Alpbach—What inspires young people when they think about Europe, democracy, and their future? For a year, 135 students from the HTL Kramsach Glass and Chemistry School explored this question. The result is now on display in front of the Congress Centrum Alpbach. The art installation, titled “Participatio,” was officially unveiled on June 26 and concludes the anniversary project “From Alpbach – In Alpbach – For Alpbach,” marking the 80th anniversary of the European Forum Alpbach.

The goal of the project was not only to make the Forum’s vision visible during the event days but also to keep it present in the townscape throughout the year. Under the title “Participatio,” the students express their personal perspectives on the theme of “participation” as a fundamental value of democracy. To this end, each student created their own 20-by-20-centimeter artwork. Glass, metal, ceramics, and a wide variety of artistic techniques were used. The works explore Europe, cohesion, and the future. The 135 individual pieces were ultimately combined into a single collective work that highlights the diversity of different perspectives.

The goal of the project was not only to bring the forum’s concept to life during the event itself, but also to keep it visible in the townscape throughout the year. Under the title “Participatio,” the students expressed their personal perspectives on the theme of “participation” as a fundamental value of democracy. To this end, each student created their own artwork measuring 20 by 20 centimeters. Glass, metal, ceramics, and a wide variety of artistic techniques were used. The works explore Europe, cohesion, and the future. The 135 individual pieces were ultimately combined into a single collective work that highlights the diversity of different perspectives.

“There has never been a project of this scale and significance at our school before,” says Principal Helmut Panzenböck. All classes at the technical school, the advanced training program, and the college for object design and production participated—from the first-year classes with 14-year-old students all the way up to the Matura and graduating classes. Implementing the project also required a considerable amount of organizational effort. Four teachers transported the 135 artworks to an insulating glass manufacturer in Lower Austria. There, the individual pixels were assembled into five large-format elements and integrated into weather-resistant triple-pane insulating glass. The result is an installation that can remain permanently outdoors.

“We slightly underestimated the logistical effort involved at the beginning. That makes it all the more wonderful to see what has emerged from all these individual contributions,” said Panzenböck. The contribution of each individual remains particularly visible, as the name of each artist is immortalized on every pixel.

For Thomas Kahn, managing director of the Congress Centrum Alpbach, the project fits perfectly with the spirit of the forum. “The European Forum Alpbach thrives on the exchange of different perspectives. Through this artwork, young people are bringing their thoughts and ideas into this environment. That’s what makes the installation so valuable.”

Tourism chairman Frank Kostner also sees it as a powerful symbol for the region.

“The Alpbach Valley thrives on community, openness, and the coming together of diverse people. These very values are reflected in this artwork. At the same time, the project impressively demonstrates the creative potential that lies within our region.”

Mayor Markus Bischofer is also enthusiastic about the installation: “The village of Alpbach and the European Forum Alpbach are closely linked. The fact that we’re making this sense of community visible year-round—and, above all, that it was created by young people from the Alpbachtal region—shows the value of tradition and how we intend to carry it forward into the future.”

When international guests once again travel to Tyrol for the European Forum Alpbach from August 24 to September 4, 2026, they will encounter the new artwork for the first time. As a permanent installation, it will showcase the Forum’s values long after the event has ended.