Please note: This article was first published on The Vegan Tourist and last updated June 10, 2013. (I deleted inactive links on November 28, 2021.)
I almost didn’t make it to this year’s Veganmania festival, which took place in Vienna, Austria, from June 7 – 9, 2013, due to various work commitments. But it’s the biggest vegan festival in Vienna, and I wasn’t going to miss it. So I got up at 3:00 AM on Sunday and finished all my writing (I’m a journalist) before noon. An hour later I was at the festival, enjoying a vegan lunch, a plate of Indian Thali: two different curries (lentil, potatoes & vegetables), Basmati rice, salad and papadum.
This year, due to its huge success, the festival was extended from two to three days. Vienna is the biggest stop on the Veganmania festival tour, which stops in a number of cities in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Croatia. (To read about Veganmania 2012, click here.)
In Vienna, more than 30 organizations and businesses had stalls at the festival. In addition to vegan food, vendors sold clothing, bags, cosmetics, books, shoes, and other vegan products. Several animal welfare organizations were also represented at the festival.
In 1998, the Vegan Society Austria (Vegane Gesellschaft Österreich) organised a number of events in a few Austrian cities. Veganmania gave local vegan businesses an opportunity to present themselves to a wider public. The Veganmania “summer tour” quickly grew, and more dates were added each year, not just in Austria but in other European cities as well.
In 2013, Veganmania festivals already took place in Linz, Graz (and last weekend) in Vienna, as well as in Winterthur (Switzerland) and Munich (Germany). All through the summer, more festivals will take place in Austria, Germany, Slovenia, and Croatia. Check the events calendar on this website for further details.
Just like last year, I bought my lunch from “Dharamsala,” a catering company, which offers Indian food. I also bought a vegan potato-and-vegetables pide from Makam Naturkost to take home for dinner.
The Vegane Gesellschaft Österreich offers more information on its Veganmania website. Unfortunately, all the information on this site is in German. However, just like last year there are many photos on the website, which will give you a good idea about what to expect.
Website: http://www.veganmania.at