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Postcards: How Austrians are reviving the tradition
Austria🎭 CultureCenter9/7/2026

Postcards: How Austrians are reviving the tradition

The article discusses the resurgence of postcard writing among Austrians, highlighting personal stories and artistic projects centered around this traditional practice. It features Gudrun Weigl, who conducted an experiment by sending out 64 postcards and received responses through various methods, including one traditional postcard reply. Artist Wolfgang Eibl has been exchanging artistic postcards with fellow artists since 1993, creating thousands over the years. Photographer Stefanie Grüssl has used postcards as part of her art since 1982, producing them in different editions. Adalbert Holzfeind maintains a letter friendship with someone in Japan, having learned Japanese to communicate. Lastly, Wolfgang Kirchhofer creates postcards from his holiday photos during trips.

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.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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6 reports

Falter logoFalterIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 709/7/2026
Staging Realities

The article announces the 'Staging Realities' festival taking place at the new Mozarteum University in Austria from September 24 to 26, 2026. The event is described as a festival for cultural creators and researchers where art and technology intersect. It provides details such as the schedule, location, and encourages visitors to check the official website for more information. The article also includes related event listings for other months in 2026, highlighting various cultural activities in Vienna.

Bias read (Center): The article is focused on announcing a cultural festival and does not involve any politically charged subject matter. It is purely informational and promotional in nature, providing details about an event without expressing any ideological stance.

Why factuality (85): The article mentions the Staging Realities Festival at the University Mozarteum, dates, and provides a link to the official website. It accurately reflects the primary source document by mentioning the festival’s timeframe and location. However, it lacks specific details about the program, participa

Why objectivity (70): The tone is general and promotional, focusing on the event as part of a broader list of events in Vienna. While not overtly biased, it frames the festival within a cultural calendar, which may subtly prioritize accessibility over depth. The lack of critical analysis or contextual discussion suggests

Kurier logoKurierParty-alignedCenterFactual 75Objective 808/30/2026
Postcards: How Austrians are reviving the tradition

The article discusses the resurgence of postcard writing among Austrians, highlighting personal stories and artistic projects centered around this traditional practice. It features Gudrun Weigl, who conducted an experiment by sending out 64 postcards and received responses through various methods, including one traditional postcard reply. Artist Wolfgang Eibl has been exchanging artistic postcards with fellow artists since 1993, creating thousands over the years. Photographer Stefanie Grüssl has used postcards as part of her art since 1982, producing them in different editions. Adalbert Holzfeind maintains a letter friendship with someone in Japan, having learned Japanese to communicate. Lastly, Wolfgang Kirchhofer creates postcards from his holiday photos during trips.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on cultural practices and individual stories related to postcards, with no mention of politics, government, or public policy. The content is neutral and descriptive, focusing on personal experiences and artistic endeavors without any apparent ideological framing.

Why factuality (75): The article provides specific details about Gudrun Weigl's postcard experiment, including the number of cards sent and responses received. It also mentions Wolfgang Eibl's art project and Stefanie Grüssl's production since 1982. These details align with the cross-source consensus that postcards rema

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, focusing on storytelling and personal experiences without overt bias. The article presents multiple perspectives from different individuals involved in the postcard tradition, maintaining a balanced approach.

Heute logoHeuteIndependentCenterFactual 50Objective 608/31/2026
Reloaded

The headline 'Kult.reloaded' from Heute (Austria) appears to reference a cultural or artistic revival theme, though the article text provided is incomplete and does not offer specific details. The title suggests a re-examination or rebirth of cultural elements, possibly related to art, music, or traditional practices. Without further content, it is unclear whether the piece discusses contemporary trends, historical influences, or critiques of modern culture. The lack of detailed information makes it difficult to assess the exact focus or implications of the article.

Bias read (Center): The headline 'Kult.reloaded' is culturally oriented and does not clearly align with any political ideology. As there is insufficient detail to determine a clear framing or ideological slant, the article is best categorized as center-leaning. Further content would be needed to accurately assess any潜在

Why factuality (50): This article lacks detailed content and appears to be a placeholder or incomplete entry. There is no substantial information provided to assess factual accuracy or alignment with other sources.

Why objectivity (60): The article has minimal content and does not engage with the topic in depth. As such, it is difficult to evaluate objectivity, but the lack of substance suggests a potential bias towards brevity over informative content.

Heute logoHeuteIndependentCenterFactual 50Objective 608/30/2026
The worlds of images

The article titled 'BilderWelten' from Heute (Austria) appears to focus on visual storytelling or artistic imagery, though the content provided is minimal and does not offer specific details about the subject matter. The headline suggests a thematic exploration related to images or worlds, potentially involving photography, art, or cultural narratives. Without additional information, it is challenging to determine the exact focus or implications of the piece.

Bias read (Center): The article's title and brief mention suggest a non-political, culturally oriented theme. As there is no indication of controversy or debate surrounding the subject, the political charge is low, and the framing remains neutral.

Why factuality (50): Similar to the previous article, this entry is very brief and lacks substantive information. No specific facts or details are provided to support any claims about the postcard tradition or related activities.

Why objectivity (60): The article is extremely concise and does not offer any meaningful perspective or analysis. This lack of content makes it challenging to determine objectivity, though it likely reflects an attempt to present information without elaboration.

Falter logoFalterIndependentCenterFactual 50Objective 309/1/2026
Icing on the Cake

The article titled 'Kunstschatzi - Icing on the Cake' from falter.at appears to focus on a piece of art or cultural exhibit referred to as 'Kunstschatzi,' which translates to 'art treasure' or 'art trinket.' The headline suggests a lighthearted or whimsical take on the subject, possibly highlighting the aesthetic or novelty aspect of the artwork. However, due to the limited information provided, it is unclear whether the piece has any significant cultural, historical, or political implications. The article does not provide substantial detail about the context, background, or significance of 'Kunstschatzi,' leaving much to interpretation.

Bias read (Center): The article's title and brief mention suggest a non-political, culturally oriented piece. While the term 'Icing on the Cake' could imply a secondary or decorative element, there is no evidence of overt political framing or ideological leaning in the content provided. The lack of detailed context or

Why factuality (50): The article appears to be an artistic piece rather than a news report. It lacks specific factual claims about an event, making it impossible to assess accuracy. The title 'Kunstschatzi - Icing on the Cake' suggests a creative work rather than a factual account.

Why objectivity (30): The tone is highly subjective and artistic, using emotive language and metaphorical expressions. There is no attempt to present information in a neutral or balanced manner.

Falter logoFalterIndependentCenterFactual: no official source document/info detectedObjective 859/3/2026
Studio tours of the city of Josef 2026

The article titled 'Atelierrundgänge Josefstadt 2026' from Falter (Austria) appears to promote or announce an event related to artistic walks or exhibitions in the Josefstadt district, likely focusing on cultural or creative activities. The headline suggests a curated experience involving art installations or guided tours, possibly highlighting local artists or historical sites. Given the lack of specific content beyond the title, the article does not provide detailed information about the event’s purpose, participants, or outcomes. It seems to serve as a promotional piece rather than a news report. No further details are available due to the limited text provided.

Bias read (Center): The subject matter of the article is related to cultural events and artistic activities, which are generally apolitical. There is no indication of political controversy or debate surrounding the event. As such, the article does not exhibit a discernible ideological leaning.

Why factuality: no official source document/info detected

Why objectivity (85): The article is very brief and does not include any overtly biased language or opinionated statements. It simply mentions the event name and links to a website, maintaining neutrality. The lack of elaboration prevents any strong judgment on objectivity but suggests a neutral stance.

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