On October 24, 2019, Ambassador Wolfgang Waldner and his wife Gudrun Faudon-Waldner welcomed more than 600 guests at the Embassy to celebrate the Austrian National Day and to bid farewell. Ambassador Waldner’s address was followed by a toast by honorary guest Ambassador Philip T. Reeker, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasion Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, who also delivered a message from Secretary of State Pompeo. Cultural highlight of the event was the performances by Chicago-born Soprano Nicole Butler and Austrian jazz trumpeter Franz Hackl & Friends.

Several ambassadors, sponsors, expats (#AustriansAbroad) and friends of Austria joined the reception, during which various "quintessential" dishes and drinks from Austria by Chef Mikko were offered.

All photos by Peter Alunans, more on flickr.

A great thanks goes to our sponsors, who played a critical role in making this an exceptional event.