The Australian Embassy in Vienna, Austria, hosted a visit in June 2014 by well-known Australian author Dr Anita Heiss.

Austrian audiences were introduced to Dr Heiss's work, learning about and discussing questions of identity and Aboriginal writing.

During her visit Dr Heiss gave seminar presentations, led discussions, and read from her memoir, Am I Black Enough for You? She spoke movingly about her experience as the daughter of a marriage between 'outsiders' – her Austrian father, who was born near Salzburg, and her mother, a member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales.

'Same but Different – how can we be the same when we have different cultural heritages and identities?' was the topic of discussion at an event in the inner-city Viennese Café Prückel, a well-known literary hang-out. The audience stayed well after hours to continue a lively information exchange.

Dr Heiss gave the annual Stephen Wurm lecture at a seminar on 'Languages, Literatures and the Australia-Europe Connection', giving insights into Australia's contemporary Indigenous cultures and values, along with practical advice for the largely academic audience about where to locate resource material on Aboriginal writing and culture.

The lecture stimulated discussion between Australian and Austrian professors about literature and Australian-European linkages; Austrian responses to contemporary Australian films and literature; and a discussion of the Narrenfreiheit (the 'freedom enjoyed by a fool') of a person who does not belong to any nation.

The seminar, co-hosted by the Embassy, the University of Vienna, the Australian National University, the Austrian Australian Society, and the Austrian South Pacific Society, resulted in a 'quick win' outcome: the English language department at the University of Vienna and Dr Heiss are now going to explore opportunities for future collaboration.

Dr Heiss's travel was supported by the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS