Home / Arts and Entertainment / Vienna Festival Ditches Peter Thiel Over Controversy
Vienna Festival Ditches Peter Thiel Over Controversy
1 Jun
Summary
- Peter Thiel's festival appearance was canceled due to sponsor criticism.
- Organizers cited a mass exodus of participants as a key factor.
- Thiel's controversial views led to his uninvited discussion.
The Vienna Festival recently canceled a planned discussion featuring US-German tech mogul Peter Thiel. This decision followed intense criticism from sponsors and a significant number of other participants withdrawing from the event.
Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, is known for his controversial right-wing and transhumanist perspectives. His scheduled talk, titled 'Armageddon and the Antichrist? From Theology to Realpolitik,' sparked debate about providing a platform for his apocalyptic worldview.
Vienna city authorities, a festival sponsor, expressed discontent with Thiel's invitation. The mass withdrawal of other participants ultimately pressured the festival organizers to cancel the event, stating the controversy had weakened the festival considerably.
Artistic Director Milo Rau acknowledged the critical voices, stating that insisting on the event would disrespect the artistic program and those involved. Thiel has previously courted controversy, including lectures on the Antichrist in Rome in March.
