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21. 06. 12. - 15:57
Donauinselfest this weekend
By Nekane Gonzalez
For those who don't know it the Donau Insel (Danube Island) is a very long, and very narrow island in central Vienna. It may be 21.1 km in length, but it's only between 70-210 metres wide.
It stretches between the Danube River and the neighbouring Neue Donau (New Danube) beloved by swimmers, cyclists and fishermen to mention but a few.
Kilometres of grass, hundreds of trees or asphalted and non-asphalted paths extend in every direction as part of a concept to provide people an open space away from the daily hustle and bustle. But its come a long way since those days in 1964.
And one of those big changes has been the creation of the Donauinsel Fest, now an internationally known annual free open air festival and Europe's biggest event of this kind.
It takes place every year late June and it is especially addressed to young people, though there are activities to suit all tastes.
In started in 1983, when SPÖ politician Harry Kopietz suggested the organisation of a one day party near the Floridsdorferbrücke, in order to promote the attractiveness of the Donauinsel as a recreational area.
Organizers expected around 15,000 people but 160,000 showed up. The event then became annual the following year (300,000 visitors) and ever since it has always attracted more than three million people during three days of activates.
The following 23, 24 and 25 of June (from Friday to Sunday to be exact), the 29th edition of the festival will be held. Twenty stages distributed along 4,5 km, 60 hours of programmes in three days, 2,000 artists, and activities for children, sports and contests. And don't forget the food stalls … in short,"Brot, Bier und Musik" where there is as much for the belly on offer as the music lover.
Rock and Roll, Folk, Indie, Electronic, House, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Reggae, Ska, Punk … it is really difficult not to find something that suits you.
Simple Minds, James Morrison, DJ Antoine or Samy Deluxe are just some of the few artist that are waiting for you in one of the most peaceful festivals in Europe.
For more information go here: https://donauinselfest.at/?lang=en
