Vienna, Austria – On Wednesday, 8 May 2024, the annual Wiener Festwochen cultural festival kicked off with a thought-provoking speech by Israeli-German philosopher Omri Boehm at the Viennese Judenplatz. The event, titled “Eine Rede an Europa” (A Speech to Europe), was co-hosted by the Wiener Festwochen and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna).
Despite facing some controversy leading up to the event, the Speech was a resounding success, drawing in a crowd of 800 spectators at the Judenplatz and reaching an additional 1200 viewers through the Livestream. The event was also broadcasted on ORF, reaching a wider audience.
The Speech was introduced by IWM Rector Misha Glenny and Wiener Festwochen Artistic Director Milo Rau, who stood by their decision to invite Omri Boehm to speak at the Judenplatz. As a strong advocate for universalism, Boehm delved into the complexities of Europe’s troubled past, including colonialism and the Holocaust, and its current challenges, such as the rise of right-wing populism and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He drew inspiration from Timothy Snyder’s first Speech to Europe in 2019 and urged Europe to move past nationalist ideologies, emphasizing the importance of addressing historical responsibilities while upholding European values.
While there were some silent protests from representatives of the Viennese Israeli community, the majority of the crowd warmly welcomed Boehm’s Speech. He received numerous rounds of applause during his delivery and was given a standing ovation at the end.
Omri Boehm is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research in New York. He is a regular contributor to Haaretz, Die Zeit, and The New York Times, providing commentary on Israeli politics and philosophy. In 2022, his book “Radikaler Universalismus” was critically acclaimed and was awarded the prestigious Leipzig Book Prize for European Understanding in 2024.
The Wiener Festwochen and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM Vienna) have been collaborating for years to bring thought-provoking events to the Judenplatz. The event was distributed by the renowned press company, Pressat, and more information can be found on the Festwochen’s official website and the APA-Fotoservice gallery. For any queries, please contact Judith Staudinger at j.staudinger@festwochen.at.
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