Erwin Steinhauer honored for preserving Viennese dialect and culture

Actor and cabaret artist Erwin Steinhauer has received the Hermann-Leopoldi-Ehrenpreis, a prestigious award celebrating Viennese dialect and culture. The honor was presented by Ronald Leopoldi, son of the renowned Viennese musician Hermann Leopoldi, at the Wiener Volksliedwerk.

Steinhauer, born in 1951, has dedicated decades to preserving the unique Viennese dialect and cultural heritage, which he sees as increasingly threatened by globalized media and language trends. His artistic career includes performances of classic Viennese works, such as his 1986 portrayal of "Der Herr Karl" at the Akademietheater, a role originally made famous by Helmut Qualtinger.

He has also championed the music of Hermann Leopoldi, performing Leopoldi programs for the past fifteen years. Steinhauer collaborates with musicians like Maciej Golebiowski and Alexander Shevchenko of Klezmer Reloaded to reinterpret Leopoldi's songs, blending traditional elements with Klezmer influences. "These texts must not be lost. We must bring them closer to a young generation," Steinhauer emphasized, highlighting his commitment to ensuring the legacy of Viennese culture endures.

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These texts must not be lost. We must bring them closer to a young generation.