This blog post was published under the 2015 to 2024 Conservative government

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Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Part of UK in Austria

28th February 2017 Vienna, Austria

At the hinge of Europe: stunning Vorarlberg

Lindauer Hütte mit den drei Türmen/Montafon

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:

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.

3 comments on “At the hinge of Europe: stunning Vorarlberg

  1. Dear Mr. Ambassador,
    I just read your comment of your Vorarlberg visit and was very pleased about. So nice to hear, that British like our province.
    I am very sorry, that the U.K. will be leaving the EU. I also do not understand that step. Since I was a young girl and student, Great Britain always has been part of our life – in school learning english, visiting London and closer area, fashion, music etc.etc. In any case I do hope that the relationship between our two countries will not change in the future. Yours sincerely, Anna M. Schweigkofler

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About Leigh Turner

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of…

I hope you find this blog interesting and, where appropriate, entertaining. My role in Vienna covers the relationship between Austria and the UK as well as the diverse work of the UN and other organisations; stories here will reflect that.

About me: I arrived in Vienna in August 2016 for my second posting in this wonderful city, having first served here in the mid-1980s. My previous job was as HM Consul-General and Director-General for Trade and Investment for Turkey, Central Asia and South Caucasus based in Istanbul.

Further back: I grew up in Nigeria, Exeter, Lesotho, Swaziland and Manchester before attending Cambridge University 1976-79. I worked in several government departments before joining the Foreign Office in 1983.

Keen to go to Africa and South America, I’ve had postings in Vienna (twice), Moscow, Bonn, Berlin, Kyiv and Istanbul, plus jobs in London ranging from the EU Budget to the British Overseas Territories.

2002-6 I was lucky enough to spend four years in Berlin running the house, looking after the children (born 1992 and 1994) and doing some writing and journalism.

To return to Vienna as ambassador is a privilege and a pleasure. I hope this blog reflects that.