Greens Vienna/Berner, Nöhrig, Stein: “SPÖ is drying up the local cultural scene in the districts”

2023-12-15 09:43:24

The cultural budgets of Leopoldstadt and Mariahilf are among the lowest in Vienna

Vienna (OTS) – “Mariahilf is a young, creative district with a vibrant cultural scene. We can be proud of that. “It is all the more disappointing that the SPÖ is abandoning artists and cultural workers in our district,” comments Paul Stein, chairman of the Mariahilf Green Party, on the corresponding resolutions at the district council meeting. A particular downer for Stein is the fact that Mariahilf has the lowest cultural budget compared to districts 4 to 9.

The situation is similar in the Leopoldstadt district governed by the SPÖ. Here, too, the Greens did not approve the 2024 district budget. The reason for this is, among other things, the low cultural budget. Nina Nöhrig, cultural spokesperson and club vice-president in Leopoldstadt: “We only have a little more than 1 euro per person per year for culture. But the worst part? The SPÖ is on the brakes so much that not even this budget is allocated. Year after year, part of the budget simply expires and does not reach cultural workers.” A corresponding request from the Greens to include the remaining amount in the 2024 budget was rejected at the district council meeting on Tuesday. “The fact that the money doesn’t end up with the artists is scandalous,” said Nöhrig.

The Green-governed district of Neubau shows how it could be: Compared to Mariahilf, Neubau has four times the cultural budget there, compared to Leopoldstadt it is almost 13 times as much per capita.

“Although the SPÖ constantly talks about “fair pay” at the city level, the reality of the district culture looks completely different. Often only 200 or 400 euros are awarded per event – this means that no one can cover their costs. Fair payment for the artists is then just a dream concert. In order for cultural provision to be guaranteed, the districts must also take their responsibility towards the artists seriously and adjust the cultural budgets accordingly,” says state parliament member and culture spokesperson Ursula Berner, encouraging the demands of the Greens from the districts.