15 Years of La Guiterra Guitar Festival in Millstatt
Carinthia
The international guitar festival “La Guiterra esencial” is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. It will take place from 2nd to 7th August 2022 in Millstatt. In addition to concerts by guitarists from all over the world, there will be courses for musicians. A concert by legendary Australian pianist David Helfgott will set the tone for the celebrations on 6th May.
https://millstatt.laguitarraesencial.com/home (German only)
Nockisfest in Millstatt and 40 Years of Nockis
“Nockis” is the name of Austria’s most successful Schlager band and this year the five-man group is celebrating its 40th stage anniversary. Celebrations include the “Nockisfest”, which has been taking place in Millstatt for many years. From 16th to 18th September, fans will be able to hear the Nockis and other performers live at Carinthia’s biggest Schlager parade. www.millstaettersee.com/de/info-service/reise-planen/nockisfest-am-millstaetter-see.html (German only)
77th Villacher Kirchtag
The Villacher Kirchtag is a big event every year. Austria’s largest traditional festival is being held for the 77th time in 2022, from 31st July to 7th August. The programme includes the Jakobi Market, folk music concerts, and dance performances. A popular meeting place for visitors is the funfair with plenty of rides. www.villacherkirchtag.at (German only)
Lower Austria
100 Years of Lower Austria
With an area of almost 20.000 km2, Lower Austria is Austria’s largest province. And because it was here that the document from the year 996 was found in which the name “Ostarrichi” first appeared, it is also considered the cradle of Austria. Lower Austria has been an independent province since 1st January 1922. Its development from an agricultural area to a self-confident region is being celebrated with numerous events, exhibitions, festivals, symposiums, and concerts across the province. www.100jahrenoe.at (German only)
125 Years Schneebergbahn
In 1897, the cog railway steamed up the highest mountain in Lower Austria, the Schneeberg, for the first time. Today, the journey takes about 40 minutes with the modern Salamander train to Hochschneeberg mountain station at 1,800 m above sea level. In the summer months, the vintage steam train also runs on Sundays and public holidays, taking visitors to the mountain top in the same way as Emperor Franz Joseph more than 100 years ago.
It’s worth stopping off at Baumgartner station, where you will find the delicious and well-known “Schneebergbuchteln” (sweet rolls filled with jam).
To mark its 125th anniversary, a big celebration will be taking place around Hochschneeberg mountain station on 13th August 2022. Films and pictures of the mountain and railway will be shown on a large screen. 60 musicians from the Trachtenkapelle Puchberg and the Bergknappenkapelle Grünbach plus a choir will accompany the visual impressions.
https://www.schneebergbahn.at/en and https://www.schneebergbahn.at/en/125-jahre-schneebergbahn- im-klangbild-des-berges
150th Anniversary of the Death of Franz Grillparzer
Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872) is one of the Austrian writers and playwrights whose work is still present today. Plays such as “The Fortune and Fall of King Ottokar” can be seen on the most important stages time and again. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his death, the ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) wrote: “Grillparzer may be understood as the forefather of an Austrian character that relentlessly fits into the order of the world. At the same time, his prose texts are a treasure trove for a clear art of writing that is un-Austrian in its will to form and goes beyond the art of writing.”
Upper Austria
25th Salzkammergut Mountain Bike Trophy
The Salzkammergut Mountain Bike Trophy is taking place for the 25th time. To mark this special occasion, a slightly different route is planned for the 205 km extreme distance, which will be announced in May 2022. The SCOTT Junior Trophy will be held in the centre of Bad Goisern on 17th July 2022. And the bike expo including e-bike test opportunities will take place from 15th to 17th July. https://www.salzkammergut-trophy.at/news_2022-pid2312
50th International Lake Wolfgangsee Race
The Lake Wolfgangsee Race will be held for the 50th time on 15th and 16th October 2022. On 15th October, the 27 km Walk the Lake and Junior Marathon with distances between 0.2 and 1.2 km are on the agenda. In the evening, the big 50-year celebration will take place with live music, awards, and a 50-year photo show. The 4 main competitions will be held on the 16th of October in 4 distances: 5.2, 10, 27, and 42.195 km.
