WHAT'S NEW!? #27 - VILLACH IN JUNE 2023

The welcome2villach team collects the most important news from Villach's city life every month in a compact "News Story" with links to further information. In June, there is an overview of Villach's investments, we report on the rent break initiative in Villach, look forward to the Catalan folk festival "Aplec'' and the kick-off of Villach's summer programme "Summertime". We also report on the major general renovation of the city bridge, the opportunity to help design a new city district and the numerous cultural events that June has to offer in Villach. 
 

• Closing of accounts 2022: The city of Villach looks back on a positive budget year 2022, the year could even be closed with a profit. 259.8 million euros were collected, 241.7 million euros were invested and spent, and reserves of 31.7 million euros were formed. The largest projects and investments include the renovation of the sewage treatment plant and the sewer network, the general renovation of the VS Landskron, the construction of the new Kilzerbrücke bridge and comprehensive flood protection measures. A detailed overview can be found here. 
   
• City and Kelag are preparing aid packages: Relief for those affected is promised by a solution package regarding the development of district heating prices in the city area. Together with Kelag Energie und Wärme (KEW), the Villach city government was able to fix the following measures: Raising the income limits, increasing the assistance application, a special budget for hardship cases as well as counselling 
   
• The Catalans invite you to a festival: True to the motto "without borders", the City of Villach, the Tourism Region, the Catalan Association for Folk Culture and the Catalan Liaison Office in Central Europe invite you to the big Catalan folk festival "Aplec". From June 16th-18th, guests will experience the Catalan way of life, culinary delights and culture. Special highlights are the performances of the famous giant figures and the Catalan mythical creatures. All information about the festival is available here. 

• Rent break: Housing is becoming unaffordable for more and more people. That is why the City of Villach has now decided on a rent break for the next two years. Instead of a rent increase of 8.6 percent, there will be a maximum rent increase of 2.5 percent in 2023 and 2024.
   
• General renovation of the city bridge: From June 12th to November, the more than 60-year-old Villach city bridge will be comprehensively renovated at a cost of 2.8 million euros. Traffic will be directed towards the city centre on a single lane. In two construction phases, first the steel composite bridge will be renovated according to state-of-the-art technology, then the decking, railings, flagpoles, supply lines and much more will be renewed.
   
• Helping to shape the city district: A completely new district is being built in the city center and the citizens of Villach are called upon to help shape it. They can have a say in what the future will look like.
   
• Offensive for basketball: In addition to the two basketball clubs in Villach, the ball sport is also becoming increasingly popular amongst amateur players. This is why the city has already invested in the publicly accessible basketball court at VS 7 in Landskron and is continuing to expand it with a standard-sized court including a height-adjustable basket for children and barrier-free access for wheelchair users. 

• History meets the future exhibition: "150 Years of the Villach Museum" is the name of the new special exhibition. The bilingual special exhibition presents Villach's history in an exciting and eventful way. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. 
   
• Villach sings: When the Villach choirs invite you to an open-air concert, the city centre becomes a stage! At Villach sings! the musical spectrum ranges from Carinthian songs to gospels. On 24 June from 10 am! 
   
• Events: In June we are again looking forward to numerous casual events such as the start of the multi-media water show "Draupuls" from 16 June, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9.30 pm, or the living room concerts every Wednesday from 28 June in the guest gardens in the city centre. From 28 June to 1 July, the Alps-Adriatic Ceramics Market will once again be a guest in Villach. From 1 June to 17 June, the Freihausgasse Gallery will be showing works by the artist Carl Wochinz - and on 3 and 10 June there will be workshops on "Creative with Ink" at the gallery. All other events from the categories leisure, reading, theatre or music can be found here.