Wiener Festwochen

Wiener Festwochen is an annual five-week art and culture festival in Vienna, Austria that works to establish the Free Republic of Vienna together with the citizens of Vienna and international supporters through activities such as operas, concerts, drama, performances, installations, readings, and films.

The name Free Republic of Vienna references attempts throughout history to liberate the ‘republic’ (res publica – the matters of public interest, meaning everything that concerns society) of prevalent attitudes, institutional structures and ingrained norms. In other words: casting a look at the world and at Vienna that is new, free, together, filled with humour and sincerity.

The Free Republic of Vienna is a place of production and presentation by renowned and aspiring artists from all genres and of experimental, radical as well as established artistic visions from throughout the world. Overall, the Free Republic of Vienna considers itself an all-out place where classics (and classic forms of art and genres) are not negated but are re-appropriated, with a presence of politically engaged works and formally experimental art and where new formats are created.