"Cuddling with strangers" included! Numerous Viennese artists and cultural institutions are already getting in the mood for the World AIDS Conference in July.
Under the motto "Human Rights Here and Now", the XVIII World AIDS Conference will be held in Vienna from 18 to 23 July. World AIDS Conference. There is already an extensive cultural programme under the sign of the "Red Ribbon". Around 40 contributions span the spectrum from the visual arts to film, dance, music, design and architecture. The evening before the conference begins, the most famous charity event in Europe will take place in Vienna City Hall: the Life Ball.
The "Soho in Ottakring" festival is showing the mobile installation "Minority Logbox", with a film and video programme specially tailored to the topic of HIV/Aids. The Votivkino cinema, the "Kino am Dach" cinema at Vienna's main library and the film festival on Rathausplatz will also take up the topic on film. The "ImPulsTanz-Festival" features a piece by South African choreographer Robyn Orlin and her City Theatre & Dance Group. The MuseumsQuartier presents, among other things, the large-format panoramic photograph "The Human Rights Project" by Austrian photo artist Lukas M. Müller. The ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra will perform "Hommage à Klaus Nomi".
Also coming to Vienna is the Free Hugs campaign, which allows cuddling with strangers in public and free of charge (www.freehugscampaign.org).
It is unlikely that anyone will fall into Bill Clinton's arms at this event. However, the former US President and founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation is on the list of celebrity speakers at the World AIDS Conference, which is expected to attract around 25,000 participants. The organisers are looking for around 1,500 committed volunteers to provide the best possible support for all the people from science, politics, self-help organisations and the media before and during the conference. You can register on the Internet.
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Download cultural programme flyer as PDF
Registration for volunteers