www.wolfgangseelauf.at/sechs_bewerbe_ein_event (German only)
25 Years World Heritage Region Dachstein Salzkammergut
The Dachstein Salzkammergut region with its well-known town of Hallstatt has been a UNESCO World Heritage Region for 25 years. The anniversary was marked by a big celebration on the 18th of April 2022 in Bad Goisern. 11 other World Heritage Sites were celebrating on the same date. The Austrian World Heritage Day takes place annually. It is intended to help draw attention to Austria’s UNESCO World Heritage and create awareness that constant efforts are required to protect these unique cultural and natural treasures from decay or destruction. https://www.bad-goisern.net/bad-goisern-en-US/world-heritage/
100th Mondseer Jedermann
Since 1922, the version of the mystery play “Der Mondseer Jedermann” set in dialect by Franz Löser and approved by Hugo von Hofmannsthal has been performed annually. In its anniversary year, there will be a total of 6 performances in July and August. Accompanying celebrations are planned. https://mondsee.salzkammergut.at/en/oesterreich-veranstaltung/detail/430003703/mondseer- jedermann.html
25 Years Kalkalpen National Park
Across 209 km2, Kalkalpen National Park protects the largest contiguous forest area in Austria. 75% of the area is wilderness – which is unique in Austria. Kalkalpen National Park is home to one of the longest intact stream systems of the Eastern Alps and UNESCO World Heritage beech forests. Trained rangers offer guided tours and those who would like to explore the National Park themselves can follow the long-distance “Luchstrail” among others. https://www.kalkalpen.at/en/National_Park
800 Years of Wels
The year 1222 is a memorable year in the history of the city of Wels. That year, Wels was first mentioned in a document as “civitas” (Latin for the city). The city is celebrating its 800th anniversary with numerous
44 events. There will be several concerts in the Oktogon, and from 12th May the museums will be dedicating special exhibitions to the history of the city. The 800-year anniversary festival will take place on 24th and 25th June 2022. www.wels.gv.at/news/detail/wels-feiert-800-jahre-stadterhebung/ (German only)
70 Years Botanical Gardens Linz
The Botanical Gardens on the Gugl are amongst the most beautiful in Europe. Around 10,000 different types of plants can be admired across 4.2 ha, and five greenhouses showcase exotic ones in particular. The garden is a leader in Europe with its unique collection of cacti. The complex is also known for its rare wild orchids. Special events and exhibitions take place throughout the year. The 70th-anniversary celebration was held on 14th May 2022. https://botanischergarten.linz.at (German only)
10 Years Johannesweg on the Mühlviertler Alm Freistadt
The Johannesweg leads 84 km through the Mühlviertler Alm Freistadt region in the shape of a lily (symbol of light). Across 12 stations, impulses and wisdom are conveyed, which are intended to strengthen physical and mental health. The starting point is the municipality of Pierbach, but you can begin hiking from any other municipality along the circular route. It takes three or four days to complete the trail on foot. www.johannesweg.at (German only)
160th Birthday of Painter Gustav Klimt
2022 marks the 160th anniversary of the great painter Gustav Klimt (1862-1918). Klimt has close ties both to his hometown of Vienna and Lake Attersee, where he spent many summers. Visitors can find out more about his life along the 1 km Klimt Artist Trail and at the Gustav Klimt Center with Klimt Garden in Kammer Schörfling by Lake Attersee. The centre is open from June 2022. https://www.klimt-am-attersee.at/en/
10 Years Beer Region Innviertel
The Beer Region Innviertel, an association of 10 innovative private breweries, is celebrating its 10th birthday in 2022. One of its flagships, the Trappistenbrauerei Stift Engelszell, is also turning 10 and the “Innviertler Biermärz” series of events will be taking place for the 10th time, too. Celebrations and anniversary events are scheduled for summer. www.bierregion.at (German only)
SalzburgerLand
50th International Lake Wolfgangsee Race
The International Lake Wolfgangsee Race will take place on 16th October 2022 with various competitions. The programme includes a 5.2 km Panorama Race, a 10 km Shoreline Race, the 27 km Classic, a Junior Marathon, and the new Walk the Lake, a leisurely 27 km hike around Lake Wolfgang. http://www.wolfgangseelauf.at/wp- content/uploads/2022/02/Announcement_50_International_Lake_Wolfgangsee_Race_Salzkammergut_M arathon_2022.pdf
125th Anniversary of Karl Heinrich Waggerl
