Sensation After Accusations Against Viennese Theatre Director Birkmeir

The association board of the TdJ is currently preparing a tender. In 2021, employees complained about a "system of fear and abuse of power".

After the councillor's office was informed about the allegations, "immediate discussions with all necessary parties were initiated". Involved were the responsible cultural department MA7, the association board, the theatre management, the works council and the federal government as another sponsor. "The aim from the beginning was to ensure a transparent and factual processing", it says in the statement. Birkmeir was confronted with the allegations and the available information was "checked within the possibilities". Subsequently, it was "credibly assured" that the externally commissioned company "Health Consult" would implement measures to improve the working climate and act as an additional point of trust for the theatre staff. Since the end of 2021, no further allegations have been brought to the attention of the City of Vienna.

Birkmeier to Step Down After 2025/26 Season

However, the office emphasises that in 2022 it advocated not to extend the contract of Thomas Birkmeir, "solely due to his unusually long tenure of more than 20 years". Such a decision would have required a consensus in the association board in coordination with the other sponsors, it says in the statement. Birkmeir's recent announcement to step down after the 2025/26 season is "welcomed". The association is responsible for the tender of the artistic direction.

Chairwoman of the board Andrea Brunner emphasised to the APA that no complaints have been brought to the newly elected board in 2022. At the next board meeting, it will be "generally discussed" whether and what further steps will be taken. It is certain that the tender is currently being prepared, which is to be published within the next six weeks. The appointment of the new management should then take place by the summer. Kaup-Hasler advocates for the use of a jury filled with experts. According to Brunner, this is already planned.

Viennese Opposition Calls for Independent Investigation

The FPÖ Vienna demanded on Tuesday a complete clarification of the allegations, an independent investigation of the working conditions in Viennese cultural enterprises and stricter control over the allocation of funds. "It cannot be that employees suffer under questionable conditions while the City of Vienna continues to generously subsidise with tax money without any consequence for misconduct", says Stefan Berger, cultural spokesperson of the Viennese FPÖ.

The capital's ÖVP sees the example of the Youth Theatre as just one of many in Vienna, which is why it calls on Cultural City Councillor Veronica Kaup-Hasler (SPÖ) to take action. "The responsibility of the city does not end with the transfer of tax money - it begins exactly there", says state party chairman Karl Mahrer. The Viennese city government has failed to establish functioning protective mechanisms, which is why an independent evaluation of all Viennese cultural enterprises must now take place, funding must be tied to clear requirements in terms of leadership, transparency and working climate, and an independent contact point for those affected should be set up.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.