“Tauriska” does valuable cultural work – salzburg.ORF.at
Culture
The work of “Tauriska” has brought awareness of the importance of nature conservation a good deal further. Managing Director Christian Vötter draws this balance. The association has been involved in cultural work and regional development in Pinzgau for 35 years.
He tries to carry on old traditions as well as to set new impulses. An old barn with a wooden shingle roof, the processing of sheep’s wool into warm socks or hats, but also bringing modern art to small rural communities: all of this finds a place in the work of the “Tauriska” association, says managing director Christian Vötter.
Founded in 1986, the club had a great mentor right from the start, says Vötter. “We were lucky that Leopold Kohr vacationed in Neukirchen in the 1980s. He was enthusiastic about the region. We were allowed to adopt his philosophy, and so Leopold Kohr became the first president of “Tauriska” in 1986. Together with many helpers , the small team from “Tauriska” have made a difference, emphasizes Vötter.
“Regionality, sustainability and human scale”
“Since our foundation we have organized more than 3,000 events. The most recent example is the exhibition ‘Beautiful Views’, which deals with climate change – for example the question of how our valleys are changing as a result of mudslides and flood events. In 2017 we founded a literature festival in which the greats of the local literature scene are present. But we also organize symposiums and conferences – always in line with Leopold Kohr’s philosophy. It’s about regionality, sustainability and a return to human proportions.”
Although some progress has been made – Christian Vötter does not see time to rest. “After almost three years of the pandemic, many things have become more difficult. We, too, must win over people to cooperate again. And it’s a new task to try to get people to come to events,” says Vötter.
250,000 euros annual budget
The “Tauriska” association has an annual budget of a quarter of a million euros. The money comes mainly from the public purse, but also partly from private sponsors.