Culture 2008

ÖSTERREICH WERBUNG, ARS ELECTRONICA/RUBRA
editorial.
Petra Stolba
Austrian National Tourist Office
Holidays in Austria – in the very country whose
name has the reputation all over the world
as being synonymous with culture. And indeed,
culture blooms and blossoms spectacularly here
every summer. Nearly every small village has its
own theatre, and the programmes from towns
and cities could fill entire books. But it’s not only
theatre that gives the country a festive air during
the summer, but also the many music recitals and
exhibitions, the dance performances and poetry
readings. The atmosphere here is by no means
stuffily “high-brow”; the emphasis is on cheerful
pleasure, like the interplay between artistic quality
contents.
and good food and drink, which is something
uniquely Austrian. And in order to give young and
very young guests the chance to “get their feet
wet” in culture and arts, many museums and other
cultural institutions have special programmes for
kids. So holidays in Austria become more than
romping around in deep grass or wading barefoot
in a stream – they are the first encounter with a
world that lends wings to the spirit.
Welcome! I wish you splendid holidays in Austria!
Sincerely, Petra Stolba
03 season of festivals.
There’s good reason to be excited about Austria’s
coming cultural highlights.
06 a land resonates with sound.
There is a lot happening on Austria’s music scene.
08 calendar.
An overview of the country’s major music festivals.
09 music.
What’s on in the Austrian provinces.
22 the curtain rises!
What’s new on Austria’s stages.
26 worth a look.
The country’s museums alone are worth a visit to Austria.
30 calendar.
An overview of the most important exhibitions.
31 museums and exhibitions.
What’s on in the Austrian provinces.
48 important addresses.
The Ars Electronica Center
in Linz, Europe’s Cultural
Capital 2009