| M | T | W | T | F | S | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 |
Today
Videos
Polls
RSS Feed General News13. 11. 12. - 16:00
Swarovski in row over animal ball cash
The future of Vienna’s first ball for animals is now in doubt less than a week after it happened in the newly renovated Parkhotel Schönbrunn.
A damaging row has broken out between the balls high-profile patron Fiona Swarovski and its organiser Brigitte Martzak. The ‘Tierball’ was expected to become an annual fixture in the Viennese ball calendar, a dream that is now in doubt.
But according to Austrian newspaper Heute the organisers pocketed 20% of the donations for themselves to cover their costs and they quoted Martzak as saying: "My team and I worked one year to realise this project and we worked hard and we can't just live from air and love."
Animal-lovers were invited to buy tickets at what was billed as Vienna’s first ever ‘Tierball’ (ball for animals) - held a mere whisker away from Schönbrunn Zoo in the Austria Trend Parkhotel Schönbrunn.
Brigitte Martzak who founded the animal charity ‘Team for Animal Protection’ in 2007 had even received endorsement from Mayor Dr Michael Häupl, Councillor for the Environment Mag. Ulli Sima - and had as its patron animal loving crystal heiress Fiona Swarovski.
But Fiona is now no longer backing the organisation and has stepped down as the figurehead. The row centres around a claim from Martzak to have not earned enough money – saying that only 5,000 euros has been transferred which didn't even cover the cost of the event. But that didn't wash with Fiona who said that she alone had arranged for 70,000 euros in funding and she now wants to know where the money went and to look at the charity's bank accounts.
She said that as she was the patron she had a right to see them and added: "Up until now I still don't have any clarity over the organisation and the accounts."
Martzak hit back by claiming that Fiona Swarovski who likes to eat goose is in her eyes no real animal lover.
She added: "As far as I'm concerned it's about animal protection and not about an ego trip. I can't stand the fact that there is now a battle and people are flipping out."
Asked to comment on whether she ate goose she said that she didn't want to get involved in a battle of words and damage the cause of animal protection anymore.
Martzak had received support from the president of the Viennese Animal Protection Group MMag.Dr. Madeleine Petrovic and animal rights campaigner Maggie Entenfellner in the realisation of the event.
The money raised by the ball was to go towards helping charities that campaign against animal cruelty.
Vienna Times
Tag cloud:
lovers Fiona patron organiser didn ball campaigner event euros Swarovski charity goose Martzak Austrian Protection Parkhotel money animal Tierball Viennese
Army officer sentenced over getting recruits to lay flooring at his house
The state court of Vienna sentenced a second lieutenant of the Austrian Army to nine months in jail due to misuse of authority. He had three recruits lay the flooring in his own house.
Child injured on zebra crossing
A ten-year-old girl was severely injured in a car accident in Vienna-Margareten yesterday (Wed). A car hit her on a zebra crossing. It remained unclear whether the girl or the driver was supposed to wait.
Long Night of the Churches
Hundreds of churches Austria-wide to open their doors for the "Long Night of the Churches" (original: "Langen Nacht der Kirchen") on May, 24.
Cheapskate Tourist Almost Died In Sewer Visit
A German tourist had a lucky escape after he decided to go underground to get a view of the Vienna sewers, and fell badly breaking several bones including his hip and his leg.
Preparation for Life Ball begins
The preparations of the Life Ball in Vienna are at full blast after delays due to bad weather last weekend. Star guests like Eva Longoria and Carmen Electra are expected at Vienna Airport on Friday.
Woman killed by Vienna tram
A female pedestrian tried to cross a street in Vienna Hietzing yesterday afternoon (Tues) without paying attention to the traffic. She was hit by the tram number 60 and died at the scene.
15 minutes free parking instead of 10
The 15-minute parking ticket will replace the 10-minute parking ticket in autumn. The only alternative is to buy your parking ticket with your phone. A parking clock does not protect you from a fine.
Lightning storm causes damage in Lower Austria
810 lightning strikes have been counted in Lower Austria last night (Tues). Meteorologists state that this is not an extraordinary number but some lightning strikes resulted in fires. The fire brigade had to set out in several towns.
Spanish Riding School for everyone
The riding centre of Heldenberg, district of Hollabrunn (Lower Austria) is now offering exclusive courses: professional riders of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna teach interested riders.
Vienna advocates a ban on pesticides
Vienna has now joined those Austrian states that advocate a cooperative strategy for a ban of the neonicotinoids pesticides. Apparently, there are tested alternatives for the pesticides that are harmful for bees.
The most popular stories –
last 7 days
