Culture in change: Paul Gessl about the challenges in Lower Austria

Culture in change: Paul Gessl about the challenges in Lower Austria

St. Pölten, Österreich - The Lower Austria managing director Paul Gessl, who has headed the cultural economy in Lower Austria since its foundation, is faced with increasing fixed costs. "Increasing fixed costs are crushed," explains Gessl, and emphasizes the need for courage and clear decisions in turbulent times. The Lower Austria, which counted over 1.1 million visitors in 2023, combines private sector and culture, and receives significant grants from the state and the federal government. Gesl, a career changer from the oil industry, has made the cultural management company a powerful player in Lower Austria culture life, which includes important events such as the Danube Festival. The organization employs around 1,000 people and has budgeted an operating effort of 136 million euros for 2025, as the press , which indicates the dynamic development of the NÖKU and underlines the need for strategic thinking.

In the current political situation, Gessl states that he sees the independence of culture in Lower Austria despite the concerns of the ÖVP-FPÖ coalition as secure. He emphasizes that the cultural diversity of the country and the cooperation of all players are decisive in order to master the challenges together. On March 26th there is a symposium on the topic "How much utopia does art need?" Instead of further explaining his ideas for the future orientation of the NÖKU.