Vienna sends the waltz into space: cultural light signal in honor of Strauss

Vienna sends the waltz into space: cultural light signal in honor of Strauss

On June 1, 2025 at 8:36 p.m., the well-known waltz “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss Sohn was sent into space as an electromagnetic signal. The transmission took place from the European space station DSA 2 in Spain and is part of the ambitious “Waltz into Space” initiative, which was launched in collaboration with Vienna Tourism, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Vienna Philharmonic. This event marks the start of the celebrations to mark the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss' son.

The project refers to a variety of activities that Vienna is planning to commemorate the "King of Waltz. Queen of Music". A total of around 65 events are planned over a period of 250 days. The signals sent also bear the names of more than 13,700 registered ambassadors of the “space note”. Among the prominent participants in the broadcast were Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, who emphasized the cultural significance of the project.

Cultural celebrations and concerts

Before the signal broadcast, a concert took place the evening before in the Vienna Museum of Applied Arts (MAK), conducted by Peter Popelka. The waltz was performed there with light choreography to an enthusiastic audience, and the performance was broadcast live in Vienna, Spain and the Madrid Planetarium.

Further festivities are planned for the Space in the City festival, which invites visitors to explore the cosmos through a variety of activities. The next event, designed to build the cultural bridge between heaven and earth, will be a concert in Valencia on June 3, 2025, followed by performances in Barcelona and Madrid on June 4 and 5, 2025, respectively. The Vienna Philharmonic will perform at various other locations in Europe throughout the year, including several concerts in Vienna in October and November 2025 and March 2026.

A look into the history of the waltz

The Viennese Waltz not only has cultural significance, but also historical roots that date back to the early 18th century, when Viennese coffee houses such as Café Rebhuhn became the center of cultural life. These cafes, where people exchanged information about world historical events, created a space for cultural exchange and contributed to the development of the waltz. Johann Strauss Sohn, who is considered one of the main representatives of this music, created an enduring classic with his masterpiece “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” from 1867, which became a symbol of Viennese ball culture.

The connection between music and Viennese culture is deeply rooted, and the openness of the Habsburg monarchy fostered a multicultural environment in which the music of the Janissaries and the sounds of the waltz fused. Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms appreciated this dance music and helped the waltz gain the respect of serious composers, which further underlines its importance in music history.

Thanks to the current initiative, the waltz will now also become a symbol of cultural cooperation between nations and a timeless cultural heritage. The waltz broadcast coincided with the trajectory of NASA's Voyager 1 probe, which has been traveling in space since 1977, creating another historical framework.

Vienna will also host the ESA Living Planet Earth Observation Symposium, taking place from June 23 to 27, 2025, and preparations for the Space in the City festival demonstrate the city's commitment to culture and science in line with the city's musical tradition.

The celebrations will be expressed not only in Vienna, but also in several other cities in Europe, including Berlin and Frankfurt, where the Vienna Philharmonic will give a series of concerts.

For more information about upcoming events and concerts, visit the Vienna Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic websites.

Cosmo, Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.