Nightlife is no longer just about drinks and DJs in Vienna—a new cultural movement is rising, led by artistic visionary Atlanta Kiriacoulis, whose bold concept has reshaped what an “art night” can be. Blending visual art, music, community, and unapologetic storytelling, her brainchild AMBASSADOR at X Club is rewriting the rulebook. Drawing on her roots between the islands of Greece and Vienna’s underground, Atlanta has created a sanctuary where artists, dreamers, and rebels can breathe, speak, and belong. Collaborating closely with a diverse creative team—including Cedrick Mugiraneza, a Burundian-born artist and musician—AMBASSADOR channels a shared passion into a radically fresh and inclusive nightlife experience.
Meet the Creators: Atlanta Kiriacoulis and Cedrick Mugiraneza
FAB: This one’s for both of you: What’s the story behind the name AMBASSADOR? It feels spiritual at times, even political. But let’s hear it directly from you. What’s the meaning behind it?
Cedric & Atlanta: The name AMBASSADOR means different things to different people, and that’s exactly how we like it. But for us, the core idea is this: art is the ultimate language, and artists are the best AMBASSADORS. They’re the ones who connect people, spark conversations, and build bridges across cultures. Whether you’re creating or curating, you’re representing something bigger. That’s what AMBASSADOR stands for.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: It all started when Atlanta invited me into a conversation about the kind of energy she wanted to create in Vienna—something bold, fresh, and community-driven. She had already been shaping the concept, and when we began exchanging ideas, there was this instant click. We didn’t overthink or delay. There was this feeling of “let’s just go for it.” That early momentum gave us a strong creative rhythm from the beginning.
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Exactly. I had been developing the vision for AMBASSADOR for some time—exploring how to merge art, culture, and nightlife into something deeper. Cedrick and I weren’t friends before, not even acquaintances. But when I shared the concept with him, the conversation just flowed. It felt like he understood the direction immediately. That kind of intuitive alignment is rare, and it gave the project an added layer of creative fuel.
FAB: Wow. So you weren’t friends, not even acquaintances? That’s surprising! Let’s dig into that.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: We had a few mutual friends and had probably exchanged hellos at events or clubs, but we’d never had a proper conversation, definitely nothing longer than five minutes.
FAB: Then let’s talk about that first real conversation. Was there a moment that made you think, Okay, this is it; this is my person?
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Honestly, Cedrick reached out after getting my number, and we scheduled a meeting almost immediately—within a day or two. The person who’d contacted us about doing the Thursday events wanted something to launch the following week. So our meeting happened just a couple of days before we were expected to go live. We sat down and said, “Okay, who are you? What do you do? Why are we here?” We were really just testing the vibe. I kept thinking, can we get along? Is he easy to work with? Do we share similar values?
What stood out early on was that we both had distinct, complementary visions. Cedrick was especially passionate about bringing in an international crowd—creating something that could resonate beyond Vienna. For me, the focus was clear from the start: I wanted to build a space where art wasn’t just decoration, but a central, living part of the experience. We realized quickly that these ideas weren’t in conflict—they could feed into each other.
Then it clicked; we had different networks. That was a good thing. It meant we could bring diverse people to the table. But more importantly, we shared the same energy, and our visions aligned. I remember leaving that meeting thinking, Yeah, he’s cool. This could work. And a week later, we launched our first event.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: That’s true. What really stayed with me was when Atlanta said: “Let’s bring Studio 54 to Vienna.” I hadn’t known much about it at the time—she had just visited the museum in Toronto and was really inspired by the energy and legacy of it. When she explained it and showed me what it represented, everything just clicked. That one sentence captured so much: a space where artists, musicians, filmmakers, fashion creatives, and performers could not only gather but be celebrated. I immediately saw the potential. I thought, Yep, we’re speaking the same language.
Why AMBASSADOR Is the Most Important Night in Vienna You’ve Never Heard About
FAB: How would you describe AMBASSADOR to someone who’s never set foot in Vienna, using just three words? Or, if you prefer, feel free to elaborate.
