17 July 2018

Laibach performs 'The Sound of Music' at the opening of steirischer herbst focusing this year under the title 'Volksfronten' (people's fronts) on Austria's self-image

Today, Austrian culture festival 'steirischer herbst' (20 September - 14 October) presented the Festival Pass for the upcoming events, performances, installations,... happening under this year's title 'Volksfronten' - a translation isn't intended as the German word for 'People's Fronts' implicates 20th century history such as festival director and chief curator Ekaterina Degot explains.

The Festival Pass is a practical offer for getting entry to events, exhibitions of the festival - and especially necessary for accessing the music performance 'The Sound of Music' by Slovenian music group Laibach on the opening day on 20 September at Schlossbergbühne Kasematten in Graz, capital city of Styria. Schlossbergbühne reminds the open-air stage of Salzburger Festspiele which appears in the film. It's announced that Laibach will interpret songs from the film 'The Sound of Music' and perform material as preview of the group's new album.

fig.: Laibach, Laibach's Sound of Music. Photo: Laibach.

The program of steirischer herbst (more than 40 artists, over 20 locations) is extensive; this year, the organizers will publish a 'Guidebook' (release on 12 September) with curatorial introductions into the 'Volksfronten' storyline which can be drawn between locations and events, exhibitions such as the installation and sociologically driven art research project concerning the evolution and disappearance of knowledge by the 'Department of Ultimology' (founded at Trinity College Dublin by Fiona Hallinan and Kate Strain) on show at Grazer Kunstverein. For the installation 'What Where', anonymous data about culture, tradition, rituals in Styria will be collected via questionnaires and interviews under the guiding research question of 'Ultimology'.

fig.: Image adapted from a page from Maria Strnad, Österreichische Trachtendirndl (Traditional Austrian Dirndls) (Vienna: Sogra Modeverlag, 1950). Courtesy Department of Ultimology.

The 'Department of Ultimology' will also be part of the discursive program 'Ideas'; on 13 October, the art-culture researchers will speak - among other discussants, about the Austrian musicians "Conchita vs. Gabalier. From the 'Island of the Blessed' to illiberal democracy? Austria between tradition and modernity. A Heimat-Evening".

Additional tip for experiencing the festival: Visitors can join guided tours and get the chance to discuss with artists and members of the curatorial team. (Fast checked today: The Guidebook and tours are included into the Festival Pass.)


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