Annual meeting 2024 from 24 September
This year’s Dombaumeistertagung is organised by the Bischof-Rudigier-Stiftung and will take place from 24 to 28 September 2024 in Linz an der Donau. It is dedicated to the topic of ‘Craftsmanship, Digitalisation & Cultural Mediation’.
This year’s host city, Linz, is more than just the port city on the beautiful blue Danube or the steel city for which it is widely known. In recent decades, the city has established itself as a location for digital media art. In 2014, Linz was accepted into the international network of UNESCO Creative Cities and has been able to call itself UNESCO City of Media Arts ever since. This makes Linz one of the most future-oriented cities with a lively art and cultural scene.
In this highly interesting field of tension, St. Mary’s Cathedral Linz plays a leading role as a hub and interface between art, culture and liturgical space. We do not see ourselves as mere preservers of a monument, but also as mediators of a meeting place. St. Mary’s Cathedral is a place of living craftsmanship, a place of exchange and empowerment. This is also reflected in the recently completed Cathedral Center, which presents itself as a new welcoming place at the Cathedral and invites its visitors to gather and discover.
We chose the internationally renowned Ars Electronica Center as the venue for the Cathedral Master Builder’s Conference, with whose team we have worked closely for many years. Digitization is an urgent issue in our time, and we see it not just as a conservation measure, but also as an instrument for cultural mediation and encounters. We would like to talk to you about our diverse strategies and approaches to this topic during the conference and facilitate an interesting exchange.
Another focus of the conference will be on craftsmanship and in particular our cathedral workshop. Examples of the craftsmanship in action at St. Mary’s Cathedral include pilot projects such as the already completed renovation of the spire, the comprehensive redesign of the sanctuary, and the large-scale restoration program for our unique stained glass windows.
In 2024, St. Mary’s Cathedral is celebrating its 100th consecration anniversary, the city of Linz is celebrating the 200th birthday of the famous composer Anton Bruckner, and the Upper Austrian art scene will present itself as the European Capital of Culture with the Salzkammergut region. This variety of cultural features offers the best conditions for an exciting visit to Linz and a varied program. We are pleased to extend you a personal invitation to the Cathedral Master Builder’s Conference and hope to welcome you from September 24 to 28.