Numerous Events Canceled After Graz Rampage

Just a few hours after the first reports of the attack at a school in Graz on Tuesday, the first cancellations of events "due to the events in Graz" were received. Affected are cultural events, press conferences, award ceremonies, and even major events.

Flood of Cancellations After Shooting Spree in Graz

Out of respect, several events have already been definitively canceled, including a Tuesday event planned with Michael Köhlmeier and Konrad P. Liessmann about their things of life at the Graz Literature House, two jazz concerts at Café Stockwerk, the performances of comedians Chrissi Buchmasser and Antonia Stabinger at the Theatercafé planned for Tuesday and Thursday, as well as a performance by the theater collective "Rabtaldirndln". The comedian and musician Paul Pizzera will not perform as planned with his Austropop band "Aut of Orda" at the Kasematten on Thursday.

In Upper Austria, today's press conference at the Lentos Art Museum "Cool. Collection Erwin Hauser" was canceled, as was the opening event for the start of the Upper Austrian Cultural Summer on Thursday (June 12) in Perg. Numerous performances as part of the SCHÄXPIR theater festival in the coming days in Linz were also canceled, such as "Office for Appropriate Reactions" (June 11 and 12, OK-Platz Glaskubus), "Code <3" (June 12, 10:00 and 19:00, Theater Phönix) and KLUB CLUB - The Light-House (June 12, 13, 20:30, Schlosspark-Theater). Tickets already purchased can be rebooked or refunded. The state also canceled the event planned for Thursday at the Landhaus in honor of the republic anniversaries.

Opera and Theater Suspend Operations

The Graz Opera and the Theater have suspended their operations in light of the events until further notice, "at least until Thursday inclusive." Affected are, among others, the ballet premiere of "Carnival of the Animals" and the planned final performance of the Puccini rarity "Le Villi". The music association canceled the subscription concert of the Vienna State Opera's opera studio planned for Wednesday. The opening of the "Playwrights Festival" planned for Wednesday is also canceled, as is a guest performance by the Munich Residenztheater at "Next Liberty".

Numerous festivals and other smaller entertainment events at the University of Arts, on the main square, in the Volksgarten, and on the Lendplatz were also immediately canceled. The traditional "Best of the 80's" party night at the Postgarage will not take place. The awarding of the "Bio-Award" by the Styrian organic farmers was also canceled.

Grazathlon Wants to "Set a Sign of Solidarity"

The organizers of the Grazathlon planned for Saturday indicated that they want to hold the event, which annually attracts thousands of participants. "We believe that sport connects, that it can bring hope and bring people together (...) We want to contribute beyond the sporting framework and will set a sign of solidarity during the Grazathlon on Friday and Saturday," it said on the event's website.

At the USI festival, which has grown into a mega-event with over 20,000 visitors at the university sports center in Rosenhain, a cancellation is currently being considered, according to reports. At the very least, there will be changes to the planned schedule next Friday.

Pride Village Changes Program

Events in the cultural and scientific sectors have also been canceled. The "MQ Pride Night" planned for Wednesday in Vienna will not take place. The "Pride Village" will forego music at its opening on Thursday. The program of the MQ Summer Stage will be suspended during the three-day national mourning. The University of Graz is canceling the awarding of the Oberhummer Award for Science Communication to Eckart von Hirschhausen.

"Out of respect and in memory of the victims, we are consciously foregoing the music program on the first day and are designing the Pride Village as a quiet, dignified place," Vienna Pride announced on Instagram. Instead, they want to make a joint statement - "For peace, for unity, against violence." The official opening will take place at 7 PM with mourning speeches, after which a sea of lights will be lit together. It is unclear to what extent the rampage will affect the parade on Saturday, where over 200,000 people are expected: "Regarding the further design of the Vienna Pride, we are in clarification and ask for patience," it says in response to an APA inquiry. A replacement date is being sought for the "MQ Pride Night."

Press Conference for Ski-Opening Schladming-Dachstein Also Postponed

Numerous press conferences scheduled for today are not taking place due to the events, including those on the live music concept at the Film Festival at Vienna's Rathausplatz or the opening of Qwien - Center for Queer Culture and History. The postponement of the press conference for the Ski-Opening Schladming-Dachstein extends further into the future: The date planned for June 18, where this year's music act was to be presented, will be rescheduled for early July.

The Graz Music Association canceled the subscription concert of the Vienna State Opera's Opera Studio planned for Wednesday. The opening of the "Dramatiker/innenfestival" planned for Wednesday is also canceled, as is a guest performance by the Residenztheater Munich at "Next Liberty." At other events - such as the Nova Rock starting today or the Summer Night Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic planned for Friday - moments of silence will be observed.

Rainbow Flag Places for Black Mourning Flags

The event planned for Friday at Graz's Schlossberg to hoist the rainbow flags as part of Pride Month in Graz is canceled. This was announced by the queer departments of Graz universities and the RosaLila PantherInnen on Wednesday. As a sign of solidarity from the queer community after the rampage at a Graz school, the flag places will instead be made available for black mourning flags.

"The rainbow flag stands for unity and diversity," the announcement states. "Pride" means pride and is a commitment to the idea that "every person is good as they are." The colorful flag also conveys: "You are not alone!" Especially in these sad days, no one should be alone. "Therefore, we want to make the flag places reserved for the rainbow flags available for black mourning flags in our shared Graz," the announcement states. "With this, we want to set a sign of solidarity and show that the queer community is also part of our city and mourns together."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.