"flower children" at the opening of the fire art garden, schiltern by langenlois, austria - 2006

The Fire-Artgarden in Schiltern open to the public

September 23, 2006

The Portuguese-Austrian garden festival developed to a very special completion of this year's garden events in the vineyards of Schiltern.  
The grand opening of the Fire-Artgarden of the internationally renowned architect Francisco de Cabral took place in Kittenberger's "experiential-gardens."

This is the most recent one of the nine "experiential gardens" in Schiltern.  The Fire-Artgarden was designed to involve the visitor in discovering the symbols of the element fire - fire as the warmth in cold winter evenings, as destructive element in wild fires, as fascinating experience in fireworks and volcano eruptions - a phenomenon which includes spectacular an destruction as well as beauty and fear, perfection and chaos.
The configuration in concentric circles and rays evolving from the center results from the forms of the sun - the symbol of fire, light and warmth.

50 oversized matches and smoking charcoal underline the variety of possible forms of interpretation.

This unique garden was seen last year in Ponte Lima, the oldest city in Portugal, during the festival of gardens.
As a sign of friendship between Ponte de Lima and the Kamptal the Fire-Artgarden was selected as ambassador and has now its home in the experience gardens of Kittenberg.
This location was selected personally by Francisco M. Caldeira Cabral, an internationally renowned Architect.  Unfortunately, he was not able to attend as he had other responsibilities in Macau, Honkong.

However, Elisabeth Plitzka delivered his special greetings (foto copied from the Internet).

She is CEO of the Garden Festival GmbH and thanked all who contributed to the success of this special fall festival.

She welcomed in particular Dr. Manuel da Silva Alexandre (left), the president of the Austrian-Portuguese Society, and Dr. Pedro Aires d'Abreu (right), the Portuguese Trade Consul who completed the day with the donation of great wine from his country.

Southern flair with Portuguese music: Jhibaro Rodriguez, guitar, and singer Patricia Quinta.

Landlord Reinhard Kittenberger was especially happy about the wonderful weather which was absent most of the time during the summer.
However, God was obviously insightful and contributed to the beautiful opening of the garden festival.

He is especially happy about the 30% increase in visitors and that the garden part of the city Ponte de Lima which found its final home here.

Mayor Kurt Renner is very proud of his city, Schiltern, and of the business- generating initiative of Reinhard Kittenberger. Success has indeed many fathers - he is one of them, because he activates many things, not only through the Garden Festival, but with his "Experiential Gardens."

Dr. Gunther Stummvoll said with humor:  " I prepare myself for the speech, read all I can, and then everything is already said. All has been said, but not by everyone."  He points out the Kamptal with its beautiful gardens as culture and enjoyment areas - and there is still the Gartencompetence-Quarter of Austria.
He congratulated Reinhard Kittenberger as one who is successful by realizing his ideas and was able to build a bridge to to a new dimension in a new Europe.

The Garden is officially opened.

Present was also Prof. Erni Mangold, the well-known actress and native of Grossweikersdorf.
She has aspcial connection to Schiltern as she always makes a strong plea for those she always gladly supports - those with Special Needs, who are well taken care of in the Schiltern Psychological Social Center.

To the health of all!

We must have a chat with the Director of the Caritas Home, Alois Rautner.

Fire belongs to a Fire - Art Garden

As well as to Portuguese culinary delights

The chef, Lucinda Tavares, who manages "A Barraca," the well-know restaurant in Vienna, is not available in person, but is present with her delicious cuisine.

Bread and wine, never to be missed basic food

And with a the full-bodied Portuguese wine, which is love by all

Also is our area there lives a woman, formerly of Portugal (left), who takes joy in meeting people from her homeland.  Naturally, there are no language difficulties.

The later the evening, the more beautiful the guests!
State Representative Wolfgang Sobotka  stopped by and is fascinated with the Garden and the Pendelhaus, which he had not seen before, although he is a guest almost daily in the Experiential Garden.

This also pleases Christine Stift, wife of the Mayor of the garden city of Tulln, who, by the way, acts as a " Portuguese Ambassador," and has made many  contacts for this festival.

Artist Eva-Christine Benesch presented her new ideas for the "Garden-State Representative"; art in open spaces is her special concern. She wants to move her pictures from parks to outdoor galleries.

Thus far she has set-up in Schiltern her large "Calendar of the Year" which consists of 12 Flower Children pictures.

The beginning of fall was gorgeous.  A memorable day in Schilter must come to a close.

Relax, enjoy, feel well; that is the atmosphere in Schiltern

Nothing stands in the way of a return visit