appreciation of this service sector are, it will soon easily overcome obstacles like the acceptance especially after the crisis which is meanwhile finally over, of paid contents. back on track, a development which took place only in the past years. But they are definitely on the upswing now! Q.: What is the story behind your company name?

Q.: Many internet companies are facing problems. What CB.: This is one of our best-kept company secrets ... distinguishes NoSpooN communications from others?

CB.: Due to our experiences in the short-lived ticketing business flexibility and short reaction time together with consistent reliability have always been imperative to us.NoSpooN communications has concentrated on

zed – nospoon´s pet orange slices dipped in dark chocolate

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROMAN HAUSWIRTH Born in 1970 in Mödling. Commercial Secondary School in Neusiedl/See. Studied Economics at the University of Vienna. Joined the family owned business in 1997. Responsible for sales and exports, Co-Managing Director.

RH.: In terms of quantity, not in terms of value, our market share including the Hofer and Lidl chains amounts to 35 %. Q.: When was the Hauswirth company established? And by whom? Q.: How many employees does the company have?

RH.: Hauswirth was founded by Franz Hauswirth sen. in RH.: From September to Easter we employ about 130 1949 in Vienna. pepole, other than that about 70 people.

Q.: To how many countries do you export your goods? Q.: What did your business look like 11 years ago?

RH.: We export to 25 countries. RH.: The company’s fate stood at the crossroads: We were too large for a normal regional supplier and too small for Q.: How high is your export share? the European Union. RH.: About 25 to 30 %. Q.: What have objective 1 funds caused? Q.: Did Austria’s EU-accession and EU-enlargement in 2004 RH.: They enabled necessary investments and the have an impact in this context? enlargement of the location Kittsee. RH.: Without the EU-accessions we would not have made Q.: What does your company look like today? the expansion investments and the company would have retired together with Franz Hauswirth jun. RH.: We are the Austrian market leader in seasonal hollow chocolates and we are a well-established supplier for Q.: In your opinion, how should things go on in Burgenland supermarket chains throughout the EU. after the end of objective 1 funding?

Q.: How high is your market share in Austria? RH.: There will certainly be incentives to undertake further 52

erection of a production hall, purchase of machinery hauswirth company in kittsee objective 1 | efrd | funding: 30 % implementing body: wibag investments in Burgenland and to not move abroad. It is Q.: In your opinion, what are the economic opportunities up to the responsible politicians to decide how these respectively risks of globalization? incentives will look like. RH.: The risk is easy to identify: Diversity and regionality Q.: How do you see the economic development of will definitely suffer and strong internationally active Burgenland? corporations will essentially prevail. I cannot estimate to what extent the individual’s suffering will be compensated RH.: Especially our district, Neusiedl am See, has gone by a higher number or by cheaper goods. through a very dynamic development and has seen strong economic growth. Q.: What will Burgenland look like in 50 years?

Q.: Is there a future for an economic area RH.: The trend towards urbanization will continue, the Burgenland-Hungary within the European district towns will grow and the little villages will be Union? among the losers.

RH.: If our fellow citizens grant their region, Q.: How big or how international will Hauswirth be in 50 their homeland a place in their hearts, the years? one or the other regional specialty will always RH.: We are striving to become a European wide niche be found in the supermarket. For example supplier for hollow chocolates (Easter, Christmas), foam apricots from Kittsee and products made out of them. sweets (chocolate covered foam bananas), chocolate coated Q.: In your opinion, which products from Burgenland will candy and other sweets. have good chances on the EU-market in the future? Q.: What about the legal dispute over the golden Easter RH.: Quality products will always have their niche. But bunny? Has there been a settlement with Lindt? only very few producers will have the capacities to deliver RH.: The main proceedings are in the first instance and across the entire EU. we reckon our chances are good because our bunny has Q.: How should Burgenland’s economy be supported in the been produced and sold in Austria since 1951. The Lindt future? bunnies were only sold in Austria in 1995 for the first time.

RH.: Projectrelated subsidies are definitely suited to put Q.: The lesson you have learned from this dispute? the ideas of the land classification plan and regional development planning into practice. RH.: To read the Wiener Zeitung newspaper regularly and to fight foreign brands already during registration in order Q.: In your opinion, what is going right and what is going to introduce a deletion in time. Fortunately courts are wrong in economic policy of the EU? becoming more sensitive and more restrictive vis-a-vis the

RH.: A standardization of taxes and levies would be requests of large corporations. desirable. The rigorous separation from the new EU- Q.: Is it true that you start the production of St. Nicholas countries’ labour market is very negative as it does not and Krampus (a devil like figure) chocolates already at solve, but enlarge the problems of the future and it also Easter? slows down regional development on both sides. RH.: Usually we start the production of St. Nicholas and Q.: And in world trade – keyword WTO? Krampus chocolates in August.

RH.: It was definitely a mistake to give way to the US and Q.: What kind of chocolates do you prefer? to open up the market for their genetically manipulated food products. RH.: I love Hauswirth orange slices dipped in dark chocolate. 54

we have increased our capacity tenfold

AN INTERVIEW WITH JOCHEN WOGRANDL Born in Wiener Neustadt in 1972. School and printing apprenticeship. Joined his parents’ business in 1987. Since 2006 Co-Managing Director at Wograndl Printing.

to be able to print a printing product in one go in duplex 4 colour plus varnish at the highest printing speed and at Q.: When was your business established? top-level quality. So far I’ve been able to put all my visions into practice, thus I am very positive with regards to the JW.: In 1953. In that year my grand father started his own future. business with a letterpress printing machine on 30 m2. Q.: How many people do you employ? Q.: How big was the business before objective 1 funds were claimed? JW.: At present we have about 30 highly motivated and skilled employees. JW.: It had about one third of todays’ size. We printed with a Heidelberg Speedmaster 72 4-colour offset printing press Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general? and employed about 12 people. JW.: It was used by many people and companies. Due to Q.: How big is it today? objective 1 funds it was possible to increase quality in many fields, delivery time was shortened and performance JW.: Today we are printing with a Heidelberg Speedmaster was improved. On the whole it has definitely done good CD 102 5-colour printing press in complete sheet format, to Burgenland. a Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 74/5 and a Heidelberg Speedmaster 52/5. We have increased our capacity tenfold. Q.: What has changed in Burgenland because of objective 1 funds? Q.: What is your vision for the future? JW.: Burgenland has definitely become more modern and JW.: We want to invest into a new business site with a more competitive. production area of about 4,000 m2 to be able to process our printing jobs more efficiently. It is one of my visions Q.: How will Burgenland’s economy develop in the future? JW.: During the next four to five years development will JW.: Financial resources should be equally distributed. certainly stagnate on a very high level. Countries which are lagging behind should be given a higher amount of financial support, but apart from them Q.: Has Hungary’s accession to the EU changed there should be equality for all the others. something for you respectively for your company? Q.: What will your business look like in 2050?

JW.: Not at all. There were no effects. JW.: I hope that my children will continue my business philosophy with pleasure and that my family is still being Q.: How do you see the future development integrated in the company and in the production processes. of Europe, the EU-enlargement etc.? I hope our printing company will remain a true family-run business. JW.: For small- and middlesized enterprises in the printing business like we are, enlargement will not have any effects Q.: What do you like about your profession? because 80 % of our printing jobs have to be printed just in time. With our current standard of quality, which we JW.: To print is more than just printing. It brings colour want to expand in the future, I don’t see a disadvantage onto paper in high quality and enables information to be in competition. Enlargement will definitely have distributed to thousands of people. For me, it is very consequences for web offset printers as large printing jobs fulfilling to deliver a high-quality printing product to my with longer delivery time may also be produced abroad. client, thus reaching his full satisfaction. Printing is my hobby. I will do it as long as I keep enjoying it. Q.: In which direction should regional funding respectively regional policy of the European Union go in the future?

expansion of the machinery – wograndl printing in mattersburg objective 1 | efrd | funding: 24 % implementing body: wibag 56

objective 1 and objective jobs

The establishment of leading companies is imperative. It is the leading companies which make a region attractive. Leading companies are the humus, favouring the establishment of small enterprises.”

Mag. Andreas Kreutzer_Kreutzer, Fischer & Partner_April 2005 sanochemia pharmazeutika ag – research project galantamin objective 1 | efrd | funding: 19 % implementing body: austrian research promotion agency (ffg) 58

a minimum of bureaucracy

AN INTERVIEW WITH THOMAS REISNER Born in Klingenbach. Commercial school in Eisenstadt. Commercial clerk at Siemens. Change to TUWA (Tubenmetallwarenfabrik) in Simmering, Vienna. Member of the management, becomes shareholder. In 1986 TUWA is renamed into TUPACK. Since 1987 the Reisner family is sole owner. In 1998 MARETO is established in Parndorf.

At the beginning of 1998 the contracts were signed and at the end of 1998 we started production in Parndorf. Q.: You did only become an entrepreneur at 48 years. How Burgenland proved to be very flexible in all bureaucratic come? matters. Those involved were led by the thought to assist TR.: I started here in this company as a commercial clerk, a new enterprise in the province. There was a minimum after a few years I was promoted to the management level of bureaucracy, everybody was very co-operative and tried and became shareholder. After the majority share holder to help. It was great! deceased, his widow sold the remaining shares to me. Q.: Why did you choose Parndorf as location? From that time on I focused solely on plastic. TR.: Its closeness to Schwechat Airport was extremely Q.: What was your aim at that time? important, at an export quota of 99-100 % we TR.: I wanted to become world’s best enterprise. Today have up to 16 delegations per week who come Mareto is the most modern enterprise in the field of plastic to visit our facilities. tubes for cosmetics throughout the world. In 1988 we Q.: How important was objective 1 funding for produced 22 million items, in 2006 the two enterprises – your decision? Tupack and Mareto – will produce almost 800 million items. TR.: It was not decisive, but nevertheless it was very helpful. Q.: When was Mareto established and why? Q.: How many new jobs were created? TR.: In 1997 our head production facility in Vienna (Simmering) became much too small. Since it was impos- TR.: Since 1998 the number of employees at Mareto has sible to find a piece of land close to our facility I called Karl Stix, Provincial Governor of Burgenland at that time, and grown to 430; and it will keep growing. asked him: “Do you have a piece of land for me, which is near to the airport?” Two days later I was offered the plot Q.: Is the entrepreneur’s courage respectively the willingness of land in Parndorf. to take risks the precondition for the creation of new jobs? TR.: Definitely! TR.: The attitude of people. They are more open and they have realised that education is important. In my youth, Q.: Which cosmetic brands have packaging made by Mareto? when I was raised in Klingenbach, Burgenland was a dark TR.: L’oreal, Labello, Nivea, Lancaster, Estée Lauder, no man’s land. Today it is completely cosmopolitan. Lancôme..... Q.: How will things go on in Burgenland after the end of Q.: To how many countries do you export? objective 1 funding?

TR.: At present we export to 26 countries, but this number TR.: Burgenland will have to be careful. If politicians in is constantly increasing. The highest number of exports Burgenland act as flexibly and entrepreneur friendly as go to France, to the US, Germany, Poland and England. they have, Burgenland will make its way. Under these conditions Mareto will also expand; I have already bought Q.: Did Austria’s accession to the EU in 1995 and EU- an additional 6,000 m2 of land in Parndorf. enlargement in 2004 have an impact in this respect?

TR.: In 1995 all of a sudden a huge market opened up. At Q.: In your view, which products from Burgenland will have the end of the 1980s our export share was 40 %, and as a future on a global market? I already said, today it is a 100 %. The EU-enlargement in TR.: The Austrian packaging industry is in a very good 2004 caused American corporations in the cosmetic position. In general there are 3 prerequisites for an industry to invest massively in Poland. entrepreneur to have a chance on a global market: Q.: In your view, what has changed in Burgenland in the automation, reliability (this also includes that there are past 11 years? no strike activities ...) and flexibility.

erection of a production facility – mareto in parndorf objective 1 | efrd | funding: 22 % implementing body: wibag 60

Q.: In your view, what is going wrong and what is going Q.: You vision for the future of Mareto? right in the EUs economic policy? TR.: I can imagine that in the next 10 years the plant will TR.: We have huge difficulties because of the increasing grow by 100 %. This of course under the pretext that the prices for raw material and energy. Europe is in an framework of economic policy remains the same. increasingly tough competition with countries like China Q.: How pleased were you when you received the award and India. We Europeans will have to work longer and as Austria’s “Best Family Business of 2005”? harder to remain competitive. TR.: I was very pleased because it is the appreciation for Q.: Which opportunities does globalisation offer? the good work of all our employees. TR.: There is an unbelievably huge market if you have Q.: What is characteristic of a family business? ideas ... TR.: A well run family business which manufactures good Q.: Why is there a very high percentage of unemployment products is unbeatable. Our decisions are made quickly in almost all the EU-countries? and as a private enterprise we see to it that money remains TR.: We are forced to automise. Therefore many unskilled within the enterprise. workers are made redundant. Education, schooling and Q.: Is there something like a Mareto employee-family? training are crucial. This is why our enterprise spends a lot of money on training measures. Additionally we have 45 TR.: There is only little fluctuation. In the head office in apprentices who will become electronic technicians, Vienna there are employees who have been with us for 35 locksmiths, plastic technicians and mechanics. We have years. Many employees get very much involved, just as only made good experiences with this procedure. the enterprise was their own.

Q.: What creates and what destroys jobs? Q.: Three things you love about Burgenland?

TR.: Jobs are created by ambitious employees, by TR.: The landscape. The mixture of Hungarian, Croatian innovations and by products, which can be sold throughout and German speaking people. Its cuisine with its diverse the world. They are destroyed by the obstinate and influences. By the way, my favourite restaurant is the unworldly attitude of trade union officials. Taubenkobel. In my view, it’s the top restaurant in Austria.

school on screen interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 97 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh we simply can´t afford to have one single child who is not trained well ...

AN INTERVIEW WITH MAG. ANDREAS KREUTZER Born and raised in Vienna. Degree in Business Administration from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Marketing manager in the Austrian and German brand industry. Free lancing management consultant. Since 1992 acting partner of KREUTZER, FISCHER & PARTNER Consulting GmbH which is specialised in researching and analysing markets and industries.

AK.: The majority of unemployed can be found in the building and capital goods industry. These kinds of Q.: According to your company profile Kreutzer, Fischer & businesses need to be pushed. Innovative businesses also Partner is leading in developing prognosis models. What need to be highly promoted, thus creating jobs for young, does your prognosis for the economic development of well trained people in Burgenland who then would not Burgenland look like? need to go to Vienna or even abroad.

AK.: Employment will continue to rise, but most likely not Q.: Kreutzer, Fischer & Partner calls itself an industry with the same dynamics as it has in the past 10 years. specialist. Which industries are future oriented and will Burgenland has come very close to the rest of Austria in create jobs? this respect. At present all indicators in Burgenland, except unemployment, are growing faster than in Austria on the AK.: For example, building services engineering, viticulture, whole . plastic technologies, steel and plant construction and engineering. There are even higher education institutes Q.: What impact will this development have on jobs? for building services engineering and viticulture in Burgenland. AK.: In total a further 2,000 to 3,000 jobs will be created. Unfortunately economic development in general is not as Q.: What role do leading companies play? good as it was in the 1990s. AK.: A considerable one. Firstly, they contribute to an Q.: You made a study on the economic benefit of objective 1 accumulation of jobs. Secondly, they employ suppliers funding. What are the results? from the region. Leading companies create purchasing power. AK.: Generally speaking objective 1 funds have been used well – especially in large enterprises. Each job which was Q.: Are there figures or estimates which show how many created by a large enterprise, has caused the creation of new jobs have been created thanks to objective 1 funding? a further job in a small or middle sized enterprise. AK.: In total about 10,000 jobs have been created, which Q.: What kind of businesses should be promoted? is a 13 % increase in employed persons. 62

Q.: In your study you say that public relations for the Q.: Which businesses from Burgenland will have good objective 1 programme need to be enforced. Why is this prospects on a global market in the future? necessary and in which form should it take place? AK.: Spontaneously I can think of Mareto, Unger steel AK.: Within the framework of objective 1 funding a lot of construction, BEWAG with its wind power know-how, the money has flown into the province. But money is not wine makers of Burgenland ... labeled, so a lot of people don’t know where the money came from. I think that’s not fair. Businesses which received Q.: In your opinion, what is going right and what is going funds need to publicly admit to them. Thus, everybody wrong in the EUs economic policy? could see the positive impact which the EU has on AK.: What is really going wrong is that the direction and economic growth. strategy are changed too often according to the situation in the member states. Actually, there is no common Q.: How do you explain the extreme EU-critical attitude economic policy ... within the population of Burgenland?

Q.: How do you rate increasing globalisation in economy? AK.: I don’t believe in this figures. I think that the studies And what does it mean for domestic jobs? conducted are not representative for Burgenland. The studies carried out by us always show a more positive EU- AK.: Especially the crafts are suffering from it. Just as the attitude among the population in Burgenland than in the other industries which have high costs of labour. rest of Austria. Q.: What can the EU, the individual countries respectively Q.: What impact did Austria’s EU-accession in 1995 and EU- the regions do against high unemployment? enlargement in 2004 have on the available jobs? AK.: In the short term, measures have to be implemented AK.: Burgenland is without doubt profiting the most from which help people who are in the working process and Austria’s EU-accession. EU-enlargement is an enormous who transitionally do not find a job. In the long term one opportunity for Burgenland if the population is able to has to think about the following: What can we do for tear down the barbed wire which still might exist in their those who are currently still in kindergarten, in school, at heads. In this context Interreg-projects are of high university or in training? We simply can’t afford to have importance, just as the fact to get as many people as one single child who is not trained well, because this would possible to study Eastern languages. lead to unemployment. The promotion of research and development brings about a well trained population. In Q.: How do you rate the EUs liberalisation tendencies in the general, politicians should act as role models with regards labour market (key word: services directive)? to education.

AK.: At first sight it constitutes a threat, because Q.: In your view, what creates and what destroys jobs? Burgenland lies directly at the border. Cheap labour from Jobs are created if people in Austria spend a lot of the East works here, but they spend their money on the AK.: money, primarily on domestic goods. Jobs are destroyed if other side of the border. On the other hand it is an people do not spend money, respectively if they only spend opportunity, because Hungarian businesses might get money on goods produced abroad. active in fields in which domestic businesses would have labour costs they could not afford. As a consequence Q.: Your personal statement to objective 1 funding? businesses in Burgenland would have to count increasingly on innovations. A lot of new things could come into being! AK.: It is a very suitable tool to help structurally weak regions adapt to European average. After this initial aid Q.: How shall it go on in Burgenland after the end of Burgenland needs to prove that it can walk down the path objective 1 funding? of success by itself.

AK.: The now disposable financial resources should be Q.: When did you visit Burgenland for the first time? invested in infrastructure, in large enterprises of the capital goods industry or in innovative industries. Tourism and AK.: In the 1960s. I was five or six years old at that time services should be given less financial assistance. and my parents took me to Lake Neusiedl. Q.: What has changed since then? persist. Another important thing with regards to the future development is that Southern Burgenland is connected AK.: Burgenland has become more modern and more to the Southern motorway. Otherwise it might become a cosmopolitan. Today it is a modern piece of Austria. “dead land”.

Q.: What will Burgenland look like in the year 2050? Q.: What do you like about Burgenland?

AK.: Incredible innovations can originate in Burgenland. AK.: Its closeness to Vienna, Lake Neusiedl and the People who have the self-esteem and self-confidence to traditional wine taverns in Central and Southern launch new projects and who go out into the world and Burgenland.

students of the academic secondary school kurzwiese in eisenstadt: elena schmall, lara soleder, peter wagentristl, florian schweifer 64

do you need somebody?

AN INTERVIEW WITH GABRIELE RECHBERGER Born in Hartberg (Styria) in 1971. Kindergarten assistant. Janitor. Supermarket cashier. Unemployed. From January to December 2005 training in nursing assistance at bfi Oberwart. Since 2006 nursing assistant at a nursing home.

you a job, it is usually gone already.

Q.: What caused you to attend the nursing assistant training Q.: How do you like your job as nursing assistant? programme? GR.: I enjoy it very much. GR.: It had been my objective for a long time. Initially, I wanted to train as a nurse, but that was not possible at Q.: What is the precondition to exercise this profession? that time. I got my kids and was at home. But then I heard GR.: You are dealing with human beings, each mistake is about the nursing assistant programme and the financial fatal. You have to be physically and mentally apt to do this support. That was important, as this training programme job and you have to be social. It is definitely a hard job, costs between EUR 7,000 to 8,000. mentally as well as physically. Q.: What was your previous occupation? Q.: Did you know that the training for nursing assistants GR.: Before I became unemployed I had worked as was supported through objective 1 funds? kindergarten assistant, janitor and as a cashier at a super market. GR.: Yes.

Q.: Where do you currently work? Q.: Did all trained nursing assistants of your class find a job?

GR.: At “Haus Vinzenz von Paul”. It’s a nursing home run GR.: More than half of them definitely did. by the order of the Sisters of Mercy. I work in nursing, but Q.: In general, how is the situation regarding jobs in Southern I also take care of keeping the elderly busy and entertaining Burgenland? them. I pay attention to their overall well-being. GR.: It is extremely difficult to find work. I am already Q.: How difficult was it for you to find a job in Southern concerned about my son who needs an apprentice job. In Burgenland? general you have to move quite far away to find work, to GR.: It was very hard. When the employment service offers Vienna or to Graz. Q.: In your view, what has changed in Burgenland in the because the location brings more advantages for them. past 11 years? Q.: What will Southern Burgenland look like in the year GR.: A lot has been done, especially regarding 2050? training opportunities for adults. I think this is very positive. GR.: It’s hard to say, 2050 is still far away.

Q.: What do you think will happen after the Q.: What do you love about Southern Burgenland? end of objective 1 funding? GR.: Definitely the people. I am a native of Styria and was GR.: I just hope that at least the training received extremely well here. Everything I needed was programme for nursing assistants will somehow still be available here, especially for the children. And it is also a supported. beautiful area. Especially for biking....

Q.: In your view, what creates and what destroys jobs? Q.: What advice would you give to people who are currently unemployed? GR.: The economic situation. Small sized enterprises have an extremely hard time to persist. Large corporations GR.: Don’t be down in the mouth. I’ve experienced it establish rather near bigger cities. Many cross the border myself. Go out and look for jobs, go up to people and ask and establish their company in Szombathely for example, them: “Do you need somebody?”

training programme nursing assistant south objective 1 | esf | funding: 100 % implementing body: public employment service burgenland (ams) 66

objective 1 and objective tourism

„In the tourism sector the projected quota of 2,000 new quality beds was almost reached by the end of 2004. Under consideration of still ongoing projects the projected 600 new jobs will most likely also be reached. The development of tourism enterprises was pushed farther than projected. This is also true for cultural tourism activities.”

