After a long break

Summer festival for young and old in Lienz town center

Elisabeth Blanik and Franz Theurl presented the joint plans for the summer festival.(Bild: Martin Oberbichler)

In August, the town of Lienz becomes a party metropolis. After a long break - when it was still a town festival - there will once again be three days of music, culinary delights and fun in summer. The focus is primarily on the local clubs.

Looking forward to the upcoming summer, the town of Lienz and the East Tyrol Tourist Board (TVBO) presented the concept for a summer festival. From August 9th to 11th, the town center will be transformed into a stage for young and old, as Elisabeth Blanik explains: "The desire for a festival is there. We then thought about creating a new format for everyone."

We want to provide a stage for young regional talent.

Musikorganisator Hannes Ladinig

Music by and for young talent
There is a colorful and free daily program at nine locations, lots of local cuisine and live music of all genres. Young people will also be involved. Organizer Hannes Ladinig came up with a suitable concept: "We want to offer young regional talent a stage." Four up-and-coming bands or artists are currently being considered and will be cast and selected in the coming weeks and months.

It is important to us that the clubs earn money and can use it to finance youth work over three days.

TVBO-Obmann Franz Theurl

The TVBO has set a budget of around 70,000 euros for the festival and the town of Lienz is helping with the organization, among other things.

Up to 20 clubs can apply for stands
The summer festival is mainly organized by Lienz clubs. The TVBO provides the huts and infrastructure free of charge. "It is important to us that the clubs earn money and can use it to finance their youth work over three days," explains chairman Franz Theurl, who emphasizes that every club is given the same amount of space. Drinks also cost the same at every stand. When selecting the clubs, preference is mainly given to those that focus a large part of their work on young talent. In order to be able to make a selection, a platform will be set up on the TVBO website at the beginning of April where you can apply and register.

This marks the return of an iconic event. The summer festival - formerly known as the town festival - was an integral part of Lienz's cultural year between 1982 and 2010.