Associated projects

Associated projects are intended to make the potential of the creative foundation of the Salzkammergut visible and bring existing or specially developed art formats from the region and beyond before the European curtain. These projects are carried out by external individuals, partners and institutions and were selected by the program team from numerous applications to be part of the program.

All about the Vessel. Gmunden
Interventions by students from the Research Department for Three-Dimensional Design and Model Making at the Institute for Art and Design, TU Vienna, as part of the international ceramics exhibition at the KunstQuartier Stadtgarten Gmunden.

Archeology of Mass Consumption PT 1 Corrosion Alm. Scharnstein
Displayed on 21 aluminium Dibond panels (120x80cm), human-made artefacts recovered from the Alm River are presented in hyper-realistic detail using high-resolution photography. The exhibition showcases the corrosion, deformation, and unexpected beauty of over 1,000 objects collected since 2009, including cutlery, scythes and sickles, shoes, cooking pots, engine and bicycle parts, and even Wehrmacht helmets.

Art Exhibition: Stephan Unterberger, Sound of Silence. Bad Ischl
A visual performance accompanied by texts on the theme of silence, offering a counterpoint to our daily lives, overwhelmed by loud information, videos, and images. Reflections serve as a metaphor for contemplation and self-reflection, which can only be found in silence.

Artists on the Alm. Scharnstein An exhibition featuring artists working along the Alm River. In the historic, 800m² Kunst und Kultur im Brauhof gallery, artists showcase works spanning painting, printmaking, installations, photography, metal, and ceramics.

ASAGAN: Tales from the Treasure Chamber of the Salzkammergut
Eight stories and a lexicon about the Salzkammergut – European Capital of Culture 2024 – take readers deep into Austria’s mines, along its lakes, through its cool forests, and to the true treasures of the region. A journey tracing the origins of salt, from the past into the future.

Attersee Perspectives 2024
This multidisciplinary arts festival presents contemporary artistic viewpoints in Attersee am Attersee.

Ausseer Balcony Concerts. Bad Aussee
As part of the popular Aussee Summer Nights, established artists perform alongside young up-and-coming musicians from the balconies in the centre of Aussee (Ischler Straße, Kurhausplatz, Meranplatz).

Austrian Building Award
The award, presented by the Central Association of Austrian Architects, honours construction projects that exemplify outstanding cooperation between builders and architects, innovative design, and societal engagement, setting a high standard for architectural development.

Austrian Pottery Market
Every August, the ceramic town of Gmunden becomes the centre of renowned contemporary European pottery art. Around 130 potters from various countries showcase and sell their works, offering visitors an extensive overview of European ceramic art and craftsmanship.

B´sunane Leit. Bad Goisern
As part of the b´sunane Goisara project at the Heimat- und Landlermuseum, the life stories of nine men and two women from Goisern are displayed on information panels. The criteria: being born in Goisern and achieving a certain level of fame or distinction.

Beethoven plus Festival. Altaussee, Bad Aussee, Grundlsee
With eight concerts in the 2024 season, the annual festival by the Inner Salzkammergut Music Friends Association highlights the cultural heritage of Beethoven and beyond. It makes the richness and diversity of musical creation both visible and audible.

Benedikti-Markt Pettenbach
Around 70 artists and craftspeople—from regional to international—present handmade products, including decorative and everyday objects, jewellery, clothing, and accessories for all ages. The market also features live music, street performers, and culinary delights from Pettenbach’s local associations.

Beyond the Threshold. Hallstatt
Temporary artistic interpretations by 12 artists on themes of death and transience, set in and around Hallstatt’s parish church. The ensemble—including the cemetery, ossuary, crypt chapel, mortuary chapel, and sacristan’s house—powerfully illustrates death as life’s final and inevitable truth, while also conveying the hope of resurrection in faith. Duration: Lent 2024 to All Saints’ Day 2024.

Bluatschwitzblackbox. Bad Aussee
A unique theatre founded in 2009 by Ines Kratzmüller and Jürgen Kaizik, presenting performances during the summer. Their original productions range from the death of Billie Holiday to the relationship between Martin Heidegger and Hannah Arendt, as well as reimagined interpretations of Greek mythology.

Choral Association of Upper Austria / Youth Choir
Austria’s top young singers (aged 18 to 26) from Austria and South Tyrol will take part in a choral training week in July in Bad Ischl, Salzkammergut. Musical direction by Franz M. Herzog and Agnes Schnabl.

