The migration movement in Burgenland began in the 18th centrury with the migration of agricultural workers, and was then increased in the 19th century by the migration to America and is continued by commuting nowadays. The uneconomical tiny agricultural farms, the lack of jobs in trade and industry and the excesive population growth at the turn of the century can be regarded as the main reasons. On the other hand the demand for workers in intensive agriculture or industrial areas motivated people to emigrate.

Vienna, where about 40.000 Burgenländers are living at present, is in the forefront with regard to migration, followed by Styria, Vorarlberg and Upper Austria.

Within Europe after an emigration wave of agricultural workers to Germany in the thirties of our century a selective emigration movement into Switzerland developed in the fifties and sixties still born out today by the numerous Austrian and Burgenland communities there.

With regard to migration to America, Burgenland is the most important emigrant state in the whole of Austria. From 1850-1914, 33.000 Burgenländers left their homes, 24.000 in the time between the Wars. In the twenties each eleventh German-speaking passenger aboard an emigration liner came from the district of Güssing alone. At the beginning of the thirties there was a wave of emigration especially from the district of Mattersburg to South Africa.

Virtually no-remigration rate can be ascertained in this case.

Subtracting the re-migration rate, the permanent migration loss to overseas amounts to at least 52.000 people. 100.000 Burgenländers and their descendents lived in America at the end of the seventies, of these 80% in the United States, 12% in Canada, 2% in Brasil, 5% in Argentina, the rest in some other states of the South American continent.

In the States 20.000 former Oberwart citizens still live in Chicago today, South Bend is a self-contained settlement of Croates from the district of Oberpullendorf. Emigrants especially from the district of Güssing live in Lehigh County in Pennsylvania with its centre in Allentown. The centre of the emigrants of the Strem- and Pinkatal is still formed by Passaic in New Jersey today. In New York, Burgenländers emigrants live and work mainly in the Bronx.

In Canada the Burgenländers of the latest emigrant generation mainly live in the region of Toronto.

The most preferred settlement areas in South America are Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo, Santos and other cities on the east coast. However there are no self-contained settlements of the Burgenländers.

In Australia you will find Burgenland emigrants especially in Sydney and Melbourne, a few Burgenländers also emigrated to New Zealand.

Those Burgenländers who had to flee to Israel in the Nazi Era for political reasons represent a special case. A settlement near Jerusalem by the name of Kyriat Mattersdorf still exists today.

After the Second World War, mostly migration only occured in isolation because of economic or social reasons; today even the number of weekly commuters is decreasing on accounts of the good traffic connections.

This article is a part of the book „ Burgenland Panorama", whose summary is printed beneath.

Summary „Burgenland Panorama"

This informative illustrated volume shows the Burgenland from its most beautiful sides, especially where the variety of the youngest state of Austria im emphasized. In addition to the special topography and the sorrowful history as a border region in the heart of Europe, the people of this country are given the place they deserve. The ethnic groups of the German-speaking Hianzn and of the Hoadbauern, the Croats, the Hungarians and the Roma are presented the same way as the variety of the confessional belief groups, the Catholics, the Protestants AC and HC, as well as the Jews in the Burgenland. A special chapter is dedicated to the Burgenlanders abroad, who in the twenties and thirties had to leave home - mostly for the USA - because of poverty and fear of the future development. The Burgenland noble families with their lands as well as the castles and palaces of our country are documented either.

Settlement forms, customs and folk art, eating and drinking, Pannonian specialties, are recollected. Youth culture, the most famous and best known musicians, painters and writers of the state are presented. The best known local heritage museums are presented in detail within the frame work of the description of the municipalities.

The political information covers state politics and administration, all institutions important for the state, as soon as the corresponding non governmental institutions and authorities.

The national and regional energy supply including biological heating plants and institutions of waste disposal are also presented. All Burgenland municipalities with all their village parts with all their endearing characteristics are introduced in word and picture.

Burgenland as an EU region with all its centers and expansion plans is another important chapter of this book.

Large-area nature reserves, mineral waters and health resorts on the one hand become opposed to nature conscious agriculture and forestry on the other hand.

The wine-growing regions, wine varieties and the best reputed wines of the Burgenland are the focus of wine culture together with the wine and must taverns presented in the individual areas.

Starting with the basic economic data, the economy of the state is seen from various points of view; crafts, trades, industry, commuters and foreign worker are documented. The book closes with a presentation of selected Burgenland enterprises.

The book can be ordered from:

Dr. Günter Stefanits
Landesschulrat für Burgenland
Kernausteig 3
A-7000 Eisenstadt

E-Mail: guenther.stefanits@lsr-bgld.gv.at
Price: $38.- inclusively Austrian tax
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