Ars Electronica Festival to use Linz churches for 30th anniversary

The Ars Electronica Festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary from September 9 to 13, utilizing more than 30 venues across Linz, including several religious sites. The festival, themed ‘Negotiating Humanity – Future Begins’, aims to explore the essence of being human through the intersection of art, technology, and society.

The official opening will take place on September 9 at the Mariendom, Austria’s largest cathedral. This free event will feature a blend of classical orchestral culture and contemporary technology, presented by Markus Poschner and the Bruckner Orchester Linz. The musical program includes works by Richard Wagner, Olivier Messiaen, and György Ligeti, alongside performances by artists such as Seba Kayan, Orwa Saleh, and Nenda.

In addition to the Mariendom, the festival will incorporate various locations such as the Ursulinenkirche, the Karmeliten-Krypta, the Elisabethinen, the Catholic Private University, and the Priest Seminary. A curated ‘Festival walk’ will guide participants through these sites, including the Karmelitenkirche crypt and the Francisco Carolinum, integrating churches, schools, and hospitals into the contemporary art experience.