Update on the midterm evaluation of the objective 1 programme Burgenland 2000-2006_September 2005, Systems Research expansion of reiter`s avance hotel objective 1 | efrd | funding: 30 % implementing body: wibag 68

it gave an enormous boost AN INTERVIEW WITH BERT JANDL Born in Carinthia in 1954. Training in the hotel and restaurant industry. Years of travelling and training in leading hotels in Europe and the United States. Managing Director of Vila Vita hotels for 15 years. Member of the Board of National Park Lake Neusiedl.

Q.: What role did objective 1 funds play?

Q.: When were VILA VITA hotels founded? BJ.: In 1997 objective 1 funds were crucial for the development of an all-season hotel and the entailing BJ.: Our hotel chain has been in existence for 25 years. Our installation of our large wellness area which can be used headquarters are located in Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. in summer and winter! We specialise in small, exclusive hotels in Germany, Austria and Portugal, have a turnover of EUR 60 million and employ Q.: The tourism concept of the Hotel & Vacation Village about 1,000 people throughout Europe. Pannonia?

Q.: What is the philosophy of VILA VITA? BJ.: We offer 200 hectares of nature’s paradise as well as diverse attractions in wellness, beauty, sports, incentives BJ.: We focus on the development of tourism islands where and seminars which can be combined individually. We also we absorb the culture of the respective country and offer numerous attractions to families which will make implement it in an authentic way. Furthermore, our their vacation a special experience. employees see to it that our guests receive first-class service. Q.: Is there a specific VILA VITA target group?

Q.: Why did you decide to build a VILA VITA Resort in BJ.: In the summer it’s families, in the winter we focus on Pamhagen? wellness and seminar guests.

BJ.: We came across the Hotel and Vacation Village Pannonia Q.: How many employees work here? by pure coincidence. We took it over 15 years ago and transformed the facilities into a leading company in tourism BJ.: On average we employ about 100 people, in the because we were delighted by this natural landscape in summer this number goes up to 200. 90 % of them are the midst of the National Park Lake Neusiedl – Seewinkel. locals respectively from the surroundings. We also offer A decision that was actually partly taken at gut level. further education like courses in Eastern languages to our quality improvement of the beach area, infrastructure for windsurfers and events, podersdorf objective 1 | efrd | funding: 34.7 % implementing body: wibag 70

employees. Additionally we also have 25 trainees. from Eastern Europe. This is especially due to specific marketing measures and the excellent training of our Q.: The plans for the future? employees. In autumn 2005 our resort was enlarged yet again by BJ.: Q.: In which direction is tourism going in general? adding a gourmet restaurant and a wine cellar. Both were partly financed by objective 1 funds. We have further plans BJ.: In the future there will be three segments: mass linked to the new thermal spa which will be build in tourism, the emotional segment with quality offers and Frauenkirchen. We are planning to co-operate very closely high-quality tourism. Only those who have a clear concept with the new spa as we have the necessary capacity of and who follow it consequently will survive. Burgenland beds and infrastructure. has good pre-conditions.

Q.: What has changed in Burgenland because of objective 1 Q.: What will the future of tourism look like in Seewinkel funding? respectively in Burgenland?

BJ.: It gave an enormous boost, also to tourism, it improved BJ.: If I take all tourism resources into account, like the quality of hard- and software as well as of infrastructure. thermal spa in Seewinkel, the expansion and improvement And it also stimulated SMEs. of the necessary infrastructures, the professional marketing of this unique landscape and the collaboration of the Q.: In your opinion, how will Burgenland develop in the people in this province there will be a very bright future. future? Q.: What will VILA VITA resorts look like in the year 2050? BJ.: If an eye is kept on the sustainability of funding, if existing structures are developed further and if the BJ.: There will only be little expansion, but there will be opportunities in the East are taken advantage of it will increased investments in the quality and offers of our develop positively. existing resorts. Our resorts will develop further according to our motto “Sometimes unique things come into being.” Q.: Has the recent EU-enlargement had an impact on your business? Q.: What do you like the most about Seewinkel?

BJ.: The accession of the new EU-countries has had a very BJ.: The landscape, the culture, the people and the wine positive impact. In winter about 15 % of our guests come of Burgenland.

expansion of the vacation village „vila vita“ objective 1 | efrd | funding: 20% implementing body: wibag to position halbturn as complete artwork

AN INTERVIEW WITH DI MARKUS GRAF ZU KÖNIGSEGG Born in Munich in 1963, raised in Königseggwald. Degree from the Vienna University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences. Worked as management consultant in Göttingen after university. Estate manager in Halbturn since 1992.

good reputation and a good knowledge of wine. In the following years the cellar was built into parts of the former Q.: Is it true that in Halbturn wine was cultivated already stables of the palace. I really wanted to do this in the in 1214? palace and follow the chateau concept, but I did not want to create a French copy. Objective 1 funds were used for MK.: I don’t know, I wasn’t there ... This is what historic this project. documents say. Q.: What is Carlo Wolf’s role? How would you describe his Q.: What is the size of the winery respectively of the estate function? which belongs to the palace? MK.: He is the director. He is more or less managing the MK.: We manage about 50 hectares of our own vineyards winery. and we have about 15 hectares in lease. The entire estate including the vineyards disposes of more than 2,000 Q.: What has he accomplished in the past years? hectares of land. MK.: The enormous turnaround in the winery. The rapid Q.: What opportunities have opened up for you thanks to gain of popularity, the enormous increase in quality in objective 1 funding? very little time. He pushed this project through without making any compromises. MK.: I came here in 1991 and took over the management of the estate. The first challenge was definitely to prepare Q.: What is your vision with regards to the estate? the estate’s entailing agriculture for the accession to the European Union, which took awhile. During that time I MK.:That is a good question. To be honest in the future I closely observed the winery and then it was time for a see agriculture and forestry primarily as producers for the decision. Should we start afresh? Yes or no? We decided energy industry producing wood chips, turnips, rapeseed to get going, but of course we needed the right people to and wheat. We will not be able to keep up with our Eastern do it. In 2001 we came across Carlo Wolf, who had quite a neighbours when it comes to cost/performance ratio. But 72

modernization of the wine cellar at halbturn palace objective 1 | efrd | funding: 30 % implementing body: erp-fund this is what globalisation is about. With regards to the Halbturn known. We need a certain frequency to be able winery, we only want to produce high-end products, only to maintain the palace. top-level quality makes sense. We want to make it a bit different then others though and we would like to become Q.: Is it true that this year two restaurants will be opened known as “Pinot Noir Winery”. In the end our pinot noir in the palace? has always been famous. We want to position Halbturn MK.: We reconsidered it. The “Knappenstöckl” restaurant Palace as a complete artwork which offers something offering good, rustic and hearty cuisine will be reopened. exciting for everybody. This is why we are also planning a At present it is our aim to keep the restaurant opened all- golf course. year-round. Q.: Halbturn Palace has established itself as a very attractive Q.: In a few years, will Halbturn Palace become the epicentre place for exhibitions. How many visitors come to Halbturn of tourism in Burgenland respectively Pannonia? in the summer on average? MK.: This will depend a lot on the golf course and how it MK.: We have between 40,000 and 50,000 paying guests will come along. After that the gastronomy will be at exhibitions. There are another 15,000 visitors who come developed further and after that maybe accommodation to our Pannonia Christmas market in advent. I would say facilities. that in total there are about 100,000 visitors per year.

Q.: What has changed in Burgenland in the past 11 years? Q.: In 2006 the exhibition was named “The treasures of the new – culture and history of the new EU-countries”. How MK.: In the north of Burgenland a lot has been done. important are the “new” for Burgenland? Examples are the new industrial park in Neusiedl and Parndorf, the wineries, the new architecture and the MK.: They are very important. We are adjacent to them National Park. In tourism there were also quite a lot of and we are constantly growing together. The clientele on changes: This region has changed from a passage way to the other side is becoming increasingly interesting for us. a final destination. Q.: Is there a potential for guests from the new EU-countries Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? for Halbturn?

MK.: A lot will happen in the recreational sector. If you MK.: There will definitely be one in the future. I am very compare Vienna to Bratislava, Györ or Budapest you’ll see optimistic for the triangle Vienna-Bratislava-Györ. It will become a genuine European centre. If you also add what kind of enormous potential for development Hungary Budapest, you have three capitals which can be reached and Slovakia still have. We really have to be careful that in 1 hour’s driving. There is an enormous potential in this. exciting things do not only happen “over there”. The constantly growing traffic is predicting Q.: What will tourism in Burgenland look like in the year of what’s there to come. 2050? Q.: What does the tourism concept for the MK.: If we still have a lake, the prospects for tourism will future of Halbturn look like? be good. After all, we have good surroundings, a gorgeous MK.: As I said, we want to position the palace landscape and a great climate. Burgenland is the perfect as a complete artwork. It is to become an local recreation area with a very high recreational value. oasis for those looking for relaxation, this is Q.: Your personal statement to objective 1 funding? why we are planning the golf course. We want to offer culture, wine, golf and culinary MK.: There has been a tremendous leap forward. delights to our guests and maybe sometime in the future the possibility to stay overnight. Q.: What do you especially like about Halbturn Palace?

Q.: Will cultural activities like concerts, art exhibitions etc. MK.: The atmosphere, its appearance, the location and the play an even a more important role in the future? air of generosity emanating from it.

MK.: Probably. Culture is like a magnet. It has made 74

landscape, culinary delights, kühbauer

AN INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDER GOEBEL Born and raised in Germany, studied drama at the Max-Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna. Played numerous parts in musicals, plays as well as in TV-movies. He is a successful director, radio show presenter and a popular comedy-star and singer.

objective 1 funds to Burgenland?

Q.: When did you come to Burgenland for the first time? AG.: Of course you notice it and that’s how it should be.

AG.: In 1977. I was invited to the first wine tasting of my Q.: Can you name some specific examples which you life. It was an unforgettable experience! noticed?

Q.: Do you come here for a (short) vacation from time to AG.: I think the fact that more and more people are time? establishing their secondary residence in Burgenland is proof of its quality of life. AG.: Whenever I am free for two or three days I come to Reiter`s Burgenland Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf. Q.: How do you rate the current hotel and accommodation offers? Q.: How would you describe the gastronomy or tourism offers in the past in Burgenland? AG.: Unfortunately I only know Reiter´s Resort, but the offer there is great. AG.: From what I remember there used to be rather rustic food and crispy wines. Q.: Do you have a favourite restaurant in Burgenland?

Q.: What has changed? What is it like today? AG.: The Taubenkobel restaurant of the Eselböck family in Schützen. AG.: Today Burgenland has actually transformed into a gourmet region where you can get sophisticated meals Q.: What do you like most about it and about its cuisine? and excellent wines. On top of that there is an outstanding hotel business and you can just leave your car. AG.: Great concept – wonderful cuisine – outstanding wines – personal service and attendance– exceptional Q.: As a guest, do you notice that the EU has granted rooms. expansion of reiter`s avance hotel objective 1 | efrd | funding: 30 % implementing body: wibag 76

wellness hotel balance resort in stegersbach

Q.: What do you think about the past wine scandal and its to my regret the owner is not willing to sell it. It is a great consequences? spot, ideal for writing.

AG.: Every disaster brings about new opportunities. Q.: What do you find fascinating about it? Burgenland took advantage of this opportunity and is meanwhile cultivating excellent wines under the best AG.: The permanently changing colours of landscape, the conditions. wealth of animals there, the gentle hills (I am not a fan of mountains) and the silence.

Q.: Are there any wines from Burgenland among your Q.: Do you make use of any of the numerous wellness offers favourites? in Burgenland?

AG.: I am very fond of red wine and Burgenland offers AG.: Of course, I am very fond of thermal water and the some outstanding reds. From time to time I also like to wellness offers. Apart from that, I am a biker and I enjoy have a glass of ice wine or Beerenauslese. to bike leisurely through Burgenland.

Q.: As a guest, do you have a favourite spot or a favourite Q.: Do you make use of any of Burgenland’s offers in sports area in Burgenland? (swimming, sailing, surfing, ice skating, hiking, horse-back riding …)? AG.: Not far from Reiter`s Resort there is this tiny hunting cottage with a view on endless fields and meadows. I fell AG.: At present I am actually learning how to steer a carriage totally in love with this place already some years ago, but at Reiter’s. And about 20 years ago I learned how to windsurf wellness hotel balance resort in stegersbach on Lake Neusiedl. Apart from that I am quite a hiker. Q.: What would you say are Burgenland´s chances in tourism within the European Union respectively in a globalised world? Q.: As an artist, what do you think about the cultural offers in Burgenland (summer festivals, rock festivals in Wiesen, AG.: Healthy food, pure wines, fantastic landscapes and Haydn concerts in Eisenstadt etc.)? top-notch hotels. And of course culture, which does not only foster tradition and the operetta. Culture, which is AG.: This is the only thing which I am not happy with. Away from established venues like Wiesen it is quite difficult modern, international and attractive. for event organizers to convince people and to sell tickets. It happens quite often that not only gigs by Goebel & Band, Q.: What will Burgenland look like in the year 2050? but also other excellent acts of all kinds have to be cancelled due to too little interest, which in the last instance has only AG.: I hope landscape will remain unchanged and there to do with communication. I would wish for a (media) will be an international flair to it. People from all over the concept and far more support from the provincial world will come to see how one can live in harmony with government. By the way, my kids are the second generation nature and at the same run the province in a modern and visiting the Wiesen festivals every year. contemporary way.

Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? Q.: Why does Alexander Goebel like Burgenland? AG.: My wish is: OPENING! COMMUNICATION! Expansion of cultural offers. Co-operation and networking among AG.: There are three reasons: Landscape, culinary delights those active in art, culture and economy. and Didi Kühbauer! 78

79 erection of the wellness hotel balance resort in stegersbach objective 1 | efrd | funding: 35 % implementing body: wibag 80

objective 1 and objective pleasure

„Gourmandism is an impassioned, reasoned and habitual preference for everything which gratifies the organ of the taste.”

Jean Anthélme Brillat-Savarin „Physiology of Taste“, Penguin Classics erection of the greisslerei and wine shop taubenkobel in schützen objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 37.1 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 82

HIGHEST STANDARDS AND QUALITY FOR ALL SENSES

AN INTERVIEW WITH WALTER ESELBÖCK Born in Vienna. Moved to St. Margarethen, Burgenland with his parents at the age of 3. School of Hotel Management. Autodidact chef de cuisine. Opened his restaurant Taubenkobel in 1984. First Gault Millau toque in 1989, second in 1992, third in 1994. Fourth Gault Millau toque in 2002. Chef of the Year 1995.

WE.: Highest standards and quality for all senses: Sight, taste, smell … If all this is fulfilled you are close to earthly Q.: What led to the name of your restaurant? paradise. WE.: The name originates from the pigeon loft in the Q.: What is your opinion on Pannonian cuisine? courtyard; in former times every house in Burgenland used to have one. Actually, pigeons have a very long tradition WE.: It certainly has its entitlement and its importance, in Burgenland’s cuisine. it represents the roots of our region. The origins of my cuisine are in Pannonian cuisine. Q.: Which pleasures are waiting for the guests at your restaurant? Q.: Which regional specialities do you offer?

WE.: At the moment I am very much into avant-garde WE.: Nothing classic. Many regional ingredients flow into cuisine. You need to be very attentive when enjoying my my cuisine. At the moment I have a problem with regio- dishes. For me, eating and drinking is a form of entertain- nality as often quality suffers from it. According to the ment and pleasure. If you just want to get filled, there are motto: “The meat may be tough, but it’s from the many other opportunities available. By the way, going to neighbour’s ...” a fancy restaurant should not only be a privilege of the Q.: How important is the visual presentation of your dishes? rich. WE.: It is essential! In a perfect meal each sense has to be Q.: Is pleasure associated to relaxation? approached. At great restaurants I expect to experience WE.: Of course. A piece of bread and cheese can be pleasure. savours which I have not known this way before. But of Diversities in pleasure are important to me. course, this always requires the openness of the guests ...

I can’t understand people who either only go to top Q.: You started with the restaurant. When did you decide restaurants or only to Heurigen, the traditional wine taverns to enlarge and to open the Greißlerei (a small shop offering in Burgenland.There is quality in many different fields. all kinds of goods)?

Q.: How do you imagine paradise? WE.: The main reason to open the Greißlerei was to become erection of the greisslerei and wine shop taubenkobel in schützen objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 37.1 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 84

ground based again. I missed to engage with the surroun- WE.: Very positive. The region has enormous opportunities dings. The Greißlerei and its cuisine are very regional – because the axis Vienna-Bratislava-Györ will have a great definitely not tough, but still from the neighbour’s. future. I see the Lake Neusiedl region as a cultural landscape Q.: What did you use objective 1 funding for? for living. Everybody needs to work together on this, we should not leave this to people in politics. Today, we all WE.: For the Greißlerei. I claim to have led in the end of Greißlerei dying in Austria. decide ourselves in which area we want to live.

Q.: How many people do you employ? Q.: What do awards mean to you?

WE.: Between 25 and 35 depending on the season. WE.: A friend of mine always says: Vanity is the engine for Q.: How is your business structured? success. And I fully agree with him. WE.: There is the restaurant, the hotel, the Greißlerei, the Q.: How do you rate increasing globalisation? wine shop and we are also wine merchants.

Q.: You are also offering events. Why? WE.: I think it is positive, because regionality will regain importance as soon as globalisation has come to an end. WE.: My wife started to hold wine seminars exclusively for women. But meanwhile we are offering seminars to Q.: What has changed in the past 11 years in Burgenland? everybody. We don’t want to discriminate against anybody … WE.: The province has become more open, but at the same Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general for time more conservative. I can feel that there are efforts to Burgenland? conserve the province as it is now. In 20 years the term WE.: It depends. In general it has proved to be very positive. “We from Burgenland” will definitely not have the same The negative thing about it, though, was that its speed importance as many think. Europe will become a continent and the amount of money was simply too much for the of strong regions without political borders. Already today, people. I would have preferred the money being invested I actually feel more as a native of the Lake Neusiedl region more target-oriented. For example, nobody knows what than as a native of Burgenland. will happen to the thermal spas in 20 years … More time would have been needed to spend the money wisely. Q.: Three pleasures you don’t want to miss? Q.: How do you see the future development of the Lake Neusiedl region? WE.: Art, culture and cosmopolitanism.

erection of the greisslerei and wine shop taubenkobel in schützen objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 37.1 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a burgenland has become a brand name

AN INTERVIEW WITH GERHARD KRACHER Born in Illmitz in 1981, son of Alois Kracher. Attended commercial secondary school. Studies Business Administration. Joined the family winery in 1998.

Q.: Which possibilities have opened up for you thanks to objective 1 funding?

GK.: It helped a lot in enlarging our winery, from Q.: How long has your business been in existence? remodelling to new plantations in our vineyards. Although I have to say that we would have done it anyway. But GK.: In the 1950s my grandfather adapted the agricultural thanks to the subsidy we were able to implement many business to a winery. From that time on the concepts and ideas more quickly and many aims were “Weinlaubenhof Kracher” is in existence. reached sooner. In total the subsidy helped us a lot. I don’t want to miss it. Q.: What did the business look like before 1995? Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general for GK.: Since the 1970s my family has been well known for Burgenland? sweet wines in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Since 1991 we have been exporting wine to Great Britain, since GK.:There has been a great development. Objective 1 1993 to the United States. Our international breakthrough funding motivated a great many local businesses to stay came in 1997 with the 1995 vintage. The 1995 vintage has in the region and to invest at this location. Businesses been our most outstanding vintage until today, it has been which would have otherwise invested in Eastern Europe. given positive reviews throughout the world. Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? Q.: How big is your business today? The Seewinkel region?

GK.: There are three generations working here. My GK.: In the past 10 years manifold structures were created grandfather, my grandmother, my father, my mother and and Burgenland will profit from them in the future, me. Additionally we employ six workers and we have two especially when it comes to tourism and wine. people in charge of administration. Furthermore, Burgenland has become a brand name. This 86

processing and marketing of wine – kracher winery in illmitz objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 20 % implementing body: erp-fund is not only true for wine, but also for many food products. GK.: A simple question. There are only very few regions in the world where botrytis (noble rot) occurs as massively Q.: Did Hungary’s EU-accession have an impact on your as here in Seewinkel. business? Q.: What causes Robert Parker, the world’s most influential GK.: It will have a positive effect as, as soon as the labour wine critic, to go into raptures? market will be opened, it will be much more easier to employ vineyard workers from Hungary. We need them GK.:He came across our wines through the 1992 vintage. because it is impossible to find somebody for this kind of But it was the 1995 vintage that made him go into raptures. work in Austria. Actually, this is a common problem in From that time on our wines have always received between agriculture. 92 and 99 points in his 100 points system.

Q.: Meanwhile the brand Kracher not only stands for top Q.: Where did the idea to establish “Kracher’s Fine Wine wines, but also for cheese, wine jelly, pomace brandy, vinegar Trade” come from? and chocolate. Will this way be continued in the future? GK.: It was a logical consequence of our international GK.: In our view, the so called “Kracher’s vendor’s tray” contacts. Manfred Krankl led us to this idea. He is an Upper project is completed. All ideas we had in our mind were Austrian who moved to California and is making excellent put into practice. wines there. He asked us to take care of distributing his wines. This is how “Kracher’s Fine Wine Trade” came into Q.: What is your vision with regards to your business? being. Meanwhile we import wines from all important wine regions of the world. GK.: There will be further projects where the name Kracher will not be placed on the product. For example the vodka Q.: Three things you enjoy? “Puriste”, which we developed together with Gernot Friedhuber and others. We are in charge of quality control GK.: An excellent bottle of wine together with a delicious and sales in the U.S. in this project. meal in the company of my beautiful girlfriend.

Q.: In your opinion, which products from Burgenland will have good chances on a global market?

GK.: Wine, of course, but it has its place on the world market already. High-quality food products and other products in the top quality segment. Tourism will also play a major role, people from all over the world will come to Burgenland.

Q.: How do you explain the international success of your wines? 88

a thrust which catapulted us from the 19th into the 21th century AN INTERVIEW WITH JOSEF LENTSCH Born in 1960 in Podersdorf. Traineeship as chef and waiter. Was taught wine making by his father. In 1989 he took over his parent’s inn “Zur Dankbarkeit” as well the family owned vineyard. Attended courses for cellar management at the Higher Institute for Viticulture and Pomology in Klosterneuburg.

