Vienna Festival Weeks Start with Celebration at Rathausplatz

The second festival edition under the direction of Swiss artistic director Milo Rau proclaims the "Republic of Love" this year and offers around 50 projects until June 22. Highlights include the first Vienna performance of Elfriede Jelinek's play "Burgtheater" at the Burgtheater or an immersive piece by the theater group SIGNA at the Funkhaus, where the festival headquarters will be established this year.

The opening festival under the motto "V is for LoVe" offers a musical range from punk to classical music with free admission. In addition to local pop greats like Soap & Skin and Der Nino aus Wien, the Jauntaler Trachtenkapelle, the German Song Contest winner of 1982, Nicole, and US superstar Laurie Anderson are also announced. The event will be broadcast live on ORF 2 and 3sat from 9:20 PM.

A trumpeter at the Burgtor is supposed to play today to open this year's Vienna Festival. The opening ceremony at Rathausplatz, which brings together acts from various genres under the motto "V is for LoVe," will start at 9:20 PM. Nicole will bring her winning song "Ein bisschen Frieden" from the 1982 Song Contest. "This song will probably never lose its relevance. That's why it's still important for people after so many years," the singer told APA.

"The song is 43 years old, yet people are still touched. We will see that today as well," emphasized the 60-year-old. "Something happens to people, they hold hands, they hug, and some even cry a little. Because I express what they deeply wish in their hearts. Because the world doesn't change, it's important that this song is performed again and again - today live with a great band and a children's choir." Additionally, the German will sing "Papillon," the follow-up single to her ESC hit. "It's also about overcoming boundaries and freedom."

The "Free Republic of Vienna" proclaimed at last year's festival is to become a "Republic of Love" this time. More than 50 theater and music productions, installations, and community projects are scheduled from May 16 to June 22. The festival begins, according to Milo Rau, "with the highlight," namely the festival at Rathausplatz broadcast live on ORF 2 and 3sat with musical contributions and speeches with free admission.

Everyone is invited

"The opening is a major highlight because it embodies in one evening what we actually want. We want to be accessible, we want to gather many people - indiscriminately," emphasized Cultural Councillor Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ) in advance. "All people who live here in this city are invited." The task for culture is also to build bridges. The collaboration at the festival of acts from various genres is also an expression of this. "A future community must be possible, one that is not driven by division and hatred, but by care," said Kaup-Hasler.

Brass music meets performance art

One can be curious about an unusually seeming collaboration: Performance artist Laurie Anderson will perform her hit "Oh Superman" among others with the Jauntaler Trachtenkapelle Loibach. "This is very special for us," said chairman Harald Podgornik to APA. "She brought her own conductor, we notice a difference," laughed the clarinetist. The Loibachers are generally heavily involved in the program. Without revealing everything: "The song 'Steh auf steh auf' by Fuzzman was specially arranged for the band by one of our members. We play it in two versions - as a march and with Herwig (Zamernik alias Fuzzman, note). It will be an exciting evening," promises Podgornik.

It is often suggested that "brass bands are not really keen to step onto such a stage," said director Milo Rau at a press conference in advance. However, his fellow musicians, "we are bilingual South Carinthians," would certainly support the political orientation of the festival weeks, Podgornik affirmed in response to a related question from APA.

Music with Attitude

Amadeus winner Sodl will bring her most famous song "I Am A Woman" with her band and provide a strong mix of rock and indie-folk. The singer, guitarist, and songwriter is one of the most exciting newcomers from Austria and also takes a clear stance. Regarding the festival's orientation against fascism, nationalism, and bad vibes, she told APA: "I locate my music in this attitude and am very happy to join it. I also find the motto of love as a radical act worth supporting."

Nicole also identifies with the motto of the event: "You have to take a stand," she said in an interview on Friday. "Looking away is not enough. I was never the type to go out on the street and demonstrate with signs. But I tried it with my way with music and lyrics. An idiot is an unpolitical person. You have to have an opinion and position yourself."

Regarding the colorful composition of the evening, Anja Sodnikar alias Sodl said: "It is a high art to combine so many different directions and bring them into harmony." Zamernik, who is involved not only as Fuzzman but also as the musical director of the event, added: "The trick is to let everyone be as they are. And to give everyone the space and joy to do what they love to do. That's what we do here." The opening at Rathausplatz begins at 9:20 PM and will be broadcast live on ORF 2 and 3sat.

More about the Vienna Festival Weeks

(APA/Red)

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