At the hinge of Europe: stunning Vorarlberg

What has been the most unexpected hit video I have put on Twitter during my time as Ambassador in Vienna?

The answer is, indeed, not what you would expect.

I recently visited the most westernmost province of Austria, Vorarlberg.  Lying on Lake Constance (known in German as the Bodensee), and bordering Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Vorarlberg is distant both geographically and, some would argue, culturally from Vienna.  Vorarlbergers like to point out that they are as close to Paris as their own capital, around 500 kilometres to the east.

Those differences were apparent when, driving towards Vorarlberg through the 14 kilometre-long Arlberg tunnel from Tyrol, we emerged into a spectacular landscape of snowy mountains and frozen forests.

Our first call in Vorarlberg, to which I was accompanied by our long-serving British Honorary Consul in Vorarlberg, Paul Senger-Weiss, was on provincial Governor (Landeshauptmann) Markus Wallner.  We discussed Brexit, business and future cooperation.  It is striking that from the Governor’s office, you can see three countries – the hinge of Europe indeed.

Our visit to Vorarlberg had a business focus.  We called on Zumtobel, an Austrian light fittings manufacturer which, with over 1,300 employees in the UK, is one of Austria’s largest investors there. In a discussion on Brexit, they emphasised that the UK had always been their second “home market” with a number of clear advantages in local UK manufacturing capabilities, and that so far the result of the referendum had had no visible impact.  I was struck by the high-tech aspects of the business – not only more advanced, brighter and more energy-saving lighting technology, but combining lighting with motion sensors and other elements to maximise efficient use of space and energy.

We also called on Julius Blum: one of Europe’s most advanced hinge-makers. Look at the hinges inside your fitted cupboard doors and you are likely to find a Blum product. Blum, too, have invested in the UK and we explored further opportunities for cooperation.

It was at Blum that we made a short video of me opening and closing one of their advanced drawer systems. I wouldn’t say it went viral, but it certainly proved popular:

Trying out latest #Austrian hinge technology at world leader @blumuk in #Vorarlberg – keen to explore co-operation pic.twitter.com/H2hxpdb4HF

— Leigh Turner (@LeighTurnerFCO) January 18, 2017

Also in Vorarlberg, we met the President of the local Landestag (parliamentary assembly) Harald Sonderegger. I also welcomed the opportunity to do an interview at the impressive offices of the Vorarlberger Nachrichten.

My visit to Vorarlberg was a reminder of the immense geographical and cultural diversity in Austria. With a population of under 400.000, Vorarlberg has a smaller economy than some other Länder.  But the highly-developed and export-orientated economy give it a particularly high level of external trade.

My one regret from the visit was that I didn’t manage to try any of the famous Vorarlberger Kässpätzle (dumplings with mountain cheese).  Sounds to me like another reason to come back soon.