Capital of Culture 2024

It’s rumbling: delays and wrong dates

Two years ago, the site of the former municipal nursery in Gmunden was rededicated as an arts and culture quarter. According to the program book of the Capital of Culture Bad Ischl, there should have been events here since January 2024. The reality is completely different. 

The renovation of the villa, once an administrative building, has begun and guest studios are to be created here. However, everything is now at a standstill due to changes in EU regional funding (ERDF). The amount of funding is being called into question. "We may need a new financing concept," says Andreas Hecht, Head of Cultural Affairs, who is hoping for clarity next month.

In the program book of the Capital of Culture Salzkammergut 2024, events are still being lured here "from January 2024". But there won't be any exhibitions in the "KunstQuartier" until the summer. According to the program book, the "Kunstigel" cultural pavilion should also be located on the site "from January".

Waiting for the "Igel"
The construction negotiations have taken place. Preparatory work such as leveling has been carried out by the city. But now we are waiting for the installation to be delivered by the state of Salzburg. The first exhibition "Using the soil wisely" is scheduled to open on May 16.

Program book and homepage - two worlds
Speaking of the program book, which costs €10: An incorrect date was also given for "Saltice"; "Briefgeheimnisse" at the Stadttheater (according to the program book on April 13) will only take place on April 27.

The Capital of Culture office cites the "early" editorial deadline in September 2023 as the reason for the incorrect dates, while also stating that "artistic productions can always be postponed". People should consult the website, as the real dates are there.

Tourism experts will not be happy about this, as they have already complained several times that "tourism packages" for the Capital of Culture are difficult to put together, as we reported.