Many program items deal with the topic of peace and solidarity with the victims of the Ukraine war. The program will be interrupted for five minutes to commemorate. “The Long Night of the Churches” is a sign once morest fear this year, according to Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen also invited people to take part in one of the events. “Right now we are once more clearly aware of the value of peace,” said the head of state. The ecumenical highlight of the evening will be a prayer for peace by the World Council of Churches in St. Stephen’s Cathedral at midnight.
Other program items take place in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in the Türmerstube, in the catacombs or in the Dombauhütte, including musical performances.
Program in the Cathedral Museum and Bible Center
The “poor & rich” tour takes place in the Dom Museum Wien. It shows the facets of unequal distribution and illuminates the topic from the Middle Ages to the present day. Characteristics of poverty and wealth are conveyed by means of drawings, prints, photographs and multimedia installations. The exhibition aims to show the effects of economic and social inequality on happiness, education and health. The tours take place at 6:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. and are limited to 20 places.
In the Bible Center in the Museum Quarter you can learn more regarding the invention of book printing by Johannes Gutenberg and print a Bible page on an original replica printing press. From 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. you can get an insight into the history of the creation and distribution of the Bible in the new permanent exhibition in the Bible Center. Various editions of the Bible, alphabets and translations are also part of the exhibition.
Church tours
An interactive church tour takes place in the Evangelische Pauluskirche. Visitors must take their mobile phones and headphones with them, as they are guided through the Pauluskirche with the help of QR codes. Music clips are shown and the more than 50-year-old church is presented. In 2019 the sanctuary of the Pauluskirche was redesigned.
At 5 p.m. in the Pauluskirche, children of primary school age will perform pieces of music and texts regarding the Year of Creation that they have worked on in a singing project and the writing workshop. There is also a picture book in the church for children to take away. This gives the families an overview of the Pauluskirche and provides information, for example, regarding the Reformation or Easter.
In the Piaristenkirche Maria Treu there is an evening program from 7 p.m. This includes a tour of the church with information regarding the construction history of the Basilica Minor Maria Treu and regarding the new lighting design of the church. In addition, the organist Markus Semelliker gives insights into the history and functioning of the Buckow organ. After the Piarist brothers have made music, the concluding “Ecclesiastical Night Prayer” takes place.
Online offers once more this year
Just like last year, there are online offers this year, some of which can already be called up. In the virtual studio, the “Long Night of the Churches” is accompanied by live broadcasts in the programs of some churches. The online program also includes virtual exhibitions, live streams of concerts, online readings and online talks.
