Austrian Folk 61crossroads intellectually, artistically and politically. Vienna
was Austria’s centre, and it was a great mix of faces. A ditty
was sung in the late 19th century epitomising the mixture:
‘The Christians, the Turks, the Heathen and Jew
Have dwelt here in ages old and new
Harmoniously and without any strife
For everyone’s entitled to live his own life.’In fact, no Austrian today could trace his roots in unbroken
lines to his great-grandfather. Yet, most ethnic groups, except
the Hungarians who formed part of the empire at one time,
are not completely accepted. The Slavs, i.e. Czech, Croatian,
Polish or Slovakian, are especially unpopular. The Turks
and Yugoslavians have been working in Vienna for over 50
years and are still seen as outsiders and often treated badly.
Recent immigration has come from the war-torn lands of the
former Yugoslavia, Turkey and Nigeria. Many migrants are
illegal aliens: some have sought political asylum, and others
have gone through the proper channels to obtain residency
permits or citizenship.
Many immigrants were brought in as Gastarbeiter or
guest workers following World War II. Most of them are
hardworking, pay their taxes and contribute to the social
system. In fact, the Employers’ Federation is one of their
main supporters. Immigrants fill a variety of jobs: they are
manual or hard labourers working on construction sites,
some are custodians and maids,
others sell newspapers and
flowers, open up restaurants
(especially the Chinese, Turks
and Croatians) and shops, and
yet more are taxi drivers. Some
gain a good education and
become professionals.
Some Austrians still deprecate
Turks and other dark-skinned
people because they look and
act differently. Many are called
Most immigrants have settled
in Vienna. In fact, 10 per cent of
Vienna’s population is foreign.
Most live in the 2nd–6th, 16th
and 22nd districts. Hungarians
and Croatians live mainly in
Burgenland, while Carinthia
is home to many Slovenians.
Muslim women from Bosnia or
Turkey are easy to spot as they
wear scarves and long dresses or
long coats. They are often seen
in the parks with their families,
enjoying picnics or barbecues on
warm summer weekends.