PRESS INFORMATION
Winter in Salzburg – cultural enjoyment during the season of peace
In the winter months, Salzburg reveals its most peaceful side. Then, the city belongs
to those who appreciate special moments and the finer things. The local mountains,
dusted with snow, invite you to take a romantic stroll, while the shorter days are ideal
for visits to museums and exhibitions. The events program is a real treat, including
circus artistry and classical music. At the end of January – around the time of Mozart’s birthday – Mozart Weeks rings in a whole new year filled with music. And in surrounding communities, ancient traditions and newly rediscovered moorland treasures
have their own irresistible appeal.
A winter in Salzburg begins, of course, with Advent and its countless wondrous faces. The
Christkindlmarkt on Cathedral Square enchants visitors with a treasure trove of local specialties and a program of festive events. The very spirit of the season seems to roam between the market stands: with musicians performing Christmas melodies beneath the cathedral arches and the smells of gingerbread and hot punch filling the air, you know that Christmastime has truly arrived in Salzburg! From 19 November 2015, the city squares of Salzburg are transformed into fairy-tale places that evoke the fond memories of childhood.
www.salzburg.info/advent
Exhibitions at the Museum der Moderne and Residenz Gallery
The Museum der Moderne is proud to award the 2015 Otto Breicha Prize for photographic
art to Leo Kandl. Kandl is a sensitive observer who captures photos of his encounters in a
wide range of locations around the world. The exhibition “Leo Kandl. People and Places:
Photographs from the past 40 years” (31 October 2015 to 28 February 2016 at the Rupertinum) reflects the diversity of his themes. In the 1980’s, he portrayed people on the fringes of society, while in the 1990’s he occupied himself with clothing, both as a reflection of
individualism as well as human existence as a whole. In 2000, he began his series “Free
Portraits”, which is centered on subjects who had previously been unwilling models. During
his time spent studying in Iran in 2003, the basis for his interest shifted to cityscapes and
peripheries.
Carolee Schneemann (born 1939) is the focus of the coming winter’s second major exhibition. “Kinetic Painting” (21 November 2015 to 28 February 2016, Mönchsberg) is a comprehensive retrospective of the works of this artist, choreographer, performer and author.
The exhibition spans paintings from the 1950’s and 60’s, her famous performances such as
“Meat Joy” (1964), along with experimental films and kinetic installations in the early 2000’s.
www.museumdermoderne.at
In cooperation with “Salzburger Burgen und Schösser” and Mozarteum University Salzburg,
the Residenz Gallery hosts an exhibition focused on textile design, entitled “Beyond Veiling” (20 November 2015 to 6 March 2016). The exquisite paintings of the Residenz Gallery
reflect the relationship between art and fashion. Students at the Mozarteum dedicated themselves during summer semester 2015 to these historical pieces, creating their own works of
textile artistry which can now be viewed in the state rooms of the Residenz as well as the
Residenz Gallery.
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The exhibition “Sensual Pleasures”, which runs in the Residenz Gallery from 20 November
2015 to 10 July 2016, is utterly consistent with the whole “Enjoyment” theme. Select works
from the gallery’s permanent collection tell of music, dance, opulent feasts and bewitching
fragrances. www.residenzgalerie.at
DIALOGUES (Time)
After “Air” (2012), “Light” (2013) and “Word” (2014), the DIALOGUES Festival 2015 from 25
to 29 November 2015 will take as its leitmotif “Time”. Works of three composers – Morton
Feldman, Beat Furrer and Mozart – produce a multifaceted program. Swiss native Beat Furrer was awarded the Austrian State Prize for Music in 2014. The central event of
DIALOGUES will be an evening of dance & music entitled “Time-Picture”, a collaborative
production between the Mozarteum Foundation, Szene Salzburg/apap – advancing performing arts projects, Action Scénique and SEAD. Aside from dance and music, the program includes a film series, presentation of a youth project, a workshop in cooperation with ConTempOhr, as well as introductory talks and artist discussions. Mozart’s Requiem will conclude the festival. www.mozarteum.at
Winterfest – a contemporary hommage to the circus
Since it premiered in 2001, the Winterfest in the Volksgarten (25 November 2015 until 6
January 2016) has managed to capture a special place in the hearts of the Salzburg people
and their guests. Its original goal is as valid today as ever: to provide a peaceful oasis for a
few hours in the midst of an otherwise hectic run-up to Christmas. The artistic spectrum
ranges from dance, music, theatre and acrobatics, to puppet theatre and performances by
classic clowns. The Volksgarten lends itself perfectly for the event, not least because it has
served as a unique place of enjoyment and entertainment for over 100 years. As early as the
late 1890’s, a swimming pool and playground were opened here, while rowing boats could be
rented out on the small pond. Winterfest continues in that upbeat tradition, captivating the
public with high-quality artistry, gripping acrobatics and bizarre humor. The program 2015 is
all about humour and the artists‘ various interpretations. Cirque Le Roux, the duo Magmanus, Les Rois Vagabonds and many more will make sure to create an unforgettable event.
