In honor of the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss’s birth, the Austrian Embassy in Prague hosted on 3rd of June an elegant cultural event titled “Frauen um Strauss”, a literary-musical performance written by renowned Austrian playwright Susanne Felicitas Wolf. The evening offered a unique blend of dramatic reading by Katharina Stemberger and live music by Elena Gertcheva at the piano, paying tribute not only to the life and legacy of the “Waltz King,” but also to the influential women who surrounded and inspired him.

Held at the residence of Her Excellency Dr. Bettina Kirnbauer, the Austrian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, the event was a testament to the enduring cultural ties between Austria and the Czech Republic. Ambassador Kirnbauer personally welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening mutual understanding between nations.

The performance, which had also been staged in Vienna, captivated the Prague audience with its rich narrative and emotive musical interludes drawn from the works of Johann Strauss. Through carefully selected passages and melodies, the audience was transported into the private and public world of the iconic composer, learning about the muses, companions, and female figures who played significant roles in his artistic journey.

The evening was made possible through the collaboration between the Austrian Embassy and the Association of Austrians in the Czech Republic (Vereinigung der Österreicher in Tschechien), under the leadership of its chairman, Erwin Hanslik. Their joint effort ensured not only a memorable artistic experience but also a reaffirmation of the shared cultural heritage that connects Austria and its neighbors.

Following the performance, guests were invited to a charming cocktail reception in the garden of the Ambassador’s residence. In the pleasant evening atmosphere, members of the diplomatic, cultural, and expatriate communities gathered to share impressions, engage in lively conversation, and celebrate the timeless beauty of Strauss’s music. It was a night of elegance, reflection, and cultural unity—fitting for the bicentennial of one of Austria’s greatest musical figures.

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