Pannonische Küche” was established as a reaction to this development. There were also cookery courses and recipe collections. Apart from “Taubenkobel” and “Beim Reisinger” nobody else followed the Pannonian line in the long term. Q.: How do you define pleasure? I took over this concept from my father and have consequently developed it further. I am very lucky that all JL.: Pleasure is something utterly diverse and does not my co-workers are also convinced of this concept. In the only refer to food. You could also describe pleasure as joie past three years the Pannonian cuisine has become an de vivre. For me pleasure is not something elite, it can be issue again. Many colleagues have come back to a good piece of bread or a simple glass of wine. concentrate on the simplicity of this cuisine.

Q.: Which pleasures has the Pannonian cuisine to offer? Q.: What kind of regional specialities do you offer?

JL.: The Panonnian cuisine is quite diverse. Many simple JL.: My major aim is to bring our region closer to our guests products e.g. peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, marjoram, by embracing tradition and cultural heritage. Using thyme and rosemary create pleasure. The diversity of people, living together in this area also had an impact on regional products is decisive in this aim. For example, I buy the Pannonian cuisine. smoked meats, meat from the grey steppe cattle and from the National Park water buffalo from the Butcher’s Karlo Q.: In the middle of the 1970s your father founded the in Pamhagen. Noodles and eggs come from the “Aktionsgemeinschaft Pannonische Küche” (Action Group Fleischacker Family in Pamhagen, the house rabbit from Pannonian Cuisine). What kind of effects did this have? the Führer Family in Gols. The pickled vegetables come from Erich Stekovics in Frauenkirchen, the bread comes JL.: When the first convenience food products and ready from the Bruck Bakery in Frauenkichen and the Leiner meals came on the market, many chefs started with the Bakery in Podersdorf. I also use regional fish, I buy pike- so-called international cuisine. The “Aktionsgemeinschaft perch, catfish, carp and pike at Thell’s in Apetlon. inn - wine growing „zur dankbarkeit“, erection of a press house objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 20 % implementing body: erp-fund 90

Q.: What did you use the objective 1 funds for? handshake. We have been working with our partners for 10 to 15 years. JL.: Firstly, we built the Heurigen (typical wine tavern in Burgenland), which is adjacent to the inn. Secondly, we Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding for Burgenland? used them to remodel the kitchen, basically only the the walls from the old kitchen were left. JL.: Objective 1 funding was a turbo for Burgenland, a thrust which catapulted us from the 19th into the 21st Q.: How many people do you employ? century, especially in agriculture and in wine growing. This is also true for the economy and the communities. JL.: Between 10 and 20 people depending on the season. Objective 1 funding worked so well because it also supported training measures for the people. Q.: How is your business structured?

Q.: How do you see the future development of the Seewinkel JL.: Our main business is the inn. Then there is wine region? growing which still has a considerable potential. And in third place there is the Heurigen. In all my activities I consider it extremely important to remain rooted in the JL.: I don’t want to create the impression that I am an over- local population. We are still a village inn and a village optimistic person, but I see the future very positively, Heurigen. because we are situated at the intersection of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest. We are the recreational zone in Q.: You are an innkeeper and wine maker. Which activity do the middle. People come here, they get on a bike and enjoy you enjoy more? life. By the way, shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain the first Hungarians were our guests ... JL.: That’s hard to say. It is balanced – like Yin and Yang. We have about 1.5 hectares in vineyards which we own, Q.: You have created a little pleasure paradise. What do your 5.5 hectares are in lease, resp. managed via a contract per plans for the future look like? JL.: We will definitely expand the viticulture. Q.: What is pure pleasure for you?

Q.: In which direction should regional funding or the EUs JL.: To spend time with my family, with my friends regional policy go? respectively with my two soul therapists – my dog Rico and music by Dr. Kurt Ostbahn. And of course great food JL.: I am a bit pessimistic on that, because the tendency and excellent wine. goes into the direction of large enterprises. But this can’t be our future! We have small structures in agriculture which produce quality not mass.

Q.: Can you imagine that Burgenland in general and Seewinkel especially will become a “gourmet region” in Europe?

JL.: Yes, definitely. If we continue to expand, refine and improve the existing structures. Seewinkel could become like Piedmont or Burgundy. Clearly this will not happen overnight, a reputation has to be built up over decades ...

Q.: What has changed in Burgenland in the past 11 years?

JL.: The investments in economy, agriculture, human resources and tourism have changed the people in Burgenland. We have become more open and like to show our hospitality.

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objective 1 and objective agriculture

“The potential of agriculture in Burgenland lies particularly in its ability to specialise and thus in the possibility to find access to quality markets.”

DI Christian Wutschitz, Landwirtschaft im Burgenland_Österreichischer Agrarverlag 1995 feasibility study nature park landsee leader II | funding: 80 % implementing body: federal ministry of economy and labour 94

in the past 20 years 80 % of useful plants were lost forever

AN INTERVIEW WITH ERICH STEKOVICS Born in Frauenkirchen in 1966. Academic secondary school in Eisenstadt. Studied Theology in Vienna. Teacher for Religious Education. Employee at the diocese Eisenstadt. Since 2000 vegetable farmer in Frauenkirchen.

ES.: Exactly. At the beginning our motivation was the large number of people complaining about the fact that vegetables tasted all the same. This is why we went on a search for lost tastes. “Arche Noah” is a brilliant partner in Q.: There is a website on the Internet entitled “tomato this venture. pleasures”. How much pleasure do tomatoes create? Q.: What did you use the objective 1 funds for? ES.: Tomatoes have become the centre of our professional In retrospect we were advised badly. We did not make activity. They accompany us throughout the whole year. ES.: the most of it and left quite a lot of money. But there was Nothing would make me more happy than having my nobody there who said: ”Let’s have a look at the concept.” coffin decorated with tomatoes one day. This is why we were only granted funds for our constructional activities and not for the technical Q.: Originally, your parents relied on peppers? installations in our processing plant.

ES.: They started with peppers in 1958. In 1983 my father Q.: How big is your business today? retired and the business was closed down. We started afresh in the year 2000. ES.: We manage about 10 hectares in total and have reached the optimum and maximum size in the past 5 years. We Q.: Why did you specialise in tomatoes? have a yearly growth rate of about 150 %. In 2003 our export share amounted to 80 %. In 2004 our business had 30,000 ES.: It started with the co-operation with “Arche Noah” in visitors. We have 2 permanent employees and 6 further co- Schild. It was our vision to cultivate 1001 tomato varieties. workers who we employ for 8 months per year. In the Today we cultivate almost 4,000 varieties. summer we have about 15 seasonal workers.

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ES.: Already in the year 2000. We also planted an orchard ES.: Definitely positive. But there were also funds which with more than 1,100 trees and we planted strawberry were contraproductive, because everybody was given a fields. slice of the them. In vegetable growing sometimes concepts are funded, which are known to be uncompetitive Q.: What do your plans for the future look like? in Europe.

ES.: We are striving to reinstall a culture and a voice for Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? vegetables. Along the lines of: Only “Black Plum” will make Of the Seewinkel region? an excellent tomato soup. ES.: I think we have come to a cross-roads where you notice Q.: How is your business structured today? that quality tourism has found its way into Burgenland. We have become a “pleasure region”. We should make ES.: There are actually two businesses. The first one is the more use of our culinary possibilities and avoid anything cultivation of vegetables. Additionally, there is the that has to do with mass tourism. processing where 95 % of the harvest are processed, 5 % are bought from additional suppliers. Q.: How did you come across the project “Frauenkirchner Streuobst-Wiesengans”? Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general for Burgenland? ES.: Through Josef Lentsch. It is quite important for me to find new partners in projects who are able to convey the Q.: Your view on globalisation? philosophy and who stand behind it. ES.: Let’s take avian flu as an example: It showed us that Q.: In your view, which products from Burgenland have good we are living in a global media world. In former times chances on an EU market in the future? nobody cared about avian flu. In reality it is a story of the media ... ES.: Products with a history. And products with people behind them. Q.: What will the abundance of species look like in 2050? Q.: In your opinion, what is going right and what is going wrong in the EUs agricultural policy? ES.: In the past 20 years 80% of useful plants were lost forever. It will not happen that fast again, but I fear that ES.: Agricultural policy is going in the completely wrong only 5 % of the useful plants we knew in 1980 will still direction, it is going in the direction of an industrialised exist. 95 % will be lost. It would be a task of the EU to agriculture. Large businesses are equally supported as support enterprises which are maintaining the variety of small businesses. Additionally, the diversity of varieties is being lost, after the EU-accession subsidy measures caused plants. that within a year the cultivation of straw tomatoes disappeared from Seewinkel.

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farmer´s specialities shop bad tatzmannsdorf objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 45 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a self-marketing is essential for survival

AN INTERVIEW WITH MATHILDE DEUTSCH Born in Unterkohlstätten in 1947. Raised on a small farm. Married and moved to Bad Tatzmannsdorf in 1964. Farmer. Since 1990 active in direct marketing of farmer’s speciality products.

sheep meat, Uhudler (a unique regional kind of wine), wine, herbs, jams, pasta, fish, chicken and pumpkin seed Q.: How did the farmer’s specialities shop come into being? oil which come from other suppliers.

MD.: It all started because our butcher did not come to Q.: What did you use objective 1 funds for? collect our pigs any longer. This is why we started with processing and direct marketing. There was a group of us MD.: We used them for furnishing and remodelling the organising a farmer’s market in Tatzmannsdorf from 1990 shop, it needed quite some renovation. And for sales to 1999. But due to new hygiene regulations we stopped promotion! In the first three years we were also given organising it. In 1999 we started with a small farmer’s funds to employ a shop girl. Without the funding it would shop and moved to this larger shop in 2001. In the small have been very difficult ... shop there used to be such a large crowd that people had to wait outside on the street queuing for up to an hour ... Q.: How big is the shop today? At the beginning there were 8 women of us. Now we are 7, each one offering particular kinds of specialities. The 7 MD.: As I said there are seven women participating, one of us form a loose association under public law. shop girl and 25 suppliers. By working in the shop ourselves, we know exactly what our customs like or don’t like and Q.: Which specialities do you offer? what they want.

MD.: We offer traditionally cured goods, sweets made from Q.: Which special delights are there to discover in Bad cream puff pastry, traditional yeast pastry, home-made Tatzmannsdorf? cream puffs, pumpkin products, bread baked in a wood- fired oven, bread made with oilseeds, open sandwiches MD.: The Bigala, a mixture of Uhudler and cider, Grammel- spread with liver pâté, Verhackerts (spread made from pogatscherln (a typical regional speciality made from yeast bacon), aspic in a glass, lard, sausages, milk products, curd, and crackling) and the Bad Tatzmannsdorf Schmerecken spelt flour and buckwheat flour. We also offer goat cheese, with nut or jam filling. Schmerecken are puff pastries made 100

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with Schmer, which is pork bacon. products in Austria, saying that 30 days before slaughter a nail stamp has to be hit into the live pig’s leg and shoulder. Q.: How important is self-marketing for the farmers of the This is animal cruelty! region? Q.: What will agriculture in Southern Burgenland look like MD.: It is very important for our businesses. All of us were in 2050? able to keep the agricultural business because of it. Self- marketing is essential for survival. MD.: There will be many golf courses and thermal spas. Something I would never have imagined ... Q.: What are your plans for the future? Q.: How has Southern Burgenland changed in the past 11 MD.: If our clients have a special wish, we always try to years? add it to the assortment of goods. Maybe we will also open the shop an additional half day per week. MD.: It has changed to its advantage. But the Pinkatal could also use a piece of that cake. Q.: How is your own family business structured? Q.: What does pleasure mean to you? MD.: We have 50 hectares of farmland, 1 hectare of orchard, 36 pigs and about 70 hens. 5 times a year we serve cider MD.: Sitting under my apricot tree and relaxing in the garden in summer. in our wine tavern. In addition, there are 3 vacation apartments and the direct marketing.

Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general for Burgenland?

MD.: I find it very positive.

Q.: How do you see the future development of Southern Burgenland? Of the region Bad Tatzmannsdorf?

MD.: I think that Southern Burgenland will be on the uprise. I think that in the future a lot of people will know that there is more to Southern Burgenland and that it is quite different from the Lake Neusiedl region. They will learn that there is also a hilly Burgenland.

Q.: In your view, which products from Southern Burgenland will have good chances on an EU market in the future?

MD.: Our pumpkin seed oil, quality cider, all products made from apples from Southern Burgenland and the Uhudler. There is already Uhudler vinegar, sparkling wine made from Uhudler, Uhudler juice and Bigala.

Q.: In your opinion, what is going right and what is going wrong in agricultural policy?

MD.: I think it is wrong that regulations are constantly changing. To constantly put new labels on the glasses of lard, Verhackerts, aspic, meat spread and liver pâté is quite annoying. There is a new regulation now by AMA, which is the market organisation authority for agricultural re-introduction of the great bustard interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 99 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 102

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our animals mature with pleasure

AN INTERVIEW WITH WERNER SINKOVCS Born in 1954 in Eisenhüttl. Studied Technical Mathematics, took over his parent’s agricultural business. Swine judge in Eisenhüttl. Local councillor in Kukmirn, Chairman of the interest group nature conservation area „Auwiesen Zickenbachtal“, Member of the Board of the „rund um’s moor“ (around the fens) Association, Chairman of the “Rinderweide am Zickentaler Moor” (cattle pasture at the Zickental Fen) Association.

Zickental with 6-8 months, after 2 years at the age of 30- 32 months they are ready for slaughter. The bulls grow Q.: How did you come across the idea to breed fen bulls? slowly. They sustain exclusively from the grass of the meadows around the fen. They are kept outside summer and winter, and there is also an open refuge. We keep WS.: Consultations with Univ. Doz. Dr. Karl Buchgraber and primarily cross breeds of Angus x Galloway breeds. But we with Ing. Christian Reicher and Ing. Johannes Stöhl from have also tried to keep pure bred Angus and pure bred the Agricultural Chamber Burgenland led to the idea to Galloways, as well as Fleckvieh x Limousin and Fleckvieh use the newly created meadow land as pastureland. Ing. x Charolais meat crossbreeds. Gstöhl advocated to keep bulls on it as they are peaceful, easy to keep and very frugal, thus coping well with the Q.: What is characteristic of the meat? scarce conditions of unfertilised pastures.

WS.: The slow maturation makes Q.: When was the association “Rinderweide am Zickentaler it especially fibrous and tender. Moor” founded, and what were its aims? The herbs and plants of the unfertilised meadows around the WS.: In April 2004 42 farmers from Heugraben, Eisenhüttl fen give a special taste to the and Rohr decided to establish the “Rinderweide am meat. The animals are Zickentaler Moor” Association. Its aim was the preservation characterised by a pure white of the fen and the use of the land as pasture land on an grease marbling, making the roast area of about 100 hectares. especially juicy. The grease top is just perfect as we do not pursue Q.: What exactly is a fen bull? intensive cattle feeding for maximum weight gains. Our animals mature with WS.: Fen bulls are cattle raised exclusively on unfertilised pleasure. meadows around the fen in Zickental. They come to cattle meadow at the zickental fen objective 1 I eaggf | funding: 40 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 104

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Q.: Why was a fen chosen as pastureland and habitat for WS.: The existing adventure track at the edge of the fen the cattle? has been expanded and there are numerous attractions on offer for young and old. The motto is “Experience nature WS.: The original project of the association “rund um’s with all senses.” In adventure tours of 2-6 hours trained moor” aimed at the preservation of the largest fen in fen guides offer knowledge, fun and adventure: A fen pool, Burgenland. The fen was endangered. By converting trial drilling in the fen, bird watching and a quiz on bird’s agriculture from maize cultivation to the management of songs, making a fire with an Indian bow, the meadow unfertilised meadows the fen should be given a chance labyrinth and the meadow wood, a fen wallow where you for renaturalization. According to Dr. Karl Buchgraber this can press the mud through your toes, a giant poplar and aim was mostly reached. The amount of nitrogen, an insectotel. In spring special bird watching tours are phosphorus and potassium in the soil was lowered by offered. Night hikes led by astronomers explaining the 70 %. In the core zone 99 % of all land was converted to moon and the starry sky in summer complete the meadow land. In the edge zones the seeding of grass to programme. In co-operation with the Perma Academy increase grass growth was enforced. At present 6 farmers special courses on seminatural cultivation are held. The from the 3 villages grow the ryegrass variety “guru” on 27 Wurzelwerk and the women of Rohr organise vacation hectares of additional land. weeks for kids. The herbal garden right beside the church and the herbal hut as point of sale for regional specialities Q.: What is characteristic of the Zickental Fen? are opportunities for people with weak feet. During all tours visitors may relish specialities like the healthy fen WS.: The natural conservation area “Auwiesen Zickenbachtal” picnic or the Zickental Ochsenkessel, a stew prepared by exists since 1992. With 42 hectares it is the largest fen in the Supper Inn in Rohr, which is prepared together with Burgenland. This fen is the habitat of rare birds, fish and the Zickental fen bull. Additionally juice or cider from the plants. The fen is 10,000 years old and extends to 13 m. Since farm is offered and at the end the fen ghosts await our 2004 it ranks among the Natura 2000 areas. guests.

Q.: Heugraben, Eisenhüttl and Rohr have established a joint Q.: With how many fen bulls did you start and how many pleasure region. Which pleasures await the visitors? are there today?

WS.: Our leading product is the fen bull which has become WS.: We started with 24 bulls, until the end of 2006 there a brand name. Our distribution partner Stefri Frischteam will be about 150 animals. GmbhH in Oberdorf sells it to gastronomy and private households. Delicious meals can be prepared from this Q.: Which possibilities have opened up thanks to tender meat. The innholders of the region and of Southern objective 1? Burgenland take advantage of it. They are able to build up a reputation with this speciality. Apart from the fresh meat WS.:Within the scope of objective 1 funds the construction a variety of sausages and a special air-dried beef bacon is of the refuge and the installation of the meadow also produced. infrastructure were supported. This assistance was essential as the farmers needed to make the investments In co-operation with the Lagler distillery in Kukmirn the themselves. The ongoing support in the framework of Zickental Moorgeist and the Zickental Moorbitter were ÖPUL measures secures the economic basis of the developed. The Moorgeist is a herbal spirit made from 15 association. (ÖPUL – Austrian Programme for the support domestic herbs, distilled by using apple schnapps and of an environmentally friendly agriculture) Uhudler. The Moorbitter is a liqueur, concocted on the basis of domestic herbs and berry juice to become a true Q.: What are your wishes, your aims or your visions for the adventure in taste. Apart from these delicacies a wide future with regards to the Zickental fen bull? range of exquisite fruit juices, Bigala, cider, Uhudler and extraordinary spirits as well as famer’s bread, cured meats WS.: The Zickental fen bull ought to become a demanded and other cold cuts, vinegar, pickles and the Xunder Xandl brand article delivering high pleasure to the consumer fruit juice wait for the visitors. and facilitating the preparation of dishes at home or in gastronomy. Since the meat is of top quality farmers and Q.: Which tourism initiatives are there around the Zickental distribution partners expect an appropriate appreciation Fen? of their efforts when it comes to the price. Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general for Stremtal. The prospects in the field of new technologies Burgenland? and tourism are good, though.

WS.: Through objective 1 funding many jobs were created Q.: Is there a future for a Pannonian economic area within or secured in Burgenland. Newly established companies the EU? created jobs for our well trained youth. Burgenland has increased its GDP and improved its position within Austria. WS.: If the regional specialities and the potential of the The new technologies open up possibilities for export. well trained youth are particularly taken advantage of in the REGION PANNONIA, the area will have very good Q.: How do you see the future development of Southern prospects, especially because of the interconnection of Burgenland? the different cultures.

WS.: In principle the above mentioned points are also true Q.: How has Burgenland changed in the past 11 years? for Southern Burgenland. However, the lack of traffic infrastructure is preventing a better development. WS.: It has changed in a very positive way. Southern Burgenland has increased its GDP but the discrepancy to Northern Burgenland has not decreased. Q.: In your opinion, which products from Burgenland have This means that within the scope of the phasing out period good prospects on the EU market? everything needs to be done to further develop the still weak regions like the Zickental or the Untere Pinka or WS.: Everything connected to tourism, specialities from 106

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the agricultural production and the field of new the remaining farmers need to expand, either by voluntary technologies on the sector of renewable energy. associating or by leasing or buying land from shut down farms. The larger farms or associations will need to Q.: Which role will the keeping of animals in a near natural specialise, as revenues from the sale of standard products environment play in the future in the EU? will not be cost covering. Funding needs to go into the direction of specialisation, refinement and marketing. WS.: Any other form of keeping animals is unacceptable, as customers are very sensitive at the moment. In the Q.: What will Southern Burgenland look like in 30 years? future, the appreciation for quality assured natural products in connection with an increase of the WS.: It will be a land of retirees, as we will not be able to discretionary income will lead to an increasing acceptance reverse this trend. But we could be a culture land where of fair market prices. people like to live and where they live healthy. A land which people like to visit and where they enjoy the specialities Q.: In your view, what is going right and what is going during their vacation. At some locations there will be highly wrong in agricultural policy? specialised institutions of production, research and education. Especially the young will find work and a good WS.: The small structured agriculture cannot focus on the income there. production of specialities.It lacks knowledge, funds and especially access to markets which pay higher prices. Thus, Q.: How famous will the Zickental fen bull be in 30 years? WS.: Due to the current regional limitation there is a maximum number of animals per year which can hardly be extended. This means that the Zickental fen bull will always be a niche product, hopefully a highly demanded and therefore highly paid one.

Q.: What is your favourite dish?

WS.: My mother’s cabbage strudel.

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objective 1 and objective nature

„Where shall I grasp thee, infinite nature, where?

