5/2025 Vienna

‘Democracy is a collective act of care’ is a complementary event to the Democratic Odyssey’s Vienna Assembly moment, designed to highlight the lived experiences of systemic crises through the lens of grassroots movements, collective action and contested democratic spaces. By grounding the broader deliberations of the Assembly in real-world struggles, the event amplifies voices often pushed to the margins of institutional politics, fostering a deeper sense of urgency and care.

The event will be hosted at Funkhaus Wien, a location of profound historical resonance. As the former broadcasting center during one of Austria’s most turbulent political eras, the Funkhaus stands as a reminder of both the power and vulnerability of communication in democratic life. Once a target of insurgents during the July Putsch of 1934 and later absorbed into Nazi propaganda machinery, this space has witnessed the instrumentalization of media in times of authoritarianism. Hosting the event here is a deliberate gesture: reclaiming a space once used to suppress dissent and turning it into a site for dialogue, resistance, and reimagining democracy.

Programme:

• 18:00 – Living Together in Freedom
  Workshop with Lena Wilderbach – Jineolojî Center
• 18:00 – 19:00 – Rethinking Participation (Max. capacity 50)
  Panel discussion with Vienna Office for Participation, Initiative for Voting Rights for All Residents - Pass Eagle-, and Festwochen Citizens’ Council
• 19:00 – 20:00 – Assemblies from the Margins (Max. capacity 50)
  Panel discussion on democratic practices in Serbia, Rojava, and universities
• 20:00 – 21:30 – Civic Arts Interventions
  Artistic activations in the foyer
• 20:30 – 22:00 – Free Tapas and Drinks (Max. capacity 120)
  For Democratic Odyssey participants and registered general public (voucher required)
• 22:00 – Love is a Verb
  Concert presented by Wiener Festwochen

Please click the button join meeting to fill out the registration form.