Heinzpeter Thiel - A Man of Minds!

Heinzpeter Thiel whilst studying his Schedule - photo by Nigel A JAMES

An Historical Academic Event!

There are those who have a desire for learning, and there are those who can provide the sought after knowledge; but the gulf between the two can never be bridged unless a visible means be established to knit the two sides together. And this has more to do with feelings than anything else, and, five years ago, Heinzpeter Thiel had just such a feeling that led to a brand new beginning for the learning of many - he founded the Hietzing Academy!

Heinzpeter Thiel had been living in Hietzing, a leafy well-to-do suburb of Vienna, for many happy years when he retired, and, it was then that this ex-journalist and publisher decided that the windows in his schedule could be easily filled with the pursuit of learning and the gathering of knowledge. But, where were the interesting and meaningful topics that he was looking for? The answer was nowhere! And so, he started the Hietzinger academy.

And now, within the space of just a few very short years, and, with the tremendous help of his wife, Hildegard, and, of course, the local council, the Hietzinger Academy has become even much more than Heinzpeter’s wildest of very wild dreams! There are many more like-minded people than he ever thought possible; and, what started as small has now become an indispensable part of many people’s lives!

And, one of the academy’s most popular events are its “back to school days”. These are days, where, just like the ones of long, long ago, people are able to recapture the spirit of learning and brush up their often forgotten lessons of yesteryear - and all complete with real teachers, a class room, a break, and, a time-table to match!

And teachers, as Heinzpeter discovered, are just as keen as everyone else. Not only are the classes and lectures always full to capacity, there are, too, more than enough people who are willing to pass on their knowledge in, what is, a meeting of minds where the coming together of wanting and giving takes place, in, what was, just a few years ago, a vision of Heinzpeter Thiel!