Germanic People - Culture and Language
The Habsburg Emperor, Franz Josef, was crowned in 1848 at the age of 18 and ruled until his death in 1916. He is remembered throughout the world for the elaborate galas and state affairs that he and his beloved Empress hosted. Their pageantry and spirit of imperial beauty and dignity have inspired many organizations to celebrate the culture and contributions of the Germanic people.
The Habsburg Royal Family can be traced to the 10th Century where they had estates in Alsace and Switzerland. The family took its name from a castle in Switzerland. The Habsburg Royal Family ruled for centuries over vast territories in western and Eastern Europe. The people who governed in these territories were referred to as the Germanic people. The term Germanic people encompasses a vast array of ethnic and cultural heritages. Their common thread is their language - a sub-family of the Indo-European languages derived through the ages with influences from Latin and other parent languages.
Those claiming Germanic heritage include citizens with ancestry from Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Lichtenstein, former states of Yugoslavia, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Norway, Italy, Spain, Luxemburg, Austria and of course Germany.
Vienna's History and Culture
To this day, Vienna captures our imagination for its romance and Old World charm. Various aspects of her history and culture are recognized around the world.
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is home to the famous Lipizzaners, a spectacular troop of white stallions. The school was founded in 1572 and harkens back to traditions from the Roman era. Their performances to this day continue to elicit awe in the exacting formation and movements of these beautiful creatures and their well disciplined and magnificently dressed riders. The Habsburg Emperor Franz Josef and his wife Sissi, an accomplished horsewoman in her own right, greatly enjoyed and were patrons of the School.
Austria is one of the smaller countries found in Europe. Over the centuries, though, it has ruled vast areas of the continent from France to Russia and from the Baltic Sea to Turkey. This interaction with such diverse peoples has provided it a heritage of great depth and richness. This heritage has provided Austria with a unique sense of their place in the world. It is a country known for its charm and beautiful sites, delicious pastries and grand music. Please visit the website of the Austrian National Office of Tourism to learn more of this intriguing country.
The Emperor Franz Josef, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his reign, commissioned a special medal, which he awarded to those with whom he had found particular favor. The "Signum Memoriae" is a beautiful medal and was worn on the front is Franz Josef. The words on the back of the "Signum Memoriae"refer to the various dominions over which he ruled including: Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia and Hungary. It is noted "in memory of" 1848-1898. As an added touch of elegance and grace, the coin is printed in Latin.
Waltz
The waltz is a most beautiful dance. Some have referred to it as The Perfect Movement - a sentiment captured in a famous painting by Wilhelm Gause: Der Hofball (1900). Although the waltz was not developed in Vienna, it came to be associated with the extravagant and magical balls held at the court of the Habsburg Emperors.
Johann Strauss II and his music have come to be synonymous with Viennese Balls. His music helped to define the tone and tempo of the Viennese Waltz. His waltzes are known for their lightness and beauty. One of his most famous waltzes, originally written as a choral waltz-sequence, is the An der schönen, blauen Donau (The Blue Danube). To learn more about this most famous Austrian composer please go to the website maintained by the Johann Straus Society of Great Britain.