Publisher's Synopsis
In relation to my Book Series: "Introducing Vienna's Café Culture", Book 6 focusses on coffee as intangible cultural Heritage- that is as an essential performative act - discursive to Unesco's (2011) recognition of the Viennese coffeehouse as 'intangible cultural heritage' to Austria, and indeed, the world. In particular, Book 6 illuminates core thematic insights: Unesco: The Viennese Coffeehouse: a framework of 'Intangible Cultural Heritage'; Slavonic-infused coffeehouses; Defining heritage customs: Café Demel/ Demel Conditorei; The tradition of Coffee and Cake; Empowering women: Anna Demel and the Anna Cake; From Casino to Concerto Coffeehouse and Conditorei: Café Dommayer (1823 [1783]); Oberlaa Confectionery (Kurkonditorei Oberlaa); and finally, Conclusion. An evolving Viennese café cultural identity.
In this sociocultural framework of an essential performative ritualised act, Book 6 highlights Slavonic peoples' leadership legacy and patronage, as integral to Viennese coffeehouse/ café development. In addition, I emphasise women's historic-modern leadership, managerial role in the running of Viennese coffeehouses/ cafes. In my Series, I often refer to Café Sperl - my favourite coffeehouse - whose legendry Siebener C7 Club was patronised by leading architects/artists, mostly from Czech/ Slavic lands.
One of the very first Viennese cafés was established by a man of Slavic heritage: Colonel Kolschitzky, a leading member of the Polish Habsburg military, who successfully defended the city in the Siege of Vienna (1683). Kolschitzky's (1683) acquisition of a Viennese coffee license, precedes most European cafes, including the oldest French café, Le Procope, established in 1686. Arguably, Kolschitzky was on the cutting-edge of coffeehouse innovation, and such contribution has been under-estimated. Regarding my series: "Introducing Vienna's café culture", my book presents an in-depth chronological account of Vienna's most charming heritage coffeehouses, starting with the oldest first. Plus, my Book Series' presents a contemporary, modern focus, highlighting key patronage, menu cards, management, décor/renovations as well as undoubtedly, coffee, cakes and cuisines on offer.
In relation to Unesco's (2011) listing of the Viennese coffeehouse as integral towards: 'intangible cultural heritage', my Book Series "Introducing Vienna's Café Culture" provides a detailed insight to these historic cafés: Café Demel (1786); Café Dommayer (1823) [1783]; Café Frauenhuber (1824); Cafe Vienne (1829); Café Eiles (1840); Café Griensteidl (1847); Café Schwarzenberg (1861); Café Ritter (1867); Café Imperial (1873); Café Landtmann (1873); Café Diglas [Wollzeile] (1875) along with the other four Diglas cafés: Café Diglas (Schottenstift), Dairy Diglas (Café Meierei Diglas) and Diglas at the meat market (Café Diglas Fleischmarkt); Café Central (1876); Hotel Sacher and Café Sacher (1876); Café Sperl (1880); Conditorei Sluka (1891); Café Westend (1895); Café Savoy (1896); Café Mozart (1899) [1794]; Café Museum (1899); Café Weimar (1900); Café Korb (1904); Café Prückel (1904); Café Goldegg (1910); Café Jelinek (1910); Aida (1913) [1921]; Kaffee Alt Wien (1922); Café Hawelka (1939); Kleines Café (1973-74), and, the last heritage coffeehouse of paramount interest, is, Café Hofburg (2004) [building dating to:1279, the 13th century].
The eligibility criteria for Unesco's coffeehouse heritage status includes: the ranges of coffees; the variety of pastries; the quality of the interior design/furnishings, such as, marble-topped tables and Thonet chairs; the exterior architectural design, such as, Historicism, a style synonymous with the Ring; and, an array of international newspapers on offer- traditionally held on bentwood wooden racks, thereby, embellished at listed heritage cafes. Such coffeehouses still appeal to regular locals and d
