Because of the corona pandemic, the celebrations will take place again this year in a slimmed-down form, but there is a lot on offer online, from the armed forces’ exhibition to a guided tour through parliament. The new Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) will address words to the population for the first time in this constellation.
While the Armed Forces start their performance show with morning sports on Heldenplatz, which is broadcast on nationalfeiertag21.at and on ORF, the Federal Government meets a few meters further in the Chancellery for the traditional Special Council of Ministers. After that, Chancellor Schallenberg and Vice Chancellor Kogler will jointly contest the press foyer for the first time.
Impfstrasse in the Hofburg
As every year, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and then the Federal Government will lay wreaths at the Outer Castle Gate to commemorate them. In addition, 100 recruits will be sworn in at Heldenplatz in the morning, and Commander-in-Chief and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will give a speech. The population was asked not to come to Heldenplatz, but to follow the action live on the Internet and on ORF – from the couch you should also have a good view of the planned Eurofighter overflight and the landing of four parachutists on Heldenplatz.
There are actually no open doors this year compared to other places, the Hofburg is an exception: a Corona vaccination street will be built in the premises, after which you can visit the presidential office. The interior and foreign ministries have devised an on-site outdoor program. In the evening at 7.45 p.m., the Federal President’s traditional TV address will follow.
