Salzburg Festival 2026 Opens with Keynote

President Van der Bellen opens the 2026 Salzburg Festival with a keynote by Belarusian activist Maria Kolesnikowa at the Felsenreitschule.

The 2026 Salzburg Festival officially opened July 26 with a ceremony at the Felsenreitschule led by President Alexander Van der Bellen. Belarusian activist Maria Kolesnikowa, a 44-year-old musician previously imprisoned for five years, delivered the keynote address. Governor Karoline Edtstadler welcomed attendees using quotes from Stefan Zweig, while Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler spoke alongside guest Ralf Rangnick, quoting Ingeborg Bachmann. The festival runs through August 30, featuring over 170 performances at 19 venues, including 37 youth program shows. Early highlights included the July 17 Ouverture spirituelle and Robert Carsen’s Jedermann starring Philipp Hochmair and Roxane Duran. Georges Bizet’s Carmen premieres at the Large Festival Hall on opening night.

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