All what you have to know about the ARENA!!
Arena Vienna – Austria`s biggest alternative Cultural Communication-Centre.
The Associative Forum Arena Vienna is the provider of Austria`s biggest alternative Cultural Communication-Centre. Due to a wide array of events, visitors from various walks of life find the way to the Arena grounds.
The cause of the association, which is not profit-oriented, is the promotion of youth-oriented , cultural communication – centres as well as contemporary youth-oriented , cultural and social work in Vienna and Austria.
As of now the history of Arena Vienna has been going on for over 30 years. The „Arena“-squatting was part of an international trend, in a time where many subcultural groups occupied ready-for-demolotion buildings or empty industrial compounds, not without a sense of romantic determination.
The combination of brick masonry and protest was typical. The activists, who called themselves „Arenauts“, presented their first collaborative plans to rescue the old slaughterhouse on June 27th 1976. On that night the squatting , which was going to last until October that year, was initiated.
However, the sqatting did not come out of the blue, but was anticipated from all around. In Vienna of the 70ies there was a lack of places for youth, alternative- and counter-culture, which was not high culture. There was no year-round maintained alternative cultural spot for youths and the few youth-centres that were around did never really catch on. The buildings of the Auslandsschlachthof, the outland-slaughterhouse were classified as architectually valuable and memorial-worthy.
The first alternative offer concerning the St. Marx areal were provided by Vienna municipality on July 5th 1976, an renaissance-mansion protected as a historic monument, which was in need for renovation. In mid July came another suggestion, a leather factory in West Vienna. On September 1st the department came up with the offering of the inland-slaughterhouse in St. Marx. After detailed inspections, none of the proposals were taken into consideration by the „Arenauts“.
Supposedly more than 200.000 people visited the Arena areal during the squatting and not only Leonard Cohen described it as „best place in Vienna“, „best place in Europe“, or „best place in the World.“
On September 30th after the sale of the property , water- and electricity-supply and the telephone-line, which Vienna municipality provided for up to that date, was cut short. On October 12 th 1976 demolition was initiated. There was close no resistance on the areal, police did not have to intervene.
For Vienna the Arena-sqatting marked a turning point, a modern subculture stood up against modern urban planing based on the ill-usage of tons of concrete. Numerous public characters, who left their mark on urban culture and politics the following decades, made their first tentative steps during the Arena-squatting of 1976.
In the following years alternative cultural- and youth – centres popped up all over Austria. For the developement of the city of Vienna the Arena-movement was exemplary and had a great impact.
After the sqatting, municipal institutions increasingly supported alternative movements, youth-collectives and cultural centres.
The „Arenauts“ intention, to create an autonomous cultural centre, was achieved to a certain extent, next door at the inland-slaughterhouse, which is called Arena nowadays. A place for alternative music events of all kinds, all the way from rock to punk to more art-oriented and experimental genres. Apart from concerts, cultural initiatives have found a home after the end of the „Arena-summer“.
One of the main social functions of Arena today, lies with the claim to self-determined, cooperative work. This model essentially serves as an integrative function for people of socially disandvantaged groups. Engaged youths and young adults can learn a variety of skills and adapt professional competences, which can be applied outside Arena at a later point. Through the experience with sef-determined and responsible tasks, comes the knowledge of social skills.
Arena sees itself as a platform for cultural and social activities for over 30 years now. Concerts, solidarity-events, international top acts, parties, events of upcoming promoters, festivals, open airs and an outdoor cinema are among the many things that the former slaughterhouse offers to the viennese event scenery!
EVENT AREAS
1. Dreiraum
2. Small Hall
3. Big Hall
4. Open Air
5. Open Air Cinema
Dreiraum
The Dreiraum (Threeroom) provides space for event-organisers, to realise their artistic and cultural ideas with a low budget, being granted organisational support from Arena.
Lounge and performance room, 160 people capacity, wide selection of drinks, snacks; P.A. and light installed permanently, podium stage, plenty of seats around the bar area.
Small Hall
Provides for smaller concerts and partys of all kinds, compatible with Dreiraum
240 people capacity, separate bar area, wide selection of drinks, P.A. and light installed permanently, directing seats
Big Hall
After the renovation (2004) a new big hall is available. The concept of removing the flaws of the old big hall and being able to welcome a wider array of visitors worked out perfectly and we are now proud to offer a high end multi-functional venue.
935 people capacity, P.A. and light installed permanently, wardrobe, terrace on the 1st floor with a view over the Arena areal, 2 galleries in the hall viewing the stage, 2 separate bars, 1 bar on the 1st floor, wheelchair-compatible elevator
Open Air
During the summermonths (or even in winter at the by now traditional FM4-Fest) Arena shines and proves, over and over it`s position as one of the most beautiful open air venues in the country.
Not only at concerts of international top acts, but also at parties and alternative music events, the open air ambience enchants all kinds of visitors. Thanks to atmospheric lighting the dignified old brick buildings, the cathedral-like open air stage and the trademark-chimney visible from miles away provide for a unique setting.
3.000 people capacity, 400 m² meadow, various caterers and bars
Open Air Cinema
For over ten years the Arena yard is being transformed into an atmospheric movie theatre every summer. Even though, in times of DVD and multiplex, it is becoming more of a challenge to offer an interesting program for a reasonable price. The selected movies presented never dissapoint.
Hundreds of movie-lovers can get comfortable on seats spread on the 400 m² meadow around the former slaughter-house and even if it rains, there is enough place for everyone on the roofed open air-stage.
