Punch of the week

Mrs. Hitler, the Green Mark and the “Führerbalkon”

Art action at the Burgtheater.(Bild: klemens groh)

An action artist stages a kind of Nazi show including a "Führerbalkon" at the Burgtheater. This is supposed to be original. 

Hitler is always a hit. Every dolm can pick a moustache, pull his hair back, put on a brown uniform - and, poof, he gets attention. Others find the 1000th Nazi infusion just a yawn ("Don't we have any other problems in 2024?").

The Vorarlberg action artist Flatz has now made another attempt. Hitler is a woman (actress Bibiana Beglau), the theater is emblazoned with red Nazi flags and the "Führerbalkon" of the town hall opposite.

Wind instruments play the song "Junge, komm bald wieder." Martin Kušej, still head of the Burg, has instructed Flatz with the words: "I am giving you to the brown brood in Vienna as my farewell gift."

Who does he mean in a city where four out of ten Viennese were born abroad? Politicians, for example, who did not allow the balcony on which the "Gröfaz" stood 86 years ago to be torn down? Or the friends of the Green Mark who are currently celebrating in front of the castle? It all makes no sense.

It is questionable whether the artists are doing anything good for tourism with their action. But if you live off taxpayers' money, you don't have to worry about such trivial things.