Postcards: How Austrians are reviving the tradition

A group of Austrian citizens has revived the tradition of sending handwritten postcards, sparking renewed interest in this once-popular form of communication. The phenomenon gained attention after several individuals shared their personal stories with KURIER, highlighting how they continue to cherish the act of writing and sending postcards despite the rise of digital correspondence. The trend began with Gudrun Weigl, a resident of Kottingbrunn in Lower Austria, who embarked on a unique experiment by sending 64 postcards. She received responses from 34 recipients, many via WhatsApp, while one person sent back a postcard as well. This exchange inspired KURIER to publish an article on the subject. Later, three additional holiday greetings were sent, with the recipient informing the newspaper through email and postal mail from Hamburg. Another individual, Wolfgang Eibl, a lithographer and photographer from Salzburg, initiated a creative project in 1993. He exchanged weekly artistic postcards with fellow artists, resulting in thousands of cards. His atelier still holds nearly 10,000 of these cards, which he continues to send regularly. Eibl expressed a deep appreciation for contemporary postcards, emphasizing their enduring appeal. Stefanie Grüssl, a photographer and artist based in Vienna, has been producing postcards since 1982. Her work includes a variety of editions, and she often writes on her cards, expressing her fondness for the medium. Her collection also features stamp series, adding another layer to the cultural significance of postcards. Adalbert Holzfeind, a resident of Spittal/Drau in Carinthia, maintains a long-standing friendship with a Japanese man named Mashio. Their correspondence began when Holzfeind responded to an advertisement placed by Mashio’s cousin. Initially, they communicated using thin air mail paper, but eventually, they switched to English and German. Over time, Holzfeind learned Japanese and continued exchanging letters. He received a special birthday card from Mashio, which he described as a symbol of simplicity and charm in Japanese culture. Wolfgang Kirchhofer, a resident of Vienna, created 80 postcards during his trip to Crete. Each card featured a different image, printed using a small photo printer and labeled with pre-made stickers. He noted that the recipients were delighted by the personalized touches. Initially, he sent his reflections via email, but later, he mailed 16 numbered and stamped postcards detailing his observations as a taxi driver. He concluded that small, unassuming gestures can bring great joy and that such moments are highly valued. These stories reflect a broader movement among Austrians who are rediscovering the value of handwritten postcards. Whether through artistic expression, personal connection, or cultural exchange, these individuals demonstrate that the tradition of sending postcards remains alive and meaningful in modern society. As more people share their experiences, the practice of sending postcards could see a resurgence, offering a tangible link to the past in an increasingly digital world.