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust I, 1808 nature park weinidylle – development of offers and marketing interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 70 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 110

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like an artwork cast in one piece

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. RUDOLF KRACHLER Born in Mödling (Lower Austria) in 1953. Graduation from secondary school in Baden. Studies of Chemistry at the University of Vienna. Secondary school teacher. Interdisciplinary thesis on the problems of saline shallow lakes and saline meadows. Lecturer at the University of Vienna. Research on saline shallow lakes and saline soil in the Lake Neusiedl area.

their voices pervading the air like the most beautiful symphony? The typical “tick-tick” sound of ascending Q.: When did you come to Seewinkel for the first time? snipes and their famous bleating in nose dive may also be found elsewhere, the same is true for saline lakes and RK.: I came here the first time in 1973. I was 20 years old saline soil, but the fascinating thing about Seewinkel is, at that time and had a contract for teaching chemistry that it is an enclosed, perfectly styled and perfectly with the newly founded secondary academic school in composed landscape in itself. There is everything in it. Neusiedl am See. I did not know Seewinkel at all, but a Nothing is missing. It is like an artwork cast in one piece. friend of mine, who used to work at the Biological Station in Illmitz had told me many great things about this Q.: You wrote your thesis on the saline shallow lakes in landscape. Once I had two hours to kill before a meeting, Seewinkel? so I took my Renault R4 on a drive to Seewinkel, stopping at an inn for a goulash and a large beer. RK.: After I succumbed to the charm of Seewinkel, I stocked up on literature. Amongst the books were also works by Q.: What do you find fascinating about this landscape? Prof. Heinz Löffler. It was only a small step to suggest a thesis on salt lakes. Due to my chemistry degree I was RK.: Fascination is something emotional and emotions are assigned the topic “Problems of saline lakes in the context hard to communicate. For some a saline shallow lake is of intensive agriculture.” At that time many people saw just a piece of waste land, which needs to be reclaimed as nutrients from agriculture as a serious threat to saline quickly as possible, for others it’s view into paradise. What lakes. Especially in the 70s and 80s of the past century is the fascinating thing about this landscape? Is it the vineyards and maize fields almost reached the waterline mosaic of salty lakes and the big lake as the silver lining of many shallow lakes. But in the course of my research I on the horizon with the majestic Schneeberg massif in found out quite soon that the real threat sweeping away the background? Is it the typical smell of salt giving the shallow lakes in such a high number was the loss of salts, air in Seewinkel an incomparable flavour, or is it the which occurred due to ground water abstraction for the waders, punting long-leggedly and busily in the water sake of intensive agriculture, which was popular around renaturalization of saline shallow lakes objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 100 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 112

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the middle of the past century. RK.: Let me clear the organisational side first. Dr. Alexander Kirschner is the co-ordinator of the project, and he also Q.: Is it true that in the past decades 2/3 of the shallow lakes initiated it. Dr. Ingo Korner took over the entailing disappeared? documentation of the botanical-ecological aspects and the scientific supervision is in the hands of Prof. Dr. Alois RK.: Yes, unfortunately. Dying of shallow lakes has not Herzig, head of the Biological Station in Illmitz. been stopped up to now. The shallow lakes keep dying. At present this is true for Kleine Neubruchlacke or Krautingsee. Due to my long standing scientific work with saline soils in Seewinkel it was my task to formulate the soil chemical Q.: Do the silted up shallow lakes not fill up after a wet and hydro-chemical preconditions for the project autumn or winter? application, to develop a project strategy as well as to document the chemical changes induced by salt RK.: A silted up shallow lake is covered by a layer of application in the soil and in the hydrosphere. Coming to vegetation and appears like a meadow. The layer of your actual question: Salts are the enemies of (most) vegetation and its root system act like a sponge soaking plants. There is not only the commonly known table salt, up precipitation water. In most cases the water cannot be in Seewinkel two other salts play even a more important seen. The amount of water not used by plants is drained role. They are soda (washing soda as well as baking soda, by the soil. Only if there are large amounts of precipitation, also know as natron) and Glauber’s salt. The ground water a free water pool will come into being for a short time. of Seewinkel contains a surprisingly high concentration But this system has nothing to do with a saline shallow of this “triumvirate”. During high ground water level, typical lake. It’s the layer of vegetation that prevents salts coming as it always was for Seewinkel, ground water evaporates from the salty accumulation horizon into the free water. and the contained salts concentrate on the soil surface, This is also the reason why salt efflorescence cannot come salt efflorescence occurs (“soda snow”). Only special plants, into being. The layer of vegetation protects itself from the the halophytes are so resistant, that they thrive in a dried harmful salts. Therefore a once silted up shallow lake can up shallow lake. only be reverted into its original saline state with outside help. But it is a different story if there is no salt efflorescence because the transport means, ground water, was lowered Q.: How does your project, which has been funded within and cannot reach the surface even by capillary action. In the framework of the objective 1 programme, work? this condition the shallow lake cannot resist the advancement of the surrounding vegetation. A resistant Agency in this project? layer of vegetation takes hold of the shallow lake and the shallow lake ceases to exist for ever. RK.: The Environmental Protection Agency Burgenland is the project holder. It pulls all the strings. The Environmental Q.: How can a layman imagine the renaturalization of Protection Agency applied for the project at the Provincial shallow lakes? Government of Burgenland, at the same time it commis- sioned a number of scientists with the implementation RK.: Renaturalization of a silted up shallow lake means to of the project. To put it into a nutshell: The shallow lakes revert it to its original saline state by dislocating the layer renaturalization project is a project of the Environmental of vegetation and applying salts, foremost soda, to its Protection Agency Burgenland. surface. The surfacial application of salts is substituting the absence of salt efflorescence vital to a shallow lake’s Q.: You have carried out successful trials on small saline life. It’s the salt efflorescence which keep the lakes from shallow lakes? being covered by vegetation when the lake is dry in summer time. Ground water is the vehicle transporting RK.: We made a trial with three shallow lakes: The small salt, especially in the summer in times of high vaporisation or northern Martinhoflacke not far from Lange Lacke, the and dryness, onto the surface. The problem reaches back small Neubruchlacke and the Krautingsee, south of Illmitz to the middle of the past century. During the economic Zicksee. On the first two about 10 tons of soda and sodium boom a very dense network of dewatering trenches and sulphate were applied each, on the small Martinhoflacke drainage was developed to abstract as much water as we partly cleared away vegetation mechanically. possible so that even the last square meter of saline soil Krautingsee was used as reference shallow lake on which could be ploughed. Unfortunately this was done without the natural development of the project was observed. No a sustainable water economy concept. Today ground water salts were applied on it. is as low that most of these trenches are completely dry! Q.: Can this method also be used for large saline shallow In addition to the described measures the systematic lakes? elevation of ground water is essential to sustainably renaturalize the small saline lakes . RK.: The large saline shallow lakes like Lange Lacke, the two Wörthenlacken, St. Andrä Zicksee, Darscho or lower Q.: What was the role of the Environmental Protection Stinkersee function differently as apart from precipitation 114

115 water they additionally receive ground water for their Through this canal enormous amounts of precious ground water household. Until a few years ago during the time water are lost in an uncontrolled but also uncontrollable of ground water maximum level in spring the groundwater way. level exceeded regularly the level of shallow lakes by 20 to 30 cm! This is why in most years the large shallow lakes By using modern technological methods a way has to be do not dry up. Also, their chemism considerably differs found to manage the small amount of newly developing from that of the soda lakes, which dry up every year. The ground water in Seewinkel ensuring that there is enough large shallow lakes are able to regenerate themselves if water for nature and for agriculture and to secure that the ground water level is high enough. Especially now, in extreme floods are withheld. the spring of 2006 this can be observed quite well at the Lange Lacke, which carries water again, although it was In short: The dewatering system has to be furnished and almost dry in the past years and a large part of its basin controlled with a complex regulation system. I am sure was covered with vegetation. this will entail a great many planning, constructual and operational efforts. Burgenland must not be left alone Q.: How does the population respectively the farmers react with this difficult task. to your project? Q.: How do you rate the funding policy of the European RK.: In my lectures I have always encountered a very large Union? interest on the part of the people of Seewinkel. These people love their homeland and they are affected by the RK.: The European Union has realised that high technology loss of their alkaline soils, shallow lakes and meadows. is essential, but that it also needs an operational basis. Economic orientation has also changed. You cannot make This basis are the natural resources like clean air, clean big money with wheat and turnips anymore. Quality of water, conservation of the diversity of habitats and species. life is not measured by the calories which are put on the table, but in much more subtle values. The human being I consider the principle that EU-funding in general comes has realised that it breaks to pieces without intact nature. only partly from EU pots and that also federal and regional This is true for the people of Seewinkel as well as for the bodies have to put in their share essential. tourists. Up to now the problem was that the process of the shallow lakes dying was not known. Now we know Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general for the mechanism and its causes. People are thankful for it. Burgenland? In my lectures and talks with politicians I can feel a new mood of optimismemerging. RK.: The greatest benefit of objective 1 funding is doubtlessly that Burgenland has been able to leave its Q.: How will the project be continued? isolated position on the edge and is gaining interest and attention throughout Europe. Natural treasures are RK.: The project as such is a pure research project to develop officially recognised and the population is entrusted with methods of renaturalization of degenerated shallow lakes. their protection. Of course, the developments of the 3 shallow lakes will be observed further. If, on the basis of the knowledge deriving Q.: Can you imagine that your renaturalization project is from this project a further renaturalization of shallow equally successful as the 19th century project which rescued lakes is desired on the part of the public, I am the dried up Lake Neusiedl by elevating the ground water happy to join this project again. level?

Q.: What are your visions for the saline shallow RK.: The dying of small shallow lakes has nothing in lakes of Seewinkel? common with the drying up of Lake Neusiedl in the 19th century. In its history of more than 10,000 years Lake RK.: A process of rethinking has set in among Neusiedl dried up repeatedly (e.g. in 1740 to 1742, 1811 to the people of Seewinkel. They are questioning 1813, 1865 to 1871) without being harmed, i.e. silting up. the sense of the excessive dewatering The ground water level was always quite high, thus, the measures. I hope that this process of drying up created immense amounts of salt efflorescence. rethinking will also influence politics and will lead to actual The salt storms which created considerable problems for changes. Hydrology in Seewinkel is definitely challenged. the population are historically documented. In the years The groundwater abstracting effect of canal 1 is known. before the lake dried up there had always been very little 116

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precipitation, it had been incomparably drier than today. Q.: Your favourite spot in Seewinkel? When better years in precipitation followed the lake filled up quickly and even reached a maximum level. The human RK.: Each intact habitat has its own flair, its own ambience being did not initiate the drying up of the Lake in 1865 to and I do not want to miss a single one. Each shallow lake 1871, nor did it contribute to its refilling. and each tiny piece of meadow is indispensable. It’s one of my magic moments if yet another piece of land has Today’s situation is completely different. The ground water been saved for the National Park. I had one of this moments level in the entire Seewinkel region has been lowered by with a very precious jewel, the Ochsenbrunnlacke. It was human intervention, disconnecting the shallow lakes’ salt added to the National Park in 2005. supply, resulting in their current fate. Of course, elevation of ground water level in connection with the described measures may successfully re-establish many shallow lakes.

Q.: Your personal wish in connection with Seewinkel?

RK.: I hope that the war of expulsion will come to an end. Nature, agriculture, tourism, traffic, energy, communal infrastructure and constructional development are not rivals, but as biologists say, they are symbionts to the benefit of people.

The recently often brought up scenario of a drying up Seewinkel, in which water has become scarce, has to be countered by a reasonable, integrated and modern water economy concept, in which the saline soils and shallow lakes are given back their place. a 100% positive AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MICHLITS FAMILY The extended Michlits family produces organic wine, organic grain and organic fruit. Angus cattle populate the meadows of the family. Production follows the far reaching biodynamic demeter standards.

Q.: Your philosophy?

FM.: MEINKLANG is our life philosophy. There are a number of synonyms behind this play on words. M refers to Michlits, Q.: When did you change your business to organic production our family name, MEIN (my) underlines the closeness to methods? the product, the own signature and entailing personal effort, KLANG (tone) emphasizes the harmony of the wine, FM.: That was in the beginning of the 1990s, when we which has been created in EINKLANG (in tune) with nature, signed the control contracts with Austria Bio Garantie. in biodynamic cultivation. Many years of discussion preceded it. Q.: When was your business established? Q.: Why the change? FM.: About a 100 years ago, it is in the 5th generation now. FM.: There was no future for us in traditional agriculture and we were looking for a new challenge. Q.: What did the business look like in former times?

Q.: What are the criteria for the management of your FM.: Farming and wine growing was pursued on 60 business? hectares.

FM.: Regional typicality is an important topic for us. We Q.: How big was the business before objective 1 funds were express it in our wines which have their own style and claimed? which cannot be compared to mainstream ones. The Demeter standards are imperative for us, we adapt them FM.: It had 1,050 hectares. to today’s technology. For us modern organic farming means extensive, smart farming, merging a number of Q.: How big is it today? working steps into one and to have a meaningful ecologic balance in the end. FM.: 1,250 hectares. 118

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Q.: Which opportunities have opened up thanks to objective genetically manipulated. 1 funding? Q.: In which direction should agricultural policy of the EU FM.: Spatial growth and the opportunity to invest heavily develop? into the winery. FM.: The EU should promote small structures. Jobs in the Q.: What is your vision with regards to the winery? region should be created and secured.

FM.: We count on internationalisation and brand creation. Q.: What is going right or going wrong in global trade?

Q.: How is your business structured today? FM.: In general, natural cultivation involving ecological rentability should be increasingly promoted. It should be FM.: There is farming, wine growing, fruit growing and prevented that money is made with senseless transport cattle breeding. and raw material shifts.

Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general? Q.: In your view, what are the economic opportunities respectively the risks of globalisation? FM.: A 100% positive! FM.: The removal of trade barriers opens huge markets. It Q.: How has Burgenland changed in the past 11 years? is a tremendous opportunity. The risk is that speed is too fast. FM.: There has been a strong growth of single businesses and a strong investment activity. Q.: What will Burgenland look like in the year 2050?

Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? The region Seewinkel?

FM.: We think that natural production with a strong influence in tourism will have a bright future.

Q.: Did Hungary’s EU-accession have an impact on you respectively on your business?

FM.: It had a very positive impact. There is less bureaucracy. FM.: There will be a 50 % less agricultural businesses. The It simplified the cultivation of agricultural businesses on land of still existing businesses will increase by up to both sides of the border. 300 %.

Q.: Is there a future for an economic area Burgenland- Q.: What will your business look like in 2050? Hungary?

FM.: Yes. But the language barriers have to be overcome. FM.: It will hopefully be economically stable and continue to grow. Q.: How do you see the future development of Europe? (EU- enlargement etc.) Q.: Your personal statement to objective 1 funding?

FM.: Eastern European countries will continue to increase FM.: The employees at the funding office were highly their large potential. motivated, their support was very helpful. The only drawback was that we had to wait quite some time until Q.: In your view, which products from Burgenland have good prospects on an EU-market? On a world market? the funds came.

FM.: Wines from Burgenland and products which are not erection of a new production hall, investments in wine cellar machines wine growing michlits in pamhagen ovjective 1 | efrd | funding: 35 % implementing body: erp fund 120

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the potential for ecotourism in austria is an estimated 30 - 40% AN INTERVIEW WITH DI THOMAS BÖHM Born in 1970 in Oberschützen. Academic secondary school. Degree in Agriculture from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences. Since 1998 employed at Regionalmanagement Burgenland. Since 2001 Chairman of the Working Group (WG) Nature Parks.

years development in Europe has been going into the direction of seeing the Nature Park as an instrument of an integrated regional development, thus creating development incentives, e.g. co-operations with agriculture and Q.: What led to the foundation of the WG Nature Parks in tourism. Nature Park management acts as the hub for Burgenland? many important elements to implement sustainable TB.: The WG was established at the end of 2001, its development processes. establishment constituted an important step in the further Q.: Which tasks are fulfilled by a Nature Park? development of Nature Parks. It is a federation of the 4 Nature Park Associations and its taks is to secure the co- TB.: A Nature Park has to fulfil the following tasks: ordinated development of Nature Parks in Burgenland. Protection and preservation as well as development of nature and agriculture. Promotion of life forms and Q.: What is the aim of the WG Nature Parks? economy forms in harmony with nature and the TB.: Its aim is to establish the Nature Parks as a qualitative preservation of the social and cultural structure of the offer by co-ordinating development and by joint marketing respective region. The sustainable conservation of the activities. The WG also serves as a platform for joint natural and cultural heritage for the population. Protection projects. Through its establishment the Nature Parks have of natural resources in all developing projects. Promotion become an important and serious partner of Burgenland’s of sustainable use and marketing of regional products as tourism economy. well as a strengthening of regional identity. Information and environmental education for the benefit of promoting Q.: What exactly is a Nature Park? an understanding and knowledge of the manifold life in the respective landscape. The maintenance of the nature TB.: Nature Parks orientate their development based on adventure and the recreation of the population and the a specific approach. Today as there is an altered view on visitors. natural conservation an equal merging of the 4 tasks protection, recreation, education and regional development Q.: What does the annual programme of Nature Parks look is definitely a future oriented model. Generally, in the past like? development project lockenhaus castle leader+ | funding: 60 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 122

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TB.: In the past years many events and tour offers on Among the supported projects were the establishment of regional characteristics developed in Nature Parks. The hiking and biking trails, the renovation of a water mill, the programme starts in spring with events like meadow erection of a charcoal stack model and a lime kiln model, walking tours in the Weinidylle, the apricot blossom the erection of a blacksmith shop for demonstration walking tour in Rechnitz, a Nature Park walking rally in purposes, a hunting educational trail, a wine educational Landsee, a spring break biking tour in the Weinidylle up trail, a crop educational trail, forest adventure trails, vista to breakfast at the Geschriebenstein. In the summer there points, a cross border leisure ticket, the erection of a Nature are many cultural events, like the Celt Festival in Schwarzen- Park information office in combination with a village shop bach or the opera festival on Tabor Castle in the Raab for direct marketing products and the development of the Nature Park. In autumn there are some culinary events brands Nature Park wine and Nature Park bread. where regional products may be tasted, for example at Q.: the cider fair in Raab Nature Park, at the new wine and How do you see objective 1 funding in general? readings event in the Geschriebenstein Nature Park or at TB.: Objective 1 funding and the co-financing by the federal wine christenings in the Southern Nature Parks. government and the provincial government Burgenland enabled many changes in many fields. Small, middle-sized The annual events are completed by a large offer of nature and large enterprises, but also communities and and landscape tours reaching from guided tours on theme associations were able to implement projects, which would routes and educational trails, over seminars on old artisan not have been possible without objective 1 funding. techniques, visits in old traditional wine cellars and on farms to canoe trips on the Lafnitz or on the Raab rivers. Q.: Were the 11 years of objective 1 funding also good years for the nature respectively the environment? Q.: What led to the foundation of the cross border Nature Park Geschriebenstein – Irottkö? TB.: In Burgenland many projects like the establishment of Nature Parks, measures for cultural landscape protection TB.: The cross border Nature Park Geschriebenstein-Irottkö and nature conservation projects were carried out which originates from an idea of Hofrat Wilfried Hicke, former would not have been possible in the same way without head of the nature conservation department at the the co-financing of the European Union. Provincial Government Burgenland. In the communities of Rechnitz and Lockenhaus this idea was enthusiastically Q.: What are the visitor numbers like in the Nature Parks of taken up and with the help of a broad public discussion a Burgenland? development concept for the Nature Park came into being. In 1996 the Nature Park was established on the Austrian TB.: In the year 2001 we had more than 6,300 paying side, the Hungarian side followed in 1997. In 1998 the visitors at guided tours in the four Nature Parks. In the communities of Unterkohlstätten and Markt Neuhodis year 2005 we had already more than 32,000 visitors. There were also added to the Austrian side of the park. is free access to the Nature Parks, which means that visitors of educational trails or theme tracks, respectively those Q.: Is it possible to just hike across the border in this Nature that explore the region themselves Park? on walking or biking tours cannot be counted. TB.: Yes, it has been possible for three years. Apart from the existing official border crossing at Rechnitz – Boszok, Q.: Can Nature Park tourism be two further border crossings were added for tourism referred to as gentle tourism? purposes on the basis of an bilateral agreement. There are no controls at the crossings, but the visitor has to carry TB.: Nature Park tourism can be documentation with him and is permitted to cross the referred to as sustainable tourism, border at the border tower on Geschriebenstein and near focusing on the observation and the Rattersdorf and hike and look at sights on both sides of relish of nature and traditional culture. Tourism usually the cross border Nature Park. happens in small groups and is organised by specialised, local small enterprises. It creates revenue for the local Q.: Which projects in Nature Park Geschriebenstein were population and for the organisations and associations supported by objective 1 funds? which take care of the protected areas. Additionally the TB.: Due to the Nature Park being a cross border project, local population and the tourists are very sensitive with the Interreg programme has become very important for regards to culture and nature conservation. Many Nature the development of the region in the past years. Parks have very interesting “natural” tourism potentials, stimulation of gentle tourism interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 70 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 126

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apple trail in the nature park raab interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 70 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh like untouched river landscapes, dry grasslands, fens, rich Q.: In your view, what should be especially promoted in the structured cultural landscapes. It’s the aim of the Nature field nature/environment? Park regions to use this natural resources also for tourism In order to put the work in the Nature Parks on a offers. Nature Park guided tours with specially trained TB.: professional basis we definitely have to arrange for nature and landscape guides provide for a new quality of appropriate personnel. Measures to protect endangered these offers. Often these offers are linked to agricultural species will also be of importance. Projects which show direct marketing which in turn leads to a considerable the value of cultural landscapes and which support their increase of regional added value. protection by using them, will also be crucial in the future. Q.: Which economic role do the four Nature Parks play in Support for projects of direct marketing, development of the respective regions? leading products and the qualitative improvement of TB.: The Nature Parks are basically situated in structurally tourism offers of Nature Parks should be envisaged. Special weaker regions, sometimes directly at the border, which focus should be given to the improvement of information. used to be a dead border for many years. A joint Actions to firmly establish the importance of protected development of the communities in the respective Nature areas in the local population as well as in visitors are Park with a possible tourism development is seen as a needed. chance for the future. Q.: What will nature respectively environment look like in Q.: What awaits the visitors of a Nature Park? the year 2050 in Burgenland?

TB.: The visitors will encounter well established and well TB.: At that time the National Park Lake Neusiedl – marked hiking, biking, mountain biking and bridle paths, Seewinkel will be known world wide as valuable bird many natural and cultural historic peculiarities and regional protection area, and there will be 6 well run Nature Parks specialities at direct marketing sale points and speciality worth seeing. All of them will have developed into model inn’s. The pecularities of the Nature Park regions are regions because of cooperation in the field of protection presented by a variety of special nature and landscape of cultural landscapes, environmental education, the tours. There are offers like “The life of the Celts”, “The bat creation of recreational facilities not harming environment arena”, “The knights of the Faludital”, “Mud on the toe, and landscape and measures in regional development. grass in the ear”, and guided canoe trips on the Raab and

Lafnitz rivers guarantee adventurous offers for all ages. Q.: Your favourite spots? TB.: The Landsee ruin in the Nature Park Landseer Berge, Q.: Is there a future for the alliance of nature adventure, the border tower on the Geschriebenstein in the Nature landscape, historical buildings and culture? Park Geschriebenstein, the cellar alley Heiligenbrunn in TB.: If you believe the relevant trends and studies there the Nature Park Weinidylle and canoeing on the Raab river are quite a lot of opportunities for ecotourism. According in the Nature Park Raab. to Horst Opaschowski, a recreation researcher, “pure nature” is a massive trend. In Austria the potential for ecotourismus is an estimated 30 – 40 %, which also opens up excellent opportunities for Nature Park regions.

