Deadline: April 30, 2026
Festival dates: June 11–20, 2027
Location: Danube region (upstream from Linz), Austria

The Festival of Regions—one of Austria’s most prominent biennial events for contemporary art and culture since 1993—invites artists, cultural practitioners, and initiatives to submit project proposals for its 2027 edition, titled Eintauchen / Diving Deeper.

The Danube as protagonist
In 2027, the festival turns to the Danube as a central protagonist. Rather than approaching the river as landscape, stage, or resource, the focus lies on its role as a living and politically charged entity that shapes—and is shaped by—human and non-human relations.

Flowing through ten countries, the Danube connects diverse geographies, cultures, and political contexts. At the same time, it is subject to regulation, economic use, ecological pressure, and ideological framing. The festival seeks to engage with these tensions and to open new perspectives on the river and its local specificities.

Call for proposals
We are looking for artistic interventions and experimental, process-based, or participatory projects that:

–Acknowledge the Danube as an active agent in social, ecological, and political processes.
–Develop new relationships between humans, water, and other life forms.
–Connect local contexts with transregional or international perspectives.
–Foster collaboration across disciplines and involve regional actors.

Location and context
The 2027 edition takes place along the Danube upstream from Linz, with the village of Aschach an der Donau serving as the festival center. Selected projects will be realized in close dialogue with the region, its communities, and its specific infrastructures.

Submission details
Submissions are welcome in German or English and must include:
–Short project description and statement on the festival theme.
–Detailed project proposal and visual material.
–Biographies of participants, timeline, and budget.
–Submissions are possible in three categories: small projects (up to 5,000 EUR), medium projects (up to 10,000 EUR), and large projects (up to 20,000 EUR in funding).

Apply via the online form: Open Call / submission form

Program Board: Simone Barlian, Fina Esslinger, Elke Krasny, Adriana Torres Topaga.

The Festival of Regions is committed to diversity, accessibility, and sustainable production.

For more information: fdr.at

Inquiries: opencall@fdr.at

Photo: Otto Saxinger