Chorus Nicolai. Bad Mitterndorf
The Nikolospiel of Bad Mitterndorf, a traditional parlour and procession play, is performed annually on 5 December. In 2020, it was recognised by the Austrian UNESCO Commission and added to the national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage: UNESCO Austria.

Civil Courage – A Textile Appeal for Brave Action. Ebensee
The textile artwork and participatory art project Showing Civil Courage and Acting Bravely by artist Franziska Schink is displayed in Ebensee, both in the parish church and other locations.

Close Up Concerts Atelier am Markt. Gmunden
A song recital spanning classical to modern works: Mezzosoprano Josipa Bainac and pianist David Hausknecht perform in an intimate setting, featuring two compositions by Siegfried Steinkogler alongside works by Franz Liszt, Richard Strauss, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Walter Arlen, and others.

Cyclo Cross. Bad Ischl
The Bad Ischl Cycling Club is hosting the Cyclo Cross race as a side event to the European Peace Ride. This race is part of the Austrian Cup and marks the start of the season.

Demolition Transformation New Beginnings. Bad Ischl
Before the historic Lehár Theatre in Bad Ischl undergoes renovation, the Kunstforum Salzkammergut invites visitors to a unique art exhibition celebrating the past, present, and future of this iconic building.

DIVERS Markus Treml. Altmünster
A contemporary juxtaposition of various, multifaceted works by Markus Treml provides new insights into his artistic practice. The exhibition focuses on wooden sculptures, assemblages, and collages. www.markustreml.at

Exhibition: “Use Land Wisely!” Gmunden
The travelling exhibition by LandLuft association, hosted at the Kunstigel White Noise in the KunstQuartier Stadtgarten, showcases architectural culture in urban development. It features award-winning communities that manage their land with care and a strong sense of community.

Exhibition: Gabriele Kutschera – Forging # Space # Time – Sensenmuseum Geyerhammer, Scharnstein
Craftsmanship in visual art: Forms emerge not through adding or removing material but through transformation – a “cross-sectional change” that aligns perfectly with the Sensenmuseum and the tradition of blacksmithing.

Festival Jamtan. St. Wolfgang
A cultural festival by and for people of diverse origins and backgrounds. Music, art, cuisine, games, and entertainment come together to foster connection and mutual exchange.

Folk Music Evening – “Singa und Spün zur Narzissenblüah”. Scharnstein
Music groups from the region gather to sing and play traditional folk music in a hall decorated with daffodils. The event is recorded for ORF Radio Styria and broadcast across other regional studios.

Forestry and Cultural Conference. Traunkirchen
Highlighting the unique cultural and tourism-related aspects of the Traunsee region, this conference brings attention to forestry-related themes deeply rooted in the area. The aim is to raise awareness among both locals and international visitors while strengthening the rural landscape.

Gmunden Rocks. Gmunden
The 11th edition of the Gmunden Rocks festival will take place again in 2024 at Rathausplatz, featuring global star James Blunt, Austria’s indie rock sensation Wanda, and the legendary Austrian band die SEER.

Gmundner Glöcklerlauf
The final and most vibrant Raunacht (Twelfth Night) is the highlight of Gmunden’s traditional celebrations. Magnificently dressed Three Wise Men (Doppelquartett Edelweiß) step off a boat, singing Christmas carols from the Rathaus loggia. Hundreds of Glöckler runners arrive from the harbour, leaping and singing in choreographed formations to honour this age-old tradition.

Goisern Summer Cinema 2024
Enjoy current films under the stars on balmy summer evenings in one of the most beautiful open-air cinemas in the Salzkammergut. Seven screenings take place from June to September 2024 at the open-air venue Hof Neuwildenstein, organised by Otelo Goisern, with popcorn and cool drinks from the Werkstatt-Beisl.

Gustav Mahler Festival Steinbach
The Gustav Mahler Festival is an annual festival held in Steinbach am Attersee. In 2024, it collaborates with the European Capital of Culture (the Floating Artists’ Salon, the Gulda Salon, and a remarkable concert featuring Gustav Mahler’s 2nd Symphony).

Jazzfreunde Bad Ischl: Vadim Neselovskyi – Anja Lechner – Duo
Intense chamber music at its finest. A deeply moving and captivating performance that showcases the emotional power of chamber music.

