Culture. Who’s a part of it?
Upper Austria is home to 1.5 million cultural ambassadors. They’re internationally famous – like the inventor of electro swing Parov Stelar, singer-songwriters AVEC and Ina Regen, and world musician Hubert von Goisern. They’re just embarking on their careers – like the members of the St Florian Boys’ Choir. They’re active in their thousands, in 478 bands, in cultural initiatives and societies. They make Upper Austria a wonderful cosmos of culture that it’s well worth taking the time to experience and discover.
Anton Bruckner 2024
Anton Bruckner 2024
Upper Austria is the home of Anton Bruckner. Born in Ansfelden in 1824, he was nurtured and trained at St Florian Monastery before becoming a celebrated improviser on the organ in Linz and a composer with a distinctive musical language. In 2024, the whole of Upper Austria will be the stage for a rich variety of celebrations to mark his 200th birthday.
Bad Ischl - Salzkammergut
Bad Ischl - Salzkammergut
In 2024, the European Capital of Culture will be hosted by a rural, inner-Alpine region for the first time in its history. Together with 22 other communities, the flagship town of Bad Ischl is developing a cultural region that’s reinventing itself through interactions between art, culture, business and tourism.
Top events in Upper Austria
Top events in Upper Austria
Do you love classical concerts and the performing arts? Does it rock your world when festival stages go wild? Are you passionate about contemporary art exhibitions? Do you love satirical revues and cabaret shows? Or do you yearn to be in the throng whenever customs are celebrated? Then Upper Austria is the place for you!
Shopping pleasure, culinary delights, exciting museums or the numerous cycling and racing bike routes in the region - there is a lot to discover in Wels!
Summer Festivals, Theatre & Music
One word that isn’t in Hubert von Goisern’s vocabulary is downtime. Even at over 60, the star of Alpine rock is constantly reinventing himself – most recently as an author. Hubert von Goisern published his first novel, “flüchtig”, under his real name, Hubert Achleitner.
He conducts the Vienna Philharmonic, is a regular guest at the Salzburg Festival and has made an international name for himself in the music world – star conductor Franz Welser-Möst, one of the most notable conductors of our time, lives in private seclusion on Lake Attersee.
The out-and-out artist from the Mühlviertel – Parov Stelar is considered to be the originator of electro swing and, with his deal with Falco, was the first Austrian to sign with a US label. He has won the Amadeus Award seven times already and his single “Booty Swing” alone has millions of views on YouTube.
They’re well known as an Upper Austrian institution. The St. Florian Boys’ Choir can be seen laughing in their traditional sailor suits on the covers of CDs and DVDs. Their vocal performances are of the highest calibre, captivating audiences worldwide.
Within a very short space of time, Ina Regen has shot from backing vocalist to celebrated solo artist. Her second album, “rot”, stormed the album charts. She sees herself as an Upper Austrian with a European soul, who is happy to draw her strength from Lake Mondsee.
Markus Poschner was born in Munich and has been Chief Conductor of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz and Head of Opera at the Musiktheater am Volksgarten since 2017. He is a firm proponent of the timeless significance of the music of Anton Bruckner.
Even Emperor Franz Joseph wore an “original Bad Ischl hat” from the Bittner millinery. Today Kathi Bittner creates handmade wool hats, and with her own signature collection she has breathed new life into the traditional head coverings.
The Upper Austrians are highly skilled craftspeople. This is reflected in many areas, including their traditional dress. Discover the art of traditional dress tailoring and find out all about types of traditional dress, dirndl bows, accessories and much more.
Tips for Sisi fans
Former Empress Elisabeth of Austria, fondly nicknamed Sisi, still has many fans. Perhaps you’re one of those whose heart just melts when the trilogy of Sisi films starring Romy Schneider is shown on TV? If you are, you absolutely must visit Bad Ischl. This charming little town was Empress Elisabeth’s favourite summer retreat and the secret capital of the Habsburg or Danube monarchy. Here are our top tips for Sissi fans, ranging from film locations like the Kaiservilla and the Marmorschlössl to the confectioner to the Imperial and Royal Court and the Kaiserfest.
Museums, Galleries & Exhibitions
UNESCO World Heritage in Upper Austria
Craft, Tradition & Innovation
From the Jew's Harp to Leather Trousers
Every region of Upper Austria has its craft traditions. In the Enns and Steyr valleys, the focus is on iron, as evidenced by the Mollner Jew's harps or the Trattenbach feitel, for example. The Mühlviertel is still a stronghold of linen production and processing. But glass and the artful handling of it also played a major role here for a long time, for example reverse glass painting in Sandl.
In the Salzkammergut, traditional costume is part of everyday life. The matching leather trousers, the right hat or the Goiserer shoes are handmade. In addition, there is the one or other trendy-traditional accessory, such as glasses made of deer horn. The HAND.WERK.HAUS in Bad Goisern is a home for the craft culture in the Salzkammergut.
Philipp Schwarz is the last shoemaker to make the Goiserer.
Anton Witti in Wesenufer on the Danube is one of the last zillen builders.
A must for Linz confectioners: the Linzer Torte is the oldest in the world.
