European State Prize for International Orchestra Academy

It was at a festive event in Vienna's Sofiensäle that Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for the EU and the Constitution, presented this year's Europe State Prize on 14 June 2022. Out of 143 submissions altogether, the best projects received the prestigious prize in five different categories - "Europe at School", "Europe in the Community", "Arts and Culture", "Innovation and Digitization", and "Future of Europe". The "Accademia Vicino di Accumoli" project was successful in the "Arts and Culture" category.

Prof Christian Hanus, Head of the Department for Building and Environment and overall project manager of the Accademia Vicino, and conductor Prof Johannes Wildner, Artistic Director of the project, received the award on behalf of the entire team of the Accademia Vicino di Accumoli. „We are honored and delighted for being recognized with the Europe State Prize for this flagship project, which is part of an overall strategy for the reconstruction of Accumoli and has a positive impact on the development of a new cultural society in the Accumoli region."

Music as a contribution to reconstruction

Since 2016, the University for Continuing Education Krems directed its support through teaching and research projects at the "School of Reconstruction" to the region around Accumoli, which was severely hit by earthquakes. Apart from the structural reconstruction, the revitalization of the central Italian municipality in cultural, social, and economic terms has been the primary objective. Against this backdrop, the international orchestra academy "Accademia Vicino di Accumoli" including a concert series was launched in Accumoli in 2021.

Since then, young musical talents from all over the world have been invited by the "Accademia Vicino" to participate in an orchestra academy together with established artists renowned in the international music scene during the summer. In doing so, it also sets an example for regional cultural work, European cooperation, and cross-border solidarity. The next Orchestra Academy will take place from 11 to 24 August 2022.