Journey into the World of Yesteryear. Bad Ischl
An exhibition of deceased artists from Bad Ischl. The diversity of the Salzkammergut has inspired artists of all genres, producing outstanding painters from Bad Ischl. Their work is revisited through readings, music, a closing event, and stimulating discussions.

KIRCH’KLANG. Mondsee, Attersee, Kammer-Schörfling, Seewalchen, Oberwang, Straß im Attergau, St. Gilgen, Strobl am Wolfgangsee
Martin Haselböck presents a summer of music interwoven with history and contemporary themes. In collaboration with the European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut 2024, Kirch.Klang.Raum is at the heart of the programme, alongside 12 additional concerts ranging from historically informed performances to world premieres.

Laughter Unites. Laakirchen
Laughter is the most beautiful language in the world. This cabaret festival, headlined by the multi-talented comedian and doctor Omar Sarsam, features top performers such as Klaus Eckel, Michael Niavarani, Lukas Resetarits, Eva Karl Faltermeier, Constanze Lindner, Malarina, Nadja Maleh, Eva Maria Marold, and Berni Wagner.

Lehár Festival. Bad Ischl
Europe’s largest operetta festival is unparalleled in both variety and quality. Each summer, world-class musical theatre performances take centre stage, captivating an international audience.

LiteraTOUR – Literary Village Walks. Altaussee
Guided walks past the retreats of writers, artists, painters, and aristocrats who found inspiration and solace in Altaussee, using it as a home and creative sanctuary.

Marion Wisinger – Goisern: A Narrated Local History
Historian Marion Wisinger recounts the history of Bad Goisern from the turn of the century to post-war reconstruction. She interweaves personal experiences of the town’s residents with global political events, creating a rich and nuanced collage of the Salzkammergut idyll—reflective of many places.

MAS Alzheimer Holidays
This initiative offers respite and connection for caregivers of people with dementia. Established in 2001, the Relief Without Separation concept prevents the decline often seen when loved ones are apart. A TÜV-certified programme.

MAS Memory Trail
Austria’s first memory trail, launched in 2010 in Bad Ischl, is being redesigned for the European Capital of Culture 2024. Students from HLW Bad Ischl, in collaboration with MAS Alzheimerhilfe, are developing new exercise panels for cognitive training. Supported by the city of Bad Ischl and EurothermenResort, the trail is accessible to all ages and available in English.

Mirror Images – A Social Reflection, Altmünster
The exhibition Sin Without Atonement – Time-Critical Mirror Images of Patriarchy by atelier22, accompanied by a performance by Monika Stahl and Angelika Toma. Due to the controversy surrounding Helnwein’s exhibition, the performance could reportedly not take place, according to Angelika Toma, atelier22.

Musical Bridges – Both Sides of Styria
A concert by the Graz Rainbow Choir in collaboration with Komorni zbor Hugo Wolf, taking place in December 2024 in Maribor. Featuring four remarkable vocal ensembles from Slovenian and Austrian Styria, the programme spans diverse musical eras and genres.

NÄHER – Cécile Belmont. Laakirchen
This participatory art project showcases fabric strips printed with quotes from Laakirchen residents, in their own handwriting. These pieces are displayed at Laakirchen’s parish church. The project is preceded by writing sessions and screen printing workshops.

NATURE EDUCATION CELEBRATION 2024, Plattform Naturvermittlung. Traunkirchen
The conference, themed “Nature is (Not) Art?”, explores the intersection of environmental education and art. It features lectures, discussions, excursions, and creative approaches to nature communication at the WALDCAMPUS. The event is organised by the Platform for Nature Communication in collaboration with NATURSCHAUSPIEL and the GREENexhibition.

New European Bauhaus Festival
Under the theme Touristic Architecture – A Driver for Sustainable Development, the event explores what form and “face” sustainable tourism might take in the future. It aligns with the guiding principles of the New European Bauhaus: sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion.

New Year’s Concert Gmunden
In cooperation with the European Capital of Culture, Gmunden brings the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna, conducted by Tobias Wögerer, for a special New Year’s concert on the shores of Lake Traun. This concert, held at the Stadttheater Gmunden, marks the official start of the Cultural Capital Year 2024.

