Uni Vibes

The programme kicks off with Dutch artist Lucas de Man. In “Being ready for tomorrow!”, he turns his attention, in the Alumni Lecture Theatre, to our own capacity for action in a democratic society of the future. This new knowledge is put into practice immediately afterwards in the academic guided tours “Getting ready for tomorrow”, which transform the University Library into a playground and a testing ground: through close collaboration between researchers, student initiatives and under the dramaturgical direction of Lucas de Man, a community science format emerges in which visitors themselves become participants. Here, the boundaries between protagonists and spectators blur; stories are developed and told together, creating space for new forms of (knowledge) dissemination. In keeping with this, the experts from the UniGraz@Museum will guide visitors through the new exhibition “Experiencing Democracy. Your voice, your choice, your future…”. 

The exploration tours of the major campus construction sites offer a glimpse into the future of research at the University of Graz. The future home of the physics institutes of the University of Graz and Graz University of Technology, the “Graz Center of Physics”, is rising skywards. Fifteen-metre-high steel trusses ensure that the five planned lecture theatres can manage entirely without columns. In the “House of Educational Sciences” at Universitätsplatz 4, historic building fabric is being combined with modern technology. To this end, all installations are being completely renewed and a photovoltaic system installed. A new attic floor will house numerous seminar rooms, whilst an attached glass gallery in the inner courtyard will run around the building at ground level, thus connecting the floors. At the workshops in the Open Lab, visitors can discover their own spirit of inquiry and immerse themselves in the world of molecular biology and chemistry through exciting experiments.  

The young Belgian company “There There” presents contemporary circus with its interactive dance performance. The artists fully engage with the energy of the audience and, through movement, language, sound and interaction, forge a unique connection with the audience. This process-oriented and participatory approach to choreography creates an extraordinary dynamic shaped by the personal stories of all participants. The event kicks off in the auditorium of the main building of the University of Graz at 8.30 pm 

And musically, a variety of soundscapes will come together on campus – from the Graz-based “Grazissimo Brassband” to the French ensemble “Pierres et Fils” and the exceptional Austrian pop musician Fraeulein Astrid.

The last two editions of Uni Vibes have already shown that the university loves to dance – and how! This year, DJs Monique Fessl & Uschi Ultra will guide us through the spring evening with their versatile repertoire spanning electronic music and vinyl, linking the individual programme items in the courtyard. 

The big joint highlight will be the “Balkan Block Party” from 9.30 pm, featuring the 11-piece Parisian orchestra MERAK. The musicians blend the popular rhythmic sounds of South-Eastern Europe with hip-hop and dance interludes. Their style combines Balkan brass band, rap, tallava and world music into a unique fusion sound. In this way, the courtyard of the main building becomes a vibrant and inclusive cultural space right in the heart of Graz.