The European Tolerance Talks in the Carinthian mountain village of Fresach will address questions of resistance against misguided policies, injustice, and inequality in 2026. The traditional week of dialogue will open before Pentecost with a “Walk and Think” concert on May 17th, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Ingeborg Bachmann’s birth, who wrote against the “prevailing conditions” throughout her life. More than 40 experts from philosophy and religion, economics, and science will participate in the packed program of debates. The program can be found here: https://www.fresach.org/en/daily-schedules-2026/
“Resistance and Responsibility,” the title of the Tolerance Talks from May 17th to 24th, 2025, are terms that are frequently quoted in contemporary political life but rarely considered in relation to one another. After the relatively peaceful years of prosperity, globalization, and worldwide growth, we are currently facing a turbulent and, indeed, warlike phase of global striving for power and influence, the consequences of which are still entirely unforeseeable. In such times, it often takes nerves of steel and resilience to avoid being overwhelmed by events.
Resistance against injustice and wrongdoing need not necessarily be violent; democratic systems have well-established processes for this. However, when democracy itself is threatened, giving in or even submitting cannot be the answer. The recent history of Austria and Europe has shown that the security of its citizens can only be guaranteed by a strong and united community that knows how to defend itself against threats from within and without. If resistance is necessary, then it must be done responsibly and with foresight. This is something that can be learned, and the organizer “Denk.Raum.Fresach” (DRF) invites you to do so.
Overview of Program Events
March 12, 2026, 6:30 p.m.: European Forum and program presentation at BKS Bank Renngasse, Vienna, in cooperation with Club Carinthia March 19, 2026, 11:00 a.m.: Press conference and program presentation in Klagenfurt, Mirror Hall of the State Government Building, Denk.Raum.Fresach
May 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m.: GehDENK concert “Carinthian Requiem” at the Evangelical Church in Fresach
May 20, 2026, 2:00 p.m.: Tolerance Forum – 4:00 p.m.: Literature Forum May 20, 2026, 6:00 p.m.: Reception hosted by the City of Villach in the Paracelsus Hall of the City Hall
May 21, 2026: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: European Forum Fresach 6:30 p.m.: Tolerance Prize Award Ceremony
May 22, 2026: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Fresach Economic Forum. 6:30 p.m.: Resistance Readings
May 23, 2026: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Tolerance Breakfast at the Gasthaus Zum Wirt, Fresach
The European Tolerance Talks
The European Tolerance Talks have been held annually at Pentecost since 2015 and address social developments and political education on issues of social integration, democracy, and human rights. The talks originated from the Fresach Writers’ Conferences, which took place from 1972 to 1996 under the auspices of the Carinthian Writers’ Association (KSV). The events are recorded live and streamed on fresach.org, YouTube, and Facebook.
