The Styria Summit in the cash hall with its wonderful dome in the former Landesbank building in downtown Vienna, built in the 1880s according to the plans of Otto Wagner. It was there that Vice Chancellor and current Minister of Culture Werner Kogler (Greens) summed up Thomas Bernhard yesterday evening: “You must have been in Graz,” he said. Because: The special relationship between culture and politics has been a tradition in Styria for more than half a century. “Culture is much more than just finery or a sidecar,” emphasized Kogler. “You let these strange people do what they do and support them as much as possible,” he said with a wink. Even if you don’t know what the outcome will be or the result “may hurt a little”. All of this will become “more difficult” in the future.
The program included the presentation of the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, 1st Class, to cultural manager Bernhard Rinner, who has been managing director of the Graz theaters for ten years, which includes the opera, theater, Next Liberty, theaters and art + event theater service. He is the general secretary of the theater preservation association of Austrian states and cities and, among other things, initiated the Klanglicht in Graz. LH Christopher Drexler praised his “good friend” in his laudatory speech as an “impulse giver”, “bridge builder” and “champion of the fine arts” in Graz and beyond.
But the evening, along with many words of appreciation and thanks – a few weeks after the National Council election and a few days after the Styrian state election and against the backdrop of a possible FPÖ state governor – mutated into a fiery, cultural-political plea for the freedom of art. And in order to continue to uphold this tradition – “this Styrian openness, liberality, special breadth and diversity” must have a place, said the Minister of Culture.
The honoree thanked his employees, his family and his friends. And he reported on the recent theater meeting in Prague, where they had to move after the Slovak government fired the head of the National Theater while he was on sick leave and in a bathrobe. Just a few kilometers away from us, says Rinner, colleagues in Slovakia and Hungary are working under reprisals. Now what does that mean? “Despite or because of the elections, I will do everything I can to ensure that everything can be said on our stages and, in the context of freedom of art and freedom of expression, everything must be said.
He formulated the final words of his acceptance speech as follows: “You beautiful art, I love you! You high politics, thank you!” And for that he received strong applause from the former LHs Hermann Schützenhöfer (ÖVP) and Voves (SPÖ) including women, Federal Theater Holding boss Christian Kircher, Education Minister Martin Polaschek, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, and the Court of Auditors -President Margit Kraker, opera director Ulrich Lenz, theater director Andrea Vilter, Next Liberty director Michael Schilhan, Styria board chairman Markus Mair, ex-Kunsthaus director Peter Pakesch, actress Aglaia Szyszkowitz, historian Helmut Konrad, the Opernredoute makers Wolfgang Hülbing, Bernd Pürcher and Rinner’s family and many employees.
How does the unique cultural landscape of Styria, particularly in Graz, influence the relationship between culture and politics?
## Interview with a Guest on Styrian Culture and Politics
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show. We’re discussing the recent Styria Summit featuring Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler and the awarding of the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art to Bernhard Rinner. But first, let’s talk about Kogler’s quote: “You must have been in Graz.”
**Guest:** Kogler’s statement speaks to the unique relationship between culture and politics in Styria. As he pointed out, there’s a long-standing tradition of prioritizing the arts. Graz, the capital of Styria, has always been a cultural hub, and Kogler’s comment highlights that this spirit extends beyond the city, permeating the entire region.
**Interviewer:** Kogler also emphasized the importance of supporting artists, even when their work is challenging. What are your thoughts on this approach?
**Guest:** I think Kogler’s point is crucial. True artistic expression often pushes boundaries and can be thought-provoking, even controversial. Supporting artists, even those who create “strange” or potentially unsettling work, is essential for a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape.
**Interviewer:** This Summit also saw the awarding of the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art to Bernhard Rinner. How significant is this recognition?
**Guest:** The Austrian Cross of Honor is one of the country’s highest distinctions. Recognizing Bernhard Rinner in this way is a testament to his dedication to the arts in Graz and beyond. He’s been instrumental in shaping the city’s cultural scene through his leadership at the Graz theaters and his involvement with initiatives like Klanglicht.
**Interviewer:** Kogler mentioned that navigating this relationship between culture and politics will become “more difficult” in the future. Can you elaborate on what he might mean by that?
**Guest:** It’s no secret that cultural institutions often face budget constraints and political pressures. Facing these challenges while continuing to support diverse and potentially provocative artistic expression will undoubtedly become increasingly complex.
But the tradition of strong cultural support in Styria gives hope that the region will continue to champion the arts despite these difficulties. [[1](https://newcriterion.com/article/the-scabrous-lyricism-of-thomas-bernhard/)]
