Alongside the dying out of taverns, which is without a doubt an European phenomenon, the gastro industry has been undergoing a continuous process of change for decades. The decline of tavern culture in rural areas takes place for a variety of reasons. While many local associations held their meeting regularly in taverns in previous time, they are increasingly shifting to serving themselves and setting up the necessary equipment to do so within the premises of the association. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly “boosted” the problem of the lack of workers in the industry and this forced some businesses to already close their doors on Sundays and on holidays. While the 2024 European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut cannot serve as the rescuer of the local tavern culture, it can, however, bring new life to tavern culture through specific interventions together with representatives from the arts, culture, top chefs from Europe and throughout the world, regional producers and, most of all, young people who are still studying and, in doing so, especially question the established processes and behavior patterns. The project is divided into five thematic subareas and fields of action:
Topical regulars’ tables in taverns, beginning in January of 2024 / Art & culture in taverns, beginning in January of 2024 / Tavern labs with tourism and vocation schools as of January 2023 (Tourismusschule Bad Ischl as well as additional schools from Austrian and international partner schools), realization beginning in January of 2024 / Tavern Take-Over March to June & October to November 2024 / Artistic interventions and performance with the Health Boy Band beginning in January of 2024.
