What’s been making the front pages of street papers during the past month?

Happy Halloween! The end of October is nigh, and we’re ready to dust off the cobwebs and send shivers down your spine with our round-up of covers from the past month.

Jan became homeless in 2000 and moved to Vienna from the Czech Republic seven years ago. He has struggled to secure long-term employment as a result of his visual impairment and returned to his work as an Augstin vendor earlier this year. Here, he talks about the importance of community and the experiences that led him back to Augustin.

Gerri has been an Augustin vendor for two decades and is a familiar face in Vienna. He sells the magazine in the Gürtel bar district, where he’s known for his friendly demeanour, is on first-name terms with the local bar owners and fields endless questions – with a certain level of bemusement – from people about the fact that he is nearly always barefoot.

Magdalena moved to Austria from her home in Romania to sell Augustin. Her employment prospects back in her home country are slim. She spoke to the street paper about the obstacles keeping her from staying in Pitești with her family, as well as acclimating to Austrian food.

Boban Pajkovic has been living in Vienna for over 50 years, after moving to Austria from Serbia in 1967. Here, the talks about his work as an Augustin vendor, the kindness of a man called Mr D and the tells story of how he lost the little toe on his right foot.

Klara has been selling Augustin in Vienna for seven years. She tells us about her life as a street paper vendor, her sadness at being separated from her children and the companionship that she enjoys with her dog, Rocky.

Gernot Holzinger is an Augustin vendor who lives in Vienna. Here, he talks candidly about his past and problems with addiction, and talks about his involvement with the paper.

Retired plumber Ernö is originally from Hungary, and has been selling the Augustin for nine years now – with a little help from a supermarket manager and a local pastor. He sends what money he can back home to his wife, who is ill, and his three daughters.

Frances wanted to become a university lecturer in her home country of Nigeria, but she was forced to leave. After arriving in Austria, she began selling Augustin to support herself. Now in the second year of her Master’s degree in Sociology, she sells the paper as often as her studies allow.

Martin has been selling Augustin since nearly the very beginning. Now, 20 years later, he talks about money troubles, about getting older and being free.

August’s street paper covers have the Olympic spirit, featuring ‘cuddly lawnmowers’, a homeless wedding, Steven Spielberg, and a cheeky little bit of rickrolling.