WHAT’S NEW!? #13 - VILLACH IN APRIL 2022

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In April we’re looking forward to Villach’s Easter Market, we’ll benefit from the City Hall having longer opening hours, and get back up to 25% from purchases in the city center!

• Paddle City Villach: The SUP Alps Trophy competition will be held at Lake Faakersee from May 20-22. National and international teams will compete on the boards and paddle in different races. All the details can be found at www.paddelstadt.at.
   
• Finally the Easter Market again: After a two year break caused by COVID, Villach’s city center will again host the fun and diverse Easter Market. The market will open on April 7th. The vendors will be waiting with their culinary and decorative offerings on the Hauptplatz, Rathausplatz, and the Unteren Kirchenplatz. And there will be pony rides, a trampoline, and the traditional carousel for the smallest guests.
   
• Cashback campaign: On April 1st, the City of Villach’s new economic stimulus initiative will begin - the city will invest €100,000 in a cashback campaign, similar to the Lokalbonus from last year. Anyone who shops, pays for services, or spends money in a restaurant or café in the city from April 1-23 will get 25% of the receipt value back in the form of a gift certificate. Details can be found at www.villach.at/fruehlingsaktion.

• Great willingness to help: The war in Ukraine has been raging for a month and millions of people have fled. The city of Mukatschewo in western Ukraine has already taken in many refugees and this is exactly where over 200 tons of relief supplies, donated by the residents of Villach, have been delivered. Thank you! If you would like to continue donating, all information can be found here: Ukraine Aid Campaigns
   
• Longer opening hours: VIllach’s City Hall will soon have longer opening hours. This will especially help people who work during the day, who would otherwise have to take time off of work to take care of this sort of business. Beginning on April 4th these offices will be open from 8 am - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. Individual appointments are also possible!
   
• The Citybus has a new route: In April the Citybus route will be adapted even more to the needs of Villach’s residents. Two new bus stops will be added and the route will be updated.
   
• One-way pilot project: Since the end of March, the Ringmauergasse/Draulände has been a one-way street (running north/east) every Saturday from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. This pilot project will run until the end of June and is attempting to solve the problem that there are too few parking spots for visitors to the Wochenmarkt.
   
• New sports facility: At the request of Villach’s Youth Council, a new sports facility is currently being built at Wasenboden, which will be suitable for street soccer and street basketball. The facility is expected to be completed in May.
   
• Helpers wanted: Like every year, the city is hosting a community clean-up project. From April 4-13 rubbish that has been carelessly left along streets, creeks, and in public green spaces will be removed and disposed of properly. If you’d like to help, please register at 04242 205-2412 (weekdays from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

• Girls Day at the Youth Center (Jugendzentrum): A weekly Girls’ Day is held at Villach’s Jugendzentrum every Tuesday. From 2-5 p.m. girls 12 and up can take part in cool activities.
   
• Culture in April: There is another promising cultural program this month: From March 31-April 2 the K3 Filmfestival will make an appearance in Villach. The opening reception for the exhibit “Rau(s)chgeschwader” will be held in Galerie Freihausgasse on April 7th. Mystical things are happening at the Congress Center on April 12th with a performance of Bibi Blocksberg - Das Musical. Two performances of the children’s play “Iss die Gans Auguste nicht” will take place on April 21st at the Parkhotel Villach - 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You’re also invited to “Literatur um 8” at Dinzlschloss on April 21st where author Norbert Gstrein will do a reading beginning at 8 p.m.