Q.: How will the Nature Parks in Burgenland go on? Are there any plans for the future?

TB.: At present we are meeting regularly to discuss possible future activities in the Nature Park regions. We are aiming to strengthen organisation structures, to further develop the quality of the Nature Parks, to improve the touristic offers, to develop leading products and to strengthen the Nature Park trademark. 128

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objective 1 and objective environment

„Wake up: the cost of labour is meaningless. It’s the cost of energy that makes the difference: Europe is strongly in need of a turn in energy policy.“

Jeremy Rifkin_ US economist and bestselling author in an interview with the Austrian weekly FORMAT solar catamaran at lake neusiedl interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 50 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 130

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thinking about tomorrow

AN INTERVIEW WITH ING. MAG. HANS LUKITS, MAG. JOSEF MÜNZENRIEDER, ING. MAG. JOHANN WACHTLER, ING. JOHANNES HORVATH

ing. mag. hans lukits: Born in 1951, Degree in Business Administration, since 2002 Spokesman of the Managing Board of BEWAG, the electricity supplier of the province of Burgenland. mag. josef münzenrieder: Born in 1950, Degree in Social and Economic Sciences, since 2004 Member of the Managing Board of BEWAG. ing. mag. johann wachtler: Born in 1955, Degree in Business Administration, since 2002 Executive Manager of Austrian Wind Power. ing. johannes horvath: Born in 1950, Technical Secondary School, since 2002 Executive Manager of Austrian Wind Power

are the consequence.

Q.: When and how did Austrian Windpower come into Q.: How much energy is generated by the 138 wind power being? plants in Burgenland per day, per month and per year?

HL.: Austrian Windpower was established by BEWAG as a JH.: The ten windparks have a total performance of 241 public company in the year 2002. The experiences of the MW and produce more than 507 million kilowatt-hours department for alternative energy at BEWAG and of the of green electricity per year. The amount of power BEWAG subsidiary Energieprojekt Zurndorf (EPZ), which generated per day or per month depends on the wind. have had experiences with wind parks since 1997, were used to implement wind parks on a large scale. Today Q.: What does that mean? How much energy consumption Austrian Windpower is successfully led by the two amounts to these figures? managers Ing. Johann Wachtler and Ing. Johannes Horvath.

JH.: 270,000 units of 100-watt light bulbs could be operated Q.: Who are the fathers of the idea? for 18,800 hours with this amount of power. Almost JM.: Burgenland as the European pioneer in the field of 150,000 households with a yearly consumption of about eco-energy, this was the vision at the beginning of our 3,500 kilowatt-hours could be supplied with green expansion activities. At the first cut of the spade for the electricity. windpark Neusiedl/Weiden in April 2003 my colleague Hans Lukits said: “We do not have any high mountains nor Q.: What are the specific positive ecological effects? any big rivers in Burgenland. This is why for almost five centuries there was no noteworthy power generation in JH.: There are savings of 355,373 tons of CO2 emissions as the province. Now by making use of wind energy the well as of 33,506,550 liters of oil. opportunity of a century opens up.” The province and its energy supplier have made use of this opportunity and Q.: Was there or is there still local resistance from the positive effects in ecologic as well as in economic terms population or from environmentalists? wind park neusiedl am see 132

133 JW.: The quick implementation of this wind initiative was JH.: We currently work on projects in the Czech Republic, made possible through massive support from the Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Italy and provincial government of Burgenland. The procedure in France and if they are cost-efficient they will be put into which suitable and non-suitable areas were defined was practice. very professional and exemplary. The interests of abutting owners and of nature and animal protectionists were Q.: In which direction should energy policy in the EU go in taken into account, therefore there was no resistance the future? against the use of wind power in Burgenland. JM.: Renewable energy is the catchphrase for the future. Q.: Large birds are frequently the victims of wind parks. In Its share in power generation will grow, not only because Brandenburg for example 3 red kites died within 3 days. it also increases our independence. Those who think about How are the statistics in Burgenland in this respect? tomorrow today should increasingly use these sources and distance themselves from nuclear power and its JW.: There have not been any reports of bird’s deaths since dangerous potential. the wind parks are in operation. Q.: Is wind energy a serious alternative to nuclear power? Q.: What was done or what is done for the protection of domestic birds by Austrian Windpower? JM.: While energy suppliers in Austria are partly covering power demand with nuclear power, energy supply in JW.: All relevant bodies like the district authority in Neusiedl Burgenland has been a clean combination of power am See, the hunters, as well as the Biological Station in generated from wind and water for years. BEWAG is free Illmitz were consulted. Based on these results and on the from nuclear power – out of the responsibility vis-à-vis results of a Birdlife study, a location allowing free flight the generations to come and vis-à-vis the environment. corridors was chosen. Furthermore, a bustard protection We are convinced that in the long term renewable energy programme was initiated. A further study on bird strike sources will contribute to the reduction of nuclear power will be carried out soon. use.

Q.: How much has been invested up to now? Q.: What is your opinion on the Austrian green electricity law and on possible changes made by the Austrian federal JM.: More than EUR 260 million were invested into the government? projects which were developed and implemented by Austrian Wind Power, which is a subsidiary of BEWAG. This HL.: At present investments in wind power projects are gave not only an impetus to domestic economy during not wise, thus, a change would be favourable. The the construction phase but also during the operation regulations for those installations which were approved phase. Permanent jobs were created and investments were until the end of 2004 should under no circumstances be made. Furthermore, the supply is secured as the major worsened in retrospect. part of our own power demand is covered. By generating power money is flowing into the province – until today Q.: Greenpeace demands a worldwide expansion in wind Burgenland has always been in need to buy power. energy to cover 12 % of world wide energy demand. Is this a realistic goal? Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general for Burgenland? HL.: It might be possible in theory on the condition that large countries were to quickly invest generously in wind JM.: Objective 1 funding was very positive for Burgenland. energy. At present only about 1 % of the world energy demand is generated from wind energy. Q.: What are the future plans and visions of Austrian Wind Power? Q.: What will energy generation/energy supply look like in Burgenland in 2050? JH.: We will use our know how especially in the neighbouring countries in the future. The domestic wind JM.: The power supply of Burgenland will be covered a parks in Austria will be run as efficiently as possible. 100 % by green electrity – generated from renewable energy. Q.: Do you also plan wind parks in the neighbouring EU countries? 134

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a prospering region known throughout the world

AN INTERVIEW WITH ING. REINHARD KOCH & ING. JOACHIM HACKER ING. REINHARD KOCH: Born in 1960. Attended vocational technical secondary school in Pinkafeld. Planning office in Vienna. Technical director at the municipal office Güssing. Own planning office. Manager of the European Center for Renewable Energy in Güssing. Directs the biomass power plant and the long distance heating plant in Güssing. ING. JOACHIM HACKER: Born in 1979. Attended vocational technical secondary school in Pinkafeld with a focus on control and feedback control systems. Project co-ordinator at the association European Centre for Renewable Energy Güssing. Since 2002 authorized signatory at the European Centre for Renewable Energy GmbH.

Q.: What were the first reactions? Was there resistance at that time? Q.: Let’s start with a catchphrase: Is Güssing the European biomass capital ? RK.: Naturally the start of the project met resistance. At that time nobody wanted to abstain from using the RK.: Yes, in the past years Güssing has actually developed inexpensive energy sources petroleum and natural gas into a mecca for renewable energy. Due to the great many and nobody imagined such a significant increase in prices activities and the high density of demonstration plants like we have now. A lot of persuasion and convincing was Güssing has become a point of attraction in the field of needed. Only when the first demonstration plant was renewable energy. erected the resistance could be stopped and confidence developed. When the biomass power plant Güssing was erected the aim of energy autarky was also reached, which means that Q.: Which steps were undertaken in order to put the idea Güssing is self sufficient in the supply of heat, fuel and into practice? electricity generated from renewable energy sources. Thus, Güssing became a genuine European biomass capital. RK.: At first an overall strategy was developed and the municipal council Güssing made the decision to withdraw Q.: When was this project started? from using fossil fuels. After that the individual projects were implemented step by step: energy saving actions in JH.: The project “model Güssing” which aims at the self the municipality, the erection of the biodiesel respectively sufficiency from renewable energy sources was started in of the district heating plant until the final implementation the year 1990. At that time a small group of people around of the fluidised bed gasification, the biomass power plant mayor Peter Vadasz and Reinhard Koch, technical director Güssing. Although the aim of energy autarky of the town at the municipal office Güssing, came to the conclusion of Güssing has been reached the pioneer role of Güssing to replace fossil energy sources with renewable ones, thus in this field is to be further expanded by carrying out strengthening regional added value. research in this field. At present there are also efforts to expansion of the district heating network güssing objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 40 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 136

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extend energy autarky to the entire district of Güssing. price elevations in fossil energy sources in the course of the next years are anticipated. Q.: How important was objective 1 funding? Q.: Can one refer to Güssing as a town self sufficient in JH.: Objective 1 funding was an important if not the most energy? important factor on the road to putting our projects into practice. Without this kind of assistance from the Provincial RK.: Yes, Güssing is self sufficient in energy supply. This Government, the Federal Government and the EU certain means that in the course of the year more heat, fuel and things would certainly not have been possible. However, electricity produced from renewable energy sources is projects need to be initiated at first and the capital, generated than is actually needed. Regional added value necessary to be granted subsidies, needs to be organised. created only by this substitution amounts to more than Everyone involved did an excellent job and showed that EUR 13.6 million per year. with a lot of ambition and effort economic upswing can also be reached in regions which are disadvantaged Q.: What led to the establishment of the European Centre because of their locations. for Renewable Energy in Güssing?

RK.: Due to the manifold activities in the field of renewable Q.: How many new jobs were created? energy it was obvious to set up some kind of information JH.: Due to the revenues from communal tax there is an point. As a first step a small group of private persons increase of more than 1,000 jobs in the town of Güssing decided to establish the centre as an association in 1996. since 1990. The creation of these jobs is mainly due to the Today the European Centre for Renewable Energy is a limited liability company with 15 employees, who apart activities in the field of renewable energy. Otherwise from taking care of the demonstration plants, deal with projects like the establishment of the Meyer or Weitzer research and development, the offer of diverse services, parquet manufactures or the erection of the Technology education and training as well as with the newly created Centres Güssing would not have happened. field in tourism, the so-called green energy tourism. Q.: Would you refer to the biomass power plant and to the Q.: What are the present priorities in research? district heating Güssing as leading companies in the district of Güssing? RK.: At present we concentrate on the production of methane respectively gas and diesel out of wood. Together RK.: Yes, definitely. The erection of these two plants showed with international institutions we are currently preparing once and for all that the supply with renewable energy and planning demonstration plants here in Güssing. sources works. With regards to the biomass power plant I guess you could also say that it is a worldwide leading Q.: How does the European co-operation work? company due to its huge potential in the field of fuels made from timber & methane. This is also underpinned RK.: Our Centre has developed into an internationally by the large interest from the many visitors and large recognised institution in the past years. Together with energy suppliers from all over the world. partners from all other Europe diverse projects were dealt with. We are trying to bring our know how to other regions Q.: If so, which businesses benefit from it? and to install similar projects like the Güssing model there.

JH.: The entire region is benefiting from it. It starts with Q.: What are the Centre’s projects in Austria? the farmers who supply the resources like wood up to the gastronomy offering regional specialities to our visitors JH.: Apart from diverse energy consultations for businesses who come from all over the world. There are actually many and private households we concentrate on developing positive side effects in the field of culture, tourism and over all concepts for communities. In the Güssing region sport. we are currently trying to make the entire district self- sufficient in energy. This aim is to be put into practice until Q.: What is the energy price comparison like? 2010. A prerequisite for the implementation is of course a corresponding framework of conditions as for example JH.: At present there are 30% savings on average when the green power law. using district heating instead of petroleum. This savings percentage will definitely rise in the future as further Q.: What are the Centre’s European projects? RK/JH.: There is almost no difference between Austrian JH.: Definitely renewable primary products like wood or projects and those in EU countries. The Eastern European agricultural products like maize or clover. But also solar countries have a very large interest in this field. energy and all other forms of renewable energy will play a major role in the future. It is not possible to generalise Q.: What shall happen in Burgenland after objective 1 that, it depends on the region and on the resources funding has come to an end? available there.

JH.: Burgenland has created a very good base in the past Q.: What do awards mean to you? For example the main objective 1 funding period. prize in the “Energy Regions of the Future” competition?

Economic disadvantages in the Southern part of the RK.: We are always very happy when we win an award. province were almost compensated by targeted subsidies. Awards confirm that we have gone the right way in the Especially Güssing has developed extremely well and has past years and that our work is being appreciated. made the best out of the situation. The phasing out period will give us the opportunity to secure those things that Q.: Is it true that a biomass tourism has developed in have been developed and built up during the objective 1 Güssing? periods. JH.: We established the so-called green energy tourism in Q.: How do you rate the funding policy in Austria? In the Güssing. Trained region guides present the overall concept EU? of Güssing to interested visitors and show them around the demonstration plants. If desired, a cultural programme, RK.: Based on the general situation we have come to notice for example, a visit to the castle in Güssing may be added. that the whole system is not very transparent. Especially EU programmes are hardly manageable in size and partly Q.: What will Burgenland look like in 2050? too big. Smaller businesses often have problems in keeping the overview. Unfortunately, the green power law does JH.: Since Burgenland will have reached its aim of being not regulate national funding of power in Austria at self sufficient in energy by then, it will be a prospering present, which in turn prevents the erection of power best practice region known throughout the world with an plants. The framework for heat and fuels is good, but there enormous economic upswing. is none for natural gas. Q.: Your vision for the future? Q.: Which alternative energy sources will have a commercial future? RK.: Energy autarky in the province of Burgenland. 138

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AN INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL KNOPF Born in 1980 in Zillingtal. Attended vocational technical secondary school in Eisenstadt. Participates successfully in cycling races since 1994, active in mountain bike, road and track cycling racing. Numerous successes in races and vice-state champion. Professional cycler in the SAVA racing team.

MK.: I start ed to go on longer tours in 1992. Often they were whole day trips e.g. to Forch tenstein Castle, to m y uncle’s in Puchberg am Schneeberg or just to get an ice Q.: How environmentally friendly is biking? cream. On this tour it was always only m y friend and me. In 1994 I started systematic training under the direction MK.: It is tremendously environmen tally friendly. Howe ver, of m y trainer Andreas Blüml. many people need to rethink and use the bike as means of transportation. Q.: When w as your first race?

Q.: Is Burgenland a land of bikers? MK.: M y first race was in 1994. It was quite a small race with only 5 bikers in m y class. I won it righ t away and wen t MK.: Definitely. The established net of biking trails is very totally crazy. From that day on racing fe ver has grabbed good. Professional bikers and tourism as well as leisure me. bikers profit from it. E specially on weekends, if the weather is nice, you can observe that a lot of people use the biking trails around Lake Neusiedl. And I am not only talking Q.: In which competitions do you participat e at the moment ? about professional bikers, it´s particularly the leisure bikers who are on the trails. MK.: Un til two years ago I participated almost exclusively in moun tain bike races. After a fe w trips in to the road Q.: Have you e ver visited the website “bikeburgenland”? cycling scene I was immediately given a con tract with a road team (Bosch Hausgeräte Junkers) and gave up moun tain biking. Since last year I am a legionnaire at the MK.: Of course! It’s a great website! Everyt hing a biker’s Slo venian “SAVA” team. There I have the opportunity to heart needs can be found on there. start at diverse country tours and difficult races abroad, which is quite importan t for m y de velopmen t. This year’s Q.: When did you start biking, and how? highlight is a start at the Tour of Au stria, which I am ve ry development project nature park landsee leader+ | funding: 60 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4 140

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much looking forward to as I had to pause last year due Q.: How do you see the futur e de velopment of Europe? to an injury. A start at the Tour de France is of course a big dream for the future! MK.: Since the foundation of the European Union many things have changed in Europe. I travel a lot to our Q.: Have you tried out all 16 biking trails and the two bordering coun tries and I could observe how the adaption mountain biking trails in Burgenland? to European standar ds took place. I think that it will keep going in to this direction. There will certainly not only be MK.: Unfortunately not. I use primarily the trails in m y advan tages to it, but I think in the long run it will have surroundings, which are the ones in Eisenstadt, positive effects. We are pursuing a very good way in Mattersburg and around Lake Neusiedl. If I take the Bur genland. In the past years we impro ved in man y areas, mountain bike I mostly go to Ro salia – an exe mplary objective 1 funding has definitely done its share. To my moun tain bike trail has been set up there a while ago! knowledge there are no areas in Bur genland with massive shortcomings. Therefore I think that the pursued way should be continued. Q.: Did you know that some of the biking trails wer e established with the help of objective 1 funds? Q.: How important is “gentle tourism”, like biking tourism fo r Burgenland? MK.: Ye s, I know that. I find it ve ry important because I think that tourism in Burgenland is benefiting a lot from this well-established biking trail network. MK.: As I already said, I think Burgenland has profited a lot from the well-established network of biking trails. Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding? That’s a good thing, because you have to work with the resour ces which are at your disposal. It would not make sense to concentrate on winter sports because somewhere MK.: Objective 1 funding was definitely ve ry important fo r in Burgenland a cross-country slope and a skiing slope Burgenland. A good infrastructure was created, man y were created. Lake Neusiedl is perfect for a trip or for businesses were supported, newly created and established. vacations and this is what should be concen trated on in Unfortunately man y of these businesses are now mo ving the future. It is quite importan t for man y people to go on away since there are no more subsidies available, a solution a leisure bike tour without having to conquer an y needs to be found for this problem. The standard of the noteworth y slopes. If you see it from that perspective the infrastruct ure created must also be maintained! area is almost unique in Austria - one has to build on that !

Q.: What has changed in Burgenland in the past 11 years? Q.: Do you also use the bike as a private means of transport?

MK.: If I speak as a biker I have to say that I have come to notice that traffic has increased a lot. This is wh y it is MK.: When I co me home after training I have usefully had especially important that there are enough biking trails enough of biking. Ne vert heless, I use the bike for small to be able to enjoy our sport away from roads. distances or for distances within the village.

Q.: How will the environmental situation in Burgenland Q.: Is ther e a futur e for the bike not only as sport’s de velop? equipment, but also as a means of transport?

MK.: I hope it will de velop positively. People have to rethink MK.: As I said the bike as means of transport brings a lot and use the bike as means of transport and for other of advantages. You keep fit, there are practically no costs purposes. There are quite a lot of advantages to it: You keep involved and the environment is kept clean! People need fit, there are basically no costs, and of course, the to be animated to use their bikes more often. The security environmen t benefits from it. I admit that in rural areas it’s of bikers in traffic has to be increased by establishing difficult to use a bike as most of the times long distances biking trails and the trails themselves have to become have to be covered. But taking the bike should definitely more attractive. I think having a “car free” day would also become an alternative for distances in the village or in town! animate many people to get their bike out of the basement. Q.: On your personal home page you say that health is the MK.: Of course this goes hand in hand. Naturally, for me as most important thing for you. How important is a healthy biker it is very important to exercise m y sport in a clean environment for you? environment. 142

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„Most obviously benefiting from objective 1 funds were and still are definitely the wineries, where a fundamental production reform required architectural innovation in family businesses and middle-sized enterprises and where apart from the enologic reform also an architectural reform from below came into being in the middle of old village structures.

Otto Kapfinger „Neue Architektur im Burgenland und Westungarn“, Verlag Anton Pustet, Salzburg 2004 heinrich winery in gols further expansion of the cellar and erection of a tasting room objective 1 I eaggf | funding: 30 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government of burgenland, dept. 4a 144

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pouring kerosene into the fire

AN INTERVIEW WITH OTTO KAPFINGER Otto Kapfinger lives in Vienna as freelance architectural writer. He is the author of numerous reference books and exhibitions on modern construction in Austria. In 2004 he published “Neue Architektur in Burgenland und Westungarn“ (New Architecture in Burgenland and Western Hungary) together with the forum ARCHITEKTUR RAUM BURGENLAND (Architectural Space Burgenland).

In total, research for this book took far more than a year.

Q.: Since when have you been dealing with architecture in Q.: Does the forum ARCHITEKTUR RAUM BURGENLAND Burgenland? influence the current architectural scene?

OK.: The first encounter took place at the beginning of OK.: Of course it has an influence. Especially because of the 1970s. At that time friends of mine, who are artists, the exhibitions and symposia, e.g. on the topic of “renewal rented an old farmhouse in Burgenland and I visited them of village structures” or “revitalization of public space”. frequently. I also came to Burgenland a few times in the Furthermore, ARCHITEKTUR RAUM BURGENLAND 1980s as architectural critic for the Austrian paper “Die periodically organizes relevant seminars, guided tours to Presse”, but there were not many things of interest at that new constructions etc. time. Q.: What has changed in the past 11 years? Has something Q.: How did you establish the contact to the forum changed? ARCHITEKTUR RAUM BURGENLAND? OK.: There were definitely some changes. The most OK.: Susanne Schmal, Rudi Szedenik and Klaus Jürgen Bauer significant ones happened in the wineries. After the wine from the forum ARCHITEKTUR RAUM BURGENLAND came scandal a lot of them switched from mass to quality to me at the beginning of 2001. Since I had written some production. With this change fundamental architectural guide books on architecture in Vorarlberg and Tyrol they needs arised. New press houses and wine storage facilities asked me to write an architectural guide book on Burgenland. as well as new work, presentation and sale rooms were The exciting and new thing about it was that we decided necessary. The new and impressive architecture of wineries to do cross-border research and to also include Western in Burgenland has two reasons: Firstly, the functional, Hungary in the book. In Györ and Sopron there are architects spatial and architectural needs on the part of the wineries like Gunther Zsolt and Katalin Csillag or Gabor Winkler who were there. And secondly, from 1995 there were objective use contemporary western European architecture as 1 funds available for exactly that purpose. To emphasize orientation and who make some very interesting things. it: It was like pouring kerosene on a fire..... weninger winery in gols objective 1 I eaggf | funding: 25 % implementing body: erp-fund 146

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Q.: What are the most impressive new constructions in your enlargements to the interior rooms. Apart from such new opinion? interpretations of the courtyard principle there is also a certain formal strictness, a tendency towards simplicity, OK.: A difficult question... (leafs through his book “Neue towards monochromy, towards a spatially quite tense Architektur in Burgenland und Westungarn“ ... definitely compression, but with rather simple unspectacular means the town hall in Eisenstadt, the Weninger winery in in the good examples. Horitschon, the fire brigade in Oberwart, the Institute for Dialect in Oberschützen, the parish and the new church Q.: How do you see the future development of architecture in Podersdorf, the winery of the Pannonhalma Abbey – to in Europe? just name a few examples from completely different categories which were built in various parts of the province. OK.: Very diverse and very interesting. Here, architects do not only have to cope with the manifold conditions of Q.: How do you generally rate objective 1 funds for landscape, but they always have to work in dialogue with Burgenland? existing historic buildings. In Europe there are only little resources of space, therefore space has to be compacted. OK.: They were an important impulse. Burgenland profited Additionally, due to the opening of the markets there will a lot. And it will keep profiting! be a vivid exchange between the individual regions and countries with regards to planning services, architectural Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? competitions and to architecture in the future.

