AN EVENING OF STYLE AND GLAMOUR WITH A HOST OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING AMBASSADOR GIOVANNI PUGLIESE, PETER HANKE, FEDERAL MINISTER FOR INNOVATION, MOBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND JOSEF FABER, CEO OF FABER HOLDING
May (G.T.) - Vienna, 5 May 2026: a special evening of design and glamour, inspired by La Dolce Vita: Vespa, the world-famous cult Italian brand, celebrated its 80th anniversary (1946–2026) at an exclusive event held at Palazzo Metternich, the headquarters of the Italian Embassy in Vienna. Around 250 guests arrived to celebrate, including leading names from the worlds of politics, business, culture and society, and were treated to a journey brimming with style which led them through Vespa’s eighty-year history. Music, Italian design and the Mediterranean lifestyle ensured the evening was an experience to be savoured with all the senses, in honour of the legendary two-wheel global icon.
Numerous well-known guests took part in the celebrations, including Aaron Karl (actor), Stefan Koubek (former professional tennis player), Christina Lugner (socialite), Michi Buchinger (comedian), Kurt Mann (CEO of Der Mann), Ciro de Luca (actor), Rainer Pariasek (ORF sports presenter), Siegfried Wolf (Austrian entrepreneur), Stephan Zöchling (CEO of Remus) and Wolfgang Pissecker (comedian and actor).
Also in attendance were Piaggio Group executives Flavio Lasalandra (Head of Motorcycle Brands/Marketing & Communication, ed.) and Marco Pagliuca (Head of MEA Region & Importers/2W Italy, EMEA & America markets, ed.), who had travelled from Italy especially for the occasion. With real charm and skill, presenter and star Nadja Bernhard hosted the evening, organised as part of Italian Design Day 2026, showcasing the Vespa as a symbol of technological innovation and style that is always evolving. One of the most notable moments was the video link with Italy featuring Matteo Colaninno, Chairman of the Piaggio Group, who addressed the guests at the event.
From left: Giovanni Pugliese, Italian Ambassador to Austria; Josef Faber, CEO of Faber Holding; and presenter Nadja Bernhard. On stage, Vespa 80th.
Josef Faber, CEO of Faber Holding, helped to organise the celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the brand. Faber GmbH, the main Austrian importer of Vespa models, first began importing this icon in 1964; since then, the company has also imported all subsequent models of the famous scooter into the country: “Vespa is passion on two wheels. For 80 years, it has been captivating people all over the world, with a charm that remains as strong as ever. We are proud to say that Austria ranks among the most successful markets worldwide. This anniversary celebration is a thank you to everyone who has helped make Vespa what it is today: a ‘Love Brand’ in the very best sense of the word,” he declared.
From left, Italian Ambassador to Austria Giovanni Pugliese with presenter Nadja Bernhard; in the photo on the right, Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, during his speech.
In his opening address at the event, Ambassador Giovanni Pugliese praised the Vespa as a cultural phenomenon and a timeless symbol of Italy: “The Vespa is much more than just a means of transport: it is a symbol of freedom, elegance and joie de vivre. It embodies Italian design at its most enchanting, and even after eighty years, it remains a timeless classic.”
A journey through 80 years of the Vespa. Inside the magnificent historic building, specially decorated for the occasion, guests were able to admire a stunning exhibition dedicated to the history of the brand: from its fascinating beginnings in the post-war years to its legendary vintage models, right up to the modern Vespas in the current range – with the new Vespa 80th special commemorative series taking centre stage – ready to carry the Italian spirit into the future. Culinary delights, live music including a wonderful performance by Italian soprano Mariam Battistelli, and evocative light installations delivered an authentic taste of Italian lifestyle.
The exhibition of several rare Vespa models produced over the past eighty years was a real highlight, with each representing a piece of design history with its own inimitable character; a painstakingly curated exhibition, complemented by reproductions of posters and advertisements from the various eras. This was accompanied by the exciting and trendy Vespa Fashion Show, with models parading amongst the guests wearing pieces from Vespa’s clothing and lifestyle collections.
https://www.vespa.com/en_EN/readytowear-and-lifestyle/
Vespa: a success story that has become a cult classic. The history of the Vespa began on 23 April 1946, when entrepreneur Enrico Piaggio filed a patent application for the two-wheeled vehicle (designed by the engineer Corradino d’Ascanio, ed.) that was destined to become famous across the world. Since then, few other products have embodied the Italian Dolce Vita in quite the same way: style, excitement and freedom on two wheels. With nearly 20 million vehicles sold to date, Vespa is the leading global mobility brand, and has brought together generations and cultures, leaving its mark across five continents.
