Culture in danger: Artists: Interior demands protection for Europe's diversity

Culture in danger: Artists: Interior demands protection for Europe's diversity

As part of the Viennese festival weeks, an open letter was presented on Saturday evening in the Maillon Theater in Strasbourg, which discussed the alarming cultural -political developments in Europe. As orf.at , numerous cultural institutions and artists signed this letter to draw this letter inside from various EU countries to draw attention to the dangers of European culture. Politically motivated layoffs and budget cuts, especially in Hungary and Slovakia, as well as attacks on spectators at the National Theater Sofia were discussed. The signatories asked the European Parliament to take action against the threats of freedom of art and to denounce the cultural -political crises in the Member States.

a political happening

At the same time, the Vienna Rathausplatz experienced an extraordinary spectacle. Introduced by a fanfare shock and the appearance of the new festival director Milo Rau, artists appeared: inside like Bibiana Begau and Herwig Zamernik to set a sign of a free Europe, like kleinezeitung.at reported. Under the motto "All colors are happiness", music and political engagement combined during this opening. Musical appearances, including through the band Bipolar Femin, created a kaleidoscope of emotions, while important messages about rights and freedoms, especially by artists such as Diana Burkot by Pussy Riot, were clearly spread.

The opening of the festival weeks shows not only the variety of artistic forms of expression, but also the endeavor to tackle current social issues. With 47 productions and numerous events by June 23, a wide range of theater, music and visual art is offered. Critics of the Viennese ÖVP commented negatively about Gustavo’s, Helena Ružic’s and many other artistic contributions, but these passionate performances interweave art and politics in a way that stimulates discussion and thinking.