www.winterfest.at
New Year’s Eve & Day – Dancing in the New Year 2016
Salzburg’s Old City provides the ideal backdrop for an effervescent New Year’s Eve. The
magnificent fortress sits enthroned high above the city, bathed in bright colors to celebrate
the arrival of the New Year. New Year’s Eve festivities go on from 30 December 2015 until 1
January 2016, with their focus squarely on pure enjoyment: On Residenzplatz square, market stands overflowing with culinary temptations set the perfect tone for the impending New
Year. Live concerts and waltz lessons add even more vibrancy to the festivities. The New
Year’s Eve concerts on 31 December 2015 are diverse, offering something certain to appeal
to everyone: Arias from operas and operettas will be performed at Kavernen 1595, the Camerata Salzburg will appear in the Great Hall of the Mozarteum, treating the audience to a
light-hearted journey through the animal kingdom, while the Ballaststoff Orchestra will play
hits of the 1920’s and 30’s in the University Great Hall. During all of these marvelous celebrations, folk traditions won’t be neglected either: The New Year’s Salutes fired off by members of local heritage groups at 4 p.m. on 31 December 2015 from Staatsbrücke bridge and
the city mountains are always guaranteed to grab the attention of locals and visitors alike.
Austria’s biggest New Year’s Day “Hangover Breakfast” entices late-night revelers out of
their beds to the Residenzplatz, promising all kinds of delectable treats along with live music.
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In the first days of January, New Year’s concerts will also be held on different stages
throughout the city: at the Grosses Festspielhaus, the Salzburger Landestheater and in the
Great Hall of the Mozarteum, classical music puts an added spring in the step of audiences
as they embark on a brand-new year. www.salzburg.at/advent
The Mozarteum Foundation has every reason to celebrate
Mozart Week from 22 to 31 January 2016 steps back a little from musical theatre, casting
its spotlight on great choral and orchestral works. Acis and Galatea, a masterpiece by
George Frederick Handel from 1718, was given a more modern arrangement by Mozart in
1788. Likewise, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy created his own interpretation in 1828. A central concert evening will be shaped by one work and three very different worlds. Mozart and
Mendelssohn will both serve as guideposts during Mozart Week 2016, making audiences
more keenly aware of the parallels between the two of them: Like Mozart, Mendelssohn was
known as a “wunderkind”, while both also passed away at an early age. Mendelssohn was
only 38 years old when he died, leaving behind an oeuvre of 400 works and around 7,000
letters. The third artist in the focus of Mozart Week is Henri Dutilleux (1916 – 2013). Important chamber-music and soloist concerts during Mozart Week 2016 revolve around these
three musical masters.
2016 is actually an anniversary year for the Mozarteum Foundation in many different regards: 27 January 2016 is the 260th birthday of Mozart; Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg will
celebrate its 175th anniversary and be awarded the Mozarteum Foundation’s Golden Mozart
Medal; Mozart’s Residence celebrates 20 years since its restoration, while the Mozart Audio
& Film Collection will turn 25.
As a consequence the Mozarteum Foundation will be expanding its program: From 22 to 26
February 2016, Museum Week will present a program focused on “String Instruments”, including concerts on original Mozart violins and film presentations in the Tanzmeistersaal.
From 21 to 25 November 2016, Museum Week then switches its focus to “Keyboard Instruments”. Aside from films, audiences can look forward to concerts on the fortepiano, cembalo
and organ. www.mozarteum.at
News from Surrounding Communities
Experience Austrian folk culture up-close
On Sunday, 31 January 2016, the Rupertigau Preisschnalzen whip-cracking event will
take place in Wals. Interestingly, the whip-cracking tradition in the historic Rupertiwinkel district was added to the UNESCO Austrian Intangible Heritage List in 2013. At this annual
competition, folk groups from across the Rupertiwinkel gather to perform with their whips in
concert. The waggoner’s whip, known as a Goassl in this part of the world, has to be flicked
at the perfect moment in order to insure the overall acoustical effect is just right. www.walssiezenheim.com
Anthering Mud – with the power of nature
Mud as a natural curative looks back on a long tradition. This natural resource and the products made from it have a wide range of characteristics with proven health benefits: They
promote blood circulation and blood production, they regenerate and regulate the body. Especially during the colder seasons of the year, products made from mud can strengthen the
immune system and aid in detoxification therapy. In Anthering, mud is processed in various
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ways: Mud beer, mud noodles and mud pancakes are always guaranteed to spark people’s
curiosity. Under the umbrella brand “Moorschätze” (“Mud Treasures”), as of October 2015
several Anthering businesses will begin to promote products created from this surprising
cure-all. www.moorschaetze.at
Culinary News
The Salzburg dining scene is delighted to report the reopening of restaurant
“Fürstenallee 5” in Nonntal. Top chef Thomas Walkensteiner takes over the reins from Jörg
Wörther, planning to offer no-frills modern cuisine that reflects his travels and his passion for
healthy, regional products. This multiple-award-winning artist of his profession has also published several books and is regarded as an expert in healthful, anti-aging and aromatic cuisine. In cooking courses such as “Cabbage & Beets” and “Curry & Co”, hobby cooks are able
to benefit from the knowledge of this exceptional chef. www.fuerstenallee5.at
Further Information:
Tourismus Salzburg, Auerspergstraße 6, A-5020 Salzburg, Tel.: +43/662/889 87 - 0,
Fax: +43/662/889 87 - 32, www.salzburg.info
Press Contact:
Martina C. Trummer, Tel.: +43/662/889 87 – 605, presse@salzburg.info