OK.: That’s hard to say. But it is important to have a good Q.: In your view, what is going right and what is going and increasing cross-region network in function. wrong in the EU respectively in an increasingly globalised world? Q.: In your opinion, is there a Pannonia? OK.: The problem is that provincial, municipal and OK.: I think that the region Euregio West/Nyugat Pannónia communal politics is increasingly becoming a hurriedly will grow together. There are many things that can be obedient service provider for the economy. Political planned and steered jointly. If this happens there will be decisions are taken almost exclusively in favour of the a Pannonian region. Especially because efficient regional investors. Due to this competition from towns, communi- planning can only be done extensively and cross-border. ties and regions a useful, ecologic spatial and town This starts with the National Park around Lake Neusiedl. planning will be run over in the middle and long term.

Q.: Is there a future for a Burgenland-Hungarian, a Q.: What will architecture in Burgenland look like in 2050? Pannonian economic region in the European Union? OK.: If the good attempts of recent times are able to OK.: Pannonia has great resources, its unique landscape, prosper further, there will be a technical and functional the special climate, the leisure economy, tourism, innovate architecture of complex simplicity. Unspectacular viticulture, the location between centres and capitals like in its form, but made to measure for the special climate, Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava, Graz, ... the topography and for local needs. But for that politics, the economy, the development companies and the Q.: Are there specific aesthetics in modern architecture in construction companies need to cooperate more closely Burgenland? with the good architectural offices in the region.

OK.: Well, ... For me good architecture is the specific Q.: What will Burgenland look like in the year 2050? transformation of landscape respectively of the building site into a spatial event. In rural construction the traditional OK.: I hope that until then all thermal spas are revitalized courtyard structures of villages had a pivotal role; the and expanded in a qualitative way, thus reaching a similar traditional Burgenland courtyard was and still is always high standard as many wineries of Burgenland have a “room outside”. The arcades, in the simple as well as in already achieved today. Apart from that I am convinced the more prosperous farm houses, act as a filter between that the winemakers will represent the new economic and the walled cool rooms inside and the hot sunlit courtyard cultural elite of the province, and as such they will also rooms outside. There is always a functional, climatically have a major say in local and regional politics, thus, a delicately graded play of sun and shadow. This can also be positive development in the entire construction industry found in modern architecture in Burgenland, which plays could come into being from below similiar to the one with light and shadow, creating sun-protected spaces as which took place some time ago in Vorarlberg. farmer used to be a swear word

AN INTERVIEW WITH GERNOT HEINRICH Born and raised in Gols as son of a wine making family. Studied Biotechnology. Spent years of training and travelling in the most renowned wine regions of the world. Since 1985 wine maker in Gols. Specialized in the production of red wine.

Q.: How important were objective 1 funds for you?

Q.: Why did you choose to construct a new building? GH.: They were not decisive, but they constituted a very pleasant side effect. Objective 1 funds did not initiate it, GH.: We wanted to create new structures, use new but they made it possible to realize the further methods of processing. This is why we started to build a enlargement in the right dimension and to use valuable new house and the first part of the new cellar in 1994. building materials.

Q.: What were the criteria to choose Michael Schwarz as Q.: Did you have an interest in modern architecture even architect? before you started to build your new house?

GH.: Initially, Michael Schwarz designed the labels for our GH.: Yes I did. A book by Baumschlager and Eberle, two wine bottles, after that he also designed our new house architects from Voralberg, aroused my interest in and the cellar. architecture. We also saw quite a lot while travelling.

Q.: Why did you choose the form of a white cubus for the Q.: Why did you commission another architect for the second new house? construction phase?

GH.: My wife and I have always been fond of simple and reduced shapes. A lot of light was also important to us, GH.: In the second phase we focused on function. This is that’s why we went for the large glass façade. why we started the enlargement in 1999 with Werner Schüttmayr and continued with Propeller Z in 2001. We also consider transparency important to be able to see where things happen. I think in general one should build Q.: Are there any modern buildings in Burgenland which something where one feels comfortable in. you find impressive or which you especially like? 148

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heinrich winery in gols further expansion of the cellar and erection of a tasting room objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 30 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a GH.: The private house of Peter Noever in Breitenbrunn. project at a Slovakian winery which is situated in the Little Carpathians. Q.: Are there unique aesthetics in modern architecture in Burgenland? Q.: How do you rate the opportunities for your winery respectively for other businesses in Burgenland in a global GH.: There has been a development. A consciousness for economy? locations and an open light flooded architecture has come into being. A really good architect is the one who is able GH.: If we continue to produce independent products to combine function & aesthetics. which are typical of the region, the chances will be very good. For the wine makers this means autochthonous Q.: How important are aesthetics for you? varieties, terroir character and sustainable production methods. GH.:The development of wine culture and architecture has gone hand in hand in the past years. In the end Q.: What is your strategy for your winery in the future? architecture is all about the public appearance, it is about the presentation of the wines. GH.: I think it is a great challenge to re-develop a profound conscience for nature and to act accordingly. Q.: The architectural publicist Otto Kapfinger describes the wine makers as the new cultural and bourgeoise elite of Q.: What will Burgenland look like in 30 years? Burgenland? GH.: I think development and change will continue as GH.: The social status of wine growers has increased a lot quickly as they did previously. I find the settlement of in the past years. In former days this profession had a Technology Centres like the one in Neusiedl extremely negative connotation. Farmer used to be a swear word. positive. Natural resources need to be protected and not But it’s not only the wine makers, it’s also the business exploited. Furthermore, I hope for a reasonable traffic owners and the craftsmen who jointly bear this change concept for Burgenland. Everything that goes into the in society. direction of renewable energy will become increasingly important. In agriculture old varieties should be cultivated. Q.: What has changed in the past 11 years in Burgenland? Q.: Your personal statement to objective 1 funds? GH.: The consumers have changed a lot. To live and consume consciously is very common. Nowadays people GH.: They were very useful for us. My mind was free and attach great importance to the quality of food, of beverages I didn’t have to struggle with financing. I also found it and of architecture. important that the use of objective 1 funds was strictly controlled. Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding in general? Q.: Your favourite wine and your favourite building? GH.: Very positive. GH.: The Burgundy Musigny 2002 from Comte Georges Q.: How do you see the future development Vogue. A building which I found impressing was the of Burgenland? Dominus Winery in Napa Valley.

GH.: I think we have very good opportunities. Geographically Burgenland can act as connecting link in Europe. I hope that the Balkan countries will access the European Union soon so we here in Burgenland can continue our role as a linking element. We are right in the center of Europe. I see the new EU-countries as new markets. Already today our wine is delivered to the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I participate in a consulting 150

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AN INTERVIEW WITH ARCHITECT ANTON MAYERHOFER Born and raised in Neckenmarkt, Burgenland. Degree from the Vienna University of Technology. After that free lancer at the architects Karl Musil, Martin Treberspurg and Neumann & Partner. Since 1993 self-employed with own architecture firm. Authorized surveyor (building surveyor respectively spatial planning) for numerous communities in Burgenland.

how I was contracted to work for Gesellmann, Kollwentz, Igler etc. But these assignments were not only about Q.: Why did you become an architect? functionality. It all revolved around the question:“How to impressively present wine?” AM.: I am a talented craftsman, I attended a Technical Secondary School for Interior Fittings and spacial design Q.: Is there a relation between good wine and good has always fascinated me totally. Additionally I have always architecture? been into rural building. I thought:”It’ can’t be that good architecture is only found in cities.” AM.: Definitely! Renowned wine makers align architecture with wine and its presentation. Q.: You have a very strong relation to wine making. Is it because you are originally from Central Burgenland? Q.: What distinguishes good architecture?

AM.: Exactly. In my youth I used to do all the craftsman AM.: Good architecture must fulfill its encompassing work in my family‘s vineyard. I actually still own a small functions to a 100 %. Architecture must not only be the vineyard, it is currently leased out though. cover or the sculpture. This differentiates us architects from sculptors. Q.: You worked for the most renowned wine makers of Burgenland. How come? Q.: Are there typical aesthetics in modern architecture in Burgenland? AM.: It all started with the planning of a new, very functional press house for an old schoolmate from AM.: Architecture in Burgenland lives from its simplicity Technical Secondary School, who had given up his technical in shapes as well as in material. The traditional Pannonian profession and had become a wine maker. Other wine stretched farmhouses were built according to strictly makers came to look at Anton Iby’s press house. This is functional principles. This is also true for the village hotel „sonnenpark“ - erection of a 4*-hotel objective 1 | efrd | funding: 39 % implementing body: wibag 152

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structures, their aesthetics lies in their strictness. Modern architects. You had to search good and modern architecture architecture in Burgenland is building upon all these things. like mushrooms in the forest....

Q.: The architectural quality of the newly built thermal Q.: Can you name some exemplary modern architecture in spas in Burgenland is often critized. What is your opinion? Burgenland?

AM.: The difficult thing about the thermal spas is that AM.: The Institue for Dialect in Oberschützen, the House they were started with an architecture which only created of Culture and the wine shop Haus im Puls in Neusiedl am volumen. Enlargement strategies were not taken into See and the Kedl Inn in Urbersdorf. consideration. Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funds in general for Q.: What has changed in Burgenland in the past 11 years? Burgenland?

AM.: A lot of money poured into the province. Investors AM.: The past 11 years were incredible! I started to work were attracted and there was little bureaucracy. Unfortu- as a self-employed architect at the beginning of the 1990s nately, at times the landscape was forgotten, especially at and from 1995 on I was right in the middle of this mood the village entrances where industrial parks are established. of optimism. Our provincial politicians had a big share in The resembling village entrances make villages character- this. They succeeded in finding a framework in which less. In general people in Burgenland need to look after subsidies could actually be taken advantage of. The lower their villages. Wine makers and wineries need to stay in ceiling originally set by the EU for subsidies was too high the center of the village as they bring life into the village. for Burgenland. Thanks to interventions from politicians of Burgenland the EU lowered this limit. In wine growing Q.: Did objective 1 funding also influence architecture? there was also another factor. After the wine scandal in 1985 many wine makers switched to quality production. AM.: Of course. Earlier there were almost only anonymous This process lasted until 1995 and at that time objective

heinrich winery in deutschkreutz processing and marketing of wine objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 30 % implementing body: erp-fund 1 funds were available. Many wine makers said to them- Q.: The most beautiful and the ugliest building in selves: “If there is a 30 % subsidy I will rely on quality in Burgenland? every respect – also in architecture.” AM.: I have never given thought to that. Beautiful and Q.: In which direction should funding policies go in the ugly are no value categories for me. future? Q.: What is your wish for the future? AM.: My vision is that there are no more subsidies. Everybody earns as much as he needs to fulfill his wishes AM.: Villages must not become sceneries for tourists. They without subsidies. need to remain lively economic areas in which people find quality of life. We need wineries and inns in the villages. Q.: How do you see the future development of European This is why I am thinking a lot about inns at the moment. architecture? Q.: Your favourite wines from Burgenland? AM.: Is there a European architecture? I would wish for every region making use of its resources; e.g. building AM.: The classic Blaufränkisch. There is only little room for material from the region, solar energy, wind energy, bio cheating in its production..... mass etc.

Q.: What will architecture look like in 2050?

AM.: I hope that the change between landscape and settlements will still be there and that settlements do not merge. There is a big danger that due to the prevailing euphoria landscape will be destroyed by large projects.

hufnagel winery in neckenmarkt objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 30 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 154

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„One, two, three, time is running double quick and we are running with it.“ Free translation

Wilhelm Busch, Knopp-Trilogie, 1875–1877 feasibility study kellerstöckl apartments nature park weinidylle interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 80 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh 156

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this has changed completely ...

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. FRED SINOWATZ Born in 1929. Studies of History and German at the University of Vienna. Worked at the Scientific Department at the Provincial Government of Burgenland. 1961 Member of the Provincial Parliament. 1964 President of the Provincial Parliament. 1966 Member of the Provincial Government of Burgenland responsible for culture. 1971 Federal Minister of Education. 1983 – 1986 Federal Chancellor. Left politics in 1989. Author of historic studies, lives in Neufeld an der Leitha.

FS.: With the economic crisis of 1929 the once flourishing working class community Neufeld became an area of social Q.: How do you see the changes which took place in the disaster. There were a great many people in unemployment past 11 years in Burgenland? and many living from social welfare. Not only the coal mine was closed, but also the jute factory reduced its FS.: I think that the biggest changes in the history of workforce. The factory was the largest in Burgenland, at Burgenland took place in those years. Especially the times it employed up to 2,000 people. In 1972 it closed enormous investments have considerably decreased the down as well. In the 1970s Neufeld changed from an discrepancy between the north and the south of industrial site to a community with businesses in the Burgenland. commercial, industrial and services sector. Before that there were already some attempts to establish tourism Q.: What did your parents respectively your grandparents around Lake Neufeld. tell you about the changes in 1918 and 1921? Q.: You once said that in the 1930s people of Burgenland FS.: Very little, they obviously had other existential worries. were ashamed of their descent. Why?

Q.: Do you remember the end of brown coal mining in FS.: The people of Burgenland went to Hungarian school, Neufeld in 1931? but their mother tongue was German. The effect was that they didn’t study Hungarian and were only able to speak FS.: During the times of the economic crisis, unemploy- German in dialect. For commuters and migrant workers ment and Austro-fascism I was only a little boy. My this was a great disadvantage in their professional life knowledge about this period derives from my work as and this was also the reason why they concealed their historian and politician. background. This has changed completely ...

Q.: What were the consequences for the region? Q.: How did you experience March 1938? research on zweigelt disease – vereinte winzer pannonien reg.gen.m.b.h. objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 82.3 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 158

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FS.: I was nine years old at the time and was raised in a Q.: How did Burgenland develop economically in the 1970s simple working-class household. I came from a very and 1980s? political family and I observed events more closely than others of my age. I have this memory of a myriad of flags, FS.: The efforts of economic policy were successful. New torch light processions and uniformed men marching. businesses were established in our province and tourism Thanks to my parent’s influence it was quite frightening was expanded. This development led to a relatively quick in political terms. increase in jobs. The province of Burgenland was successful in expanding water supply on communal level, in setting Q.: How much did the 2nd World War change Burgenland? up canalization and in creating a refuse collection system for the entire province. In my view, this was one of the FS.: Between 1938 and 1945 Burgenland didn’t exist. It was biggest achievements in environmental policy. separated into the districts of Lower Danube and Styria. The people in this province experienced the horrors of war Q.: What was the most obvious change due to like everybody else in Austria. In 1945 the province was objective 1 funding? directly involved in acts of war and was occupied by Russian troops. FS.: The creation of industrial zones with industrial plants, the expansion of thermal spas, and the entailing Q.: How was life in the Russian occupation zone? development in tourism, as well as the start of cooperations with Western Hungary. FS.: Today people tend to forget that from north to south Burgenland was situated directly at the Iron Curtain. In Q.: How do you see the current situation of Burgenland? addition to the difficulties of the occupation, there was also an economic isolation; and the financial assistance FS.: I think that the fall of the Iron Curtain did not only bring of the Marshall plan did not reach the Russian zone. about human relief, but that also Eastern EU-enlargement openend up opportunities for a new regional policy. Q.: Which changes did the economic miracle in the 1950s and early 1960s bring along? Q.: How will Burgenland change in the next years or decades? FS.: Naturally, the economic upswing did also reach Burgenland. Due to the increasing self-confidence of the F.S.: In the coming years further businesses will be population there were first attempts to develop an established in Burgenland and new jobs will be created. economy. They especially concerned improvements in the Now that the borders are open Burgenland and Western field of infrastructure – roads, electricity and schools. In Hungary will become a prospering region. We really have the 1960s – I was a member of the provincial government to make use of this opportunities now. at that time – there were dozens of budget items in the provincial budget for rural electrifications, which concerned Q.: In your point of view, which changes should take place the many scattered settlements in Southern Burgenland. in the EU? One must not forget: There were first signs of an economic development in Burgenland already in 1921: Road building FS.: At first it has to be strived for that people acknowledge was enforced, there was an expansion of middle schools the real importance of the European Union. In my opinion and the erection of new federal and provincial buildings. the EU constitutes the most important peace project in a Of course Burgenland was at a disadvantage as Sopron, Europe which was shaken by a great many wars in its the actual center of the region, had remained with history. Unfortunately this is not taken into account today, Hungary. Furthermore, the general economic crisis of 1929 because there is superficial criticism at the unavoidable soon led to an end of the first efforts of developing an difficulties which come up at the beginning of such a huge economy. project. Europe is constantly critized in the media, as a consequence there is nothing to wonder about opinion In present day it shows how economically absurd it is to polls stating that Europe is seen from a very critical point pursue an exaggerated policy of savings. It hinders of view. One also has to take note that uniting 2 dozens investments, increases unemployment and decreases the of national states is a gigantic task which cannot be fulfilled mass income. from one day to the other. Q.: If you think back, what was the most beautiful and the war, the hope for a new era, the opening up for new most awful historic event in your life? developments. And of course: the fall of the Iron Curtain and the opening of the borders. FS.: The most awful event was the 2nd World War. The destruction of towns and the extinguishment of complete families. It must not be forgotten ... The most beautiful historic event was the re-introduction of democracy after

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things are running smoothly ...

AN INTERVIEW WITH ANNEMARIE NEUBAUER Born 1919 in Vienna. Grew up in Vienna in a family of restaurant owners. Married in 1943, moved to Eisenstadt in 1945. Lives in Eisenstadt.

Q.: How did you experience the 2nd World War?

Q.: What was the most drastic change in your life? AN.: I met my husband in Vienna during the war. He was the reason why I moved to Eisenstadt. AN.: The drastic changes always happened only in my private life. For example the birth of my son and my Q.: How was life in the Russian occupation zone? daughter or my illness. AN.: It didn’t affect me at all. Once a Russian stole my Q.: Which changes do you remember from your youth? shoes from our entrance hall. An officer brought them back two weeks later and said: “Please tell everybody that AN.: I moved to Burgenland right after the war; to the we keep things in order.” The Russians also took away my farmhouse of my parents-in-law here in Eisenstadt. I car. I went to the commanding officer and said: “My needed to settle in at first. Everything was quite small and husband needs the car, he is a taxi driver.” So they gave it we had to fetch the water from outside near the entrance. back to me. Everybody knew each other … Burgenland used to be a very cozy place, very rural, but very cozy. I still had a small Q.: Do you remember the years of the economic miracle? car at that time ... I didn’t even whine. AN.: My husband was the director of the national bank Q.: How were the interwar years? here in Eisenstadt at that time. We held receptions and so on. Since I come from a family of restaurant owners I AN.: I spent my childhood and youth in Vienna. My parents was used to it ... owned a number of restaurants – Sachergarten, Jockey Club Restaurant, the buffet at Sophiensäle and the buffet Q.: Changes happen more quickly these days. Is that true? at the polo club at Freudenau. I had to help. The chef always said to me: “Ms Annemarie, get me some potatoes and AN.: For me everything happens “pomali” as we say – onions!” And I took the car and drove shopping ... slowly. I still keep my own household and I still cook. erection of a greisslerei and wine shop taubenkobel in schützen objective 1 | eaggf | funding: 37.1 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 4a 162

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There will be a change soon, my children insisted on getting borders in the Pannonian region respectively in the European me a maid. Union?

Q.: How would you describe the changes since Austria’s AN.: Yes. I used to drive to Hungary once a month. I like accession to the EU? Sopron very much.

AN.: I can’t say. I thought to myself: “Now we are Q.: In your point of view, which changes should take place cosmopolitans. Eisenstadt might gradually become a city.” in the European Union? I like to be here and I have never regretted my moving to Burgenland. AN.: Europe should continue to grow and get bigger. I do Q.: How do you see the current economic situation of not have any EU-fears. We are doing very well. If there is Burgenland? no war, everything will be fine. The EU is a project of peace.

AN.: I think it’s quite good. Burgenland is recovering. It has Q.: Which role do changes play for you? caught up a lot.

AN.: I married, got kids and I was always happy. Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland?

Q.: If you think back, what was the worst historic event in AN.: I am sure it will be good, if there is no war. Everything will be great. People are doing well. Things are running your life? smoothly ... AN.: When the Russians first came I thought: “Good grief! Q.: In your opinion, will there be a growing together across But they were nice ...

feasibility study kellerstöckl apartments natural park wineidylle interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 80 % implementing body: regionalmanagement burgenland gmbh money means freedom

AN INTERVIEW WITH PROF. DR. ROLAND GIRTLER Born in Vienna, grew up in Germany and Upper Austria. 1971 PhD in Philosophy, 1979 Habilitation at the University of Vienna. Since 1972 at the Institute for Sociology at the University of Vienna. Main fields of research: Cultural Sociology, cultures on the edge of society and peasantry in Austria and Transylvania.

Q.: As a vagabond cultural sociologist I am sure you have come to known Burgenland. When was your first time in Q.: Changes do happen more quickly today. Is it true? Burgenland?

RG.: Of course. Knowledge creates new knowledge and RG.: About 20 years I took some students on a field trip this leads to changes in society. The more knowledge, the by train and bicycle to Heiligenkreuz, in the south of quicker the changes. Today changes in society happen as Burgenland. From there I cycled across Burgenland back a consequence of technological developments, whereas to Vienna. Today I have quite a lot of friends in Burgenland technology is always a step ahead of societal change. This who I like to visit regularly. People in Burgenland are very leads to the fact that some pepole long for less change. pleasant people, they are very nice.

Q.: What has changed in Burgenland since your field trip? Q.: How do you as sociologist define change?

RG.: Today the people of Burgenland endeavour to make RG.: Man is not a settled human being. Man is moving some excellent wines ... One of my main fields of interest around. Man is an individual constantly changing. is the peasant’s culture. In this context I noticed that the “old” form of agriculture is vanishing. Many farmers don’t Q.: How would you describe the changes that took place in know how to go on and give up. Those who continue rely Austria in 1995? on organic farming. Another change which I have noticed regards the villages. They are losing their old structures, RG.: There are individual effects which are quite pleasant the little shops in the village center are disappearing. e.g. travel facilitation, open borders, the euro as a common currency, cheaper clothes, more comfort etc. The general Q.: Is the use of massive financial resources – objective 1 effects are that the peoples in Europe move closer together funds – an essential prerequisite for social change? and that there are open markets. Although the latter can have a desastrous effect on the domestic economy and RG.: Of course. Money means freedom. A middle class on jobs, of course ... culture has come into being in Burgenland, the peasant’s 164

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Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland?

