Salzburg Splash!
A festival to reclaim waters in the city.
Developped with Leon Fluchs, Mariah Hubert, and Sofia Kapustina in the course 100 Ideas for a Performatice Cities (Urban Think Tank Next)
Brief
How can a festival drive behaviour change to enable swimmeable cities?
SALZBURG SPLASH! is conceived as a response to multiple challenges that affect not only the city of Salzburg but many other urban centres worldwide—challenges that are already tangible today and will intensify in the future.
On one hand, the project aims to break open the rigid and almost stage-like appearance of Salzburg’s historic centre, transforming it into a vibrant, open space. A space of encounter, where people of all generations can come together—regardless of age, religion, or social background.
On the other hand, SPLASHING TOWN seeks to address the increasing heat stress caused both by climate change and by ever-denser urban development. The proposed infrastructure is designed to offer residents and visitors lasting opportunities to cool down, relax, and breathe more easily.
The festival is also intended to gradually expand into other parts of the city, especially into neighbourhoods facing similar challenges. Step by step, this will make it possible to enliven, cool, and enhance not only the historic centre but also other districts of Salzburg.
Above all, the festival is designed to be truly inclusive—not only for audiences but also for those who want to actively participate. Alongside performances by renowned artists, time slots will be reserved for local talents through an open call. Intentionally open spaces in the program will also allow for spontaneous contributions, whether a yoga class, a painting session, or a guitar performance. In this way, SPLASHING TOWN becomes a place of creativity, spontaneity, and encounter—a long-term impulse for a more open, climate-friendly, and vibrant city. A place for everyone.
Team
Project developed with Leon Fuchs, Mariah Hubert and Sofia Kapustina.
Salzburg SPLASH! was awarded the second prize at the Salzburg’s Summer Academy, in the course 100 ideas for the Performative City with Urban-Think-Tank Next.
Salzburg SPLASH! was awarded the second prize at the Salzburg’s Summer Academy, in the course 100 ideas for the Performative City with Urban-Think-Tank Next.
Festival for transition
Context
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