Traditions are kept alive and well in the Salzkammergut. They take in a wide range of activities, from music, crafts, customs, theatre and literature to inn culture. Culture is constantly changing, born out of social processes – sometimes even out of acts of protest. Recognising the roles played by power and tradition is vital when it comes to understanding and respecting local and global identities as they evolve.

From its roots in the 19th-century concept of the summer retreat, tourism has grown into a vital industry in the Salzkammergut. “Sharing Salzkammergut – the Art of Travelling” explores the myriad challenges as well as the opportunities for enhancing the high-quality tourism offer. It also seeks answers to the question of how the Alpine region can be made attractive in ways unconnected to tourism, especially outside the summer and winter seasons.

Customs, traditions and a shared language are resources that are available to everyone. Culture and cultural identity never stand still. It goes without saying that culture is in motion. It embraces new developments and makes a region and its people strong and well-equipped for the future. It recognises diversity as a strength that allows us to learn from each other, to develop and to rise to new challenges.

A challenge faces the rural Alpine region: what can be done so that people can make a life in the countryside but also be connected and work globally? “Globalocal – Building the New” is all about imagining the world of tomorrow, developing strategies and exploring intergenerational tensions. Young people are the focus when it comes to promoting cultural and creative diversity in the Salzkammergut region and making it an attractive place to live for all ages.