Cultural Forum

The Cultural Forum deals with art and culture and attempts, at the same time, to connect innovation with tradition. Our wide spectrum of activities includes music, literature, film, architecture, painting and photography. As indicated in our name, the work of the Austrian Cultural Forum concentrates on the implementation and support of cultural projects in cooperation with Israeli institutions and partners as well as the mediation of Austria’s cultural heritage in the light of a modern and an open-minded understanding of the complex image of Austria. The presentation of the manifoldness of Austrian culture with a priority to contemporary arts is an important focal point in our activities in Israel. We aim to reach a wide spectrum of interested people not only with a European background but from all over the country, including Palestinians.

Therefore the Austrian Cultural Forum Tel Aviv aims to initiate, foster and improve cultural and scientific contacts in order to contribute to the positive development of relations between the two countries. The development of a lively network of local event partners is of crucial importance since the Austrian Cultural Forum does not possess an own venue for events.

Fostering direct contacts and deepening the excellent working relationship with local universities is of great significance to the Cultural Forum. We work closely with several universities in Israel, such as the Tel Aviv University, the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva or the Center for Austrian Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Currently, the historian Dr. Christian Gerbel and the scholar of literature Dr. Julia Gurevitz hold the positions as Austrian guest lecturers in Jerusalem respectively in Beer Sheva.

The year 2011 was characterized by a variety of cultural events. Highlights of 2011 included the participation of designer Stefan Sagmeister with "the happy film" in the exhibition "Curious Minds. New Approaches in Design" (running until mid of April 2012) of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Numerous Austrian films were screened at Israeli  festivals. Markus Schleinzer received the award "Directors' of Tomorrow" for his film “Michael" at the International Haifa Film Festival. Prof. Ruth Klüger lectured at the Center for Austrian and German Studies in Beer Sheva. Among a variety of concerts from different genres were the performances of Jazz vocalist Simone Kopmajer with her band as well as the clarinet duo Stump&Linshalm at the contemporary music festival "Tzlil Meudcan". Dancer and choreographer Georg Blaschke taught in the context of the Summer School at the Kibbutzim College and performed together with his team at Tmuna Theater in Tel Aviv. In autumn "Coffee Chat", a cooperation project with the Israeli Embassy in Vienna was launched. Coffee houses in Vienna and Tel Aviv are connected via an internet terminal.  

In Vienna the Tel Aviv Beach which was constructed in cooperation with the City of Vienna and the Israeli Embassy in Austria at the “Donaukanal” had already its third season. It became a popular meeting point for young and elderly, for Austrians and Israelis during the summer months, and has become a successful symbol for the friendly relations between Vienna and Tel Aviv, between Israel and Austria.

The Austrian Cultural Forum Tel Aviv will continue bringing together different generations (young and elderly) and acting as an important linkage between Austria and Israelis with Austrian roots. Several projects have been designed to further deepen the friendship between Israelis and Austrians. Hundreds of young Israelis and Austrians celebrated together at the “Red-White Clubbing”, which was organized in 2011 for the fourth time at the residence of the Austrian Ambassador in Herzliya Pituach. On June 06, 2012, the Clubbing will  host a special guest: the Austrian Federal Minister for Justice, Dr. Beatrix Karl.

Regarding information on current events and activities, please visit our homepage on a regular basis. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter, which is sent every two months, please send an email to tel-aviv-ob(at)bmeia.gv.at and we will add you to our list.

We would be very happy to welcome you at our future events.

Gabriele Feigl (Director)