Cover photo of The Best of Vienna photo calendar 2012-2013

Photo: Aldwin Sanares (Philippines)

You can see the preview of the photo calendar below

(all photos in this article represent different months)

To check the video made by Vicky Raz and Mike Prager from Double-P Video Solutions

from the opening exhibition go to

The Best of Vienna You Tube Channel

or check the link:

http://thebestofvienna.blogspot.com/2011/05/best-of-vienna-photo-competition-for.html

The Best of Vienna photo exhibition highlights:

November-December 2011

Sponsored and supported by Stadt Wien – Wien ist anders

Unique multi-cultural, international charity events that integrate:

Arts & Culture, Tourism, Beauty & Fashion, as well as Business & Society

“Maria´s Vision of  The Best of the World” network presented, together with its valuable cooperation partners Business Culture Sport International, Kunstraum, Rearte Gallery and Time Gallery “The Best of Vienna Photo Exhibition for the Calendar 2012-2013″, which took place on Wednesday, 30th November 2011 at the Expat Center.

With the help of our jury, from more than thirty eight photographers and 400 photos, thirty three finalists were pre-selected and their most beautiful photos presented. This unique event brought many countries and cultures together to celebrate the beauty of the Austrian capital as one of the most beautiful places in the world. The perfect location for such an occasion was chosen: nothing less than the newly opened and exclusive Expat Center, a Service offered by the City of Vienna, close to the Parliament and the City Hall.

This night was full of surprises.  The most beautiful photos of Vienna were exhibited and many photos shown during the multi-media presentation while enjoying the welcoming cocktail with the Humer wine and Ron Zacapa – the world´s best tasting Premium Rum from Guatemala. Live performances from by Saxo Lady from Austria, the violinist Tudor Andrei from Romania and supertalent Carolina Cross (Kreutzberger) – Austrian super talent, inspired all of us with their beautiful music. Through the sale of the tombola tickets, two children charities were supported as the initial step, selected children charity in Haiti: children in Abricots, Fondation Paradis des Indiens and one family from Vienna (Kiddy Ribbon Charity). With the sale of the calendars and many other forthcoming projects, we commit to further provide support to different local and international charity projects as much as it is possible.

One of the highlights from this evening was the premiere of Crystalline Fashion accessories collection designed by Maria Petrak.

Fashion show models: Aleksandra Zdero, Belma Music, Margarita Kagalovskaja, Vesna Klindo.

Make-Up was made by Ozge Duran and her team.

These exclusive pure leather, limited edition bags, wallets, boots and shoes are decorated with the Swarovski Elements. The accompanying dresses were made in cooperation with one of the multi-media artists from Belgrade, that were presented as the samples of “The Best of Vienna fashion collection” that  perfectly matches the photo exhibition, the calendar and the planned local and international tour. The whole concept can be applied for any place and any country in the world within the Best of the World network that was launched in the Expat Center: www.thebestoftheworldinfo.com

“Maria´s Vision of the Best of the World” is Maria´s start-up project and PR Agency that will operate as of January 2012 with the goal to promote the “best” and connect the world of arts and culture, tourism, diplomacy, business and fashion while supporting the local and international charities, promoting the inter-cultural and business exchange where The Best of Vienna and World photo exhibitions play an important role. One of the major goals is to foster peace and friendship among all nations and cultures in the world. Maria Petrak, through her hard work and selfless commitment has shown a perfect example of how every one of us can make a positive difference in this world. Due to her dedication, Maria was recognized as an “Ambassador for Peace” from the Universal Peace Federation of Austria on 18 December 2011, acknowledging her contribution and dedication to practices which promote universal moral values, interreligious cooperation, international harmony, renewal of the United Nations, a responsible public media, and the establishment of a culture of peace.

