WHAT'S NEW?! #34 - VILLACH IN JANUARY 2024

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from around Villach in a compact, monthly “News Story”, with links to more information. In January, the focus is not only on the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup but also on news about the city budget for 2024, a new meeting point for urban development, and the BUS:SI timetable adjustment, as well as the introduction of the Villacher Cities App.

• Budget proposal with significant approval: The Villach City Council has approved the budget for 2024 with 330.5 million euros. Despite an expected deficit of 16 million euros, investments are still being maintained. Criticism is directed towards the financial support from the federal and state governments. The budget for the coming year emphasizes education (14.6 million euros), climate protection (8.1 million euros), and infrastructure (8 million euros). Major projects include the expansion and construction of educational facilities such as the tpv Kindergarten or the Richard-Wagner-Schule, investments in the photovoltaic system in Zauchen, and the "Green Axis" from the main station to the city park, as well as the conversion of the Large Barracks in Fellach and the ice rink.
   
• A space to shape Villach: The lebensRAUM, an open workshop in Postgasse, serves as a venue for workshops and discussions on sustainable urban development. The city actively encourages citizens to participate constructively in adapting the development concept to make the city future-ready. Planned events and lectures provide a platform for citizen participation.
   
• BUS:SI Adjustment: In December, the schedule of Villach city buses was adapted. On December 10th, a new platform distribution was introduced at the Villach bus station: The BUS:SI lines now uniformly serve platforms A to C in the eastern area. The previous numbering was replaced by letters (A to F), while the proven half-hourly schedule was retained. As part of a Carinthia-wide standardization, some stops received new names. Particularly noteworthy is the improvement of evening bus services from the Technology Park or the University of Applied Sciences to the city. These adjustments contribute to making public transportation in Villach even more user-friendly. More information is available here.

• All of Villach in one app: The new Villacher CitiesApp provides a fast communication platform for citizens, as well as businesses and associations. The app allows the presentation of information, discount promotions, and events. In the future, municipal services such as the waste calendar and the e-government portal will also be integrated. At launch, there is a sweepstakes with a main prize of 10,000 euros in the form of Villach vouchers. Further information and the download option can be found on villach.at.
   
• Villach as the center of the sports world: The Villacher Alpen Arena will host the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup 2024 for women on January 3rd and 4th, with 70 participants from 16 nations, including last year's winner Eva Pinkelnig and local star Hannah Wiegele.

• In search of young artistic talents: The Villach Bruno Gironcoli Sponsorship Award 2023 recognizes outstanding achievements of young talents in the field of contemporary art and provides them with a platform to showcase their creative visions. In the coming year, Villach artists can be nominated for the sponsorship award until the end of February 2024 by emailing mario.seher@villach.at, with the age limit being 30 years.
   
• Events: On December 30th, the Zechgemeinschaft Heiligengeist invites you to the Rauhnacht with 80 Perchten from 7 p.m. In January, culture enthusiasts can look forward to the humorous comedy "Nein zum Geld" at the neuebuehnevillach (until January 13th), the 50th Trachtenball at Volkshaus Landskron (January 13th), and the exhibition "Kunst Ver+Bindet" at Dinzlschloss (vernissage: January 16th), as well as an indie concert by Love‘n‘Joy from Ukraine and UNA from Italy at kulturhof:villach (January 26th).