In its by now traditional three-act structure, this year’s opening takes place on Thursday, 9 September, at Europaplatz, a site that marks the metaphorical entry and exit point of Graz—a gateway to the outside world. This is where artists present their first attempts at a way out.

Following an opening speech by director Ekaterina Degot, visitors listen to a concertante teaser to the opera performance by Dejan Kaludjerović in collaboration with Marija Balubdžić, Bojan Djordjev, and Tanja Šljivar that premieres the following weekend: for some years, Dejan Kaludjerović has been asking children—in 2021 from Graz and Styria—for their opinions on the current state of the world. For the occasion of steirischer herbst ’21, he has devised an opera out of their responses.

The scene is interrupted by performers guided by Flo Kasearu, who in her new production in Volksgarten presents an artistic interpretation and broader contemplation of uniforms, Graz street wardens, and the new sociology of overregulation.

Finally, at Hauptplatz visitors take a seat and dive into the ruins of the old world in a new work by Uriel Barthélémi with Sophie Bernado and Salomon Baneck-Asaro: a thrilling open-air performance of music and dance.

→  Opening Speech 9.9.21