Read a translated version of the press release by Volkstheater Wien below.
„Euer Wille geschehe (Heim ins Reich!)“. ‘Your will be done (home to the kingdom!)": Volkstheater warns with song against right-wing populism in Austria and celebrates a festival of democracy!
THREE DAYS FOR AUSTRIA, on 25, 26 and 29 September throughout the Volkstheater
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
Dear colleagues!
The news that Volkstheater director Kay Voges will be renaming his theatre ‘Deutsches Volkstheater’ in his last season has been the subject of much caused astonishment and outrage in the media and on social media over the past few days.
Now the Volkstheater is presenting the song ‘Euer Wille geschehe (Heim ins Reich!’, the finale of this campaign. Together with the musician Adolf Urlaub, produced a song whose title already draws attention to what threatens threat if fascists and right-wing populists are elected to the top.
The song, sung and performed by the band ‘Die Hitlers’, refers to the programme of the Freedom Party of Austria (point 2: homeland, identity and environment): ‘Austria's language, history and culture are German.’ In the video for the song, Hitler clones can be seen joyfully awaiting this realisation of the FPÖ party programme. Seen in this light, the renaming of the Volkstheater to ‘Deutsches Volkstheater’ would be the logical consequence.
‘The song only says what is in the FPÖ programme. It is now up to you on you to go to the polls and stand up for a democratic and free Austria. A party that openly fantasises about the forced deportation of fellow human beings and at the same time relativises the war crimes of the Waffen SS is, in my opinion, unelectable. The video is nothing more than a call to everyone, to show responsibility now,’ says Kay Voges.
The video for the song is now available at this link and can be heard on all common streaming platforms.
Ultimate celebration of democracy - only at the Volkstheater!
In the foreword to the 24/25 season book, Voges already posed the question ‘How can can we continue to act together in the face of uncertainty and polarisation? Over the next few days, the Volkstheater will be taking a different approach at ‘Drei Tage für Austria - the ultimate celebration of democracy (before it's too late!)’.
On 25, 26 and 29 September, the theatre presents itself with concerts, performances and exciting special guests in favour of democracy. The programme culminates in the biggest election party in the city on Sunday 29 September live from the main auditorium of the Volkstheater. Presenter Michael Ostrowski looks at the projections with the audience and analyses the results together with his guests - ‘and at the end we celebrate or or digest them together,’ says Kay Voges.
Either way: Austria votes on 29 September - use your vote for the freedom of democracy the freedom of democracy and go and vote!
The entire programme, information and tickets for DREI TAGE FÜR ÖSTERREICH at www.volkstheater.at!
The situation is serious, the fight for our democracy is more necessary than it has been for decades. We are therefore all the more pleased about your visit to the Volkstheater!
Kind regards from the Volkstheater,
Patrizia Büchele
