Greetings from Vienna, Austria

City: Vienna

Country: Austria

• What end of year festivities will be taking place in your city?

There are numerous Christmas markets, on the one hand taking place in public spaces and on the other hand in fenced off areas like for example the grounds around palaces like the Schönbrunn castle, the Belvedere or in the Museums Quarter.

Vienna is also well known for the “Sylvester Pfad”. This is an event that offers kiosks with food and drinks as well as a series of stages with music performances along a defined path through the historical centre of the city. The celebration ends right in the heart of Vienna around St. Stephan Cathedral. About 700.000 people participate in the spectacle.

For 60 years the famous New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra is broadcast all over the world from the Great Hall of the Wiener Musikverein. The premises host approximately 2000 guests.

• Could you please describe briefly what additional measures are being taken to secure your city’s public spaces during the festivities?

Generally speaking there is a strategy that has been elaborated between the Police Departement and the referring staff units of the City. The additional measures comprise above all temporary obstacles to mitigate truck attacks and more security personnel including the staff of the Viennese Police department. We do not increase the use of CTV from what is already in placeall year round. All measures follow the motto not to frighten the public. We try for example to hide obstacles behind or in decorative devices, like huge Christmas parcels.  

• What are the main challenges?

The main challenge is to provide high safety levels without disturbing everyday life.