Also: “ORF III Theme Monday” about cut flowers and house plants, “Thursday Night” and much more – from February 19th to 25th, 2024
Vienna (OTS) – Everything about the green thumb in the “ORF III Theme Monday”
The “ORF III Theme Monday” on February 19th focuses on a green home: First, the new production does the “Flower and Houseplant Check” (8:15 p.m.) and highlights the origin of orchids and houseplants in the trade, as well as their quality as well as the production conditions in the countries of origin. In addition, there are three other ORF III documentary premieres on the program: “The Tricks with Plants and Flowers” (9:05 p.m.), “Cut Flowers – Cheap or Expensive?” (9:55 p.m.) and “The Truth About Houseplants” (10:30 p.m.).
“ORF III Cultural Tuesday” including the premiere of “Habsburg’s East – The Era of Austria in Ukraine”
To mark two years of the war in Ukraine, “ORF III Cultural Tuesday” will show three “Heritage of Austria” documentaries on February 20th: The west of Ukraine was under Austrian rule for 150 years. During this time, Ukrainian national consciousness grew there. In the new production “Habsburg’s East – The Austrian Era in Ukraine” (8:15 p.m.), ORF III follows red-white-red trails in Galicia and Bukovina. However, the Habsburgs were unable to establish any real roots there; on the contrary: it was precisely in western Ukraine that Austria suffered its first serious defeat at the beginning of the First World War. The film “Habsburg System Error – How the Monarchy Broke” (9:05 p.m.) then shows the circumstances that ultimately led to the downfall of the monarchy in the fall of 1918. Finally, the documentary “The Habsburg Connection – The Mysterious Royal House near Wiener Neustadt” (9:55 p.m.) provides insight into the Habsburg network and their traces in the Wiener Neustadt area.
With “Home Austria” and “Country Life” to the Wurzeralm, to Lech and to the Defereggental
On Wednesday, February 21st, a new “Heimat Österreich” production “Around the Wurzeralm” (8:15 p.m.) will be shown. In the cold season, the region around the Upper Austrian Wurzeralm transforms into a true winter jewel. The new “Country Life” documentary “Around Lech” (9:05 p.m.) then focuses on the diverse Ländle region and its people – from the flourishing tourist resort at over 1,400 meters above sea level with the mighty Omeshorn in the background to the quiet back end of the valley that belongs solely to the deer and stags. Finally we go to the “Defereggental” in East Tyrol (9.55 p.m.).
Health in ORF III: Measles, blood pressure and heart health
The number of measles cases is increasing rapidly in Austria: with almost 60 confirmed cases in six federal states, it is one of the top European countries, and the trend is rising. Due to current events, “MERYN am Montag” (6:45 p.m.) on February 19th is dedicated to this highly contagious disease. Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, especially in children. ORF III health expert Siegfried Meryn and Lukas Weseslindtner, specialist in virology at MedUni Vienna and head of the reference laboratory for measles, mumps and rubella, answer the audience’s questions.
A new edition of “treffpunkt medizin” on Wednesday, February 21st focuses on “Health myths: 10 questions about blood pressure” (10:30 p.m.). Blood pressure can be the cause of many health problems such as strokes or heart attacks. In collaboration with experts, widespread assumptions are taken up and examined in more detail. Finally, “Health Myths: Heart” (11:20 p.m.) is about the most important human organ.
“Land of the Mountains: In the Kingdom of the Tauern Queen” and cabaret greats on “Thursday Night”
ORF III opens the main evening on Thursday, February 22nd with the two-part “Land of the Mountains” production “In the Kingdom of the Tauern Queen” and highlights the special history of this region, its people, the history of alpinism and the unique flora Fauna. First it’s about “Man and Nature” (8:15 p.m.), then “The Timeless Wilderness” (9:05 p.m.) focuses on the breathtakingly beautiful and at the same time harsh nature.
On “Thursday Night” it’s “Everything’s fine, but…” (9:55 p.m.) with Klaus Eckel. A new edition of “In the Red Chair” follows at 11 p.m., this time with Michael Niavarani. In it, the audience favorite talks about his career, his secret to success and why people are “critters”. “Cabaret in the Tower” then presents “John Smile – Hundred Percent Smile” (11:40 p.m.). The thoroughbred entertainer is authentic, shameless and understands the use of timing and rhythm like no other – fits of laughter are inevitable. “Austrofreds Barcelona” (12:10 a.m.) with rapper and slamp poet Yasmo (Klangkantine) and clarinetist and Vienna Philharmonic member Matthias Schorn concludes the humorous evening.
“zeit.geschichte” Saturday with a focus on Eastern Europe and the conflict-ridden legacy of the Soviet Union
The main evening on Saturday, February 24th, begins with the new “zeit.geschichte” production “Bye, bye Russia – Ukraine’s rocky march to the EU” (8:15 p.m.). Thirty-three years ago, Ukraine declared its independence, a key step in the collapse of the Soviet Union. The “Orange Revolution” took place in 2004, followed by the “Euromaidan” ten years ago. The revolution was followed by the Russian annexation of the Crimean peninsula and the conflict in eastern Ukraine. For two years now, the weapons have been speaking again in a war that Russia started on February 24, 2022. Christian Wehrschütz traces Ukraine’s difficult path between Russian striving for hegemony and long-standing Western indifference. This is followed by the documentaries “Ukraine – History in the Shadow of Russia” (9:05 p.m.) and “Crimea – History of a Contested Peninsula” (9:55 p.m.). The “zeit.geschichte” evening concludes with the ORF III premiere of the second part of “Three thorns in the Russian flesh – Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia” (11:35 p.m.) about the Baltic states’ path from Soviet vassals to full-fledged and convinced EU members.
Classical music on Sunday with the “Magic Flute for Young and Old” from the Vienna State Opera
“Experience Stage” presents the “Backstage Talk with Barbara Rett” (8 p.m.) on Sunday, February 25th, to which the cultural presenter star tenor Roland Villazón welcomes you in the tea room of the Vienna State Opera. This year he took on the role of Papageno at the traditional children’s performance of Mozart’s “Magic Flute” on the day after the Opera Ball, who leads the performance as director. ORF III will then show the recording of the production under the title “From the Vienna State Opera: The Magic Flute for young and old” (8:15 p.m.), which has now introduced generations of young visitors to the world of musical theater. Several thousand children from all over Austria experience an abridged performance of the opera classic in the festive ballroom. Villazón’s Papagena is portrayed by Miriam Kutrowatz, Ilja Kazakov plays the priest Sarastro, Hiroshi Amako plays Tamino and Serena Sáenz can be seen as the Queen of the Night.
Further details about the ORF III Culture and Information program are available at tv.ORF.at/orf3.