The European Union has been awarding the title of “European Capital of Culture” since 1985, and the accolade is intended to highlight the wealth, diversity and community of its cultural heritage, bringing the citizens of Europe closer together.
2024 will, for the first time, see a rural Alpine region join Tartu (Estonia) and Bodø (Norway) as European Capital of Culture: a total of 23 towns and villages in Austria’s Salzkammergut are due to present a diverse programme of events with four strands: “Power and Tradition”, “Culture in Motion”, “Sharing Salzkammergut – the Art of Travelling” and “Globalocal – Building the New”, casting a spotlight on a broad spectrum of historical and contemporary culture, suggesting approaches for the future and exploring the region’s relationship with Europe and the world.
Salzkammergut’s scenic beauty and cultural diversity are globally renowned, but the region is also a hive of economic activity and a fertile breeding ground for companies. The “Culture meets Internationalisation and Innovation” video project hopes to highlight both the cultural and economic aspects of the region and emphasise the links between culture, internationalisation and innovation, presenting companies that have achieved international success while preserving deep roots in the area.
Salt has been mined in Salzkammergut for some 7,000 years, for example – a unique achievement, and Salinen Austria AG now export the white crystals throughout the world. Further proof that tradition and innovation need not be unlikely bedfellows is provided by the likes of Miba AG, a firm with an international footprint whose business includes developing technologies for the green tech sector.
The video project is a co-production in cooperation with ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA and the individual videos will be presented as a news series.
