100+1 Years of Schweizerhaus

The famous Schweizerhaus turned 101 years old on August 29th, 2021. Hanni and Karl Jan Kolarik took advantage of this special occasion and invited to the big celebration. “Postponed is not cancelled. As announced last year, we have now duly made up for the 100th anniversary of the Karl Kolarik family at the Schweizerhaus in this 101st season with much joy, a special musical highlight and dear people!” said a delighted owner and host Karl Jan Kolarik.

Among the numerous guests of honour were Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig, experimental physicist and science buster Werner Gruber, opera singer Birgit Sarata and Harald Serafin, former artistic director of the Mörbisch Lake Festival.

The ceremony was accompanied by the ceremonial entry of the “Original Hoch- und Deutschmeister” band of the K. & K. Infantry Regiment Hoch- und Deutschmeister No. 4. In addition to Austro-Hungarian military music, a rediscovered musical gem – the Schweizerhaus Polka “Schweizerhaus Rendez-vous” op. 151 by Philipp Fahrbach the Younger – was also performed.

With his emotional speech, host Karl Jan Kolarik offered a historical insight into the eventful past of the Schweizerhaus. “Here’s to the next 100 years!” numerous guests toasted happily afterwards.

Golden Town Hall Man

During the celebration, the Karl Kolarik family received a very special honour: Mayor Michael Ludwig presented Hanni and Karl Jan Kolarik with the “Golden Rathausmann”, an award of the City of Vienna. The Golden Town Hall Man is a likeness of the Town Hall Man, who stands on the middle tower of the Town Hall. Other award winners include: Helmut Qualtinger, Georg Danzer, Udo Jürgens, Conchita Wurst, Erni Mangold as well as Clemens Doppler and Alexander Horst.

We congratulate the entire Schweizerhaus team on the 100+1 anniversary!

Photocredits: Hannes Hochmuth