In an exclusive interview, Austrian Ambassador Thun-Hohenstein discusses cultural exchange, the Vienna Climate Biennale, AI’s societal role, and the importance of collaborative heritage preservation efforts.
In the heart of New Delhi, the 46th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is buzzing with discussions on preserving the world’s cultural and natural heritage. Among the distinguished attendees is Ambassador Christoph Thun-Hohenstein, Director General for International Cultural Relations at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria. His visit marks a significant moment for cultural diplomacy and future collaborations between India and Austria, especially in the light of PM Modi’s recent visit to Austria with this year marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Guardian, Ambassador Thun-Hohenstein sheds light on his vision for cultural exchange, the groundbreaking Vienna Climate Biennale, the evolving role of artificial intelligence in society, and the importance of collaborative efforts in heritage preservation, among other things.
Ambassador Thun-Hohenstein is a man with a mission. “Imagine Dignity,” an initiative he started two and a half years ago with the first general theme, is at the forefront of his efforts to promote cultural and environmental consciousness worldwide. “For me, imagination means we need the vision of artists from different fields—be it fine arts, filmmaking, music, literature, design, architecture, etc.—to make contributions to shaping the future we really want,” he explains.
But this vision goes beyond just human dignity. “Dignity is a key concept for me because it’s not only the dignity of humans. Most people think immediately only about the dignity of humans. It goes way beyond that. It’s also the dignity of other species, the dignity of nature. And in the end, and we are almost there, we also have to discuss the dignity of artificial intelligent machines,” he adds.
This holistic approach resonates deeply in today’s rapidly evolving world, where the intersection of technology and ethics becomes increasingly significant.
One of the most exciting endeavors Ambassador Thun-Hohenstein has been involved with is the Vienna Climate Biennale. Originating from his tenure as General Director and Artistic Director of the MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, the Biennale represents a fusion of art, design, and architecture addressing critical issues of climate change.
“When my successor at the MAK said, well, we participate in the Biennale, but we won’t be the center anymore, I immediately went to the mayor of the city of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, and proposed to him the idea that Vienna finances in the future the Vienna Climate Biennale. He liked the idea a lot,” Thun-Hohenstein recounts.
The Biennale’s impact is evident in its collaboration with over 100 institutions in Vienna, fostering a city-wide engagement with climate issues. This collective effort highlights the power of art to inspire societal change. “What’s really remarkable, I think, about the first Vienna Climate Biennale that just closed, was that they partnered up with 100 institutions in Vienna,” he rejoices.
The Ambassador’s passion for interdisciplinary collaboration shines through in his description of a literary project initiated by the Austrian Foreign Ministry. “Last year, the foreign minister, I have to confess, it was an idea of mine, said, let’s do a call with the Austrian Society of Literature. And the call was ‘Humans, Nature, Artificial Intelligence: In what world would we like to live in 2040?’”
This project asked writers living and working in Austria to team up with writers from around the world. The resulting anthology, featuring essays and literary prose on envisioning the future, is set to be presented in September. Thun-Hohenstein highlights the importance of such initiatives in fostering dialogue and expanding perspectives: “We did already six events at the Climate Biennale with writers of that particular project.”
When discussing cultural ties between India and Austria, Ambassador Thun-Hohenstein is emphatic about India’s significance. “The importance of India for the future of this planet cannot be overstated. India, especially when it comes to different cultural fields—movies, arts, etc.—is super interesting in all respects, including also indigenous art, indigenous thinking, indigenous wisdom.”
He envisions deeper collaborations and exchanges, bringing Austrian initiatives like “Imagine Dignity” to India. “On the one hand, we will see a project among 14 destinations in the world. Delhi is one of the locations on our Imagine Climate Dignity call,” he reveals.
Another of the Ambassador’s key initiatives is promoting regenerative design, a forward-thinking approach that aims to restore and renew resources rather than deplete them. “Regenerative design connects with arts and crafts in many ways because it’s about thinking, how can we reach out to the whole spectrum of society, and what is the natural place of arts and crafts in the world of the future” he explains.
As the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee unfolds, Austria’s participation, though as an observer, is keenly focused on significant cultural and natural heritage issues. “We have an ongoing issue with the inner district of Vienna. And it’s a pretty complicated issue and we would really like to make substantial progress on that,” Thun-Hohenstein says.
His optimism is tempered with a realistic view of the complexities involved, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in heritage preservation.
Reflecting on Austria’s rich cultural heritage, Ambassador Thun-Hohenstein underscores the need for a dynamic approach to preservation. “For me, it is important that we always look with fresh eyes on cultural achievements of the past. When I was a museum director, my former museum was one of the key places for this previous modernity around 1900,” he shares.
He advocates for a balance between tradition and innovation, quoting the Austrian composer Gustav Mahler: “Tradition is not the veneration of the ashes, but the passing on of the fire.” This philosophy drives his efforts to make cultural heritage relevant to contemporary and future generations.
In concluding our conversation, Ambassador Thun-Hohenstein emphasizes the critical role of art in democracy. “When future historians or art historians in 2030 years, look back to the mid-twenties, they will critically analyze where the kind of necessary work was being done and where was just business as usual. And we, and I guess also India, would like to be among the countries where important work for shaping this future was actually delivered.”
His vision for art and culture is one of freedom and responsibility. “Art is truly free. And when the arts start to be restricted, then you see that democracy is not in a good shape,” he warns, highlighting the intrinsic link between artistic freedom and democratic health.
As Ambassador Thun-Hohenstein’s visit to New Delhi draws to a close, he expresses a keen interest in returning and deepening cultural ties between Austria and India. “It’s just New Delhi this time, but I have to come back. I hope it’s a good beginning,” he says with a smile. His vision of cultural diplomacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a shared commitment to dignity offers a hopeful and inspiring path forward. Through initiatives like the Vienna Climate Biennale and “Imagine Dignity,” Ambassador Christoph Thun-Hohenstein is not just playing an active role in preserving the past but also in shaping a better future.