Milo Rau's 'Republic of Gods' at Wiener Festwochen
Milo Rau, director of the Wiener Festwochen for nearly three years, has programmed the 2025 edition under the motto 'Republic of Gods,' focusing on a new spirituality. The festival opened with Braco, a faith healer who claims to cure cancer with his gaze, appearing on Vienna's Heldenplatz via large screens. Rau had controversially invited and then disinvited tech billionaire Peter Thiel, a move criticized by Eva Marburg as following the escalation theater logic of Rau's 'tribunals.' The concept declares a 'holy spring' and a 'mythical celebration of god-criticism and longing for God.'
Key facts
- Milo Rau has led the Wiener Festwochen for nearly three years.
- The 2025 festival motto is 'Republic of Gods.'
- Braco, a faith healer, performed at the opening on Heldenplatz.
- Peter Thiel was invited and then disinvited by Rau.
- Eva Marburg criticized the Thiel invitation as part of Rau's escalation theater.
- The festival concept includes a 'holy spring' and 'mythical celebration of god-criticism.'
Entities
Artists
- Milo Rau
- Braco
- Peter Thiel
- Eva Marburg
Institutions
- Wiener Festwochen
- Der Freitag
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- Heldenplatz