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: I’d definitely say international is one of the key words. Actually, our go-to phrase is usually international art and networking. It’s broad, but it captures the soul of our conversations and what we’re trying to build. And yes, party is another word that fits. There’s an article linked to our page that I wrote, and in it, we talked about the vibe we envisioned. Like Cedric mentioned earlier, we were inspired by Studio 54. That club wasn’t just about nightlife, it was a cultural movement. Back in the day, people like Andy Warhol and Grace Jones were regulars. Art, fashion, music, and celebrity all collided there. Keith Haring was even designing club flyers. There were live performances happening right in the space. That blend of creativity and nightlife, that’s the energy we want to recreate.
FAB:This one’s for you, Atlanta. From growing up under Mykonos sunsets to studying CGI and managing iconic nightclubs, you’ve always been remixing the creative. What part of your past shows up most in AMBASSADOR Nights?
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Honestly, all of it. My artistic foundation plays a big role, and that starts with my family. My grandfather was a well-known journalist who interviewed people like Audrey Hepburn. My grandmother designed costumes for national television. My mom is a mosaic artist. So art was everywhere growing up. We visited museums every Sunday. That was just a part of life. I went on to study fashion, after I studied CGI as well, and later became the manager of an art gallery here in Vienna.
All of that influences how I curate. I can recognize and showcase different types of art. Then there’s my experience in Vienna’s club scene; that gave me momentum. I had so many conversations about how nightlife often feels repetitive. We wanted to bring in a fresh concept, one that integrates the art world. Vienna doesn’t really have weekly, art-centred nightlife experiences; it’s mostly pop-ups or formal talks. There’s a whole crowd of people curious about art but unsure how to engage with it. AMBASSADOR is our answer to that: high-quality, but accessible. My background really helps me bridge those worlds.
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FAB: Cedric, you once said, “Art became survival”, a powerful and raw statement. How do you channel that honesty into a space like X Club?
Cedrick Mugiraneza: That quote really comes from my personal journey. My father was a Burundian AMBASSADOR, but since I was born, we lived like refugees, constantly moving from country to country. Each time we arrived somewhere new, nothing felt familiar. Adapting to new environments felt like performance, sometimes through painting, sometimes through music.
Art helped me process those changes. It gave me a way to belong, to understand myself. That’s why I say art became survival. It’s where I found stability. And with art, you can’t fake it. It mirrors your truth, your feelings, your identity, your way of relating to the world. That honesty is what makes an artist real. It’s also what makes the art we bring to these spaces resonate. It has depth. It has soul.
FAB: Atlanta, you once described nightlife as a canvas. What’s one colour or texture that best represents your curatorial style?
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Oh, great question. One colour? I’d say red. It’s a strong presence in both the club and art spaces for me. It’s bold, emotional, and a bit unconventional, especially in gallery settings where the tone is often sterile. Red transforms the mood. It changes the lighting and shifts the energy. For me, it brings everything together in a way that’s dynamic and memorable.
FAB: Cedric, you’ve ghostwritten hits and curated galleries. What makes AMBASSADOR feel more personal than anything you’ve done before?
Cedrick Mugiraneza: AMBASSADOR brings together all the artistic spheres I care about. I come from music. My friends are actors, painters, photographers, you name it. What makes AMBASSADOR special to me is how it unites all these people from different creative worlds. And we do it every Thursday. That consistency creates something powerful. Just recently, we hosted Alex Kiessling, a renowned Austrian painter. During the night, he reconnected with an old friend, someone he hadn’t made music with in over a decade. That’s the magic of AMBASSADOR: it dissolves boundaries and creates emotional, meaningful moments. That’s what makes it so personal.
FAB: If you could design an AMBASSADOR night inspired by any artist, living or dead, who would it be, and what would the night look like?
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: I’d choose Keith Haring. He’s had a massive influence on me. I picture a night that throws us back in time; Keith is there, and it’s a space where everyone feels free. Gender norms are fluid, the vibe is electric, and art surrounds you. There are live performances, music fills the air, and people connect in real ways, without phones, without distractions. That’s the kind of environment we try to create at AMBASSADOR: a place for people who want to go out but don’t feel like the typical club is for them. We attract thinkers, creatives, even introverts, and that’s where the magic happens. You walk away remembering who was there and feeling inspired.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: I’d go with Amoako Boafo. I’m still proud to have been part of his journey, curating his first exhibition in Vienna. So yes, I’d dedicate an AMBASSADOR night to him at Imperial House, Franz & Sissi at Schönbrunn Palace. We’d exhibit his paintings, have DJs like Black Coffee and Paris Hilton, and live music by Burna Boy. It would be a night where African contemporary art and global music collide.