In Austria, too, Vespa passion shows no sign of slowing: since 1964, the Faber Group has been contributing to Vespa’s success. With over 150,000 vehicles currently registered, the Vespa is by far the most popular two-wheeler in this country: a success story that is set to continue. Eighty years from its birth, the Vespa remains exactly what it has always been: a celebration of life and style on two wheels, and perhaps the most iconic symbol of the Italian Dolce Vita. Looking to the future. Happy Birthday Vespa!
Vespa Austria: www.vespa.at
SOCIAL CORNER – ITALIAN EMBASSY – VIENNA. ITALY IN AUSTRIA FACEBOOK:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYM5g0miE78/?img_index=1
‘On the occasion of #ItalianDesignDay and #MadeInItalyDay, the event "80 Years of Vespa" was held at the Italian Embassy in Vienna. The Vespa, an iconic symbol of Italian style and ingenuity, celebrates its 80th anniversary. Thanks to Josef Faber for supporting the event and for showcasing the excellence of Italian craftsmanship.’ From left: Josef Faber, CEO of Faber Holding; Giovanni Pugliese, Italian Ambassador to Austria; Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure.
GRAZIE MILLE – 80 JAHRE VESPA.
Vienna, 6 May 2026 – “Around 250 guests from the worlds of politics, business, culture and society turned the celebration at the Palais Metternich into a stylish journey through eight decades of Vespa history. Music, fashion and a touch of Mediterranean flair characterised the evening, paying tribute to the iconic brand and its unmistakable Dolce Vita style.
A sincere thanks to everyone who celebrated with us, sent us their best wishes or followed the event from afar: your interest and enthusiasm are what make Vespa the much-loved brand that brings people together across the world.
For eight decades, Vespa has brought Italian joie de vivre to the roads of Austria, serving as a bridge between two cultures that represents a unique combination of tradition, style and passion.
We can’t wait to continue this journey with you.”*
KIND REGARDS, JOSEF FABER & GIOVANNI PUGLIESE
CEO FABER GROUP & BOTSCHAFTER VON ITALIEN IN ÖSTERREICH
All photos of the event are by @Andreas Stischler
professional photo network & press pictures:
https://andreastischler.com/20238/80-Jahre-Vespa-Italienische-Botschaft,-Wien.html
*Originaltext auf Deutsch: Wien, 6. Mai 2026 - “WIR BLICKEN BEGEISTERT AUF EINEN GANZ BESONDEREN ABEND ZURÜCK: IN DER ITALIENISCHEN BOTSCHAFT IN WIEN ZELEBRIERTE VESPA AM 5. MAI IHR 80‑JÄHRIGES JUBILÄUM – EIN FEST IM ZEICHEN VON DESIGN, LEIDENSCHAFT UND ITALIENISCHEM LEBENSGEFÜHL.
RUND 250 GÄSTE AUS POLITIK, WIRTSCHAFT, KULTUR UND SOCIETY MACHTEN DIE FEIER IM PALAIS METTERNICH ZU EINER STILVOLLEN REISE DURCH ACHT JAHRZEHNTE VESPA‑GESCHICHTE. MUSIK, MODE UND MEDITERRANES FLAIR VERWANDELTEN DEN ABEND IN EINE HOMMAGE AN DIE KULTMARKE UND DAS UNVERWECHSELBARE DOLCE VITA.
EIN HERZLICHES DANKESCHÖN GILT ALLEN, DIE MIT UNS GEFEIERT, GRATULIERT ODER DAS EVENT AUS DER FERNE BEGLEITET HABEN – IHR INTERESSE UND IHRE BEGEISTERUNG MACHEN VESPA ZU JENER LOVE BRAND, DIE MENSCHEN AUF DER GANZEN WELT VERBINDET.
SEIT ACHT JAHRZEHNTEN BRINGT VESPA ITALIENISCHE LEBENSFREUDE AUF ÖSTERREICHS STRASSEN – EINE BRÜCKE ZWISCHEN ZWEI KULTUREN, DIE TRADITION, STIL UND LEIDENSCHAFT IN BESONDERER WEISE VEREINT.
WIR FREUEN UNS, DIESE REISE GEMEINSAM MIT IHNEN FORTZUSETZEN.”
(Source: Vespa Austria press releases; with thanks to Lara Gstöttenbauer & curry.com team).
Photo courtesy @Andreas Stischler.
Italian Design Day throughout the world:
https://italiandesignday-official.it/
