Salzkammergut Woodturning Days: "The Art of Turning"

From October 9 to 11, 2026, the Hand.Werk.Haus Salzkammergut in Bad Goisern will be transformed into a vibrant hub for exchange between crafts, art, and the public.

Under the title “Art of Turning,” leading international and regional woodturners, local craft businesses, young talents, and visitors come together to bring the craft of woodturning to life in its many facets.

The focus is on woodturning—but far beyond its traditional form.

The symposium views “turning” as a cultural principle: turning as movement, as tradition, as design, and as a cultural act. International guests such as Alain Mailland (France), Marco Bellini (Italy), and Stephan Feichtinger (Austria) will demonstrate their woodturning skills live alongside regional woodturners. Visitors can witness the creation of objects firsthand—from raw wood to the finished work of art.

The program is complemented by numerous top artisans from the master workshops of the Hand.Werk.Haus Salzkammergut, as well as artists and craftspeople from the region.

Among other things, visitors can experience turned jewelry and design objects (e.g., made from recycled skateboards), products from the Mader Kreiselmanufaktur, and live demonstrations by woodturners and instrument makers from the Hallstatt Woodworking School.

“Art of Turning” deliberately goes beyond the craft of woodturning. A ceramicist works at the potter’s wheel, historic hand drills transform a tree trunk into a sculpture, a traditional Landler dance brings the motif of turning to life, and Artist Talks create a space for interaction between artists, craftspeople, and the audience.

The symposium takes place in the heart of the Salzkammergut —a UNESCO World Heritage region whose history has been shaped by salt, wood, and exceptional craftsmanship for over 7,000 years. Finds of turned bowls date back as far as around 450 B.C.; carved bowls from the period around 750–660 B.C. were discovered in Hallstatt; brine pipes were made of wood for centuries, and to this day, musical instruments and everyday objects are crafted using traditional handcrafted methods.

The Hand.Werk.Haus Salzkammergut combines this centuries-old culture with contemporary design and arts and crafts. The goal of the event is to highlight craftsmanship as a living cultural form, to foster dialogue between generations, and to open up new perspectives for young people regarding creative, craft-based professions.

While work takes place outdoors in the courtyard, master craftsmen’s workshops showcase their work inside the building. Around the fountain, MAGMA Tools invites visitors to discuss machinery and purchase high-quality tools, complementing the symposium as a partner with technical expertise.

Art of Turning is thus far more than a demonstration of traditional techniques—it is a celebration of the craft of woodturning, creativity, and connection.

Experience a 360° panorama tour through Bad Goisern at Lake Hallstatt…