Welcome to Bad Ischl - Austria and to the 196th edition of the Forum Song Contest (FSC).
Theme: ‘Franz Joseph I of Austria: To Rule an Empire’
Winner FSC May 2025
Congratulations! ^^
The Host city for this FSC #196-edition is : Bad Ischl - Austria. Once known as Kaiserstadt (the
Emperor's town), it is a town renowned for ages for its mineral spas . It lies in the southern part
of Upper Austria, at the river Traun in the centre of the Salzkammergut region. It consists of sev
eral small municipalities ( Katastralgemeinden ) connected to the village of Strobl by river Ischl.
It is home to the Kaiservilla , summer residence of Austro-Hungarian monarchs , Emperor Franz
Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth (ref. picture above). In 2024, Bad Ischl was one of the European
Capitals of Culture - the third city in Austria after Graz (2003) and Linz (2009) - and is a beautiful
place with historic roots popular with tourists and visitors from around the world all year around
Humans have lived in the Bad Ischl area since the time of the pre-historic Hallstatt culture ; docu
mentary evidence of the settlement dates from a 1262 deed , where it appears as Iselen. In 1419
Archduke Albert V of Austria established the local seat of the Salt Chamber (Salzkammer) at Wil
denstein Castle & Ischl was granted privileges of a market town in 1466 by Emperor Frederick III
A first salt mine was opened in 1563, a salt evaporation pond (German: Saline) followed in 1571.
When in the early part of the 19th century brine became medically popular in Continental Europe
Ischl soon turned into a fashionable spa resort; notable guests included Prince Klemens Wenzel
von Metternich, Archduke Rudolf (1788-1831) , and Archduke Franz Karl of Austria (1802-1878).
The Hotel Post opened in 1828 and was the first one in the whole Salzkammergut area . In 1849
Franz Karl's son , Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria , chose the town, for his summer residence.
On 19th August 1853 , the engagement between Franz Joseph & Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sisi) took
place at Seeauerhaus , which since 1989 , has been location of the Museum der Stadt Bad Ischl.
In 1854 , the Emperor's mother , Archduchess Sophie , gave him the Kaiservilla (Imperial Villa) as
a wedding present . The villa became the imperial family's summer residence ; Franz Joseph des
cribed it as " Heaven on Earth ". In the Kaiservilla on 28th July 1914 Franz Joseph signed Austria
-Hungarys declaration of war against Kingdom of Serbia signalling the start of hostilities in WWI
He left Bad Ischl on the following day and never returned. The Habsburg-Lorraine family still own
the villa , although the grounds and parts of the residence are now open to the public. In the after
math of the 1945 defeat of Nazi Germany in WW2 , Bad Ischl became the location of a displaced
persons camp for survivors of the Holocaust and of Nazi concentration camps in Eastern Europe
The resident displaced persons were primarily Jews from Poland, & other neighboring countries.
They received lodging, food, medical care and administrative assistance until able to make other
more permanent arrangements . Many left for the United States , Israel or Canada. The Bad Ischl
displaced persons camp remained active in the post-second world war years from 1945 to 1952.
‘Franz Joseph I of Austria: To Rule an Empire’
‘A Journey in Austrian History’
Franz Joseph I of Austria reigned as Emperor of Austria from 1848 until his death in 1916, mak
ing him one of the longest-reigning monarchs in European history . His 68- year rule, spanned a
period of immense political, social, and technological change as well as growing nationalist ten
sions that ultimately led to the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarin Empire shortly after his death
He ascended to the throne during the Revolutions of 1848, a time of upheaval across Europe. At
just 18 years old he inherited the vast and multi-ethnic Austrian Empire and his primary respons
ibility was to maintain order & unity within a dominion that included Austrians , Hungarians , Cze
chs, Slovaks, Italians, Croats and other national groups . As Emperor he was both a political and
symbolic figurehead , but in truth in the Age he ruled he wielded considerable centralized power.
One of his most notable achievement was the creation of the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of
1867 (Ausgleich) which transformed the Austrian Empire to the dual monarchy of Austria-Hung
ary. The compromise, though not universally popular, did help stabilize the empire for decades.
