Cultural Capital Neighbourhood of the Month

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When we first began issuing invitations to the institutions, clubs, groups and residents active in the twelve Capital of Culture neighbourhoods, we knew perfectly well the kind of risks we were taking. The idea was for the whole city to take an active part in the programme of the Capital of Culture. The criteria for participation were pretty tough. We were hoping to attract projects that guaranteed the maximum intensive networking of residents, clubs, institutions and organisations. The theme that we proposed to each of these entities was their own neighbourhood, their own shared environment. Each neighbourhood was to take to the stage for a whole month and present a programme sparkling with innovation, charm and creativity.

All we can say now is that we have been able to pull it off. Like-minded people have indeed come forward and have come up with ideas that they have been able to commit to together. Between November 2007 and June 2008 we received a total of 42 applications, which necessitated protracted discussions and difficult decisions and tested the juries that convened separately for each neighbourhood to the limit.
The process, which involves a large number of Linzers, will reach its climax in Capital of Culture Year 2009:

“Cultural Capital Neighbourhood of the Month” will be making its way through Linz over nine months in all – in January and from March to October 2009. Its scope is without precedent: the different regions of Linz will be telling stories about themselves in a manner, it is hoped, that will indeed be the beginning of an ongoing development. The different neighbourhoods take to the stage. They show off what they’ve got. They take possession of the public space. They dispense new names. And they move on.

The three neighbourhoods not featured in “Cultural Capital Neighbourhood of the Month” will be taking part in the form of appreciative portraits based on the study “Linzer Kulturstadtteile heute” produced by Professor Ingo Mörth and his team.

Something especially to look forward to is the “pomp and circumstance” that will mark the accession ceremonies as one neighbourhood takes over from its precursor. The “Art Palace” (Kunstpalast), a metamorphosed caravan under the aegis of Messrs Juhann and Jod, will be providing the festive atmosphere required by such momentous occasions.

For the summer of 2009 the centre of the Capital of Culture (Neighbourhoods) will shift to the Landscape Park Bindermichl/Spallerhof. The yellow house called “Bellevue – The Fine View” will be devoted to what is both ordinary and extraordinary about life in Linz’s neighbourhoods.
On Sundays it will transform itself into a venue for “Cultural Capital Neighbourhood of the Month” programme items.

Failed to pay a visit to the seahorse in the Danube or the gallery on clothes poles? Not claimed a place on the Bench in Progress or your share in the flood barrier? Not given the shirt off your back or offered hospitality to a stranger? Not even spent a night on a blind date? In that case you would have missed out on Linz altogether – and surely you don’t want to do that!
Everyone is entitled to their share of the city.

IDEA/CONCEPT//
Linz09/Tamara Schwarzmayr after an idea by Ingo Mörth

HEADS OF PROJECT//
Claudia Dworschak/Tamara Schwarzmayr/Marie-Therese Strasser

PARTICIPANTS//
Alliances of clubs, institutions, groups and neighbourhood residents