For the past week, I’ve been pondering the fate of Karno Markovics at this point. He was a charming old gentleman who spent many months of the year in my favorite spa, the Gänsehäufel in the Alte Donau in Vienna – and not only with me, but also with many other regular guests – and especially the guests who left a lasting impression. Apparently, he did the same with many of the readers of this column, because there were many concerned inquiries about the whereabouts of Mr. Markovics, whom I recently stopped seeing at his usual place on the west beach of the island. Had war happened?

Fortunately, I can provide information, even if the news is not good. Two friends of his kindly shared his story with me – and I don’t want to withhold it from you. Markovics died in 2019 at the age of 101. His “Gspusi”, a lady who is now quite elderly, can still be found regularly in the Gänsehäufel, they say; and she still misses him very much.

A bathing neighbor of Karno Markovics, who also lives in the outdoor pool from the first to the last day of summer, knows the last details: According to this, his friend was also a legend because he was not particularly discreet in his courtship of beautiful women. This has created a lot of talking points over the years. And a reason to gossip is always welcome in a sociotope that has the character of a small town.

Markovics died after a serious fall. It happened, where else, of course at its regular place in the Gänsehäufel. The old man, who was lying on the ground, is said to have whispered to the emergency doctor who looked after him: “Step aside, you’re standing in the sun.” Not only does Diogenes look for a place in the sun in his barrel, whose view was blocked by Alexander the Great, but also Karno Markovics. And his good friend and neighbor, who will soon be drawn to a “simple hippie island in Thailand” when the Gänsehäufel closes for the winter.

So, he says, he holds it every year. Summer by the river, winter by the sea: life can be so beautiful, you just have to do it right. So now the mystery is solved – and one last time reminded of the magic of the old charmer. May he also be allowed to live in a cabin in heaven (this is how Austrians die in their small bathing huts) and be spoiled by all his admirers.

Incidentally, another mystery was also solved in this context: Another letter writer informed me that he now finally knows what Rainhard Fendrich means when he sings his lines in “Strada del Sole”: “Wa i nua daham remained my mates, i wish ollas dearest to hell. What do I need the Bledsinn, I stand on the goose hill, I don’t give a damn about Italy.” The lyrics in the song: highest poetry. How nice when the Austropop not only the “Schifoan” in winter, but also the bathing fun in summer for a cultural event raises.

This column also appears in Austria newsletterThe reporting of the SZ on Austria bundled. Register now for free.