Austrian National Holiday (26 October): Open Day
On the Austrian national holiday on 26 October, numerous federal ministries as well as the Office of the Austrian President, the Austrian Parliament and the Constitutional Court in Vienna are staging an open day for the interested public. This peek behind the scenes is a chance for people to find out about the various areas of governmental responsibility. Several ministries are putting a special focus on the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Here is an overview of the various activities during the open day:
Federal Chancellery
Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz looks forward to meeting people personally at the open day on 26 October 2018.
On the national holiday on 26 October 2018, the Federal Chancellery once again invites all citizens to an open day.
Where: Federal Chancellery, Ballhausplatz 2, 1010 Vienna
When: 26 October 2018, 12:00-17:00 (last admission: 16:30)
Explore the Federal Chancellery on a guided tour through the state rooms. From 12:00‑15:00, you can also personally meet the members of the Austrian government Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Federal Minister Gernot Blümel and Federal Minister Juliane Bogner-Strauss as well as Government Spokesperson Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal. From 15:00, guides will be there for you to tell you all about the history and architecture of the rooms.
Children can slip into the role of a Cabinet member at the open day and record their ideas for the future of Austria in a video.
Office of the President of Austria
The 2018 open day in the Office of the President of Austria
Where: Office of the President of Austria, Hofburg, Bellariator, Ballhausplatz, 1010 Vienna
When: 12:00-15:00 (last admission: 14:30)
Until 15:00, you have the opportunity to personally meet Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and his wife Doris Schmidauer. On tours of the rooms, you can find out about interesting aspects of the Federal President's responsibilities and about the history of the building on Ballhausplatz.
Hashtags: #offenehofburg, #vanderbellen
Austrian Parliament
The 2018 open day at the sites of the Austrian Parliament
Where:
- The Hofburg/main entrance at Josefsplatz, Large Redouten Hall - assembly hall for both chambers, Small Redouten Hall, a meet & greet with members of the Austrian Parliament
- Official rooms of the president of the Federal Council
- Pavilion Hof – official rooms of the president of the National Council
- Square between the pavilions on Heldenplatz – exhibition entitled “Days of Decision. The Founding of the Republic in 1918” marking the centenary of the founding of the Republic of Austria
- Info point in the Burg pavilion – Core topic parliamentary government/history of the Heldenplatz/shop
- Info point Bau.Stelle – Presentation about the current progress on the renovation project/view of the construction site/a short film from the inside of the construction site/presentation of the parliament’s crowd-sourcing pilot project
- Palais Epstein – Parliamentary library/presentation of the National Fund/history of the palace
When: 10:00-17:00 (last admission: 16:00)
Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection
Consumer policy in the Social Ministry
Where: Heldenplatz
When: 25 October 2018, 08:00-16:00 and 26 October 2018, 09:00-17:00
The Consumer Protection Section in the Social Ministry is once again on hand at Heldenplatz to inform you about all essential issues concerning consumer protection law. You can also test your knowledge of several select areas of consumer protection. There are appreciation prizes for participating and ample praise if you show yourself to be an expert in the field.
Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research
The 2018 open day in the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research
Where: Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research, Minoritenplatz 5, 1010 Vienna
When: 10:00-16:00
On the Austrian national holiday on 26 October 2018, the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Research is staging an open day on the topic “A Europe that Educates”. Historical tours are conducted by the Federal Monuments Office at noon and 14:00 (also in Austrian Sign Language). The children’s choir Superar sings at 11:00 and at 12:00 in the Audienzsaal. Many other exciting projects are presented to the public on the Bel Étage of the building from 10:00-16:00. Free admission.
Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs
Where: Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Minoritenplatz 8, 1010 Vienna
When: 10:00-14:00
On tours, visitors can find out more about the activities of the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. The central topic this year is the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Children can look forward to special games and supervised activities.
