AUSTRIA, September 8 - A platform for outstanding Austrian women created by the Foreign Ministry & Women’s Museum Hittisau – to inspire, promote equality and update Austria’s image abroad

The Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs and Women’s Museum Hittisau have launched a joint project called “Calliope. Join the dots”. Named after the wisest of the nine muses in Greek antiquity, “Calliope” brings the ideas, accomplishments, and biographies of exciting women from Austria to the world stage as a way of updating Austria’s image both at home and abroad.

Promoting women in art, culture, and science is a special priority for us in the Foreign Ministry, too. Now, with the ‘Calliope’ project, we are working with Women’s Museum Hittisau to help our representations around the world present the achievements of contemporary female artists and scientists from Austria, and to implement projects and events for the promotion of women together with partners abroad,

says Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

The centrepiece of the project is the new website www.calliope.at, which features a galaxy of inspiring and exciting women who are shaping Austria today and building our common future. The launch of the project during this year’s International Cultural Policy Conference included figures such as the co-founder of the “Initiative for Muslim Austrian Women”, Carla Amina Baghajati; artist Renate Bertlmann; legal scholar Karin Lukas; Climate Referendum Association spokeswoman Katharina Rogenhofer; and musician Yasmin Hafedh.

Calliope is an international expression of the vitality of women in Austria,

explains Stefania Pitscheider Soraperra, the Director of Women’s Museum Hittisau.

Enabling women to have full and equal participation in social and political processes is the key to sustainable conflict solutions, lasting peace, and stable societies. International cultural relations support equality between the sexes and help create new opportunities for women at the international level. With “Calliope. Join the dots”, the Foreign Ministry and Women’s Museum Hittausau hope to build and develop a platform for international relations, support others in their self-empowerment, and promote equal rights. 

The group of great women is constantly growing with the addition of new and extraordinary, inspiring figures from the areas of Society & Culture, Gender & Equality, Climate & Sustainability, Migration & Inclusion as well as Digitalisation & Science, and it is now also open for suggestions, which can be submitted directly through the website www.calliope.at. Together with a travelling exhibition and a wide programme of events, “Calliope. Join the dots” will be presented worldwide at Austrian embassies and consulates, cultural forums, and libraries.