ABS News December 2023

December 2023

Editorial
Presidential Message: Members acquire new members
Have you missed our November events?
Events to the end of 2023
ABS Blog: Are we in for (another) nasty year?
Theatre tipp: "The P Word" - By Waleed Akhtar
Christmas Recipies: Happy culinary!
The Last Page

EDITORIAL

Dear Members and Friends of the ABS,

"Who turned the clock? Is it really that late already?" That's a nursery rhyme from my childhood - and the statement is still valid, or even more so the older I get. Time flies by and we are fast approaching the turn of the year.

It has been an incredible year in many ways, and I hope it has been happier and more peaceful for you in your personal lives than it has been and continues to be in the world. May we all keep our spirits high and be fuelled by good news. Our social media feeds mirror what we feed ourselves with because the more negative things we consume, the more negative things we are confronted with via the algorithms. So, let’s take care of our mental health!

As members of the ABS Board, we aim to support you wholeheartedly with knowledge, entertainment and friendship! As we have done throughout the year, we will continue to do our utmost for you as a distinguished member in 2024!

Yours, Jochen Ressel,

ABS Secretary General & ABS News Editor-in-Chief

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

Members acquire new members

We have had around 400 paying members on a regular basis for many years now. The total number remains the same, but we still observe periodic fluctuation. We lose a few members every month, but new ones come back, too. 400 is our new lucky number: 400 members and 400 events in the last 13 years!

We were particularly successful last month. No members lost, but we achieved a record monthly result with 11 new members. What's special about it is that existing members recruited all new members, not just the absolute number. The concept of "members acquire new members" seems to be becoming more and more effective, which we are, of course, very happy about. And this is especially true because we don't offer any acquisition bonuses. There is only the thanks of the entire board - this from the bottom of our hearts.

With this in mind, I would like to appeal to all members to continue to recruit new members from your circle of friends and acquaintances for the ABS! Ultimately, it also benefits you, as all our events are financed exclusively by your membership fees and sponsorship from our ABS Corporate members.

Prof KR Dr Kurt Tiroch
ABS President

HAVE YOU MISSED OUR NOVEMBER EVENTS?

The monthly chance to catch up!

Of course, we are all under time pressure and can only sometimes fulfil all our obligations and invitations. That’s why the ABS offers a unique service: all events are carefully documented - with an exciting follow-up report and many photos. What we cannot provide electronically, however, is the opportunity to socialise with like-minded people. We would, therefore, be delighted if you could join us live at ABS events as often as possible.

These are the reports on what we were able to offer our members in November:

What we missed ot report about in our last edition of ABS News: E-mobility - The Chinese Power

Ein außergewöhnlicher Vortrag bei Denzel mit
dem Vorstandsvorsitzenden Mag. Gregor Strassl.

„Die österreichische Innenpolitik im Spannungsfeld mit der Europäischen Union“

Rückblick auf den Vortrag und die Diskussion mit Bundesministerin für EU und Verfassung im Bundeskanzleramt, Mag. Karoline Edtstadler, in der Diplomatischen Akademie.

„The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Diplomacy- Wie Diplomatie die Welt erklärt“

Rückblick auf den literatrischen Abend mit unserem Ehrenpräsidenten und ehemaligen UK–Botschafter Leigh Turner im Cafe Ministerium.

"Harris Tweed – und der Britische Geheimdienst"

Rückblick auf den traditionellen House-of-Scotland-Abend mit dem Vortrag von Peter Bichler.

EVENTS TO THE END OF THE YEAR

The traditional Christmas-Charity-Konzert

by and with the State Opera baritone Clemens Unterreiner
on behalf of the charity project „HILFSTÖNE“
Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, 7pm
Lutherische Stadtkirche, Dorotheergasse 18, 1010 Vienna
This year's star line-up from the State Opera, Burgtheater and concert stage guarantees a contemplative and unforgettable evening.
For ABS Corporate members only! (If you want more information about it click here!)

The traditional ABS Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 20th, 2023, 6pm
Sala Terrena of Ferdinandihof, 1050 Vienna
For further details, see the invitation already delivered to your email inbox.

THE NEW ABS BLOG ARTICLE

"Are we in for (another) nasty year?"

This is the oppressive question that our ABS Vice President Alexander Christiani confronts us with in his new ABS Blog article. There is no doubt that it is more than appropriate to address this question, as the aim is to ensure that we are correctly polarised for the coming year, as well as to review and, if necessary, adjust our expectations.

The ABS blog articles are a clear signal that the ABS not only organises beautiful and interesting events, but also offers food for brain. So enjoy reading and reflecting on it! As always, your comments are highly appreciated!

Click here to read this ABS Blog article online

Click here to download this ABS Blog article

A TIPP OF VIENNA THEATRE PROJECT

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"The P Word" - By Waleed Akhtar

'I’m not in your Britain. I’m in another Britain.’
Zafar flees homophobic persecution in Pakistan to seek asylum in the UK. Londoner Bilal (or Billy as he prefers to be known) is ground down by years of Grindr and the complexity of being a brown gay man. Their worlds are about to collide and change forever.

Moving through casual hook-ups to the UK’s hostile environment, Waleed Akhtar’s sharp-witted and devastating new play charts the parallel lives of two gay Pakistani men. This story of who wins in the luck of life’s draw was a new Bush Theatre commission. It was extended from its initial running time, in London, due to its immense popularity. It went on to win Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre at the 2023 Olivier Awards. Waleed Akhtar was named Most Promising New Playwright at the 2023 OffWestEnd Awards.

Directed by Joanna Godwin-Seidl

Sound & Film: Dave Moskin

27th November – 9th December 2023, 20:00
Running time 1hr 30mins
Theater Drachengasse, Drachengasse 2, 1010 Vienna
Tickets: +43-1-5131444 or click here:

Click for tickets

CHRISTMAS RECIPIES

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Happy culinary!

The Christmas season is also a time of culinary delights. The Austro-British Society sweetens this time with classic British recipes provided by our ABS Board member Joanna Godwin-Seidl.