Souvenir aus Wien [antikvár]

A SOUVENIR OF VIENNA To know Vienna is, in a sense, to undergo a miraculous transformation. This most beautiful of all Danubian metropolitan cities draws the feelings of the visitor away from the stress of life towards the joy of living, combined with a feeling of respect for her history, wonder at the grandeur of her buildings and esteem for her modern achievements. Thus the visitor experiences metaphorically, and often literally, a wine infused exhilaration. Ideally the praises of Vienna should be SUNG, rather than written as with other famous cities in the world, and the song should be about this City of the Muses, this Capital of Music. In fact one does sing about Vienna,songs, operettas, musical plays and even newspaper articles which serve as informatory 'programmes' teliing us, for instance, of the onetimeruling Habsburgs and how they gradually transformed their residential headquarters into a modern city, whose hypnotic dynamism is nobiy fashioned into Viennese charm. Today Vienna is the natural centre of a Europe which stretches from the Atlantic to the Llrals. World organlsations have chosen this city, the "Stadt der Lieder", the City of Song, as their domicile while her importance and influence expands. In Vienna the zest for living comes naturally and is pleasant to experience. At any season to any nation or temperament the City charmingly responds.She softens the heart of the most hard-boiled cynic or sophisticated cosmopolitan. Like a beautiful mistress she reposes with a sweet inviting smile of promise in the tender care of the soft hills of the Wienerwald by the river Danube. The landscape, still much the same as nature fashioned it, is gently broken up into city gardens and parks. The trees, blossoms, flowers and fountains with their tantalising freshness pay homage to imposing buildings and monuments of every age and style. In the heart of Vienna Stephansdom rises into the sky. All around is a patina of Occidental culture and imperial splendour while the assured poise of her inhabitants is expressed by the houses in which they live. From the highest viewpoint of the Steffl.the ever used intimate name for Stephansdom, the eye reaches the sparkling horizon. From the green fertlle plain stand out the shining oil refineries, the Donauturm, the Giant Wheel, the jet age Alrport and the residential areas. Vienna is the home of a population which through the vibrating years of siege, plague, revolution and liberation has acquired the priceless talent and ability to see the best side of life. One SHOULD sing about Vienna. It is hoped that this small souvenir may be considered a further volume of praise in which we invite you to jóin, in the spirit in which it is set out.