A brief history of The Anglo-Austrian Society


Founded in 1944, The Anglo-Austrian Society (until 1947 the Anglo-Austrian Democratic Society) was established by a small group of Austrian refugees and British supporters who were committed to the creation of a free and democratic Austria.  In the immediate post-war period, The Anglo-Austrian Society provided various forms of relief to Austria, in particular to Austrian children, many of whom took part in exchange holidays in Britain.

From the outset, cultural activities and cross-cultural links were seen as key to the Society’s identity. In 1946, The Anglo-Austrian Society linked with The Anglo-Austrian Music Society, which had been established in 1942. Their joint endeavours helped to reinvigorate cultural life in post-war Britain, by supporting British-based artists and by arranging visits by individual Austrian performers and organisations such as the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Boys Choir. Even the Lippizaner Horses crossed the channel repeatedly to perform.

The Society, now a charity (a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) with subscribing members throughout the UK and in mainland Europe, remains committed to the promotion of social and cultural links between Austria and the United Kingdom. This is done partly by means of the Society’s quarterly Newsletter, as well as through regional and online Stammtisch gatherings, details of which can be found elsewhere on this website. The Society also welcomes the links that exist with its sister organisations in Austria, such as the Austro-British Society in Vienna.

Central to maintaining the vision on which the Society was founded, is The Anglo-Austrian Society’s grant-giving programme. This is financed from the Otto Harpner Fund, established in honour of the Society’s first General Secretary, Dr Otto Harpner, a Viennese lawyer who came to Britain in 1937. Grants from this fund are awarded to support individuals and groups who wish to undertake projects that will foster Austro-British collaborations and help to strengthen mutual understanding. Details of some of the projects funded by Otto Harpner grants can be found in the Society’s Newsletters.