More than 90 alums, partners, and friends of Fulbright Austria from both sides of the Atlantic gathered at Billrothhaus in Vienna for our fifth annual SummerFest. During the event, we raised funds for future travel and relocation allowances and celebrated the significant impact our programs and program participants have had on individuals and communities in Austria and the US.
SummerFest 2024: Recap
6 June 2024Fulbright Austria’s fifth annual SummerFest took place on 23 May 2024 in Vienna in the Grand Library at Billrothhaus.
The event was opened by Hermann Agis, Fulbright Austria’s executive director; Elizabeth Martin-Shukrun, counselor for public affairs, US Embassy Vienna; and Franziska Honsowitz-Friessnigg, director of the Department for International Scientific Cooperation and Dialogue at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. Following the opening remarks, 2023–24 US Fulbright combined grantee Amanda Riggenbach and 2022–23 Austrian Fulbright FLTA Toni Grgic shared their Fulbright experiences with attendees.
After the opening, community members enjoyed a delightful reception and raffle. 15 raffle items, generously donated by our diverse community members, boosted our core fundraising efforts. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the generous raffle donors for their community-building gifts and vouchers.
© Adrian Almasan
© Adrian Almasan- 1x dinner with H. Agis and his family
- 1x book entitled Sovereignty: Overcoming Authoritarianism from J. Chudoba
- 1x set of three books read in Fulbright Austria’s Red, White, and Book Club from Fulbright Austria and EducationUSA Austria
- 1x Viennese waltz lessons from R. Gabler-Schachermayr
- 1x figurative art print Snakes (2005) by Austrian artist Christian Platny from A. Ganser
- 1x Vienna Prater Card loaded with a generous €100 credit from I. Geier
- 1x pair of tickets to the Burgtheater from L. Hofmann
- 1x pair of tickets to the 2025 Vienna Ball of Sciences from O. Lehmann
- 1x book entitled Auf Wiedersehen, Kinder! by L. Maier
- 1x set of four Center for Inter-American Studies tin cups from R. Maierhofer
- 1x free music lesson from N. Matthys
- 1x backstage tour of the drawings collection at the Vienna Theatermuseum from A. McCargar
- 1x book entitled Wie man die lebenswerteste Stadt der Welt überlebt from A. Rainer
- 1x book entitled Mit Moby Dick aufs Containerschiff – Wie Bücher unser Leben verändern from R. Schwarz
- 1x book entitled Dance of the Photons from A. Zeilinger
Fulbright Austria captured the excitement and energy of the evening with a video and photo album (see below) as well as a press release (in German) available on the Austria Press Agency’s website.
We would also like to thank everyone for their incredible support and for advocating on behalf of Fulbright Austria. Thanks to our community’s generosity, we raised more than €5,000 for future Fulbrighters!
If you too would like to donate to help us continue creating meaningful experiences, please use the button below. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s SummerFest!