The 'Tuning Old Strings' Exhibition: Exploring Hungarian Zither Music and Austrian Cultural Heritage

This exhibit showcases the Hungarian zither, or 'magyar citera', a traditional folk instrument that has become established in Austria, particularly among the Hungarian minority group. It highlights the instrument's role in connecting the community and representing their culture, featuring a specific zither played by the 'Őri Banda', Austria's oldest active Hungarian folk music group.

The exhibition '2018: Alte Saiten aufziehen' (Tuning Old Strings) delves into the cultural importance of the Hungarian zither, known as 'magyar citera', within Austria, specifically among the Hungarian minority group. This traditional folk instrument has served as a vital means for the community to connect with each other and represent their heritage. The display features a 'Transdanubian Bauchzither'/'Dunántúli hasas citera' played by the 'Őri Banda', which is recognized as the oldest active Hungarian folk music group in Austria, founded in 2001. The band performs traditional music from the Burgenland region, an area known for its Hungarian linguistic and cultural presence. The cultivation of Hungarian music and dance in Austria has a complex history, especially after the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. For a long time, anything Hungarian was perceived as backward or even threatening, leading many Hungarian-speaking Austrians to shy away from public expression of their language and culture. This led to a fragmentation of communities and a loss of contact among Hungarian-speaking majority areas. The establishment of the first cultural association in 1968 marked a turning point, followed by an increase in associations after the end of the Hungarian dictatorship and the fall of the Iron Curtain. The opening of a public, multilingual gymnasium in 1992, offering instruction in Hungarian and Croatian, further supported cultural preservation and integration.

The page includes elements related to ticket selection and purchasing, such as 'Eintritt Erwachsene' (Adult Admission) and 'Jahreskarte' (Annual Pass) options. It also mentions recommending group tickets for parties of 10 or more. However, specific exhibition ticketing details are not explicitly detailed beyond general admission and pass information.