Federal Ministry of Finance
Open day in the Winter Palace. Prince Eugene of Savoy’s Winter Palace is opening its gates
Where: Prince Eugene’s Winter Palace, Himmelpfortgasse 8, 1010 Vienna
When: 09:00-17:00
On 26 October 2018, Prince Eugene’s Winter Palace is opening its gates to the public. A diverse programme of activities awaits visitors from 09:00-17:00. Guests can ask questions about FinanzOnline and other topics while also getting to know the colleagues from Customs, including their four-legged partners. The highlights this year: meet & greet with Finance Minister Hartwig Löger from 12:00-15:00, tours of the baroque Winter Palace throughout the day, demonstrations by sniffer dogs and a programme featuring Finanzmusik.
Federal Ministry of the Interior
Open day in and around the Federal Ministry of the Interior
Where: Federal Ministry of the Interior, Minoritenplatz 9, 1010 Vienna
When: 09:00-16:00, tours through the historical Palais Modena from 10:00-15:00
The Federal Ministry of the Interior once again opens its doors to all on the Austrian national holiday from 09:00-16:00, offering the interested public views of the historical rooms in the former Palais Modena. From 12:00-15:00, the public has an opportunity to visit Interior Minister Herbert Kickl and State Secretary Karoline Edtstadler in their offices.
On 26 October 2018, the Interior Ministry once again invites the public to an open day. From 09:00-16:00, visitors are treated to a diverse programme in and around the Interior Ministry on Minoritenplatz. The Austrian special police force Cobra will be on hand, as well as the association CopArt, the initiative GEMEINSAM.SICHER (safe together) and criminal investigation police consultants.
In addition, there are presentations about police recruitment, SKKM (government crisis and disaster management), civil defence, bomb squads, the Austrian Red Cross with “Team Austria”, the Austrian Fire Brigade Association, water rescue, the lake and river services of the police, the Alpine Police, cave rescue and mountain rescue, as well as KSÖ (Austrian safety board).
Federal Ministry of Defence
Federal Ministry of Defence and Sport, Information and Performance Show in Vienna
Where: Heldenplatz, Burgtheater, Schottengasse, Freyung, Am Hof, Graben and Michaelerplatz
When: Throughout the day
Every year on the national holiday, the Austrian Armed Forces stage their traditional information and performance show in the capital city. This year, the interested public can once again find out about the varied range of tasks of the Austrian Armed Forces as well as their ongoing operations and current projects.
On special themed islands and in dynamic demonstrations, the Austrian Armed Forces demonstrate their varied tasks and the professional high-tech equipment that soldiers are given to perform those tasks. The public can watch an interesting show up close, in which a wide variety of helicopters and tanks are presented along with state-of-the-art military equipment for domestic and foreign tasks, competence in disaster management, protection of critical infrastructure and cyber defence. Ceremonial acts in accordance with state protocol and the mass swearing-in of more than 1000 recruits are just two more of the many highlights awaiting visitors.
If you have any questions about the Austrian Armed Forces, mobile information troops and information officers at the info point in front of the Burgtheater are happy to help. Of course, you can also ask the on-site military service consultants from the Armed Forces Personnel Office about opportunities for careers or for basic and continuing education and training in the Austrian Armed Forces. The mobile client offices of the Armed Forces Personnel Office are located on Heldenplatz, next to the Burgtheater and Am Hof.
Information brochure (PDF, 3630 KB)
Federal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, Deregulation and Justice
Open day at the Justizpalast
Where: Justizpalast, Schmerlingplatz 11, 1011 Vienna
When: 10:00-18:00
On the national holiday on 26 October 2018, the Justizpalast in Vienna is staging an open day for the interested public from 10:00-18:00. This is a chance to get to know this historically and architecturally interesting building on free tours. The Justizpalast is home to three different courts: the Austrian Supreme Court, the Vienna Higher Regional Court and the Vienna Civil Regional Court. The Procurator General’s Office and the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for Vienna are also housed in this building. The Justizcafé on the roof is open on the national holiday as well. It affords a magnificent view of the historical centre of Vienna.
Constitutional Court
Open Day at the Constitutional Court
Where: Freyung 8, 1010 Vienna
When: 13:00-17:00
The Constitutional Court is also taking part in this year’s open day on the Austrian national holiday. From 13:00 to 17:00, President Brigitte Bierlein, Vice-President Christoph Grabenwarter and Judge Georg Lienbacher will be available to answer all questions on consitutional jurisdiction and the rule of law.