RG.: Tourism will play a major role, Burgenland will promote its culture well. Additionally, sports facilities will be enlarged constantly, Burgenland will become a land for cyclists, hikers, sailors, wind surfers, ice skaters and ice sailors.

Q.: In your opinion, will there be a growing together across borders in the Pannonian region respectively in the European Union?

RG.: Why not? Corporate groups and banks are pioneers in this development, they are already active on both sides of the border.

Q.: How do you see the EU-enlargements of the last decade?

RG.: Each enlargement brings about difficulties. Each enlargement has positive and negative sides. When cultures grow together there are frictions.

Q.: Will there be a uniform European society from Warsaw over Eisenstadt to Lissabon in 2050?

RG.: I observe the following: Shopping malls are the new basilicas in Europe. They are emerging at the edge of towns and look the same everywhere.

Q.: Which changes within the European Union do you wish for?

RG.: That regional cultures are mantained and that there are people committed to it. The important thing is that regional cultures are cultivated.

Q.: What role do changes play for you personally?

RG.: I find every change interesting. I went through a lot of changes and I profited from every single one. Changes teach you to adapt and to cope with new situations.

Q.: You are an enthusiastic cyclist. Do you have a favourite cycling tour in Burgenland?

RG.: I like to bike from from Wr. Neustadt up to the Rosaliengebirge – it is a nice hilly terrain. 166

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„Tomorrow is already here.“

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less borders, less biased thinking ...

AN INTERVIEW WITH MAG.(FH) KATHARINA KAITAN Born 1979 in Oberwart, Upper-secondary academic school in Oberschützen, 1997 Community School Dublin, Ireland. International Economic Relations at Fachhochschule Eisenstadt (A Fachhochschule (FH) is an institution of higher education focusing on practice-oriented, professional education). 2001 internship in Moscow. 2002 internship at the European Parliament, Office of MEP Christa Prets, Brussels. 2004 Master of Laws (European Law) at the University of Liverpool. Since 2005 at the EU- Managing Authority at the Provincial Government of Burgenland, Eisenstadt. Lecturer.

Q.: Is it true that you were already interested in EU topics during school? Q.: How important is education for one’s professional future? KK.: Yes, it’s true. I was interested in the European Union KK.: A profound education is definitely the basis for already during school. I still remember that in 1994 before professional success. In my opinion, having in-depth the referendum on Austria’s EU-accession we had a floppy knowledge of one field of reference is of minor importance. disc containing learning material on the EU at our school. It is far more important to have problem solving and Karl Stix, Provincial Governor of Burgenland at that time, analytical skills, be able to quickly adapt to new situations, came to Großpetersdorf for a visit and I, as I was already to be a team player and to have the capacity to work in very interested in the EU, was chosen to show him the an intercultural environment. advantages of the EU on the computer. Somehow the Q.: What was your education like? European idea did not let loose of me and my belief in one Europe grew even more through participating at the After finishing school I decided to go into the degree KK.: European Youth Parliament twice. There I saw the benefit programme for International Business Relations in but also the challenge of discussing things across borders. Eisenstadt because I was especially interested in the I can still feel the team spirit and the feeling of a “united economic part and the international focus. After the degree Europe” which I experienced at the meeting of the I felt that my education was not completed, so I went to European Youth Parliament in the Scottish Parliament. Southern France to study French. Afterwards I went to Great Britain to study for a Master in European Law in order to Q.: How was your time at the Fachhochschule? deepen my knowledge of the European Union. In between there were shorter stays abroad from painting a children’s KK.: The Fachhochschule was a place, which challenged home in Greece to working on a banana plantation for a and which stimulated me, and which always had a personal Buddhist temple in Thailand. Apart from improving my touch to it. For me it was essential to have the possibility language skills and gaining professional experience, the to spend a semester abroad at Universidad de Barcelona different cultures and ways of life which I came across and to also go on an internship to Moscow where I worked during my stays abroad shaped me. for 5 months and to do all of this in a 4-year’s programme. Q.: How were your professional perspectives after was quite confusing although I had had a basic knowledge graduation? of the EU. The Parliament is a labyrinth in it’s own right.

KK.: After graduating it was clear to me that I wanted to Q.: How bureaucratic is the European Union? do an internship within an EU institution and to study KK.: I’ve come to known real bureaucracy only in Austria. French. I didn’t choose the traditional route into a At the European Parliament there is not more red tape professional career. than at the provincial government here. The offices of the Q.: You worked at an EU institution in Brussels? deputies are even less bureaucratic. At first sight the structures of the EU may seem very bureaucratic, rigid and KK.: After graduation I worked in Brussels for five months blown up. But in most cases they actually secure the at the office of the Austrian MEP Christa Prets. It was one national interests. Every enterprise needs clearly defined of the most interesting assignments I’ve ever had. Although structures and tasks. I have a contrasting opinion on costs I was only an intern I was completely involved, I followed of translation, often regarded as redundant by many the work in the agricultural committee, wrote summaries people. If you want every EU-citizen to be able to read EU- on current topics etc. At the beginning the whole system documents in his native language, then they have to be

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translated ... If you compare EU spending on administration state. But somebody from Vorarlberg might also say this to those of the member states you will quickly realise that about the federal government in Vienna … In my daily in comparison the EU is spending less than federal work I experience a quite interesting phenomena. Many authorities of the member states do. regulations, which from an Austrian perspective seem too restrictive, are regarded by other member states as a Q.: What did you like about Brussels? What did you dislike? necessary support from the European Commission. KK.: The internationality there is quite exciting. People are Q.: What should Brussels do for the European regions in the more open and it is easier to establish contacts. I really future? disliked the constant rain in Brussels, too bad that there is no EU-directive imposing to move the EU institutions KK.: In this respect the principle of subsidiarity is an from Brussels to Barcelona. important one. Things which can be done best on regional level, should also be done on regional level. The programme Q.: Is there an inclination towards European centralism in management for Structural Funds is a good example for Brussels? this, in this respect knowledge about and experience in KK.: Unification is not bad as such. If you see it from the the region is necessary. Financial support for regions within perspective of tractor seat producers looking to export, it the framework of the Structural Funds will continue to be soon becomes clear why tractor seats should all have the of great importance for many regions, especially for regions same standards … It depends on the field. In general there in the new member states. Small, but exclusive are centralistic tendencies and tendencies to give out very programmes for the old member states will be important detailed regulations which restrict the individual member for development, co-operation between the regions also

erection of the fachhochschule centre eisenstadt objective 1 | efrd | funding: 30 % implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 7 needs to be supported. Programmes like Interreg and Q.: Which weaknesses need to be diminished in the future? projects like Euregio may create a basis for cross-border KK.: There is not enough readiness and ability in Burgen- coexistence of people and may create more understanding land to do research and development. Innovations, and I for each other. But it is not only about funding am not only referring to those in high-tech, but also programmes. In general it will be necessary to integrate innovations in the field of services are rare. Phasing out regions even further into the institutional landscape of funding should aim at precisely this weakness. Strength- the EU; not only to keep their decision power but also to ening of human resources, the demand based qualification bring the European Union closer to citizens. of employees should also be a further focus of future Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding? funding.

KK.: For Burgenland objective 1 funding was an important Q.: In your view, what is going right and what is going development boost to become a Central European region, wrong in the European Union? which does not have to hide itself, but which can refer to KK.: The EU has a negative image. The population does a number of national and international successes. I think not see the advantages and the mood is deteriorating. that apart from the manifold economic investments the The often proclaimed aim of “closeness to the citizens” objective 1 programme was also an incentive for an has still not been reached. In my opinion there is no patent enhanced co-operation among actors within the region remedy. It would certainly help to give up the popular and with the rest of Austria, as well as for constant policy of making the EU responsible for mistakes made improvements of quality in administration. and to cease using the EU as a scapegoat. For electoral Q.: How much has objective 1 funding changed Burgenland? purposes the positive sides of the European Union should not be kept secret. We need stakeholders who do not hide KK.: When I show friends around Burgenland and I drive their enthusiasm for Europe. It has to become clear to the from the north to the south I often catch myself pointing population that the European Union is the future and that out things to them that have been funded by the objective many problems like terrorism or unemployment can only 1 programme. Whether you think about the Technology be solved jointly. Of course not everything about the EU Centres, or if you visit thermal spas or is pure bliss and bad politics has to be critized. But critizing hotels or go to a winery or a farmer’s the politics of the federal government does not mean that shop … A lot has happened and it has the instititution as such has to be abolished. This should changed the landscape and people’s also be the case with the European Union. In my view, it possibilities. For me, it is a challenge is also crucial that EU institutions do not lose the sense of and task to get this message across to reality, especially when it comes to the enlargement of the broad population. Of course projects the Union. Enlargements have to happen foremost in the can fail, too, but that is economy. The minds of EU-citizens. The enlargement of people’s horizons important thing is that the strategy and the actions are is happening slower than the European Commission is appropriate. admitting.

Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? Q.: What will the EU look like in 2050?

KK.: With the help of objective 1 funding certain core KK.: Less borders, less biased thinking, and hopefully more competencies were established in Burgenland, e.g.: health citizens who feel like Europeans. and wellness, renewable energy or optoelectronics. Q.: Your are fond of horse-back riding. What do you hope Location competition will not become easier in the future. for the future in this respect? I think Burgenland will have to find certain niches in which KK.: I hope that my Russian stallion “Kandinsky” will it can sustain. The mentioned core competencies have to become calm soon, so both of us can eventually explore be expanded further and to be secured. Especially the the new bridle- paths in Southern Burgenland. quality of life in the region is a major plus, which should also be promoted in the future. 172

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austria will remain a one horse town

AN INTERVIEW WITH ELENA SCHMALL, LARA SOLEDER, PETER WAGENTRISTL, FLORIAN SCHWEIFER

Students at the academic secondary school Kurzwiese in Eisenstadt. Born in 1993 and 1994.

LS.: Turkey will join at last. FS.: Maybe Austria will get kicked out. PW.: Austria will remain a one horse town. Q.: What do you expect from the future in general? FS.: I am happy about that! FS.: Less exhaust emmissions and less animals and plants PW.: The only cool thing is Vienna. Graz is also kind of cool. becoming extinct. Q.: Do you feel as Europeans? PW.: I hope that the poor Chinese are not tortured anymore. FS. & PW.: No! ES.: I hope that there is less hunger in the world. PW.: Feel… maybe… LS.: I hope that the poor are given more support. FS.: The good thing about Austria is that we don’t have wars. Q.: Your personal plans for the future? Q.: What do you like about the European Union? FS.: I want to finish school, study economics and maybe open up a hotel. LS.: Because of the community there are less wars. PW.: Finish school, attend Max Reinhardt Seminar and ES.: I don’t really know. I like the passport though ... emigrate to Venezuela or Mexico. That would be cool. Q.: Which countries have you been to? LS.: Finish school, study interior design and open up my own studio. FS. & ES.: Hungary, Greece, Italy, Portugal, France and ES.: Finish school, I have no idea what want I want to do Germany. after that. Maybe I’ll go to Cuba. LS.: Hungary, Germany, France, Italy and the Czech Republic.

Q.: How do you see Europe’s future? PW.: Germany, France, Hungary, Italy and Poland.

ES.: I don’t know. It is getting bigger….. Q.: Does objective 1 funding mean anything to you? ES.: No, never heard about it. ES.: Of course. LS.: It sounds familiar. LS.: I could imagine that. PW.: Is it a subsidy for agriculture? Q.: How important will good education be in the future? FS.: Oh yes, I’ve heard about it quite often! ES.: Very important. Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? FS.: Otherwise you will not find a job! PW.: It will always stay as small as it is. LS.: There are some jobs where you do not need an ES.: It will remain boring. education …. LS.: Maybe one day all of Lake Neusiedl will belong to PW.: Languages are very important. Burgenland. FS.: One day in Burgenland all the wine makers and all Q.: Would you also accept a job abroad? the other farmers will be gone. There will only be factories FS., PW., LS. & ES.: Yes! and everything will be replaced by robots. LS.: If I like it… Q.: Which languages do you speak or study? ES.: If I don’t get a job at home. FS., PW. & ES.: English, Spanish and we want to study Latin. LS.: English and a bit of Croatian.

Q.: Can you imagine to study in another European country?

PW.: Yes! In the Netherlands!

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the half-life period of knowledge is constantly decreasing

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. WALTER FEYMANN Director of the academic secondary school Kurzwiese Eisenstadt, Born in 1947. Degree in Philosphy, Psychology, German studies and History from the University of Vienna. PhD in History. Since 1971 academic secondary school teacher in Oberpullendorf. Since 1973 at the academic secondary school Kurzwiese in Eisenstadt. Since 2000 headmaster of the academic secondary schol Kurzwiese.

WF.: In the university and postuniversity sector there will be an emphasis on top quality of education. Especially in Q.: How important are good schools for the future of the the field of technology, biology, ecology, psychology, country respectively of Europe? neurology, physiology and sociology. I can imagine that Europe will play a major role in these fields. WF.: They are tremendously important. The quality of education is decisive when it comes to the future of an Q.: In your view, what is going right and what is going adolescent. We are among those schols with a very high wrong in education policy? level of education. PISA was not carried out at our school but I would not have been worried at all if it had been. WF.: There are only very few areas which have such a tendency to inertia like education. It is very strenous to Q.: What professional future do your students have? change things in education and it takes its time. At the same time we live in a time which is WF.: We are a classical secondary academic school, a immensely fast-moving. The half life period secondary academic school emphasising on mathematics of knowledge is constantly decreasing. This and science, and an upper secondary academic school with dynamism should be taken more seriously a focus on fine arts, music and sport’s. There is also a focus and should strongly be taken into account. on computing science. We have many responses which confirm that our students leave our school well prepared Q.: How has Burgenland changed in the past for university studies. Their language competence is also 11 years? remarkably high. There are scientists with a postdoctoral qualification and medical doctors among our former WF.: Tremendously. The objective 1 phases students. brought about many changes, hopefully they will be sustainable! Sometimes I am not sure about that ... Q.: How do you see the future development of Europe with It needs to be seen how the leading companies, regards to education and research? the technology centres and thermal spas will develop. Q.: How well educated will people of Burgenland be in the region Vienna – Bratislava – Györ – Eisenstadt will play a year 2050? very important role in Europe.

WF.: I would say that people of Burgenland will be able to Q.: Your personal wish for the future? prove themselves in the new Europe if they have the necessary education. Languages are extremely important. WF.: It would be my wish that the opportunities of the In my academic school language competence is considered new Europe are made use of. That we experience a peaceful as fundamental. The level is very high, both in writing and Europe. A Europe that has learned to handle its historic in speaking. In 2050 it will be crucial to be able to think in structure of tensions in a positive way. That we find a a problem solving and multidisciplinary way. Flexibility is European identity which is not solely based on a common essential – and the people of Burgenland have it. The economy.

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academic excellence in the heart of europe

AN INTERVIEW WITH PROF. (FH) MAG. INGRID SCHWAB-MATKOVITS

Degree in Business Administration and Business Education from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. Teaches at Vienna University of Economics since 1989, since 2002 at the University of Vienna. Since 2002 Managing Director of the Fachhochschule degree programmes Ges.m.b.H. (A Fachhochschule (FH) is an institution of higher education focusing on practice-oriented, professional education). Member of the Board of the Austrian Fachhochschule Conference. Author of textbooks.

short duration of studies and excellent opportunities on the labour market after graduation. Q.: Is it true that FH degree programmes Burgenland is the pioneer on the Austrian Fachhochschule sector? Q.: What are the core competencies?

ISM.: 12 years ago, when we started the FH degree ISM.: In the framework of the strategic positioning of FH programmes in Burgenland and Austria their success could degree programmes Burgenland 4 core competencies were not be estimated. The programme on International defined. At the location Eisenstadt they are business Economic Relations in Eisenstadt was the first Austrian studies, information technology and information FH degree programme to be established. At the Austrian management; in Pinkafeld they are energy and Fachhochschule Council it received the number 0001, the environmental management and health. The regional programme in building technology in Pinkafeld received aspects e.g. Central Eastern Europe, health tourism, the number 0002. viticulture, renewable energy, as well as as a European network linked to international partners are crucial in all Q.: What led to the development of FH degree programmes? 4 core competencies.

ISM.: Burgenland lacked institutions of higher education Q.: In which areas is reasearch done at the FH Study Centres giving impulses to the region. The two Study Centres in in Burgenland? Eisenstadt and Pinkafeld aimed at the creation of human resources and the building up of competences in applied ISM.: At present, three large projects aiming to build up research and development. From the start the FH degree structures are put into practice within the framework of programmes in Burgenland showed the willpower and theses, projects and research projects. At the Study Centre courage for innovations and for setting standards. Today in Pinkafeld a R & D project called “Spatial Conditions and every fourth students decides to attend a practically Healt Determinants” is being carried out. This is an inter- oriented degree programme at a Fachhochschule. The disciplinary project of the building technology, energy and excellent organisation of studies and the practical environmental management and health promotion degree orientation leads to very low drop out rates, a comparatively programmes. Under the title “Knowledge & Management – overcoming barriers – realizing synergies” research is done ISM.: This successful and fast process of catching up in the by the degree programmes information management and past years required extraordinary commitment and the information and communication solutions. The international mobilisation of many personalities, organisations and competence centre for wine management at the Study citizens of the province. On the basis of these developments Centre Eisenstadt is to be a research and transfer centre for and with the open, optimistic and tolerant attitude of the sensory market research, bench marking, macro economic people in Burgenland the future will be full of data of the wine industry in Central and Eastern European opportunities. countries as well as for qualification research in wine industry. Q.: Do your graduates have a professional future in the Q.: How many students are there currently? province?

ISM.: At present there are 1,197 students. Since the first ISM.: The graduate surveys, which are carried out regularly, graduation ceremony in 1997 1,163 students have finished document that our graduates do not have any problems their studies in Eisenstadt und Pinkafeld. to enter the labour market and that their professional career in general is going very well. We are proud that Q.: Which are the most popular degree programmes? there is a demand for our graduates not only in Burgenland, ISM.: International Economic Relations is the largest but also in the border region as well as in the rest of Austria programme with about 410 students. The degree and abroad. This is the acknowledgment of the decision programme is offered as full-time or part-time programme. for our core competencies and the Central European and The special thing about this programme is the Central Eastern European dimension which we took 12 years ago European dimension with compulsory languages e.g. and it also confirms that our programmes are still keeping Croatian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Czech or Hungarian. up with time.

Q.: Are there also students from Central European and Q.: How do you see the future development in Europe with Eastern European countries? regards to education, research & development?

ISM.: We have about 70 guest students in Eisenstadt and ISM.: Education and applied research & development are Pinkafeld per year. The majority of these students originate the central elements in order to persist in international from Central European and Eastern European countries. competition. Therefore they should be the foremost aim Besides education the improvement of their language in all European programmes, thus providing opportunities competence and the getting to know of the culture and and a vision to youth. the population of the guest country are in the foreground. Furthermore, there are about 100 students from other Q.: In which direction should funding go in the future? European regions studying in Eisenstadt and Pinkafeld. ISM.: There should be more financial assistance for the Q.: Is there a future for a Pannonian economic area? erection of regional research & development centres as well as for applied research & development in SMEs. High ISM.: We see the Pannonian area as a very good quality in regional education should be secured by the opportunity for our region. It is the strategic aim of establishment of more study centres and life long Fachhochschule degree programmes Burgenland to expand education for the employed should be offered. the European dimension further through cross-border Furthermore, conditions which support higher cooperations and networks in the field of study offers, qualifications of women and which enable women to research and development and consultation services. manage family and profession should be created. Q.: How do you rate objective 1 funding? Q.: How well educated will people in Burgenland be in the ISM.: Burgenland has benefited a lot from objective 1 year 2050? funding. It has made use of the opportunities for ISM.: Burgenland has caught up a lot in the past years. I sustainable development in tourism, education, hope that this trend will continue. I also hope that infrastructure and the expansion of the qualification level, Burgenland will continue to position its offers of education thus, being well prepared for the challenges of a new Europe. and further education as well as it does today, and that consequently the motto of our Fachhochschule – academic Q.: How do you see the future development of Burgenland? excellence in the heart of Europe – will still be justified. 178

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part 3 from cinderellagolden daughterto A concise economic history of burgenland

Golden Daughter: A figure from Mother Holle, one of Grimm´s Fairy Tales

“In former times Burgenland used to be Hungary’s poor cousin, today it is the Austrian Republic’s Cinderella.”, this is how the “Burgenländische Heimat” newspaper described the miserable economic situation in 1925. The economic difficulties from which Burgenland suffered for decades and its enormous upswing which has taken place since 1955 are herewith described in short.

Hungary´s economic situation under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty

Since the end of the Middle Ages an external tariff, the so called “Dreißigst” was levied by the Hungarian state. “Dreißig” is the German word for thirty, as the thirtieth part of the value of the imported or exported good had to be paid as tariff. For centuries this tariff used to be one of the main sources of revenue for the Kingdom of Hungary.

