According to organizers, there were 5,500 people in the park and 10,000 to 15,000 in the entire city. “The region is a model for a united Europe,” said artistic director Elisabeth Schweeger regarding the 23 communities that have come together to form the Capital of Culture.
During the day, Bad Ischl had become increasingly full in literally imperial weather, numerous installations, concerts and readings were a precursor to the opening ceremony in the evening, and one of the main exhibitions, “Art with Salt and Water” in the Old Brewhouse, was also opened. However, the greatest interest was concentrated in the evening event in the spa park.
5,500 visitors celebrated on Saturday in the spa park of Bad Ischl and the Salzkammergut as Cultural Capital 2024. OÖN photographer mingled with the enthusiastic audience.
Picture gallery: Cultural Capital Year 2024 ceremoniously opened in Bad Ischl
(Photo: Volker Weihbold) Bild 1/38
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Before the start, the “light people” streamed through the park onto the stage and wandered around on it. “In the Salzkammergut, you can have a lot of fun there” was briefly heard. The 23 figures dressed in light dresses by the artist Isa Stein represent the 23 communities that are involved in the Capital of Culture. At 5 p.m. sharp, brass players started – the “Zamg’wirfelten” under Leonhard Paul – before presenter Mercedes Echerer took over and brought a number of politicians onto the stage.
“Need culture in rural areas too”
“We also need culture in rural areas,” emphasized Secretary of State for Culture Andrea Mayer (Greens). If everyone “pulls together,” something great might happen. For Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens), it is “more important than ever to see art and culture as ambassadors.” Because art and culture can “do a lot to counteract” when freedom is attacked or once morest hatred and agitation.
The Upper Austrian Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP) hopes “that we trigger and radiate a dynamic” and is convinced that the Capital of Culture “will draw the world’s attention to us”. His Styrian official and party colleague Christopher Drexler sees a “day of great joy” and admitted that the contract was unexpected. For him, the content is also “regarding perspectives for rural areas”.
The mayor of Bad Ischl, Ines Schiller (SPÖ), began by conjuring up the European idea and that of commonality: 23 mayors had jointly pursued the ambitious goal of “presenting our region in Europe and the world”. Her predecessor, EU MP Hannes Heide (SPÖ), spoke of a “wow effect” because “when you look at the spa park, you know that it was worth it,” he alluded to the long and busy lead time. Martin Selmayr, head of the European representation in Austria, then presented Schiller with the EU Melina Mercouri Prize worth 1.5 million euros, representing all 23 participating municipalities.
The main act of the evening was undoubtedly the “Choir of 1,000” under Hubert von Goisern. Fanfares, bells, electric sounds, choral songs and yodels performed by himself – the world musician wove various sound material into an atmospheric sound carpet, a mix of traditional and modern, entirely in the spirit of the Capital of Culture program. For many, this seemed to have been the eagerly awaited highlight of the evening, as many visitors left the spa gardens following this performance – but perhaps that was also due to the bitter cold and cold feet.
Video: Hubert von Goisern and the “Choir of 1,000”
Later, the stage belonged to, among others, Tom Neuwirth aka Conchita in a hoop skirt. Of course, an alternative interpretation of “Rise like a Phoenix”, the song contest winning song from 2014, mightn’t be missed. Doris Uhlich’s quite textile-free “Pudertanz” then stirred up a lot of dust on the stage. After the open-air show in the Congress and Theater House, you might warm up with the operetta “A Woman Who Knows What She Wants” by Oscar Straus – a guest performance by the Komische Oper Berlin – and at a number of locations with party stages for everyone Taste.
Video: Conchita Wurst on stage
In addition to the banner town of Bad Ischl, 22 other communities in Upper Austria and Styria are part of the Salzkammergut cultural capital region. The annual program developed under the direction of Elisabeth Schweeger includes around 300 projects. Each of the 23 communities involved contributes at least one, and many program items are carried out in cooperation with established festivals in the region – probably also to protect the comparatively small budget of 30 million euros. The Salzkammergut shares the title this year with Tartu in Estonia and Bodø in Norway.
The OÖN accompanied the opening day in Bad Ischl with their camera:
Picture gallery: Opening of the Capital of Culture: The OÖN on the move in Bad Ischl
(Photo: OÖN/nb) Bild 1/53
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