Emperor and toilet brush: Performance art marks Vienna cafe's reopening

A recent performance art event marked the reopening of Vienna's traditional Café Bräunerhof, drawing a mix of reactions. The event featured a man dressed as an emperor, complete with a golden crown and a toilet brush scepter, shouting slogans and ordering drinks on the terrace. He even attempted to direct a musician with his unusual scepter.

The reopening had been met with generally positive comments, but some former patrons, particularly artists, expressed reservations. This tension was highlighted when a photo of Thomas Bernhard, a former regular, was temporarily removed, only to reappear in a newspaper report about "art rebels" holding the picture hostage. The rebels were photographed with the image at Café Duemmler, a former private bar and popular meeting spot.

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I love Vienna, that something like this just happens.

The street performance outside Café Bräunerhof included a pianist playing jazz standards on a portable piano, a contrabassist, and a singer performing old hits. The impromptu concert attracted passersby, and even the costumed emperor joined in by conducting the band. Inside the café, a disruption occurred when a young man shouted loudly and was escorted out by a waiter.

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Your Emperor and King is back.