Security Threats Prompt Concert Cancellations
Thousands of fans were left frustrated after promoters called off three Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna scheduled for this weekend over security threats the night before. The city’s museums and businesses have since rallied around the denomination in an all-out tourism effort to ensure fans can still have a memorable time, offering free admission and other deals.
Vienna’s Heartfelt Response to Fans
Fans will be allowed to visit a number of Vienna’s biggest museums for free by showing their tickets for the cancelled concerts, which this weekend includes Mozarthaus Vienna, House of Music and KunstHausWien and Jewish Museum Vienna – all of them. Besides the Wien Museum, participating institutions include MAK Geymüllerschlössel; a branch of the modern art museum Mumok, and The Albertina print specialist; and museum at the Haus der Musik. Meanwhile, the Museumquartier will have free guided tours in English and German on August 10-11.
Museums Waive Fees for Taylor Swift Ticket Holders
Ticket holders for the canceled concerts will be granted free entry to several of Vienna’s top museums this weekend, including the Mozarthaus Vienna, House of Music, KunstHausWien, and the Jewish Museum Vienna. Other participating institutions include MAK Vienna (Museum of Applied Arts), MAK Geymüllerschlössel, the modern art museum Mumok, the print specialist museum The Albertina, and the museum at the Haus of Strauss. Additionally, the Museumquartier is offering free guided tours in English and German on August 10 and 11.
Fans Make the Most of Their Visit
Waverly Colville, an independent film producer and director based in Brooklyn who bought tickets for the concert more than a year ago, alerted other attendees to the canceled concerts after learning of them upon flying from Stockholm to Vienna. Although disappointed, Colville and her group decided to push on with their trip. Reception was therefore received with great surprise two days after arrival with Series of promotions and initiatives proposed by the Vienna Tourist Board, intended for those who go to concerts.
“Feels like everyone was going way out of their way to make sure all the gig goers that had travelled over to be in Vienna have a good time, still, despite this shitty thing having hapoened,” wrote Colville.
The concert wasn’t until the evening, and Colville had no plans other than that particular event, so he made his way to a museum dedicated to Mozart for which admission was free. She then thought back to how the promotion rather took her through an experience, that otherwise she would have never gone on. “Honestly, if the Mozart museum wasn’t free and did this big promo for the concertgoers to come free of charge, I don’t even know if I would have gone,” Colville said on her childhood experience with violin. “[It] was super exciting watching something that I wouldn’t have gotten to maybe done beforehand.
Colville noted the museum was also a hotbed for young ladies, all donning the visible accoutrements of being Swift supporters, like friendship bracelets and concert hats. Or at least I hope so, had the concert not been canceled and we did get our free admission to the museum. That brought a lot of people in which might not have went under normal circumstances certainly I felt.
City-Wide Solidarity Among Swifties
The city was brimming with fans in Taylor Swift T-shirts, friendship bracelets and concert attire wandering the streets, museums and restaurants. Promotions for fans included not only free visits to museum, but also free meals on a burger chain, giveaways of gifts from crystal company Swarovski at its stores and complimentary access to the outdoor pool Stadiobad.
Fans met at the city centre’s public square, Stephansplatz, to sing Taylor Swift and exchange friendship bracelets That camaraderie eventually led to a wedding proposal in the midst of Swifties.
Taking Full Advantage of Vienna’s Offerings
Colville, who also hoped to visit the nearby museums with no admission charge — he had his eye on The Kiss by Gustav Klimt at Belvedere Palace. A person who I love very much said to me once “It’s like there is nothing to lose”. I would be a shame not to take that up and get out there and see as much as we can.
