This year, the Kepler Salon is celebrating a special year, and not just on account of its 15th anniversary.
The Kepler Salon’s new artistic director, Mag. Cornelia Lehner, aims to take the Kepler Salon in a new direction and provide an open platform for young and old alike, a platform where the public can be curious and engage in future-oriented discourse and dialog.
Mag. Cornelia Lehner is familiar with both the world of culture and the world of academia. In addition to graduating from the JKU with a degree in sociology, she has been involved in Upper Austria’s cultural sector for many years, working at the OK Offenes Kulturhaus OÖ and managing the international theater festival for young audiences, SCHÄXPIR. Her extensive experience in both worlds now brings her to the JKU’s Kepler Salon as managing director. We spoke with Mag. Lehner about her goals and visions, and how she got to where she is now.
Now that you are managing the Kepler Salon, can being responsible for cultural and scientific outreach events during these times of tighter budgets still be rewarding?
Cornelia Lehner: I am absolutely thrilled with my new responsibilities as I believe the Kepler Salon provides great opportunities to be creative and bring people together. It's extremely important, especially in times of crisis, to provide platforms where people can openly engage in discourse and bring in different viewpoints and perspectives together.
Is that your vision for the Kepler Salon?
Cornelia Lehner: Yes, I aim to create a space where people can come together as a community and share ideas. I want it to be an open, welcoming place for everyone of all ages and backgrounds, a place where people feel at home and at ease.
Wasn't it like this before?
Cornelia Lehner: It wasn’t something everyone was aware of. I've been to the Kepler Salon several times myself and I believe this type if format can definitely appeal to a wider audience than has previously been the case. The Kepler Salon is not very popular, especially among younger people.
What kind of programs will you create that will be more appealing to young people?
Cornelia Lehner: We plan on focusing on topics that people find interesting and want to talk about. In January, we organized evening events focusing on geopolitics/our changing world. We addressed anti-Semitism, and businesses in Afghanistan that are run by women. During February, we will focus on a more "positive future outlook". How do we foster curiosity, both our own and that of others? And how do we generate positive image of the future that makes it feel worthwhile to become more involved?
Sounds exciting - how do you plan on accomplishing your goals?
Cornelia Lehner: We are getting various people, institutions, and partners from all over Austria on board, ranging from the Medienkulturhaus in Wels, KUK, and the University of Arts Linz, to the JKU’s Circus of Knowledge. We will organize joint projects that extend beyond lectures and follow up with discussions. More importantly, we want to appeal to young people by addressing what’s currently happening in their lives. I want to encourage and enable them to openly express and articulate their opinions, such as addressing these topics through films and then discussing them.
In short: There is space for diversity at the Kepler Salon.
Do you already have a few main topics organized for this year?
Cornelia Lehner: "Anniversary and Highlights" will, for example, will be very important this year. 2024 marks Anton Bruckner’s 200th birthday, Posthof’s 40th anniversary, the Kepler Salon’s 15th anniversary (the Kepler Salon is one of the few remaining Linz09 projects), and Salzkammergut is the European Capital of Culture. Celebrating meaningful and important events here is an exciting opportunity.
You certainly have big plans ahead! What would need to happen for you to feel like the Kepler Salon has been successful?
Cornelia Lehner: As soon as people can say: This is a place supporting open dialog! As soon as everyone can talk openly about science and not feel ‘scared off’. As soon as the Kepler Salon positions the JKU more centrally in Linz, in society, and as part of everyone’s everyday lives. And especially as soon as the Salon serves as a catalyst to help young people grow and learn more.
The infrastructure also has to be just right. We want to become more accessible and I would also like to arrange for sign language interpreters as part of our programs. We have not yet done this and we considering it, along with many other things. The steps leading up to the Kepler Salon alone are very narrow and when the lights go out, I feel uneasy. The Kepler Salon needs to become more inviting in all respects. There should not be any reason to not go there!
Imagine you had an unlimited budget. What would be your dream event at the Kepler Salon?
Cornelia Lehner: (laughs) I love festivals. I would create an interdisciplinary format featuring music, an exhibition, keynote speeches, films, and much more! People would come together at this historic location, and then enjoy drinks afterwards at a casual, inviting bar. In other words, it would be a space for people to get together - people from different backgrounds and all walks of life expressing their opinions and engaging in conversation without walls. That would be ideal!
About Cornelia Lehner
Born in 1978 in Linz, Mag. Cornelia Lehner studied sociology (specializing in culture and media) at the JKU and worked as a research assistant, scientific project assistant, and lecturer in the field of cultural studies. Cornelia also worked at the OÖ. Landesmuseum in the cultural mediation department, and managed the SCHÄXPIR festival. Her book, "Kulturvermittlung am Linzer Schlossmuseum. Eine Positionsbestimmung" was published by Trauner Verlag.
She spends her free time with her family, loves to travel, and enjoys the outdoors, especially taking long walks with her dog.
