»Every day teaches me what I have overlooked so far,« says André Heller. Spurred on by his »great curiosity to learn new things«, the 77-year-old Austrian universal artist curated his large-scale »Reflektor« festival at the Elbphilharmonie from 16 to 24 March 2024. He invited artists from all over the world, spanning (almost) all genres, eras, cultures and world religions. »Foreign is the foreigner only in a foreign land« was the theme, which is taken from a half-Dadaistic, half-philosophical text by Karl Valentin. Heller’s vision was to amaze people, on and off the stage.
Almost 15,000 visitors accepted Heller's invitation and were inspired by the extensive programme: 12 concerts, eight film screenings, an art installation in the foyer and giant projections on the Kaispeicher. People discussed, listened, danced, marvelled and laughed. »People always came out of the concert a little different,« was André Heller's impression. On the last day of the festival, the audience was in for a special surprise when Heller himself sang in front of an audience for the first time in over 40 years. The concert with the »Best from Vienna« from 24 March 2024 is available online as a concert stream.
A look back in pictures
