Global Celebrations: Pflasterspektakel, Austria

Throughout the year, communities around the world give both locals and visitors the opportunity to celebrate life in its most beautiful, inspiring forms. Whether it be through music, artwork, film, food, or sports, festivals worldwide are an excuse to pause from one’s daily routine and appreciate the unifying power of culture.

Pflasterspektakel, an annual street festival held in Linz, Austria, transforms three days in July into a sort of citywide Cirque du Soleil. Through a variety of art forms- music, acrobatics, pantomime, fire dancing, painting, and improvisational theatre to name a few-the festival spreads contagious vibes of positive, playful energy. Creative, comical, and vibrant, many of the acts seem to promote a return to childhood, when imagination is ripe and life is not taken so seriously.

Pflasterspektakel (German for pavement spectacle) was created by the cultural manager of Linz, Siegbert Janko. Inspired by a trip to Marrakesh in the 80s, during which he experienced the King’s birthday celebrations in the Djemaa el Fna market place, Janko sought to emulate such festivities for the people of Linz.

Encouraging a joie-de-vivre mentality, the festival attracts more spectators every year for a fun, interactive break from reality. Cultivating originality, the three-day celebration fosters young talent, offering many artists their first gig in front of a large audience. This year, at 40 locations throughout the Austrian city, about 400 artists from around the world performed for some 210,000 visitors.

If you happen to be in Austria in July, make sure to plan your trip around the not-to-be-missed Plasterspektakel! If Austria is not on the travel agenda, however, take the time to enjoy local or nearby festivals. If you’re like us at The Traveler’s Collection, you’ll leave refreshed, inspired, and reminded of how remarkable our world and the people in it can be.