Event tip from the Business Department: Martiniloben

Autumn and especially the so-called Martiniloben are celebrated extensively every year in Burgenland, especially in the Lake Neusiedl region. Geese sprout up like daisies in every way in the villages around Lake Neusiedl and colourful foliage adorns the entire landscape.

How can you really experience the autumn days here?

Now in the Pannonian autumn, it is not only the beautiful nature that attracts more and more guests and locals to the Lake Neusiedl region from September to November, but above all the traditional festivals and events around the Martiniloben with wine, culinary delights and customs.

Walks and guided tours through the Lake Neusiedl - Seewinkel National Park and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lake Neusiedl - Leitha Mountains Nature Park in the colourful autumn landscape are an extraordinary spectacle. Afterwards, a crispy Martinigansl in one of the numerous inns and taverns is a must.

FH Burgenland alumni Rudolf Munzenrieder, Head of Marketing at Neusiedler See Tourismus GmbH, emphasises that autumn is attracting more and more interested autumn holidaymakers to Lake Neusiedl with its diverse events. "Not least because of the Lake Neusiedl Card, which offers a wide range of free and bonus services from sport, leisure, public transport, exhibitions, museums and wellness and is available all year round," explains the graduate of the International Wine Marketing Master's programme. What he particularly recommends for this time of year to get in the mood for the colder season and to be well equipped against the cold: "The Martiniloben - wine and culinary delights paired with cultural offerings set the mood for the cosier time of year. Cosy get-togethers in the cellar, chatting, talking shop with the winemaker and tasting good wine."

If you would also like to experience the typical culinary autumn programme, you can find information about the Martiniloben events here.

Tip from the Department of Health: Strengthen your immune system and musculoskeletal system

Don't like feeling cold or sick? Then get out into the fresh air!

What is definitely important for a good immune system to prepare perfectly for the coming cold season in autumn is outdoor exercise.

"The healthiest time for outdoor activities is right now, between October and March," explains Erwin Gollner, Head of the Health Management and Health Promotion degree programme. "By alternating between warm, heated rooms and exercise in a colder environment, outside in nature, you achieve a strengthening effect on the immune system. It is precisely this thermoregulation that provides better protection against infectious diseases in winter."

"Exercise regularly and feel how movement does you good," says physiotherapy programme director Heike Bauer-Horvath. "Because it prevents tension in the musculoskeletal system. Regular strength endurance training is also ideal preparation for the ski and ice skating season."

We therefore recommend going for a brisk walk outside in the autumnal, colourful nature or two to three hours of Nordic walking per week to prevent blocked noses and coughs. Burgenland is the perfect place for this. There are numerous cycling and hiking trails to explore here.

Of course, this also includes moving from wine cellar to wine cellar during the Martiniloben ;-)

Our tips from the Department of Information Technology and Information Management:

Wrap yourself and your smartphone up well

When it gets uncomfortably cold outside, it's not just us who suffer from the cold, but also all battery-powered devices. Low temperatures can affect battery life and performance - until the smartphone finally goes on strike.

So if you're going to be outside for a long time, e.g. for a walk, you should also keep your smartphone warm. You can do this by carrying it close to your body or by wrapping it in a good protective cover, e.g. made of felt. "This is because condensation can form, especially during extreme temperature fluctuations, when switching from warm to cold, which can lead to malfunctions or damage," explains Christian Büll, head of the IT Infrastructure Management degree programme.

So it's better to use headsets when making calls outdoors to avoid this. If your smartphone does give up the ghost because the battery is too cold, wait until it has warmed up to room temperature before charging it. You should also not leave other electronic devices such as laptops or cameras outside or in the car for too long. And above all, don't switch them on while they are still cold, as this can damage not only the batteries but also the processors.

Very smart heating

If you spend the whole day away from home, it makes little sense to leave the heating on for so long. This costs unnecessary energy that is not really useful. In digital times like these, numerous smart devices are already making things like this easier. Various gadgets are available for smart homes to keep track of the heating at home, for example. With intelligent control via an app, it is possible to check temperature sensors and control the heating from anywhere. Anyone who can afford it and wants to will certainly benefit from such innovative options and will always be warm in winter.

As long as the smartphone battery is kept warm when you go for a walk outside and doesn't give up the ghost ;-)

Our tips from the Department of Energy and Environmental Management:

Speaking of heating. When it gets colder, you always rely on the heating at home. To avoid disappointment, it is advisable to check your heating system at the start of the heating season and follow these tips to avoid any nasty surprises when the cold sets in. To ensure that you too can feel the cosy warmth without any problems, we have some tips on correct heating from Building Services Engineering and Building Automation course leader Werner Stutterecker:

Heating systems should be serviced by a specialist at regular intervals, with machinery checked, wearing parts replaced and safety checks carried out.

It should also be checked whether the correct temperatures and programmes are still set. In summer, the heating system may have been switched to hot water only, in spring a desired set temperature may have been reduced or a time programme adjusted.

If you have a controlled domestic ventilation system without humidity recovery, the air volume flow, i.e. the ventilation, can be reduced over the winter. This means that less moisture is transported out of the building via the exhaust air and the relative humidity can be kept at a higher level, i.e. the air remains more humid.

Tip from the Social Affairs Department:

Poverty, hunger and homelessness are issues that tend to be forgotten in everyday life. Unfortunately, not everyone is as well off as we are and now, as winter and the real freezing cold approach with autumn, the deeds of St Martin, which we commemorate on 11 November, are inspiring.

It happens far too often that people lose their jobs and possessions for various reasons, are thrown out the door and can't even afford something to eat. Christian Bergman, a student on the Bachelor's degree programme in Social Work , told us how we can help here. Christian refers to the Pannonian Food Bank - from his own experience. For him, too, money was tight for a while shortly before his studies until he finally received the study grant he had been waiting for. He was welcomed at the food bank with warmth and great compassion, receiving food and valuable support. He has been a volunteer there ever since and has even helped to set up his own area, the advice centre.

"When it gets colder, people are more likely to seek help from organisations like the Pannonian Food Bank. Above all, clothing is more in demand here. At the food bank, you don't just get food, but much more," explains the student. "In addition to food, clothing, etc., the Tafel also offers advice on finding accommodation and jobs and is a contact point for asylum seekers. However, if someone needs a place to sleep, we refer them to the refuge room in Caritas Haus Franziskus. There are places for homeless people there."

From 1 November, the Austrian food banks' winter aid campaign "Suppe mit Sinn" ("Soup with a Purpose") will also be running, in which restaurants will dedicate a soup on their menu to the food bank. So you can do something good simply by eating soup.

If you want to get socially involved, there are plenty of places you can turn to in order to do the right thing. Not only donations, but also interest in participating in projects and interested parties are always welcome.

We wish you a wonderful autumn and start to the winter!