Cultural participation contributes to social cohesion in Liechtenstein and is an important driver of integration in society. Engaging with art and culture provides access to history, traditions and cultural values in Liechtenstein, Europe and the world. The basic principle of enabling as many citizens as possible to participate in the cultural life of the country is gaining importance in cultural policy – as a new approach.
Modernising access to culture and social cohesion are key issues going forward with the implementation of the UN Agenda 2030, the Education Strategy 2025plus and the Liechtenstein Digital Agenda (see 2.1). With its Integration Strategy (see 2.5.1), Liechtenstein recognises the value of diversity as a strength and asset. A number of initiatives show that “culture” is seen as an element of social and political life as well as an instrument to promote social integration. “Participation” replaces the old concept of welfare for people with disabilities, for example, and focuses on self-determination and personal responsibility (see 2.2, 2.5.6 and 2.6).
Issues such as the accessible experience of culture and art, diversity in the sense of the non-judgemental recognition of differences between people, inclusive culture as a joint cultural production by artists with and without disabilities, or digital access to culture are being discussed. At the same time, numerous amateur associations – orchestras, choirs, theatre groups and cultural associations – that are financially supported by the state have traditionally enabled participation and form the basis for a lively and diverse cultural landscape (see 1.2.5). According to the Statistics Office, one in three people in Liechtenstein is culturally active.
Liechtenstein has participated in the “Long Night of Museums” event since 2000, which was initiated by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation ORF. Museums and galleries throughout Austria, parts of Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein keep their doors open until one o’clock in the morning. All visitors need is a ticket, and buses take them from museum to museum across national borders. So far, a total of almost 5 million people have participated in the Long Night of Museums. The number of museum visits in Liechtenstein is also likely to have increased significantly.
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