In 1775 under the rule of Empress Maria Theresia the Austrian crown lands (Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, Upper and Lower Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and the Austrian Littoral) and the Hungarian crown lands (Hungary including Burgenland, Transylvania, Banat) became two independent tariff areas. In 1778 Croatia and Slavonia were additionally added to the Hungarian part. This economic partition of the Habsburg Empire persisted until 1850 and had drastic consequences for the economic development of the two halves of the Empire. Under Joseph II export tariffs for goods exported into the Hungarian half of the Empire were massively lowered, but the high Austrian transit tariffs for Hungarian goods, which were exported to Western Europe, remained unchanged. Thus, the producers of agricultural products in Hungary were forced to sell their products in Austria.

th th At the end of the 18 and at the beginning of the 19 century a rather slow industrialisation set in primarily in the lands of Bohemia, Moravia and Lower Austria. A large part of the goods produced in these lands was exported to the Hungarian half, while Hungary exported mainly food products and raw material to Austria. 180

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SILESIA Prague GALICIA

BOHEMIA MORAVIA

Brno

Vienna BUKOVINA UPPER Bratislava AUSTRIA LOWER AUSTRIA Budapest VB. SALZB. STYRIA

TYROL CARINTHIA HUNGARY

CARNIOLA

CROATIA AND SLAVONIA AUSTRIAN LITTORAL

BOSNIA- HERZEGOVINA

Sarajevo

DALMATIA

burgenland today kingdom of hungary the kingdoms and lands represented in the imperial council external border of the dual monarchy austria–hungary until 1918 Naturally, the economic consequences of the Napoleonic Hungarian economy. In the same year and also later in wars, the economic crisis of 1811, the crop failures in 1845 1890 the Hungarian government passed laws promoting and 1846, as well as the revolution and the economic crisis industry. These laws provided “... the free transfer of land, in the year 1848 hit the economically weaker Hungarian exemption from federal, municipal and communal taxes half of the Empire considerably stronger than the Austrian and levies …” for investors. Consequently, a wave of half. The Crimean war (1853 – 1856), the war against industrial establishments was seen in Hungary. Sardinia-Piedmont and France in Italy in 1859, the Nevertheless, Hungary remained an agricultural country: confrontations in Schleswig-Holstein in 1864 and the war in 1913 the ratio agriculture : industry was 62 : 25 (in Austria against Germany and Italy in 1866 caused further burdens. it was 32 : 47) In the common market of the Danubian The compromise between Austria and Hungary in 1867 Monarchy Hungary did not have the possibility to use brought a customs and trade union between the two protective tariffs to sustain its position against the higher Empire halves for a period of 10 years which was to be re- industrialised Austria. Hungary’s economic backwardness negotiated every 10 years. In the following seven years a was in a deadlock. founding epoch started (“Gründerzeit”) in which also two record harvests occurred in 1867 and 1868. This era came In the 1st World War (1914 – 1918) Hungary provided 46.6% to an end on March 15th 1873 when the great Vienna stock of the soldiers of the Imperial and Royal Army. This led to exchange crash happened. Between May and November a dramatic lack of workforce in industry and agriculture. 1873 alone 39 banks and 19 construction and 20 building 50% of male employees in Hungarian agriculture were businesses went bankrupt in Austria-Hungary. The crisis conscripted. Furthermore, the costs of war constituted a reached all European countries leading to a massive heavy burden for the Hungarian half of the Empire. In total decrease in the demand for agricultural and industrial the Hungarian state spent 32 billion Kronen products. The politically tense climate between the (= 43.3 % of the Hungarian GDP) on the 1st World War. Danubian Monarchy and Germany caused Germany to drastically increase the tariffs for sheep’s wool goods and flour in 1881. A measure which considerably hurt the

the treaty of versailles, which was signed on june 28th 1919 and came into effect on january 10th 1920, officially ended the 1 st world war between the middle powers and the entente powers (great britain, france, italy). 182

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The Republic´s Cinderella Pinkafeld and Friedberg or the partial expansion of the road network. Especially the development of the economy In 1921 when Burgenland became part of Austria it was a in Southern Burgenland suffered from this fact. In 1929 the land of extensive agriculture with a minimum of industry, “Freie Burgenländer” newspaper described the situation separated from its urban centres (Mosonmagyarovar, as follows: “The Oberwart district gravitates towards Vienna, Sopron, Köszeg, Szombathely) through the border. The ... the Jennersdorf district gravitates towards Styria ... and borderline and the aftermath of the 2nd World War put the Güssing district – it seems to us – does not gravitate further strains on the already weakened economy. In 1922 at all: it vegetates at the most.” The world economic crisis a mere 31 industrial and mining enterprises with more than in 1929 constituted a further setback for Burgenland. 20 employees existed in Burgenland. Apart from Neufeld The number of industrial businesses in Burgenland an der Leitha, Zillingtal, Pinkafeld, Hirm and Siegendorf decreased from 36 (1930) to 25 (1933), in the construction there was hardly any industry worth mentioning. Only two sector which used to be quite strong the number of dozens of the 327 communities in Burgenland were supplied employees decreased from 4,140 (1929) to 2,152 (1933). Also with electricity. In terms of traffic there was no north-south tourism, which had started to timidly develop in the 1920s, connection, neither by train nor by road. All important roads experienced a massive slump. On the whole it can be said ran in west-east direction. The fact that Sopron, centre of that in the inter war period the shortfall of Burgenland’s economy in comparison with the rest of Austria even deteriorated. Vienna

Bratislava Erased and devastated

In 1938 with the National Socialist’s rise to power Burgenland was erased from the Moson County map. The north of Burgenland became part of the Reichsgau Lower Danube, the Sopron south of Burgenland was incorporated AT Budapest into Styria. Jewish stores and businesses Sopron County were looted and aryanized (expropriated); in the Oberwart district alone 9 agricultural businesses with a total of Szombathely 1,423 hectares of land were aryanized. Due to the hardly existing industry there were HU only very few enterprises being able to Vas County Graz supply the German Wehrmacht after the outbreak of the 2nd World War. In 1941 the sugar factory in Hirm was closed down and its machines were sold to Germany. After 1945 it could not be opened again. From 1944 on the so-called “Eastern Wall” the road network and an important commercial centre, was erected in Burgenland in order to stop the advance of had been separated from Burgenland only worsened the the Red Army. In March and April 1945 Burgenland became situation. Burgenland’s accession to Austria took place at a battleground which caused utter devastation. After a time of galloping inflation and high unemployment. The hostilities came to an end 1,200 dwellings were destroyed purchasing power of people in Burgenland was low, the completely, 4,000 were destroyed in parts and about 5,000 family owned agriculture secured most people’s survival. were damaged. Numerous plants, enterprises, farms, With the currency reform, the introduction of the Schilling telephone and electricity lines and a quarter of all bridges in March 1925, the Austrian federal government introduced were destroyed. a deflationary economic policy, which cut state expenditures massively, granting almost no financial assistance to the new province. Since Burgenland’s financial resources were limited, only very few projects to improve infrastructure could be put into practice: e.g. the rail connection between eisenstadt – bomb attack in 1944 184

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donau

eisenstadt – bomb attack in 1944 The Russian occupational zone Vienna

As from October 1st 1945 Burgenland became an independent province again. War damages, the reunification of Northern and Southern Burgenland SOVIET ZONE after a 7 year separation and the Russian occupying power seizing raw material DANUBE d and dismantling machines in plants, made a new economic beginning IRON CURTAIN difficult. 5 businesses, for example the antimony mine in Schlaining and the HU Esterhazy Domain were put under Soviet administration. The demarcation line cutting off economic relations to Styria (= British occupational zone) constituted BRITISH ZONE an additional obstacle for Southern Burgenland. In 1946 the worst war damages were removed and reconstruction began. Russian occupied Burgenland hardly profited from the “Marshall Plan” which led to an intensive phase of State Treaty and the beginning of industrialisation reconstruction in the rest of Austria. Until 1954 only 0.33 % of the total Marshall Plan funds for Austria flew into With the signing of the State Treaty and the withdrawal Burgenland. In 1946 25 industrial production facilities with of the Russian occupying power the economic paralysis of more than 20 employees were in operation again. In 1949 Burgenland was finally overcome. In June 1956 social the number had risen to 44 enterprises, 1948/1949 the partners in Burgenland founded the “Association for the construction of a north-south connection road was started. promotion of economy in Burgenland”. The “information Despite these successes the number of unemployed rose service for business start-ups in Austrian developing areas”, to 4,015 on an annual average in 1949, in 1953 it rose to a which was established in 1956 by the Austrian Ministry for record number of 8,067. This was primarily due to the Social Affairs declared the entire Burgenland as developing deflationary policy of the federal government which had area. In joint efforts the two institutions successfully put been on a strict savings policy since 1952 in order to stabilise economic measures into place. Targeted research on the value of the currency. In the second half of 1953 there locations for industrial dwellings was done and potential was a new orientation in economic policy strongly investors were attracted. Furthermore the sum of industrial promoting investments and exports. This led to an ongoing credits granted by the ERP Fund was doubled between 1954 phase of economic boom in and 1960. An important step towards an improvement in the other Austrian provinces. infrastructure was the establishment of BEWAG The economy of Burgenland (Burgenländische Elektrizitäts-Aktiengesellschaft), an which was lagging behind electricity supplier, owned by the provincial government and which had only very little in 1958. Thanks to these efforts a total of 33 industrial productivity (Gross output companies was founded between 1956 and 1960, followed value per capita in 1953 in by the establishment of an additional 40 industrial Austria: 24,330 Schilling, in companies between 1961 and 1963. The number of jobs in Burgenland: 7,030 Schilling) industry between 1956 and 1966 duplicated from 4,921 to profited only little from the boom and stayed in its shadow. 8,934. This increase happened almost exclusively in the low wage sector where especially women found low paid jobs. The percentage of unemployment declined from 186

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17.4 % in 1955 to 9.2 % in 1964. However, the number of 1985 to 1989 there were 32 business start-ups creating 833 commuters grew steadily as less people found work in new jobs and 34 business closings creating a minus of 886 agriculture due to structural change. Nevertheless, jobs. The number of commuters also remained high. At the Burgenland remained a region of agriculture as in 1961 1981 census 63,039 people in Burgenland stated to work 45 % of its GDP were generated in agriculture. in another province. The number of unemployed escalated from 2,797 to 6,154 between 1981 and 1985. Despite the Endeavours and setbacks economic boom at the end of the 1980s the number of unemployed remained high (1989: 5,100 in unemployment). From 1964 on economy became slow, in 1966 and 1967 it In 1985 the wine scandal occurred. It was triggered by some almost slumped. Industry broke down almost completely wine makers who had added illicit substances to wine and as big textile enterprises in Burgenland collapsed and which led to a total standstill of Burgenland’s wine exports. the coal mine in Tauchen was closed 1,150 people lost their In 1991 these developments prompted the authors of the jobs. In 1966 the provincial government of Burgenland article “Tendency to decline – The economic development founded an association promoting the establishment of of Burgenland” to give a pessimistic prognosis: ”On the industrial and other enterprises called BIBAG whole it has to be stated that the eternal dream of (Burgenländische Industrie- und Betriebsansiedelungs- peripheries to economically catch up with centres, which gesellschaft, today called WIBAG). Tourism developed is also valid for Burgenland, is definitely over. positively: The total number of overnight stays saw a two and a half fold increase between 1962 and 1972. At the end of the 1960s the economic situation improved, regional A dream comes true gross value added rose by a remarkable 11.5 % between 1968 and 1975, exceeding even the Austrian average of Two developments in Europe were decisive that the dream 11.3 %. In 1972 Burgenland’s industry had the highest growth of catching up in terms of economy became true for rate among all Austrian provinces. The world-wide recession Burgenland in the end: The fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 following the oil crisis in 1974/75 also left its marks in and Austria’s accession to the European Union in 1995. The Burgenland’s economy. The peak level of 11,890 employees collapse of the communist regime in Eastern Europe and in industry which had been reached in 1974 could not be the abolition of the dead border to the East of Austria upheld. In the second half of the 1970s it decreased slightly. caused that all of a sudden Burgenland was not situated During the recession at the beginning of the 1980s more at the periphery anymore but in the centre of Europe. Many businesses were closed than opened over the years. From entrepreneurs in Burgenland realized quite quickly the

the former foreign ministers of austria and hungary, alois mock (left) and gyula horn (right) cut the karl stix, provincial governor and bruce millan, ec commissioner for regional policy (march 1993) iron curtain together with provincial governor hans sipötz on june 27th 1989. advantages of the location and expanded successfully to installations of telecommunication infrastructure, 14 the East. (e.g. Leier Building Material).In 1993 and 1994 technology centres, business incubators and centres of Provincial Governor Karl Stix, the provincial government of competence, 10 projects of educational infrastructure (e.g. Burgenland and the Austrian federal government undertook Fachhochschulen), 10 thermal spa projects, 13 recreational everything in their power to ensure that after Austria’s EU facilities (recreational centres, hiking and biking trails) as accession Burgenland would be granted objective 1 funds. well as 14 projects in lake resorts in Burgenland. Between For example, Bruce Millan, the EU Commissioner for 1995 and 2005 private investors, the EU, the Austrian federal Regional Policy was flown to the poorest and most government and the provincial government of Burgenland backward regions in Southern Burgenland per helicopter. invested a total of almost EUR 2.7 billion in 32,806 projects Thanks to this intensive preparatory work objective 1 in Burgenland. Naturally, this had a tremendous positive funding was not an issue of discussion during accession impact on the entire economic development of the province: negotiations. (see interviews with Brigitte Ederer and Franz e.g. In the past 10 years about 10,000 new jobs were created. Vranitzky on page 36 and 43). The winemakers in (see interview with Andreas Kreutzer on page 61). In 2002 exports of businesses in Burgenland amounted to EUR Burgenland may be considered as the pioneers of the 809.5 million – an increase of 100 % compared to 1992. But upswing which took place in the middle of the 1990s. 10 Burgenland has also caught up tremendously in terms of years after the wine scandal many had switched from mass purchasing power. In 2002 Burgenland together with Tyrol production to quality production and the sensational 1995 took 6th place among the Austrian provinces –before Styria vintage led to international success. (see interview with and Carinthia which ranked last. These figures prove that Gerhard Kracher on page 85) today Burgenland is not the Republic’s Cinderella anymore, but a modern, self-confident province with a modern Starting in 1995 objective 1 funding initiated a new infrastructure and a dynamic, growth oriented economy. “Gründerzeit”: An unbelievable number of 8,800 businesses were established between 1995 and 2005. In 2005 alone there were 1,134 business start-ups. At the same time Burgenland’s infrastructure profited also from objective 1 funds. From 1995 to 2005 a total of EUR 216. 6 million of financial aids from the EU, the Austrian federal government and the provincial government Burgenland were spent on infrastructure projects. Among them were 10 water supply and sewage disposal projects, 3 economy parks, 22

welcome in nebersdorf: karl stix, provincial governor and bruce millan, ec commissioner for regional policy monika wulf-mathies, eu commissioner for regional policy and brigitte ederer, state secretary for european affairs and brigitte ederer, state secretary for european affairs 188

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objective 1 and objective euregio west nyugat pannónia

“Pannonia is my native country. It reaches to the Leitha river, has an almost Roman-Mediterranean climate and is a land of hills and wine.”

Arszin Miklós „Pannonien persönlich“, A book project of Regionalmanagement Burgenland (RMB), Eisenstadt 2001 euregio-secretariat interreg IIIa at-hu | funding: 100% implementing body: authority of the provincial government burgenland, dept. 5 190

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in economy the joint sources of power are becoming visible

INTERVIEW WITH PÀL STIPKOVITS Since 1994 mayor of the town of Mosonmagyaróvár, which is situated in Northwestern Hungary in the immediate proximity to Austria and Slovakia.

population, although some of them are only “guests” in our town. From the perspective of the Hungarian tax Q.: What do you love about Mosonmagyaróvár? system, they contribute only very little to the town’s income. PS.: Mosonmagyaróvár is a town of medium size, I know every street in it. And I know where to have a rest, go Q.: How do you see the future development of shopping or meet people. The past and the present can Mosonmagyaróvár? be found in this town at the same time and the natural stretches of water also give a special atmosphere to it. PS.: The most important points are:

Q.: Which things are of interest to a foreigner in • The expansion of specific services under the motto: “The Mosonmagyaróvár? healthy town”. • The creation of an EU-education and a centre for further PS.: The encounter of the Empires, starting with the Roman education and counselling at the university. Empire, the Habsburg Empire and socialism, which can • The strengthening of local patriotism in the town’s all be found in our town. The hospitality and the wide population and the positive reshaping of the residential range of services offer a large variety of possibilities to our environment, which in turn will increase the possibilities guests. The authorities of the town and of its surroundings for tourism. undertook nature protection measures and the people here respect nature. Q.: The triangle Vienna-Györ-Bratislava is also called “golden triangle”. How do you rate the prospects of the region? Q.: How important are the dental clinics, well known across the border, for the town’s economy? PS.: The region guarantees good accessibility from all directions, thus, investors may reach a larger market. PS.: Dental medicine is a significant field of employment. Logistic services may be strengthened and business The dentists also form an important part of the town’s relations may be consolidated. Q.: The mission statement of EuRegio West Nyugat Pannónia Q.: What will EuRegio West Nyugat Pannónia look like in says: “From me to us”. How much is the “us” spread in the the year 2050? EuRegio region? PS.: It will be open, there will be borders without PS.: At present the relations between people, between administrative obstacles, the education system will be regions and between businesses are quite strong. The harmonised and the mutual use of special resources will EuRegio idea is not felt very much, the direct contacts make EuRegio an exemplary region in Central Europe. could be developed into more broad contacts. Q.: In an interview for this book a 12 year-old student said:

Q.: Another point in the mission statement says: “to “Austria will remain a one horse town.” Seen from a global concentrate strengths.“ In your view, is this goal being perspective, will EuRegio West Nyugat Pannónia also remain achieved? a one horse town?

PS.: In economy the joint sources of power are becoming PS.: The ambitions and activities of the people who live visible, but joint regional development has not been here are much stronger. In addition, the Hungarian side started yet. It is difficult to overcome daily competitive feels more as the little brother or sister, as the good “child”, feelings and to achieve a competitive advantage by a joint which has great ambitions, but which is not yet an equal appearance. partner in the “family”.

Q.: It is a fact that in 2002 the GPD of Burgenland was 19 % below and that of Györ-Moson-Sopron 30 % below Q.: What do you appreciate about EuRegio West Nyugat the GDP average of the 25 EU members. Does EuRegio West Pannónia? Is it the common culture, the common unique Nyugat Pannónia, with all optimism, have a chance to catch landscape or the common culinary delights? up in terms of economy? PS.: The common history, which today we attribute only PS.: Regional funding will definitely have an impact, the little importance to, thus, drawing a border line between discrepancies between the small regions within the region Austria and Hungary. This common history is the basis of have to be diminished and the improvement of traffic the common culture, which today each part rather tends infrastructure and the protection of natural conditions to claim for itself instead of looking at it as a common have to be given priority. ground (e.g.: Haydn – Fertöd – Eisenstadt).

from left to right: szakács imre (g-m-s), hans niessl, markó péter (vas), kiss bódag zoltán (zala) 192

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objective 1 and objective regional management

„ … Burgenland cannot be imagined without it.“

Johann Binder, Business and Innovation Centre Burgenland, 2005 technology centre eisenstadt objective 1 | efrd | funding: 60 % implementing body: wibag 194

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regionalmanagement burgenland (rmb) INTERVIEW WITH THE EDITOR “Born” in 1995. Active in regional development for Burgenland. Represented at 3 locations: Eisenstadt, Pinkafeld and Güssing. 22 Employees.

Regionalmanagement Burgenland GmbH

RMB.: Monitoring is the recording of approved projects of the EU-funding programmes objective 1, innovative Q.: What is the relation between Regional Management actions and Leader in Burgenland. One can say that RMB Burgenland and this book? is in charge of “keeping the books” of EU-Programmes in RMB.: We are the editors. We thought of the idea to draw Burgenland on behalf of the provincial government. a balance after 11 years of objective 1 funding taking as Q.: What are the other tasks of RMB? many relevant aspects as possible into account. This is why we defined 11 topics respectively success chapters, RMB.: An additional and very important field of action is interviewing 3 people in each chapter. The idea was actually to provide information on the European Union. We deal triggered by people who frequently asked us: “What were with questions on funding programmes as well as with the actual effects of objective 1 funds in our province?” questions on the constitution. We hold lectures in schools, This book documents what happened and what was done inform the public and present successful EU-projects. To in the past 11 years. Since 1995 25,000 projects have been put it into a nutshell: The RMB acts as contact and first implemented. information point for all questions relating to the EU. Our successful information activities were also confirmed by Q.: When was Regionalmanagement Burgenland the European Commission: The RMB Team within the established? Europe information points “Europe Direct Northern RMB.: RMB was established in April 1995 in the course of Burgenland” and “Europe Direct Central and Southern Burgenland qualifying for objective 1 status. Burgenland” was added to the European wide information network of the European Commission. Q.: What are the tasks of RMB? Q.: Is it true that the Regionalmanagement Burgenland is RMB.: The scope of activities of RMB have constantly been also an implementing body? enlarged in the past 11 years. One of the core tasks of RMB is the so-called monitoring and internal evaluation. RMB.: Yes. The RMB acts as implementing body for the cross border funding programme Interreg IIIA and is in Q.: Can you explain in detail what this means? charge of the secretariat for the Interreg IIIB and Interreg IIIC Programme. Within Interreg IIIB and IIIC RMB supports “plan : b”, an EQUAL development partnership. The activities businesses and associations in Burgenland in their cross of “plan : b” aim at supporting women who are generally border efforts. The contacts and experiences which RMB in need of employment and women in long term unem- gained during its time as EuRegio secretariat prove to be ployment. Futhermore, women coming back from maternal very valuable now. Furthermore, the RMB acts as the leave with only low qualifications, who have the additional Technical Secretariat for the Interreg IIIC projects, SiTaR (Sustainability in Tourism and Resource Management) and problem of organising family and professional life and are SIC (Sustrain Implement Corridor). therefore limited in their mobility, are also supported.

Q.: What is the “Center for Creative Economy” dealing with? Q.: Is the RMB also dealing with “real” regional management? RMB.: It was established as department of RMB in 1993 and is the link between those active in the art and cultural Of course! We also fulfill the traditional tasks of scene in Burgenland and those of the traditional economic RMB.: areas. regional management on site. For example the marketing and management of Nature Parks in Burgenland. A further Q.: Is the RMB also active in the field of jobs? example is our regional manager South who is taking care RMB.: Yes, since the summer of 2005. At that time RMB of regional development and project management in the Güssing was entrusted with the entire co-ordination of districts of Jennersdorf and Güssing.

seated from left to right: georg schachinger, thomas grass, patricia feucht, susanne machart, thomas plank standing from left to right: sonja seiser, karin stricker, doris schneider, kirstin eckhardt (on maternity leave), fritz ehrenreiter, otto sebestyen, bianca weidinger, dietmar baurecht, christoph giefing not in the picture: harald ladich, daniela schuster, ulrike pichler (on maternity leave), beate tschida, sabine hutter, thomas böhm, roland kobald, tina fenz, tanja tormann, marlies kanz EDITORIAL DETAILS

Editor: RMB Regionalmanagement Burgenland GmbH

Idea, Co-ordination & Public Relations: Mag. Sonja C. Seiser, RMB

Graphics: HÄC-MÄC Grafik-Design, Eisenstadt

Text & Concept: Gerhard Loibelsberger, Vienna

Translation: Mag. Christiane Wucsits

Pictures: Walter Luttenberger, Manfred HorvatH, Andi Bruckner, APA, Burgenland Archive, Burgenland Tourist Board, RMB, Reinhard Gombas, Franziska Koller, Franz Kovacs

Print: Wograndl Printing, Mattersburg

gerhard loibelsberger, reinhard gombas, sonja seiser & jürgen zwingl