The town of Bad Ischl will serve as the flagship city for the extensive Salzkammergut program, hosting around 200 projects as part of the event.
Austria's Salzkammergut region is set to become the European Capital of Culture in 2024.
The picturesque town, spanning two provinces, marks a departure from the traditional city-centric approach of the European Capital of Culture, being the first time a region has achieved this designation.
Particularly, the spa town of Bad Ischl in the Alps will be the flagship city for the cultural capital.
The program in the Salzkammergut region includes about 200 projects from local artists, associations, and institutions, with the grand opening scheduled for January 20th in Bad Ischl.
The opening ceremony will feature the singer-songwriter Hubert von Goisern, a choir of a thousand voices, and the Eurovision Song Contest winner known as the "bearded diva," Conchita.
Why Salzkammergut?
The Salzkammergut region, with its stunning scenery, boasts a rich history.
Accessible by a short cable car journey from Hallstatt, the "Salt Worlds," recognized as the world's oldest salt mine, offer visitors the opportunity to descend 400 meters below ground and explore hand-carved tunnels.
In the 19th century, Salzkammergut became a favored tourism center, attracting the social elites of the Habsburg Monarchy who chose to spend their summers there.
In a recent press conference, local authorities of Salzkammergut revealed ambitious projects and ideas for the upcoming year.
Salzkammergut 2024 European Capital of Culture Director Elisabeth Schweeger emphasized efforts to "understand," "showcase," and "connect with the world," stating, "There is a real effort to discover how to understand this region, bring out everything it has, and connect it with the world."