Viennese Elite Toast “Praise the Martini!” at annual Martinigans Dinner
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A celebration of Austrian culture, gastronomy, and camaraderie unfolded on November 4th as Vienna’s leading artists and public figures gathered at the historic Marchfelderhof for the annual Martinigans dinner. The event, steeped in tradition, offered a vibrant display of Viennese Schmäh, culinary delights, and musical performances.
The Martinigans tradition, traditionally linked to the feast of St. Martin, sees Viennese society shift its focus from the spring asparagus season to the autumnal celebration of the Martini – a young wine – and the iconic goose. This year’s dinner, hosted by Peter Großmann, drew a large crowd to the festively decorated tapestry hall in Deutsch-Wagram.
A gathering of Austria’s Cultural Luminaries
leading the festivities was Jazz Gitti, whose powerful voice and appetite set the tone for the evening.Among the attendees were actor Gerhard Ernst,entertainer Andy Lee Lang,society figure Christina Lugner,and a host of other prominent individuals from the Austrian cultural landscape. The evening’s atmosphere was skillfully guided by Alexander Rüdiger, a former chef’s apprentice at the Marchfelderhof and seasoned television presenter, who charmed guests with his wit and anecdotes.
Musical highlights included performances by Gernot and Stella Kranner, Berny Schremmer, and DJ Ostkurve (Günter Kunz-Hager). A notably poignant moment arrived with a rendition of “Just a Picture of You,” coinciding with the song’s 60th anniversary, prompting emotional responses from the audience. DJ Ostkurve, known for his remix of “Ambros” which has garnered over 44 million views on YouTube, hinted at future reinterpretations of the classic track. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOUR_YOUTUBE_LINK
Culinary Delights and Lively Conversation
The dinner itself was a showcase of Austrian gastronomy, featuring crispy goose, goose liver mousse, and steaming goose soup, paired with young wine from winemaker Katharina Baumgartner. Conversations flowed freely between opera singer Thomas Weinhappel, former minister Werner Fasslabend and his wife Martina, bestselling author Clemens Trischler, cabaret artist Gernot Haas, and star violinist Barbara Helfgott.
A playful spirit permeated the event, as evidenced by the comments of several attendees. Award-winning chefs Heinz Hanner, Robert Letz, and Manfred Buchinger expressed their eagerness for the next goose season, while singer Beatrice Turin playfully planned to extend the evening by taking half of her goose home.
An Unplanned Jam Session and a Celebration of Austrian Identity
As the evening progressed, an impromptu musical jam session erupted, with Herbert Frei, Mike Korner, and Alexander Klement joining guest musician Gary Howard on guitar.The Gobelinsaal transformed into a lively musical space, filled with renditions of “Only You,” “weilst mei freind bist,” and a unique unplugged version of “Schifoan.” The culmination of the evening arrived when attendees united in a chorus of “I am from Austria,” underscoring the event’s celebration of Viennese lifestyle and national pride.
The Martinigans dinner at the Marchfelderhof proved to be more than just a feast; it was a vibrant expression of Austrian culture, community, and the enduring spirit of Gemütlichkeit.
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Other events in Vienna included celebrities volunteering at the “Schokomichi” factory, the awarding of the Gold Medal of Honor to Vera Hofbauer-Russwurm, and Rozalija Gregurek’s contributions to the city’s event scene.