Franz Joseph I , also supported modernization . He oversaw the expansion , of the railway netw
ork, industrialization & administrative reforms . Under his reign Vienna became a cultural & arch
itectural hub with the construction of monumental buildings along the Ringstrasse , such as the
Vienna State Opera and the Austrian Parliament Building . He was a patron of the arts & science
& his era was marked by significant intellectual/cultural development (ref Viennese Golden Age)
His reign also saw Austria play a key role in European affairs . Though his foreign policy was oft
en conservative, he remained a central figure in the complex diplomatic web of 19th-century Eur
ope, particularly in opposition to to Prussia’s rise under Bismarck. His reign was, however, plagu
ed by persistent challenges. The loss in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 was a major blow lead
ing to Austria’s exclusion from German unification. Nationalist unrest was also a constant probl
em, and demands grew for self-rule and more democracy across groups of people in the nation
( especially the minority groups ). On a personal level he also endured many tragedies in his life
As for his legacy , he is remembered as a symbol of imperial endurance and conservatism . For
many Austrians he was a steady , dignified presence during turbulent times . However, his inabil
ity to adapt more fully to rising nationalism and democratic movements contributed to the event
ual collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Still his long reign left a deep imprint on Central Eu
rope , and he remains a complex , in some circles controversial, but a significant historical figure
The region around Bad Ischl has much to offer visitors. Whether you love hiking or cycling, there
are many hidden gems, waiting to be explored and visited . Bahndamm-Radweg Wolfgangsee (a
fantastic route between the meadows & the lake) , Großer Schoberstein (from the summit of the
Großer Schoberstein you can see the Attersee , the Schafberg and also a piece of the Mondsee)
Radweg Wolfgangsee (a cycling highlight, varied route, sometimes along the lake and then throu
gh forest) is another recommended excursion, enjoying the fresh air & wonderful nature in the re
gion . There is also the serenity along the lakeshore among the many lakes around Bad Ischl. Alt
ausseer See is famed and much visited, one of the most famous mountain lakes in all of Austria
Attersee Südufer is another beautiful lake. It enchants with its blue water, over which you can let
your gaze wander while cycling. In the hot summer months you want to jump into the clear water
and cool off. You can do this easily at the Attersee, because there are many public bathing areas
around the lake which you can use for free . This is the largest lake of the Salzkammergut region
Then we have Traunkirchen. One of the highlights of Traunkirchen is definitely the Johannesberg
Chapel. Standing on the Johannesberg it is a landmark of Traunkirchen. There are several mount
aineering routes as well. Bergwerkskogel (Expert mountaineering route. Very good fitness requir
ed. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes, and alpine experience required.), and also the Katrin Anstieg.
Besides the Kaiservilla , Bad Ischl itself offers several health spas and tourist attractions, like the
historic Kongresshaus opened in 1875, the new "Kurhaus" built by Clemens Holzmeister in 1932,
as well as the Lehár Villa , the former residence of Franz Lehár , that he acquired in 1912 & today
is a museum. The Catholic Saint Nicholas church has origins from the 1300s but rebuilt in 1771.
The church is dominated by a 72m high tower . Inside the ornate church frescos, mosaics, the ca
rved Way of the Cross, and most notably the unique “Kaiser-Jubiläums-Orgel” organ all catch the
visitor’s eye. Bad Ischl is also known for the Konditorei Zauner pastry shop. A gondola lift runs fr
om the town up to the Katrin alpine pasture at 1415m , which offers a panoramic mountain view.
The ruins of Wildenstein Castle are also nearby . The Bad Ischl Cemetery , is listed by the State of
Upper Austria as a protected historical site . Other historic sites are : Altes Post- und Telegraphen
amt , Casino Keller , Salzfertigerhäuser, Marielouisen-quelle, Lehar Denkmal, Imperial Villa and Im
perial Park & Bad Ischl Museum. Every summer the Lehár Music Festival is organized in the town
The Host venue for FSC #196 June 2025 is: the Lehár Theater , in Bad Ischl in Austria. Originally
known as the Ischler Kurtheater the building was planned by saline architect Franz Ferdinand Ed
angler in 1827 , when Ischl was in its early days as a spa resort . The theatre, was planned in the
prevailing “empire” style , & in 1882, a separate staircase for the imperial family was added . The
house was often called the "little castle" , since greats like Johann Nestroy , Alexander Girardi , &
Katharina Schratt performed there . In 1940, on the occasion of Franz Lehár's 70th birthday , the
building was renamed, the “ Lehár Theater ”. It's undergone several modifications over the years
but retains a small stage and a capacity of approx. 400 seated spectators . For a long time , the
building only served as a cinema , but in recent years , many events have been held there includ.
concerts, cabarets & theatre performances. They are proud to host this evening’s edition of FSC
Our wonderful Hosts this evening are:
Verena Altenberger, Hubert von Goisern and Christina Stürmer
Verena Altenberger, is an Austrian actress . She has played in the theatre in several plays. In the
Austrian tv series CopStories she portrayed the role of Chantal , from 2013 to 2018. In 2021 she
took over presidency , of Austrian Film Academy. She is proud to co-host this edition of the FSC
Hubert von Goisern, is an Austrian singer-songwriter , world musician and fashion creator . With
his mix of rock music & elements of trad. Volksmusik , he has become a prominent exponent of
New Volksmusik & AlpineRock in Austria's region . He is proud to co-host this edition of the FSC
Christina Stürmer, is a famous Austrian singer & songwriter . With the release of her internation
al debut album Schwarz Weiss , she became 1 of the biggest-selling Austrian artists, to emerge
in German-speaking Europe in the ca mid-2000s. She is proud to co-host this edition of the FSC
And we are now pleased to announce
The Opening Acts
Exclusive International Guest Appearances
Claude (ESC 2025 The Netherlands)
Yuval Raphael (ESC 2025 Israel)
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’C'est La Vie’
’New Day Will Rise’