After the opening on 30 November, we also organized two additional events: “The Best of Vienna” photo exhibition with the finalists on 12 December 2011, in the Kunstraum, Ringstrassen Galerien, 1010 Wien and on 19 December in the Time Gallery with all the primary and secondary photos that were chosen for the Best of Vienna photo calendar: http://www.galerie-time.at/ The cover photo for the calendar shows Gloriette, the work from Aldwin Sanares from the Philippines (copied above). All other selected photos and permanent links to the photographers biographies and their photos can be seen on the Best of Vienna website: http://thebestofvienna.blogspot.com/2011/11/best-of-vienna-most-beatiful-photos.html

The forthcoming events for your calendar:

12 January 2012, 7pm, Rearte Gallery in Spiesshammergasse 4, 1120 Vienna, http://www.rearte-gallery.at where all the calendar photos will be presented, with the sample of the final version of the calendar.

12. December 2012 – The Best of the World Photo Calendar 2013-2014 presentation. Details and conditions of participation will be announced in January 2012, as well as the presentation dates of the finalists photos (planned in September 2012).

Please also check the media coverage: Croatian Times by Jelena Kopanja: Exhibition casts fresh look on Austrian capital

http://www.croatiantimes.com/news/Panorama/2011-12-13/23826/_Exhibition_casts_fresh_look_on_Austrian_capital

An article in German by Milagro Flener:

http://www.m-media.or.at/kultur/fotografen-aus-mehr-als-20-landern-zeigen-best-of-vienna/2011/12/09/

Some photos from the events:

PALAVRA PRESS – Photo Press Service (c) by Drago Palavra: Facebook link

Maria Hintz Dusek – A.N.S. New Media International: Facebook link

Aldwin Sanares: Facebook link

Bjoern Steinmetz: Facebook link

Maria Petrak: Facebook profil

This exhibition will be introduced in many other cities through art exhibitions in Austria and international tour in Belgrade, Bratislava, Moscow, Marbella, Gibraltar, Montenegro and many other cities planned in the future.

Der Club mit der persönlichen VIP-Betreuung und Backstage-Aktivitäten im Kultur- und Sportbereich

bcs business culture sport bietet für unterstützende Mitglieder
-) gesellige Clubabende in gehobener Atmosphäre
-) die Möglichkeit Bühnenluft großer Häuser (z.B. Staatsoper, Theater an der Wien) zu schnuppern
-) bekannte Künstler und Sportler bei Künstler- und Sportlertalks persönlich kennen zu lernen
-) bildende Künstler in ihren Ateliers zu besuchen
-) Sportler beim Training zu beobachten
-) die eine oder andere Kunstrichtung bzw. Sportart näher kennen zu lernen

Mit der VIP-Karte genießen alle Mitglieder bei unseren Kultur- und Sportveranstaltungen sowie in exklusiven Geschäften eine VIP-Betreuung. Außerdem werden Kulturveranstaltungen, Theaterbesuche, Reisen zu ermäßigten Preisen angeboten.

Die aktuellen Kooperationen mit Kulturbetrieben, Reiseveranstaltern und Wellnesshotels entnehmen Sie bitte der Homepage www.bcsinternational.at

Spain has been fortunate for British artist, author and composer Dario Poli, known to his contemporaries as the “Renaissance man.” For it was here that he found the inspiration to originate and produce one of his finest musical achievements “Lady X and The Power of Destiny” in a creative collaboration with Puerto Banus’s living legend Patrick Lloyd Hulme.

The musical drama, originally composed as a celebration of England’s favourite princess, based on the late Diana Princess of Wales. For the composers  it became a long mystical and spiritual journey, an exploration of Diana’s enigmatic character, her emotions, her motivations, and her fascination with the phenomenon of love. Their meticulous research into every facet of her life has resulted in a work, which has great profundity and truth to life, while acknowledging the gaiety and brilliance of a beautiful, if flawed aristocrat.

The project tells of Diana’s rise and fall, her golden yet tragic plight, in a sensitive and heartfelt piece of work that will stand the test of time, much as the light of her life will transcend the generations. Two men started a project, inspired by the muse, a project that tragically turned into a mission for the truth – to capture the innocence of her life and a light that was lost but never to be forgotten.
It was first registered in Marbella with S.G.A.E before her death; a tragedy, which galvanized the composers into re-writing almost the entire work and then re-registering the work in Malaga. The financial backers brought in by Dario, were fascinated by the quality of the music and story line, supported the composers enthusiasm and ideas, and the work was then legally constituted in Holland and Ireland.

