Ambassador Petra Schneebauer warmly welcomed AASFW guests to the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC on April 29, 2025, for an unforgettable cultural program of music, memory, and international connection. The event opened with the inauguration of the exhibition Controlled Freedom: The Allied Forces in Vienna 1945–1955. With an introduction by curator Professor Oliver Rathkolb, Ambassador Schneebauer officiated the unveiling of this powerful installation in the embassy’s atrium.

Made possible with the support of the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation and on view at the Wien Museum, the exhibition explores Vienna’s postwar transformation and shows how the city revived its cultural life quickly after liberation, despite hardship and devastation. As Allied forces brought both challenges and unprecedented artistic influence, this period helped shape Austria’s independent democratic identity, and the exhibition captures that remarkable story with clarity and depth.

Following this moving presentation, guests gathered for a recital hosted by the Austrian Cultural Forum. Celebrated Austrian soprano Dr. Lydia Rathkolb, accompanied by American pianist Mark Irchai, performed selections from the first Salzburg Festival song recital after World War II. The program featured timeless works by W.A. Mozart and Franz Schubert, alongside deeply evocative pieces by exiled and persecuted composers including Gustav Mahler, Erich Zeisl, and Leonard Bernstein.

The program offered a thoughtful reflection on resilience, creativity, and cultural legacy—values shared across generations and borders. AAFSW extends its deepest thanks to the Austrian Embassy, the performers, and all our members and guests who made this meaningful program so memorable.

Celine Ford

April 30, 2025

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