© DMB
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Together with the MAK and in close collaboration with the Wienbibliothek im Rathaus (Vienna City Library at City Hall), both known for their spectacular poster collections, the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) will feature a selection of their most impactful campaigns drawn from over a thousand posters.
22.4.2026—20.9.2026
MAK Poster Forum
Some of these posters subtly reflect the zeitgeist, others will immediately spark memories among the city’s denizens: about unforgettable theater scandals, heated debates, and astonishing artworks most of all. Controversial urban social happenings such as the 1976 Arena occupation resonate just as much as iconic moments like Falco’s 1985 opening night concert. The poster timeline illustrates the changing times and design languages, but chiefly the evolution of the Vienna Festival into its current form and visual identity. As part of the exhibition, the entire archive of the Vienna Festival posters will be made digitally accessible: graphical experiments, visionary design drafts, and epically humorous campaigns.
© DMB
© Hans Fabigan
© Josef Seger
© Helmuth Wokaun
© DMB
© Lawrence Weiner
© MAK/Christian Mendez
© MAK/Christian Mendez
© MAK/Christian Mendez
© MAK/Christian Mendez
© MAK/Christian Mendez
© MAK/Christian Mendez
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Guest Curators: Franz Gangelmayer, Manuela Leutgeb, Wienbibliothek im Rathaus
MAK Curator: Peter Klinger, Curator, Deputy Head, MAK Library and Works on Paper Collection
A joint project of the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) | Free Republic of Vienna and the MAK
In cooperation with Wienbibliothek im Rathaus

The Vienna Festival would like to thank its main sponsors, Erste Bank and Wiener Städtische, as well as its sponsor, the Arbeiterkammer Wien
MAK Curator: Peter Klinger, Curator, Deputy Head, MAK Library and Works on Paper Collection
A joint project of the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) | Free Republic of Vienna and the MAK
In cooperation with Wienbibliothek im Rathaus

The Vienna Festival would like to thank its main sponsors, Erste Bank and Wiener Städtische, as well as its sponsor, the Arbeiterkammer Wien
Media
Hans Fabigan, Festwochen Wien. 17. V.−12. VI. 1952 Vienna: Paul Gerin, 1952 Wienbibliothek P-43539 © Hans Fabigan
Josef Seger, Wiener Festwochen, 27.5.−25.6. Vienna: Paul Gerin, 1961 Wienbibliothek P-43531 © Josef Seger
Helmuth Wokaun, Arena 76. Wiener Festwochen, Schlachthof St. Marx vom 15.5.−27.6. Vienna: Vorwärts-Druck 1976 Wienbibliothek P-43517 © Helmuth Wokaun
Mariusz Jan Demner, Wiener Festwochen [Freud theme] 12.5.−18.6.2006 Agency: Demner, Merlicek & Bergmann Wienbibliothek P-251851 © DMB
Lawrence Weiner, Smashed to Pieces [in the still of the night]. Zerschmettert in Stücke (Im Frieden der Nacht) Wiener Festwochen ... Sept.−Oct.−Nov. 1991 1991 Wienbibliothek P-375304 © Lawrence Weiner
HYPE AND HIGH CULTURE: 75 Years of the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) in Posters © MAK/Christian Mendez
HYPE AND HIGH CULTURE: 75 Years of the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) in Posters © MAK/Christian Mendez
HYPE AND HIGH CULTURE: 75 Years of the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) in Posters © MAK/Christian Mendez
HYPE AND HIGH CULTURE: 75 Years of the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) in Posters © MAK/Christian Mendez
HYPE AND HIGH CULTURE: 75 Years of the Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) in Posters © MAK/Christian Mendez
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