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Austrian scientist Karl Scherzer on his visit in Manila aboard the frigate "Novara" 1858

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From 1857-59 the frigate "Novara" circumnavigated the world and became the first Austrian warship to visit the Philippines; it was a scientific mission with renowned Austrian scholars aboard, including Karl von Scherzer. His 70-page narrative on the Philippines is reprinted here in full as a unique historical source. Graphic illustrations - painted snapshots - based on the works of artist Josef Selleny complement this glimpse of the Philippines from an Austrian point of view in June 1858.

Comprehensive background information on the "Novara" mission as well as Austrian naval history try to put this view in a historical framework

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Donko, Wilhelm
Wilhelm M. Donko, geboren 1960 in Linz/Donau, beheimatet in Schärding/Inn, Oberösterreich. Studium an der Universität Salzburg und Tokio (Todai), trat 1990 in den diplomatischen Dienst der Republik Österreich ein; nachfolgend an den Botschaften in Algier, Moskau, Ankara stationiert, sowie als Botschafter in Seoul (2005-09) und in Manila (2009-13). Seit September 2013 wieder in der Zentrale des Außenministeriums in Wien tätig (Abteilung für Ostasien). Zahlreiche Buch- und Artikel-Veröffentlichungen, vorwiegend zu marinegeschichtlichen Themen. Verheiratet mit Yan Donko, zwei Kinder.

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