The symposium of the Joint Research Network Elfriede Jelinek serves to discuss artistic strategies against anti-democratic and authoritarian trends.
The symposium asks how art and art institutions should position themselves in light of the threatened state of democratic sovereignty and the rise of authoritarian forces: (how) can art enable new forms of democratic imagination without itself reproducing authoritarian or totalitarian constraints?
In addition to keynote lectures, the programme includes discussions with Mattias Andersson & Ensemble Volkstheater, Ekaterina Degot, Jan Philipp Gloger, Stefan Herheim, Pia Janke, Julia Purgina, Milo Rau, Gerfried Stocker, Monika Voithofer, and many others. The author Thomas Köck will present an artistic contribution.
The event takes place as part of the RESISTANCE NOW! series organized by the Vienna Festival │ Free Republic of Vienna.
11.6.2026, 5pm
Talk(DE/EN)
Ästhetiken des Widerstands / Aesthetics of Resistance
With Christina von Braun, Monika Mokre, Milo Rau, moderated by Christoph ReinprechtPerformance and Discussion (DE)
Die Kunst (in) der Verantwortung: Künstlerische Praktiken in autoritären Zeiten
With Martina Grohmann, Thomas Köck, Julia Purgina, moderated by Monika Voithofer12.6.2026, 4pm
Keynote (DE)
Drachen und Teufel – von verschiedenen Formen des Aufbegehrens
Julya RabinowichTalk (DE)
Institution & Verantwortung: Programmpolitik, Kunst und Öffentlichkeit
With Ekaterina Degot, Jan Philipp Gloger, Stefan Herheim, Gerfried Stocker, moderated by Rosemarie BrucherArtist Talk (EN)
Who owns the myth? Art and democratic participation
Mattias Andersson & Ensemble Volkstheater in conversation with Thomas Kasebacher
Concept and organisation Pia Janke, Rosa Eidelpes