With this funding the two men approached one of Britain’s leading musical professionals, the renowned musical director – David Redston – who, after studiously appraising their story, agreed to work with them on the project and conducted the orchestra and directed the numerous superb vocalists on the recording.

The musical drama was recorded by a symphony orchestra, opera singers and  including some singers from Riverdance at the famed Westland Studio Dublin.  These complex recordings and rehearsals, were directed by David Redston  following intensive rehearsals at RTE studios Dublin. It was produced by Richard Pine on the 11 September 2000, with Dario and Patrick in close attendance as advisors overseeing the work. It was engineered by Bob Somerville and was later mixed by David Redston and Bob Sommerville. Richard Pine: http://www.durrell-school-corfu.org/pine.htm

It is a powerful and imaginative, two-act fictional musical drama of a total 2 hrs 45 minutes duration, specifically produced by its creators, to explore the tumultuous life of Lady X, a beautiful aristocrat and her entangled loves. Drawing into focus the esoteric factor X, the irresistible power of destiny and its mysterious design, that inexorably acts throughout her life.

The drama intricately woven around her, expresses a gamut of emotions, containing a haunting sense of tragic premonition, which unfolds, as the complexity of her life and charisma is explored and skilfully brought to life, by the innovative story; the sensitive and incisive power of the music, words and musical arrangements.

The musical effect simply carries the songs from the hearts and minds of Dario Poli and Patrick Lloyd Hulme, into the heart and soul of the listener. The result of the collaboration between Dario and Patrick, David Redston, the orchestra and the vocalists is truly mesmerizing and can confidently be described as ‘touching and very beautiful’

Richard Pine wrote “…. the recording demonstrates…its emotional appeal, the immediate catchiness of its rhythms and lyrics,and the richness of the orchestral texture.” … “The jewel at the heart of the musical remains that what it had been from the outset, …a celebration of her life, beauty and demeanour.”

He continued on the CD cover of Diana  – “ The musical differs from other productions in its truth to life, its deep appreciation of the circumstances which combined to bring the aristocratic girl, Lady Diana Spencer, to the point where she became Diana, Princess of Wales, and beyond it to the divorce court, to disillusion and death. The unique selling proposition of the composers is its powerful combination of singable tunes and a haunting sense of premonition.

Dario wrote; the moral of their story is simply that, “what we say and do to other people effects and shapes their lives, whether for good or bad. Therefore, each individual has his or her own personal responsibility to manage their actions towards others”. This becomes very clear in the final moments of the Opera.

This private initiative founded by Dr. Antoine Levelt enables 75 deprived children in the coastal town of Gonaives, Haiti to have access to quality education. The sponsored children receive school uniforms, school kits and after school support. This was done all under transparent and witnessed conditions involving the community  that was supported by other financial sources to improve the environment and infrastructure.

Dr Levelt seeks to provide a vehicle through which Haiti’s most vulnerable children can be supported. The FPN programme expands or contracts depending on funding.  For 2010: 70 euro = one school year.

They have been helped by the international community during the post-earthquake period and are now facing a challenging long reconstruction phase. Athough the situation remains critical,  we have to look forward and continue the  efforts to offer a brighter future to the next generation in Haiti, the key to this is to invest in long-term projects aiming at a sustainable development, one of the pillars being EDUCATION.

Le Fonds de Parrainage National, a non-profit, apolitical and legally registered foundation, is a private sector initiative. It was set up as a national effort to attain universal education as rapidly as possible. The foundation aims at providing quality education for most deprived children; it is increasing access, retention and achievement for poor children in selected schools.

In addition to our sponsorship program supported mainly by the Haitian private sector, we are managing a UNICEF project. Its goal is to have children back to school in Gonaives where in September 2004 more than 1,500 people died during the floods caused by Hurricane Jeanne. We are also managing a scholarship program for 13,500 children funded by USAID.

Project Personnel
Antoine LEVELT – Executive Director

Fifty-six years old, Mr. Levelt has an engineer diploma awarded by the National Polytechnical Institute of Grenoble in France, one the French Grande Ecole. From 1979 to 1991, Mr. Levelt was the Senior Administrative Assistant of the UNDP/UNESCO Education projects in Haiti. He is the Executive Director of the Foundation since its creation in 1992.