Night of the Balloons. Gosau
The Dachstein Alpentrophy, one of Europe’s top hot air ballooning events, returns for its 31st edition. At the Night of the Balloons near the Hornspitz valley station, the European Capital of Culture will also be represented in this breathtaking spectacle

Original Liebstattsonntag. Gmunden
Liebstattsonntag, a traditional custom dating back to 1641, takes place during Lent in 2024. The day begins with a festive church procession by the local folk groups, followed by the giving of decorated gingerbread hearts at the Gmunden Town Hall Square.

Peace Monument. Laakirchen
A lasting artwork for Laakirchen, freely accessible to the public every day. Werner Reiterer’s monument The Sky Weeps Peace sets new artistic and conceptual standards, contributing significantly to the ongoing debate about memorials and remembrance culture.

Peace Space Kalvarienberg – Study Day. Bad Ischl
An interdisciplinary project at the intersection of history, theology, lived spirituality, religion, art, folk culture, and society. The goal is to untangle a violent knot of the past and reweave it into a bond of friendship and acceptance of others.

Pins of Remembrance. Bad Ischl
Oversized pins mark selected historical locations in Bad Ischl, telling stories related to the Nazi era. Using a map, visitors can follow the “Jewish Ischl” walking route and the “Resistance” cycling route to discover all twelve pins.

POTENTIALS OÖ Kunstmesse Oberösterreichischer Kunst. Gmunden
A new format for the Oberösterreich art scene, this art fair features 82 artists from over 20 Upper Austrian art associations. The main goal is to showcase the artistic potential of Upper Austria to an international audience, working closely with local art communities.

pro mente
Since 1964, pro mente OÖ has been working in the psychosocial care sector. With the principles of inclusion and anti-stigmatization, the organization aims to fill these ideas with meaning during the European Capital of Culture Year 2024. They are creating a calendar featuring snapshots of people in all their diversity, joy, and individuality, celebrating their participation in society.

Reading by Christoph Ransmayr
World-renowned author Christoph Ransmayr reads from his latest book, Als ich noch unsterblich war (When I Was Still Immortal), accompanied by the virtuoso guitarist and internationally acclaimed jazz and world musician Wolfgang Muthspiel.

SALZ:KLANG – Eine musikalische Handelsreise. Bad Ischl
The Austrian Youth Choir embarks on a musical journey tracing the ancient trade routes that passed through regions connected by salt. The concert features choral music from medieval chants to contemporary compositions inspired by these historic paths.

Salzkammergut Dingsda. Bad Aussee, Steiermark und Europa
A project by ARF – Ausseer Regionalfernsehen, where children from the Styrian Salzkammergut region explain the cultural capital’s program contents using their own words. These personal stories are captured on video and presented in files that can be shared across Europe, highlighting key elements like salt, water, tourism, and local traditions.

Salzkammergut moves. Altaussee, Bad Goisern, Bad Ischl, Ebensee, Gmunden, Gosau, Hallstatt
The platform Salzkammergut bewegt connects local initiatives and associations in sports, arts, and culture through running and movement. It strengthens regional, national, and international networks, supporting local structures while promoting the region’s connection to Europe and the world.

SALZTOR. Gmunden
Gmunden’s new landmark, Salztor, located in the old Stadtgarten, is a participatory sculpture. Its final appearance will evolve through its use. Initially, it functions as a ceramic kiln for artwork created by artists, students, and residents during workshops, using the traditional salt firing method.

Schiffleutmuseum. Stadl-Paura
Opened in 1979, this museum is located in one of Stadl-Paura’s oldest buildings. It is dedicated to Abbot Maximilian Paglof Lambach and showcases the region’s history, including a special exhibition on Pagl’s life and work.

Schlachthoffestival
This festival brings together international and local artists from the fields of visual arts, music, literature, theatre, and performance. The Schlachthof transforms into an off-space, a new meeting place for regional and international artists, inviting visitors to stay and engage.

Seebahnhof Festival
A music event created by the local community, offering free admission and no obligation to consume, aiming to highlight social diversity and particularly appeal to young people. The 5th World Salon, themed “Music and Migration”, took place as part of the Seebahnhof Festival 2024.

SeeTonWellen Festival. Altmünster
The third edition of SeeTonWellen, in collaboration with kleinfeinKultur – Altmünster and Tourismusverband Traunsee-Almtal, presents a programme featuring artists and composers beyond stylistic boundaries, spanning from contemporary music to masterpieces of past eras.

