Day 1: A start between beers, expectations, and a menu entirely in German
After a long wait, Leonardo and I finally departed from Rome Fiumicino to Vienna. The flight was smooth, and we landed in the late afternoon. Once we arrived, we had to navigate through different metro lines and a train to reach our accommodation.
The evening began with our first real immersion into Austrian culture: dinner. Too bad the menu was entirely in German! Ordering something became a small challenge, with improvised translations and attempts to interpret words we had never seen before. It was a fun scene, with everyone trying to figure out exactly what they were about to eat. After dinner, I couldn’t waste any time—what better way to start than by tasting one of Austria’s famous beers? The first sip immediately immersed me in the local atmosphere, increasing my excitement for what we were about to discover in the coming days.
Day 2: Getting to know each other and discovering the Kinogarten
The day started with our first group meeting. We were welcomed by David and Cordula, who introduced us to the week’s activities and to the various participants from Italy and Spain. Each of us shared our background and expectations for this experience, immediately creating a great atmosphere of exchange and connection.
After lunch, we headed to Kinogarten, a unique urban garden that impressed me with its multifunctionality. It is not just a place for cultivation but also a cultural center where events, film screenings, and theatrical performances are held during the warm season. A perfect mix of nature and culture, attracting people of all ages and indirectly inviting them to discover the garden and its biodiversity.
At the end of the afternoon, I had the chance to further explore the place with some of my travel companions. Walking among aromatic plants and observing bees at work, we discussed how these kinds of initiatives could be replicated in our own countries.
Day 3: The visual impact of WeltTellerFeld and the associations of LoBauerInnen
The third day was the most memorable. The visit to WeltTellerFeld was a revelation: the educational panels illustrating the land surfaces needed to produce common foods, such as a pizza, were so clear and visually striking that anyone could immediately grasp the importance of food sustainability. A brilliant way to raise awareness about the connection between food and the environment.
But the day was far from over. In the afternoon, we visited LoBauerInnen, an area on the outskirts of Vienna, completely immersed in greenery. We walked for about 45 minutes along the river before reaching a vast space divided among numerous associations and initiatives.
I was particularly struck by the Women Projects, where a group of women decides each year what to cultivate, sharing responsibilities and harvests. Equally interesting was the Philippines Association, where community members meet to grow and cook traditional products from their homeland. Then there was Cordula Garden, an initiative without strict rules, where everyone cultivates whatever they like while contributing financially to the project.
The variety of ideas and the strong social component of this place inspired me: here, agriculture is not just about production, but also about connection, culture, and community.
Day 4: Innovation at Laaerbergbäuer*innen and solar cooking
At Laaerbergbäuerinnen*, I discovered the concept of Community Made Agriculture (CMA): the consumers are also the producers, and everything operates without intermediaries. The land plots are shared among the members, who freely decide what to cultivate.
One experience I will never forget was solar cooking. Together with Irena, we prepared a meal using only the sun’s heat! It was amazing to see how this technology can be applied so simply without needing complex structures.
At the end of the day, we joined the preparations for the Earth Procession, a community event where sculptures and floats are made with natural materials. We created flower crowns and decorations for the parade.
Day 5: La sfilata delle statue vegetali
The Earth Procession was an explosion of colors and energy! Starting from Laaerbergbäuerinnen*, we paraded through the streets of Vienna until we reached the Reumann neighborhood. Along the way, we visited some urban gardens, such as Gleisgarten, which was created on an old railway embankment, and Sonnwendgarten, where we were welcomed with pizza and music.
The festive atmosphere and the community’s involvement made this day truly special. I felt a strong sense of belonging to something bigger—a network of people who believe in sustainability and sharing.
Day 6: Reflections at Tigergarten and the final review
On the last day, we visited Tigergarten, a small urban garden in the heart of the city, and Albertgarten, both managed by local residents. Green spaces here are highly sought after, and managing plot assignments is a delicate issue.
In the afternoon, we all gathered for a final debriefing with Cordula and David. With tea, coffee, and sweets, we shared our impressions and reflections on the week. It was a great moment to pause and think about everything we had experienced.
Before saying goodbye to Vienna, I spent my last few hours relaxing in the park and enjoying a traditional dinner.
