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Wiener Festwochen cancel Peter Thiel appearance amid artist backlash
🇦🇹 Austria /Culture & Society

Wiener Festwochen cancel Peter Thiel appearance amid artist backlash

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The Wiener Festwochen canceled a planned appearance by US billionaire Peter Thiel, who was set to discuss the Antichrist and the end of the world.
  • The decision followed numerous artist cancellations and growing criticism of Thiel's views on democracy and his support for right-wing politics.
  • Festival director Milo Rau stated the cancellation was necessary to protect the overall artistic program and respect the concerns of participants.

The Wiener Festwochen has canceled a highly anticipated appearance by US tech mogul Peter Thiel, who was scheduled to speak on June 7 about "Armageddon and Antichrist? From Theology to Realpolitik." The decision, announced Saturday evening by festival director Milo Rau and managing director Artemis Vakianis, came after significant backlash and a growing number of artist cancellations.

Not at any cost: I take the critical voices very seriously. Out of my responsibility for the overall program, I unfortunately had to decide against the planned event with Peter Thiel, even though I would have found it extremely exciting and thematically consistent.

— Milo RauFestival director Milo Rau explaining his decision to cancel Peter Thiel's appearance.

Thiel, a prominent figure in Silicon Valley known for his skepticism towards multilateralism and liberal democracy, was slated to appear alongside theologian Wolfgang Palaver. His political influence, stemming from his support for Donald Trump and his role as a mentor to JD Vance, along with his philosophical concepts about the end of the world, had sparked outrage among festival attendees.

The festival initially convened a debate to discuss whether Thiel should be allowed to speak, considering his financial power and influence. While an internal "Council of the Republic" and an expert panel had favored his appearance, the mounting pressure from politically and ethically motivated cancellations from artists involved in the festival's program proved insurmountable.

An insistence on the event would be contrary to my appreciation for our artistic program and all those involved.

— Milo RauFestival director Milo Rau explaining the rationale behind canceling Peter Thiel's appearance.

Rau explained that while he found the planned discussion "extremely exciting and thematically consistent," he could not proceed "at any cost." He emphasized that insisting on Thiel's appearance would contradict his respect for the festival's artistic program and its participants. The cancellations, he stated, would have weakened the festival to an "unbearable extent."

These cancellations would weaken the Festwochen to an unbearable extent.

— Wiener FestwochenThe festival's management explaining the impact of artist cancellations on their decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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