Brucknerfest 2009

Sehr geehrter Herr Bundespräsident,
Sehr geehrte Frau Ministerin,
sehr geehrter Herr Landeshauptmann,
sehr geehrter Herr Dobusch,
sehr geehrter Herr Watzl,
meine sehr geehrten Damen und Herren,
Es ist mir eine große Ehre, heute anlässlich der feierlichen Eröffnung
des Brucknerfestes bei Ihnen zu sein.

This festival has been a landmark in the cultural calendar of Linz for a
long time, and I’m happy to see that it has become part of the
programme you have prepared for Linz 2009.
We can all be very proud of the Capitals of Culture initiative, one of
the best–known actions of the EU. Over the years, the events
associated to the initiative
have brought Europeans closer together;
they have promoted a better understanding of our common cultural
heritage; and
they have celebrated the richness of our cultural diversity.
The last two points may seem in contradiction, but they are not. And
another project you have launched for Linz 2009 can help me explain
why.

The programme of Linz 2009 includes the “Twelve Europes” project,
which is devoted to the musical traditions of the twelve countries that
have joined the Union since 2004.
Music is a form of expression that can travel well across linguistic and
cultural borders. So, in principle, it would be easier to speak of a
common musical heritage for the whole of Europe.
At the same time, many communities around Europe have been
developing distinctive musical traditions; and this is why the “Twelve
Europes” project is showcasing twelve of them here in Linz – one
country for each month of the year.

The “Twelve Europes” concept shows that what seemed like a
contradiction is anything but. The dedicated audience who will have
listened to the entire series will form a richer and more precise
meaning for the phrase ‘unity in diversity’ by the end of the year.
There would be countless examples like this. Together, they would
show that the EU motto in varietate concordia – to use the Latin
version – is an accurate description of Europe’s cultural landscape.
I also regard in varietate concordia as a strategy for the future.
Because the more we explore the rich cultural, linguistic, and artistic
diversity of Europe, the more tools we will have to build our united
Europe of tomorrow.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Capitals of Culture event is unique in scale and scope. The
experience of many participating cities shows that its benefits can be
felt long after the end of the respective years – for instance in terms of
urban development and job creation.
The idea is not to promote cities that stand out thanks to their history
or charms, but to give a European stage to the cities that present the
most innovative programmes and that can best involve the people.
I would like to stress the innovative aspect, especially in this 2009
which is also the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.

The Capitals of Culture programmes are often forward–looking and
make ample room for contemporary forms of artistic and cultural
expression.
For this reason alone, I think that this year’s Brucknerfest will be
remembered as one of the centrepieces of the programme for Linz

2009. 
      In terms of innovation, this festival matches perfectly well the broader
      concept of the European Capitals of culture. I am thinking of the
      interplay of sound and image, one of the main themes of the festival.
      The capacity to combine tradition and innovation has always been a
      factor of success for previous Capitals of Culture. I am sure this music
      festival will help Linz 2009 renew the tradition.
      Ich wünsche dem Brucknerfest viel Erfolg.
      Vielen Dank.