FAB: Let’s talk about creative chemistry. Be honest, between the two of you, who’s more likely to obsess over lighting, and who just vibes with the moment?
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: I’m probably the obsessive one, though not just about lighting. I tend to overthink the details. Cedric’s more relaxed, or at least that’s how it seems.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: We always say we’re like yin and yang. Sure, I can be loud at times, but I’m generally the calmer one. I’ve always had that steady energy, not just with Atlanta, but in life. And at this point, we know each other so well, we can predict how the other will respond without speaking. That’s real creative sync.
FAB: What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned from each other on this journey?
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Hmm. I’ve come to really admire Cedric’s resilience. I tend to overthink and get very particular, like, “It has to be done this way.” But Cedric approaches things with calmness and flexibility. He’s shown me that there’s more than one way to achieve something, and that’s been a big lesson. Sometimes we get trapped in our own heads, thinking there’s only one right path. Watching him navigate things differently—but still effectively—has been refreshing. It’s grounding. We’re yin and yang; we balance each other out.
And I’ll add this: when you’re building something that starts from a very personal vision, and you bring someone to collaborate, it’s essential to value their presence. Be kind. Protect the partnership, because that’s the core. This wouldn’t work if we weren’t doing it together. We’re very different people. We haven’t even known each other that long, but we respect and appreciate one another—and that’s why it works.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: Atlanta’s energy, and especially her kindness while operating at full speed, is something I really admire. She can juggle three or four things at once and still be gracious. When I’m stressed, I tend to shut down. I don’t want to talk to anyone. But Atlanta? She’ll have five tabs open and still respond to people with warmth and humanity. Working with her has taught me a lot about presence and poise, even in chaos.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: I think the key is quick self-reflection, being willing to pause, check yourself, and genuinely listen to the other person’s perspective. That willingness to communicate honestly is everything.
FAB: Atlanta, anything you’d add?
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Absolutely. Finding a middle ground is essential. In any partnership, business, creative endeavour, or whatever, good communication is the foundation. I think we’ve had differing opinions, but thankfully, no major conflicts. We’ve never fought. And that’s saying a lot because art is subjective. People see and feel things differently. But we’ve agreed to maintain mutual respect and support each other’s values. That’s why it works. Differences are inevitable, but they don’t have to become divisions.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: Right. And from the start, we understood this: there will be times when one of us carries more weight, whether that’s time, energy, or emotional investment. And that’s okay. It’s like a train; sometimes you’re not in the lead, but you’re still onboard, still moving forward. We don’t always have to be 100% aligned, as long as we trust the direction we’re heading. That shared trust is crucial.
What Sets AMBASSADOR Apart in Vienna Nightlife Culture
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Oh yes, there have been many. One that stands out is when people share how AMBASSADOR led to real connections. Some even send us photos saying, “We’re collaborating now, thanks to AMBASSADOR!” That kind of feedback is powerful. I think of Harriet’s talk, for example; it really touched people. Afterwards, we received so many heartfelt messages: “Thank you, this meant so much.” It reminds you that you’re doing something meaningful. It’s not just one moment; it’s been a collection of those beautiful, unexpected responses.
FAB: Cedric?
Cedrick Mugiraneza: What I’ll always remember is when people tell us, “Vienna needed something like this.” That one sentence still gives me chills.
FAB: What do you hope people leave behind at the door when they enter AMBASSADOR? Some places make you drop your phone before entering. Others require you to drop your ignorance, or your sadness.
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Ideally, I hope they leave behind anything heavy, whatever’s weighing on their minds. When you walk in, you’re here to connect, to listen, and to experience something meaningful. Carrying negative energy into a space like that doesn’t serve you or anyone else. We all bring something with us, but if possible, leave your worries and even your self-doubt at the door.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: That’s also part of what makes the X Club so unique. It’s a members-only space, and about 80% of our AMBASSADOR guests have never been there before. So when they arrive, it feels like they’re stepping into another world, leaving their personal lives behind and entering a space full of inspiration. Frustration has no seat there.
