How well does a democracy work in which a significant part must not have a say?
What is the identity of a society and how is it related to the individual?
When art connects, but only some can enjoy and exercise – what connections do we lose?
Around 100 young people in Vienna were again in the footsteps of these questions in Vienna for over six months. With “Democracy, what’s up?” Take a stage for perspectives that are too often affected by marginalization. Realities that do not take place in the discourse and that access to participation is installed. Often it is stories of young people with a migration biography who do not get attention, even though they give and inspire courage – and, above all, let us understand a lot.
In art workshops between rap and vocals, visual arts, film and theater, content creation and creative writing, the participants of the project have found their own way to give their thoughts a form. The result is moving works of art and performances that can be seen in the Vienna Konzerthaus, the Literaturhaus Vienna and the Kulturhaus Brotfabrik.
The events invite you to be amazed, empathize and think about the potential of a pluralistic society that allows creativity and promotes diversity – and is encountered in otherness with curiosity and openness.
All events are free.
More information on www.demokratiewasgeht.net
𝐉𝐔𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃. 𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐓. 𝐊𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐓.
Democracy lives from participation, but many young people are ignored, especially those with marginalized experiences. In the opening of “Democracy, what’s up?” The focus is on their voices. Personally, politically, poetically tell about identity, vision and everyday life. With guests: Inside from culture, politics and the media we ask together: Who does democracy belong to and how do we get it back? Moderation: Yasmin Maatouk, journalist moment.Magazin greetings: Dr. Heinz Fischer, Federal President Ad Mag. Theodora Manolakos, Head of the City of Vienna Integration Marcus Franz, District Chair Favorite Panelgäst: Inside: Dr. Mireille Ngosso, former member of the municipal council, doctor and activist Alexandra Stanić, journalist, photographer and activist Lejla Višnjić, Chairman of the Federal Youth Representation
Datum: June 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 17.06.2025, 8:00 p.m.
Art: Gesellschaft
Ort: Wiener Konzterthaus, Schönberg-Saal
URL: https://www.demokratiewasgeht.net/festival-2025
𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐔𝐒
With “Sounds Like Us”, young people bring their own songs and rapeseed to the stage – honest, loud and touching. It is about identity, origin and belonging. The tracks were created as part of our project; Music as a language for what is often unvapting. The concert is moderated by Esra Özmen, musician and activist who makes migrant perspectives visible and strengthens young voices. Come over and hear what you have to say! Moderation: Esra Özmen (Esrap) Performers: Participants of “Democracy, what’s up?”
Datum: June 18, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 18.06.2025, 12:00 p.m.
Art: Performances/stage
Ort: Wiener Konzerthaus, Berio-Saal
URL: https://www.demokratiewasgeht.net/festival-2025
𝐖𝐎 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐄 𝐖𝐔𝐑𝐙𝐄𝐋𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍
The “Poetry and Story Night” is the evening for the personal stories of our participants, and everyone present. In a society in which their voices are often ignored or marginalized, they create space for their perspectives, experiences and creative forms of expression that evening. They address their experiences with texts, music and performance. Diverse. Multilingual. Moderation: Jasmin Behnawa and Hamed Abboud
Datum: June 18, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – 18.06.2025, 8:30 p.m.
Art: Performances/stage
Ort: Literaturhaus Vienna
URL: https://www.demokratiewasgeht.net/festival-2025
𝐁ü𝐇𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐓 𝐊𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄
Two plays show what moves young people in Vienna. In the play “Voices” from the project “Democracy, what’s up?” Young people rebel against a system that does not all speak the same loudly. Afterwards, students from MS Gödelgasse invite the audience to actively shape a piece; About experiences with inequality in everyday life. A stage for young perspectives and for change.
Datum: June 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 20.06.2025, 12:30 p.m.
Art: Performances/stage
Ort: Culture-house BROTTAKFORRY, ankersaal
URL: https://www.demokratiewasgeht.net/festival-2025
𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐙𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐆𝐄𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐔𝐆𝐄𝐄
Protest is healthy; And young people in particular have every right to get loud when they are ignored. At the World Refugee Day we set a sign against exclusion and political instrumentalization. A third of the Viennese population must not vote. At the same time, displaced people in particular are caused by scapegoats for many social problems. Our answer: an artistic-activist protest campaign in public space.
Datum: June 20, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 20.06.2025, 7:00 p.m.
Art: Gesellschaft
Ort: Parliament
URL: https://www.facebook.com/events/600657849716781
𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐅ü𝐑 𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐄
On June 21 from 5:00 p.m. we celebrate the grand finale of our youth festival in the anchor hall of the bread factory. With film screenings, music, poetry and comedy, the stage becomes alive, loud, brave and varied. An evening full of young voices that show what future can mean. Come over and celebrate the end with us or rather the beginning of what is still coming. Moderation: Emilija Ilić Performer: Luna Simão, singer Zara Ağtaş, speaker Maggie, comedy and many more.
Datum: June 21, 2025, 3:30 p.m. – 21.06.2025, 10:00 p.m.
Art: Performances/stage
Ort: Culture-house BROTTAKFORRY, ankersaal
URL: https://www.demokratiewasgeht.net/festival-2025