Who is funding the Free Republic of Vienna? How independent can and must a festival that is financed by the city, the federal republic and also private sponsors be? What do we want to use our money for? Is it crucial to have as wide an array of artistic voices as possible – or is it the cost and labour intensive production of new works? Does art justify all means? Or should certain financing options be out of the question in the future?
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are hearing days – a series in which we will develop the rules for the festival of the future together. Who takes decisions? Where does project funding come from and where does it go? Who is invited and who isn’t – and why? Who is the producer, who is the audience? Boycotts – yes or no? And: how does a globally active festival agree with sustainability? Experts, artists and activists provide an insight into their practices and examine potential alternatives. Over the duration of five weeks, the Council of the Republic will attend and discuss the hearings and design the Festwochen’s own constitution, which will be presented to the audience at the end of the festival as the Vienna Declaration.