Sonderausstellung Theodor Detter. Gmunden
Regional identity, authenticity, courage: The collection of Prof. Theodor Detter (1886–1957) offers a fascinating insight into the various creative periods of the Gmunden painter.

Symposium Hallstattkultur. Hallstatt
This symposium sheds new light on the Hallstatt culture, one of the most significant prehistoric cultures and a core part of Austrian and European identity. It explores its development and the discoveries and advancements made from the first finds to the present day.

Tage der offenen Ateliers. Oberösterreich
In October 2024, studios and galleries across Upper Austria will open their doors, offering visitors the opportunity to experience contemporary art, meet artists, and immerse themselves in artworks without time constraints.

TATORT THEATER. Gmunden
The film and theatre ensemble of BRG | BORG Schloss Traunsee. Established in 1999, the ensemble has staged 25 productions to date, including 18 original works.

The Brahms Collection. Bad Ischl, Salzkammergut
A set of 100 drawings paying homage to Bad Ischl and the Salzkammergut. Starting with Brahms, it primarily portrays artists who lived, worked, or spent their holidays in the region.

Ungeheuer Leben – The International Gathering of Storytellers. Grünau im Almtal
UNGEHEUER LEBEN – Of the Human in the Animal and the Animal in the Human invites storytellers and storytelling enthusiasts to Almtal. Highlights include a public celebration “Magic Words” and “Village Square Full of Fairy Tales”, featuring internationally renowned storytellers for the local audience.

Water Pilgrimage – From the Waterfall to the Source, Roitham to Bad Aussee
This pilgrimage route through the Salzkammergut follows the Traun River from the falls in Roitham to its sources in Bad Aussee, reflecting on the significance of water and the spiritual sites along the way. Just like the Traun, the path connects many of the diverse locations within the European Capital of Culture region.

White Noise. Gmunden
The cultural pavilion White Noise (also known as the “Kunstigel”) makes its way to the KunstQuartier near the city garden as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations. Originally Austria’s official contribution to the European Capitals of Culture in Košice and Maribor, the pavilion—designed by the architecture team soma—serves as a space for contemporary public art.

WINDOW OF THE HUNDRED Elisabeth Plank. Ebensee
A newly designed chapel window commemorating the 100 individuals who, after being liberated from the Ebensee concentration camp, died in Bad Goisern as a direct consequence of their imprisonment.

Winter Varieté Bad Ischl 2024
A variety show featuring dreams, acrobatics, and winter magic at the Kongress- & TheaterHaus Bad Ischl.

Women in Resistance. Hallein
How do women experience and enact resistance? A panel of experts discusses personal biographies, networks, and specifically female forms of collaboration during the Nazi regime. The discussion explores the significance of their defiance and womanhood at the time, as well as the role of gender in historical research and writing since the 1970s.

Women’s Headwear
An intercultural gathering featuring a buffet, demonstrations, and tutorials on tying various head coverings—from traditional headscarves to African and Muslim styles. The event includes a presentation by the Ebensee Fashion School, a reading of Kopftuchfrauen – A Piece of Cloth That Provokes, and a Marian hymn performance by the Uttendorfer Sängerinnen, Innviertler Geigenmusi, and touching recitations.

Wood goes Europe
O₂: The Air We All Breathe. A project presented by the Forestry Association of Upper Austria & Salzburg, supported by the Austrian Waldfonds and realised as part of the European Capital of Culture programme.

Zaungäste. Gmunden
Part of the Kunst-erFAHRen Route The fence along the property boundary between Energie AG and Stern & Hafferl Gruppe is transformed into an exhibition space in public view. Artists showcase their digital and analogue works in this installation, which is also part of the Kunst-erFAHRen route of the Stern & Hafferl Traunsee Tram.

15th International Choir Competition and Festival. Bad Ischl
Held every two years, the International Choir Competition and Festival in Bad Ischl offers participants and audiences music and culture from around the world. The event includes competitions, friendship and gala concerts, and an international choir parade in the heart of Bad Ischl.

30 Years of the Women’s Forum Salzkammergut. Ebensee
As a “feminist grassroots organisation,” the Women’s Forum Salzkammergut looks back on 30 impactful years. To celebrate this milestone, the conference Feminist Action in Rural Areas invites members and supporters to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and celebrate together.