UNESCO | 14th Retreat Meeting of the ARGE Cultural Diversity

In 2026, the 14th retreat will take place in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg.

As part of the retreat, two public events will be offered:
• Interactive Workshop: Artistic Freedom & Satire
• UNESCO Talk: Regenerative Cultural Work between Crisis and Transformation

The Working Group (ARGE) Cultural Diversity is the central dialogue platform of the Austrian UNESCO Commission for the active participation of civil society in the process of implementing the "UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions" in and through Austria. This allows Austria to contribute to the active involvement of civil society in accordance with Article 11 of the Convention. The ARGE facilitates regular exchanges between the affected civil society and the responsible authorities for implementation in Austria. Members of the ARGE include experts, artists, and cultural actors from various artistic fields and their interest representatives, as well as representatives of the federal and state governments as observing members. The Austrian UNESCO Commission organizes the annual retreat "Cultural Diversity." This conference serves for an in-depth analysis of the implementation of the "UNESCO Convention on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions" from a practical perspective. It takes place each year in a different location in Austria to actively involve local and regional actors in the discussions. The results of the consultations culminate in a final communiqué, which is communicated to the relevant authorities.

Artistic Freedom and Satire
The spaces for art and culture are shifting: Convictions against satirists in Austria are increasing. Attacks on drag performances are a reality. Precarious structures and marginalization further narrow these spaces. How is artistic freedom currently being restricted? What significance do satire and drag have for our society? What is needed for better protection of artistic freedom? The workshop brings together human rights activists, artists, cultural workers, and interested individuals, opening the space for exchange, collective learning, and discussion of measures for the protection of artistic freedom. Smera Rehman provides insight into the current legal situation regarding satire in Austria today, focusing on the cases of Scheuba, Malarina, and Tagespresse. Miss Bürgerschreck Drag speaks about the significance of drag as a queer performance art form that playfully exaggerates, questions, and reinvents gender. The workshop is aimed at activists, artists, and anyone interested in the topic.

The retreat is funded by the Austrian UNESCO Commission from the budget of the contact point, granted by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media, and Sports, as well as the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, the state of Vorarlberg, and the city of Feldkirch.

Free admission
Registration at www.unesco.at