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Especially when you pass that massive wall and see the painting at the entrance, there’s a moment of transition. The art, the space – it all helps people let go, especially if it’s their first time.
FAB: And what do you hope they take home with them?
Cedrick Mugiraneza: Inspiration. Hope. Confidence in their creativity. And maybe even new knowledge.
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Yes, and presence. I hope they leave with a renewed sense of being present and intentional. Our talks are around an hour, long enough to go deep but not overwhelming. We carefully choose speakers who offer real value. Artists benefit from curators’ insights. Curators discover emerging talent. And many come simply to learn, people who choose depth over distraction. That’s the kind of community we’re building. Everyone leaves with something. That’s what makes it work.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AMBASSADOR
FAB: AMBASSADOR already feels like more than just a weekly event. What do you hope it becomes in five years?
Cedrick Mugiraneza: In five years, we hope AMBASSADOR becomes known as a platform that truly nurtures artists and supports creative growth. The goal is to make it a familiar, empowering space—not just for members, but for the wider creative community. It’s not about growing just in size, but in energy, reach, and real impact. We’d also love to welcome more people who connect with the vision and want to be part of the team. There’s a lot of potential in expanding the community behind the scenes, too.
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Absolutely. We’re focused on building something with lasting value. Most club art shows don’t serve artists well—people come to party, not to truly engage with the work. Serious artists often stay away. But with AMBASSADOR, I set out to change that. From day one, I wanted to create a high-calibre platform where art, music, and conversation coexist with intention. Every speaker and performer is carefully chosen, and the programming is designed to elevate—not just entertain.
Our vision is for AMBASSADOR to become a cultural landmark in Vienna, a space that reflects and shapes the city’s creative identity. That’s the difference—it’s not just another club night. The people who attend are often from galleries, museums, and international institutions. These are influential voices. And we’re here to meet that level of energy with equally serious curatorial purpose.
We’re also aiming to expand—more collaborations, more institutional partnerships, and more people on board who feel aligned with what we’re building. That’s definitely part of our future.
FAB: That leads to my next question. What’s something you’re still dreaming of doing, together or individually?
Cedrick Mugiraneza: The biggest dream? If a gallery in Abuja, New York, Rome, or Milan said, “We love what you’re doing—bring AMBASSADOR here,” that would be incredible. With the energy Atlanta has sparked and the drive we’ve both put in, I believe we could make it happen. Hopefully in a few years, we’ll have the international connections to support that. Basaga and Art International—why not?
Atlanta Kiriacoulis: Yes! I’ve always imagined AMBASSADOR growing beyond Vienna—not just as a weekly night, but as a full creative platform. One that promotes, educates, and gives back. That’s the long-term vision: to turn it into something immersive and multidimensional. We’re thinking about live music, performances, exhibitions, more artists, and unforgettable cultural moments that travel. And not just expansion for the sake of it—intentional expansion that still holds the same depth and energy we’ve built here.
Cedrick Mugiraneza: Even now, our evenings bring a lot of people together. So imagine AMBASSADOR hosting a night in Milan, drawing everyone who’s passionate about the arts. That would be truly special.
Fun Zone: #FabFastFive with Cedrick Mugiraneza
FAB: What is the one movie you can watch over and over again?
Cedric: Django and Shane. Nice.
FAB: Which music describes your life at the moment?
Cedric: Dancehall music
FAB: If you could be any animal, any animal, what would it be?
Cedric Koala
FAB: If you could have lunch with one person from history, who would it be?
Cedric: Bob Marley.
FAB: If you were given a chance to make your one wish come true, what would it be?
Cedric: I would like to be at the Old Trafford Stadium, where Manchester United plays against Barcelona in the Champions League final, and Manchester United wins 3-2.
Fun Zone: #FabFastFive with Atlanta Kiriacoulis
FAB: If you have a million, what are the things you wouldn’t spend on?
Atlanta: I guess watches.
FAB: What type of cuisine would you serve your customers if you owned a five-star restaurant?
Atlanta: Mediterranean.
FAB: Vienna or New York after midnight?
Atlanta: New York.
FAB: A perfectly curated guest list or a wildly unpredictable crowd?
Atlanta: A curated guest list.
FAB: Which of the two smells better? Fresh-cut grass or bread baking in the oven?
Atlanta: Bread baking in the oven.
