Paper Collective:
Hi Jelena. To start, can you tell me a little bit about Graz, the city you call home. Where is it located in Austria, and what is the geography of the area?
Jelena Donko:
Graz is an old, medieval city nestled in the green province of Styria and around two hours south from the Austrian capital Vienna. The area around the city is characterised by lush hilly landscapes where one can visit one of the many wineries and so called “Buschenschanks”. Despite being the second largest city in Austria (in regards to its population numbers), Graz feels quite small and cosy to me. It’s old, medieval center with narrow streets and old buildings from different historic eras is something that really inspires me on a daily basis. It is a nice sentement to think about how these old structures have stood there for hundreds of years and most probably will do so for centuries to come, and how you are a fairly short part of their existence. It can feel a bit like time travel. I also like the organic, slightly chaotic feel of the old city that has slowly evolved over centuries.
The most iconic landmark of Graz is the “Schloßberg” which is a tree-clad hill and the site of a fortress in the centre of the city. It is a special place because it offers an elevated view and completely different experience of the city.
PC:
We are coming into spring. What do you love about the summertime in Vienna?
Jelena:
I would say that spring and summer is the best time here in Graz. Everything comes to life and the combination of long, sunny days and life on the streets emist a certain feeling of Italian summers. A lot of festivals and markets happen in the spring and most of the restaurants and cafes open their “Gastgarten” - which are basically outdoor seating areas. I simply love how lively the city becomes and I often go for walks with my husband just to inhale that feeling of Styrian “dolce vita”.