Styrian Autumn (Graz)steirischer herbst

An annual arts festival held every autumn in Graz, steirischer herbst ("Styrian Autumn") features experimental theatre, performance art, music, and exhibitions 1 2. Each edition revolves around a provocative theme (e.g. in 2025 “Never Again Peace” related to anti-war roots) and includes large-scale outdoor performances, panel discussions, and art installations across the city 3 2. The festival engages with local culture and history – turning Graz itself into a stage for contemporary artistic expression and public debate 1 3.

Founded in 1968 and one of Europe's pioneering interdisciplinary art festivals 1, steirischer herbst is known for reinventing itself each year and integrating all forms of art (visual art, music, theater, literature) 1. It consistently draws on Styrian identity and history in its programming, often addressing social and political issues relevant to the region. Over decades it has become a key fixture of Graz’s cultural scene, engaging both international artists and local audiences.