Sucessful Kick-off Press Conference

A strong start: At a well-attended press conference at Weingut Masser, the Kulturbotschaften Sdüsteiermark – Embassies of Art 2025 were officially presented. The participating wineries introduced their “Embassy Wines”, gave insights into the artists and outlined the programme of the project week. The enthusiasm in the room was tangible – anticipation is growing for the international art exchange in late autumn.

From 3–8 November 2025, South-West Styria will once again become the stage for a unique cultural project that brings together winegrowing and contemporary art: the Kulturbotschaften Südsteiermark – Embassies of Art. Eight wineries will host artists from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lithuania, Poland, Kazakhstan, Côte d’Ivoire and Austria, turning the region into a centre of inspiration, exchange and artistic dialogue.

Art meets wine – under the theme Essence of South Styria

The artistic focus in 2025 is on photography – both digital and analogue. Some artists will also experiment with mixed media, combining photography with video, painting or paper works. Under the guiding theme “Essence of South Styria”, new perspectives on the region will emerge.

The participating wineries reflect the same diversity as the artists themselves: from conventional to sustainably certified or organic production, from wineries with tasting rooms to traditional Buschenschank taverns, guesthouses or wine hotels with restaurants. Each winery has selected one “Embassy Wine” – a wine that best represents their origin and unique style.

Voices from the region

The importance of the project for the region was underlined during the press conference:

LTAbg. Gerhard Hirschmann, Chairperson of the Region of South-West Styria:
“Our region thrives on its diversity – in terms of landscape, culture and society. With the Embassies of Art we create a project that offers exciting encounters both for locals and for visitors. Winegrowing, art and hospitality are interwoven in a very special way, making South-West Styria a place of experience far beyond its borders.”

NRAbg. Mayor Joachim Schnabel, Deputy Chairperson of the Region of South-West Styria and Chair of “Verein Marke Südsteiermark”:
“Already in 2023 the Embassies of Art demonstrated the great potential of this idea: young artists from around the world enriched South Styria and at the same time opened up new perspectives on our region. I am all the more pleased that we can continue the project in 2025, bringing together art, wine and international flair in a unique format.”

Mayor Mag. Karlheinz Schuster, Chair of “Verein Marke Südsteiermark”:
“It is an important step that the Cultural Embassies are now being extended to both districts within the LEADER project. This shows how strongly South Styria and the Schilcherland are connected in their cultural diversity. The combination of art and winegrowing opens up new impulses for our region and strengthens both the Schilcherland and the South Styria brands.”

Highlights of the project week

Throughout the week, the wineries will not only serve as working studios but also as meeting spaces: guests, local communities and the artists themselves will be invited to exchange and engage in dialogue.

The Open Days on 6 and 7 November 2025 will give visitors the chance to experience the creative process first-hand and to immerse themselves in the special combination of art, wine and culinary delights.

The grand finale will take place on 8 November 2025 at Weingut Polz, where all the works created during the week will be presented. The selected Embassy Wines will be available for tasting, accompanied by culinary specialities and musical contributions.

Thanks to partners and supporters

The Kulturbotschaften Südsteiermark – Embassies of Art 2025 are implemented as part of the LEADER cooperation project “Wir sind Qualitätsmarke” by the LEADER regions Südsteiermark and Schilcherland, with funding from the Austrian Federal Government, the Province of Styria and the European Union.
Special thanks go to our sponsors, Energie Steiermark and the Raiffeisenbank Gleinstätten-Leutschach-Wildon eGen.