Vandalism threatens freedom of art: posters of the festival weeks in danger!

Vandalism threatens freedom of art: posters of the festival weeks in danger!

The Viennese festival weeks are celebrating their opening this year, but not all art forms get away in the federal capital without prejudice. The posters of the Viennese festival weeks, which, among other things, show a heavily pregnant woman and two huged men, were the goal of vandalism. These attacks include scraped and scribbled pictures, which are unfortunately a sign of the current challenges of freedom of art in Vienna. The connection between this type of violence and the censorship demands that have been growing for some time cannot be denied. Also in Bratislava there are artists fight against restrictions that emerge from the Slovakian Minister of Culture Martina Šimkovičová.

political support is required. The new building is currently committed to promoting art. A new initiative, the "Kulturcard", is intended to make access to art easier for everyone. This not only promotes the participation in cultural offers, but also a step towards creating new perspectives and more tolerance. The cultural events that enrich the offer in the new building include popular events such as "New Building" and "Cinema on the roof".

colorful hustle and bustle and diverse performances

The Viennese festival weeks 2023 were recently opened with a varied program. Artists: Inside from all over the world appear for the first time this year and offer a real festival of the senses. Curated by Hyung-Ki Joo, the opening program combines a variety of artistic forms of expression, from classical music to acrobatics to poetry and break dance. The event should not only be residents: interior and visitors: encourage inside, but also activate public space as an encounter zone.

The numerous artists: Inside, who show their talent, Bearyman, Anna Maria Hefele and the Chaos String Quartet are among others. The spectacle is broadcast live from the Vienna Rathausplatz by ORF, which also reinforces the feeling of a large folk festival.

freedom of art in danger?

But while the stage occupations and performances are carried away, freedom of art in Austria cannot be considered secure. Since 1982, the year of the legal guarantee of artistic freedom by the civic code, there seems to be a paradoxical trend: more and more censorship demands appear. Political representatives have called for censorship in the past and threaten to reduce funding, which severely limits creative minds in their freedom. According to various studies, every sixth artist has been threatened in the past ten years, and a third of the artists concerned: inside has already reached self -censorship.

The need for an open social dialogue to confirm the freedom of art is becoming more and more urgent. A large part of the artists: inside, especially those from minorities, are severely affected by these challenges. Measures to combat these restrictions and a critical review of art and cultural policy are essential to recognize and eliminate discrimination and party political influence.

For everyone who is interested in it, a competition for a battery suction wiper for newsletter subscribers will soon be launched, a friendly gesture in the middle of all the challenges.