Milo Rau becomes director of the Wiener Festwochen

Milo Rau becomes the new artistic director of the Wiener Festwochen. The Swiss theater maker is to take over the artistic direction of the festival from July, the contract is scheduled for five years. City Councilor for Culture Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ) announced the decision today in Vienna City Hall. She described Rau as one of the most important international directors. Six candidates had previously been invited to hearings.

Kaup-Hasler wanted Rau to attract more audiences and reach a wider public. She didn’t want to give any numbers. In the past, the festival weeks have complained about a drop in visitors. Analogous to his Ghent Manifesto, he also wants to draw up a Vienna Manifesto and work out what this city, what Europe, needs. This should be very specific and make it clear what worked and what didn’t. For him, the focus is on international text theatre, with “crossovers” in other areas such as music theater or exhibitions.

Rau was born in Berne in 1977. He studied sociology, German and Romance studies in Paris, Zurich and Berlin. He has been director of NTGent since the 2018/19 season. However, this is not possible at the same time as the directorship of the Wiener Festwochen. He will end the season in Gent, then leave in July, but will remain connected to Gent for some time, Rau said at the press conference. Because some of his future directing work had already been planned as festival week co-productions.

Several of Rau’s works have already been performed at the Wiener Festwochen. Intendant Christophe Slagmuylder decided last year to end his contract early and to move to the Bozar cultural center in his hometown of Brussels after this year’s festival.