Local Heroine Veronika Steinböck from Kosmos Theater
She is an actress, director, curator and, since 2018, managing and artistic director of the neighboring Kosmos Theaters at Siebensternplatz: In our "Local Heroes" portrait series, Veronika Steinböck reveals where you can get closest to heaven in Vienna and where to find the best apple strudel in town.
Why do you like the area? Why are you in the 7th district?
The great variety. There are old-established stores and new concept stores, small, cozy cafés and totally hip places to eat. In Neubau you can find a great cultural offer, there are several small to medium-sized theaters, cinemas, and if you're here often, then you know each other in the Grätzl, you meet each other, I like that a lot. I grew up in Vienna and then lived in Germany for a long time. With my return to Vienna and especially with my job at Kosmos Theater, I have really come home again.
What is the passion behind your (stage) work?
Kosmos Theater has a very special history. It was founded more than 20 years ago out of a feminist cast, around the first Austrian women's referendum. Since then it stands for contemporary feminist drama and promotes especially female* and queer voices. We do not have a fixed ensemble, but work regularly with artists and groups from the independent scene.
Kosmos Theater itself consists of a small team that is fun to work with. Theater has always been my passion, and with Kosmos I have arrived at a house that constantly questions common conditions and never tires of reinventing itself. That is challenging and beautiful.
Only in Vienna
The "Schmäh" and also the "Grant". The eternal sitting and chatting in the coffee house. The vineyards all around and also the wine taverns. The Vienna Woods and the Danube with its countless freely (!) accessible bathing opportunities.
Better elsewhere
Green and safe bike lanes throughout the city and more car-free areas would be appreciated. The goal must not be to divert individual traffic, but to minimize it.
Sweet Vienna
Punschkrapferl from Aida and just about everything from Konditorei Oberlaa. If you're looking for a sweet treat, you're sure to find it at Lollipop Bonbon in Burggasse.
Herzhaftes Wien
There is so much! In summer, a sundowner at the USUS am Wasser, a cozy dinner in the guest garden of Rüdigerhof pr breakfast at Kutschkermarkt. A glass of wine after a hike on the Nußberg, Kahlenberg or Wilhelminenberg.
In the 7th district a goulash at Gasthaus zur Stadt Krems or pizza from La Pausa. Excellent food is also available at the Hotel Am Brillantengrund and for our premiere parties we like to get curry from Elefant & Castle at Neubaugasse.
When it gets dark
I go for another round with my dog. I like how quiet the neighbourhood gets quiet, but I'm happy when I meet someone I know in the garden of a restaurant or bar as I pass by.
Not in any tourist guide
Café Konditorei Ingrid Bürger the apple strudel is awesome. The Schwendermarkt in the 15th district and the book café Buchcafé Melange right there around the corner. The steps to the Hauptbücherei on the Gürtel.
Your favorite place
Eh klar, der Siebensternplatz. :-)
Must-see
Vienna from above, for example with a drink at Le Loft at the Dachboden of the 25hours Hotel. Or on a Sunday during a walk at the so called heaven of Vienna, "am Himmel" in Döbling.
You can skip although in the guide book
The great Christmas markets and the Capuchin Crypt.
What do you love about the city?
The morbid charm, the black humor. The cultural offer and the people.
Kosmos Theater
www.kosmostheater.at
Siebensterngasse 42
Photos Kosmos Theater © Bettina Frenzel; Portrait © Apollonia Theresa Bitzan
