Hiking brings people together

On our discursive walk from Dürnstein to Oberloiben via the Höhereck and the French Monument, we combined both – talking and walking. Along our route, three experts provided food for thought, which was then discussed further with the participants as we walked together. Hannes Gröblacher (landscape architect and artist) got us thinking right at the start of the walk with some improvisation exercises that broadened our perception of the landscape. Viktoria Tremmel (artist and florist) then spoke about her artistic work on endangered and extinct species, prompting discussions about ‘desirable’ and ‘undesirable’ plants found at the roadside, in gardens, and in agricultural settings. Christian Rapp (cultural scientist, exhibition curator and Scientific Director of the Haus der Geschichte Niederösterreich) provided valuable insights into the political landscape of the Wachau. These discussions complemented our focus on transport routes wonderfully, adding further perspectives to our examination of the Wachau’s cultural landscape.