the cost of this step, however, was the resignation of the head of the Ministry of culture, which was criticized for indecision in the development of this plan and insufficient measures to support artists who find themselves in a deep crisis after the introduction of restrictive measures on the coronavirus.
Earlier it was announced about the opening of museums that are beginning to throw open their doors from 15 may, subject to certain precautions. But the world-famous musical and theatrical groups from Austria were kept in the dark about when and how to resume rehearsals, concerts, performances and summer festivals. It is regarded as the world-famous Opera houses and Symphony orchestras, and numerous Amateur groups.
As announced at a press conference on Friday, Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler and the Minister of health Rudolf Unsober, subject to the distance between people is 1 meter 29 may be permitted activities both indoors and outdoors, numbering up to 100 people and from 1 July – of up to 250 people. At this stage open and the cinema – despite the fact that the audience will not be able to sit in the hall on the neighbouring seats. That is, the first phase of the opening will affect relatively large rooms that are filled only partially with empty seats among the audience.
From 1 August will allow events for up to 500 people, and in compliance with specially developed in cooperation with the organizers and representatives of the cultural plan, and up to 1,000 people. For each event will be responsible for compliance with anti-epidemic rules, as detailed in the decree regulating these rules, the government promises to publish may 25. The same decree will determine the procedure of conducting the rehearsals, which is especially important for art groups – theaters, orchestras, and choirs.
on September 1, cultural institutions can plan their programs in regular mode, the Ministers said, and the measures of financial support for theatres and concert organizations will be announced in the near future. The organizers of the summer festivals will have to determine whether they are covered by their plans under the continuing constraints. This applies in particular to the world-famous Salzburg festival, which celebrates this year its centenary and was set to open in mid-July. The organizers, in contrast to many other not yet declared about the cancellation, and promised to inform about changes of their plans until may 30.
Plan out of the crisis was to announce on Friday the Secretary of state for culture Ulrike Lunacek. But for two and a half hours before the scheduled press conference of the government, it has gathered the press to announce his resignation. Despite numerous��s meeting with representatives of the cultural sector and the government, she explained, she failed to achieve positive results in the face of massive criticism in its address, accruing in the last days. “I had no chance,” said Ulrike Lunacek, not hiding my frustration.
the Discussion of plan out musical and theatrical life of Austria from the crown of the crisis has revealed a profound contradiction: it turned out that in a country that is proud of its culture, artists were the least protected in terms of the crisis, and their actions have an impact on government decisions was much less than expected. Already announced the opening of restaurants and public baths, but was still unclear when and what kind of cultural events can be resumed when and how to start practicing. Existing instructions were inadequate and inconsistent. So, the big resonance was caused by “permission” brass bands rehearse for 10 people in masks (!). By the way, in Austrian folk brass bands is included in total of 150 thousand people. The same applies to the numerous choirs.
“Politicians don’t have the slightest idea about how the rehearsal process, how long it takes, as compiled programs” – wrote in his blog, the organizer of the festival “Youth Superdead” Kurt Deutsch. He described Lunacek as “absolutely not credible” and claimed that without public pressure nothing will happen. “We all must increase the pressure that every last policy recognized the need and dignity of art and culture,” he wrote.
And the Director of the influential Viennese “Theater in der Josefstadt” Herbert Pettinger appealed on Thursday directly to the Federal Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurtz. “You, Mr. Chancellor, should stand on the side of the cultural nation. Clearly. If after this pandemic cultural nation will cease to exist, you will be responsible”, – he said at the presentation of the new season.
meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor, Doug, announced Friday that the new head of the Ministry of culture will be appointed next week. This is also a woman and, like Ulrike Lunacek, member of the Green party, he added.