Karl Heinrich Waggerl (1897-1973) is one of the most widely read German-language authors of the 20th century. He is best known for his Christmas stories such as the Christmas legend “What the Christ Child had to smile about”. The writer is closely connected to Wagrain where he lived for many years. Kulturverein Wagrain will be organising a series of events for his anniversary year. For International Museum Day, the Waggerl House Museum will open its doors free of charge on 22nd May and display objects from the Waggerl collection that have not yet been exhibited. A “Waggerl and Photography” exhibition will launch on 23rd June and be on display at the Waggerl House Museum and Silent Night Museum in the “Pflegerschlössl” until 30th August. From 29th September until 21st October, the Waggerl House Museum will present the “Waggerl and the Garden” exhibition, and on 1st December the series of events will close with the topic “Waggerl and Literature: Language Has to Sound”. https://www.stillenacht-wagrain.com/e_index.php
25 Years Glocknerkönig
Known as THE classic of the Alps amongst road bikers, the Glocknerkönig will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on 5th June 2022 with around 2,500 professional and amateur athletes. The popular race is an absolute must for all cycling enthusiasts and nature lovers as the challenging Großglockner High Alpine Road leads right into the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park. The challenge: a 28.9 km route with gradients of up to 15% and 1,814 m in altitude. https://www.glocknerkoenig.com/en/
10 Years IRONMAN 70.3 in Zell am See-Kaprun
This summer, on 28th August 2022, Zell am See-Kaprun will be the venue for the top international event for the 10th time. The Ironman consists of the following disciplines: 1.9 km swimming, 90 km cycling (870 m difference in altitude), and 21.1 km running. IRONMAN fans can ride the 90 km bike route all year round, following in the tracks of exceptional athletes. www.ironmansalzburg.com
300 Years Samson Tamsweg
On 21st August 2022, Tamsweg in the Lungau is celebrating the Samson. An anniversary celebration with a big parade and the meeting of all 12 Samsons is planned. Samsons are giant, Old Testament figures with – according to legend – superhuman powers in their long hair. There are many myths, legends, and assumptions that surround them, which have been documented for 300 years. Samson Wearing was added to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Austria back in 2010. There are 12 Samson figures in the inner-Alpine region, 10 in Salzburg’s Lungau region, and 2 in neighboring Styria. https://www.lungau.at/en/
Styria
50 Years of the Green Heart
The green heart with Styria written across it is one of the best-known brands in Austria. Nine out of ten Austrians know it and associate it with everything Styria stands for nature, regionality, space, and sustainability. The heart was created by graphic designer and artist Helmut Gross. Styria Tourism is taking the 50th birthday of the Green Heart as an opportunity to pay tribute to the symbol, starting with “50 stories from the heart” of 50 personalities, who report weekly and thus throughout the entire year on their connection with the Styrian heart via multimedia. https://www.steiermark.com/en
Tirol
60 Years Alpenzoo Innsbruck
Around 2,000 alpine animals of 150 different species – from ibexes to golden eagles and lizards – live in the Alpenzoo at the foot of the Nordkette, which is open all year round. In its anniversary year, the foxes and badgers are to get a new 5,000 m2 enclosure. Alpenzoo Innsbruck is also celebrating its 60th birthday with different events. https://www.alpenzoo.at/en/
25 Years of Family Holidays in Tirol
17 tourism associations in Tirol, known as “Familiennester” (Family Nests), have specialised in offering high-quality, natural programmes for children, young people, and families. This year, the Tiroler Familiennester are celebrating their 25th birthday. The mascot for the anniversary year is Fichtenliesl, a cute pine tree. Fichtenliesl, who is looking for her friend Seppi the spotted woodpecker, stands for adventures and experiences in the natural environment of the forest, which plays a role in all Tiroler Familiennester programmes. https://www.tyrol.com/things-to-do/family-holidays/family-accommodations
Anniversaries of the Imst Alpine Club
The Imst Alpine Club is celebrating two anniversaries this year. On the one hand, it has been around for 150 years, and on the other, the Muttekopfhütte near Imst is celebrating its 130th birthday. The round numbers are being celebrated by various activities that the Alpine Club Imst is offering, including free courses, and training for members and anyone else who might be interested in taking part. www.alpenverein.at/imst-oberland/index.php (German only)
Vorarlberg
25 Years Kunsthaus Bregenz
In July 1997, the Kunsthaus Bregenz (KUB) opened its doors with an exhibition by American artist James Turrell. Since then, not just the exhibitions have attracted a lot of attention, but also its architecture. The building, a cube clad in glass panels, was designed by well-known Swiss architect Peter Zumthor.
The KUB, which is now one of Europe’s leading galleries for contemporary art, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of events and its presence at the Venice Biennale. https://visitbregenz.com/en/experience-bregenz/arts-culture/museums-galleries/kunsthaus-bregenz