Amateur arts and folk culture
Liechtenstein does not have its own legal or collective framework for professional artists. With a few exceptions, the majority of artists work semi-professionally. At the same time, Liechtenstein’s amateur art activities, volunteer work and private initiative all play a central role in Liechtenstein’s cultural landscape. The eleven Liechtenstein municipalities and private patrons, together with the state, promote various cultural organisations: galleries, choral societies, photo clubs, traditional and musical societies. Thus 10 brass bands with approximately 450 musicians have been cornerstones of Liechtenstein’s cultural and social life for roughly 150 years. Since 1985, the Liechtenstein Brass Band Association has been a member of the International Confederation of Musical Societies (CISM), whose goal is to promote non-professional musicians. There are also 24 choral societies in Liechtenstein. In these societies, over 1 000 singers congregate to sing together in their leisure time. The societies are part of the Liechtenstein Choir Association, a member of the European AGEC.
The Music School and the School of Fine Arts play a major role in the promotion of amateur junior artists.
Cultural houses and community cultural clubs
Over the past 150 years, numerous cultural associations have evolved in Liechtenstein. With the new Constitution of 1862, the State introduced the right of association. As a consequence, associations such as brass bands, choirs, and the Historical Society in 1901 were founded. In 1965, the Cultural Advisory Council of the Government decided to found the Liechtenstein Traditional Costume Association. Since 1993, the Cultural Association of the Deaf in Liechtenstein has organised special events for the deaf and has worked together with the umbrella organisation for self-help, the Swiss Association of the Deaf. The Islamic Community in the Principality of Liechtenstein has served the religious community since 1995 and promoted the integration of Muslims in Liechtenstein society. In 2004, the European Institute for Intercultural and Interreligious Research was founded, with a focus on cultural and religious studies, theology, and ethics.
The Swiss Association was founded in 1948, promoting integration, and there is also a Portuguese Association, a Turkish Association, an Italian Centre, a Danish and a Dutch Association, and an Austrian Association. The Austria-Liechtenstein Society was added in 2006. Its purpose is to further deepen the historically evolved ties between the two countries. The society is a member of the “Partners of All Nations – PaN” association, the umbrella association for all Austrian-foreign societies, with the goal of creating as dense a network as possible for intercultural understanding and cooperation. Since 2006, a Chinese Association has also brought China’s culture closer to the people of Liechtenstein and the Rhine Valley region. Already in 1973, the Tibetan Society in Switzerland & Liechtenstein was founded, dedicated to the Tibetan cause.
Comments are closed.