Great joy and exceptional honour
It is an extraordinary honour - for the Benedictine Admont Abbey, the Gesäuse region and the entire Austrian and Styrian cultural landscape. The world's largest monastery library in Admont Abbey will be part of Austria's international showcase at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
From 12 - 16 May 2026, the world will be looking to Austria, and Admont Abbey will also be in the international spotlight. The Eurovision Song Contest returned to Vienna for the third time and celebrated its 70th anniversary at the same time. With around 170 million viewers worldwide, the Eurovision Song Contest is one of the biggest music spectacles in the world. This year, millions of people not only experienced music, but also discovered the cultural diversity and beauty of Austria.
This year in particular, in which the world-famous library is celebrating its 250th anniversary, this global stage is taking on an additional emotional and cultural dimension. The international appeal of the Eurovision Song Contest and the timeless fascination of a place that has inspired people from all over the world with its knowledge, culture and extraordinary beauty since the very beginning.
At Admont Abbey, the joy at this international attention was correspondingly great. Gratitude, pride and great joy characterised the atmosphere surrounding this special event.
Abbot Gerhard Hafner OSB, Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont:
„The fact that our library - a place of knowledge, silence and history - is part of a global music event such as the Eurovision Song Contest fills us with deep gratitude and great joy. „It shows in an impressive way how harmoniously centuries-old tradition, the special atmosphere of a unique place of knowledge and modern cultural productions can be combined.“
Father Prior Maximilian Schiefermüller OSB, Abbey Archivist and Librarian of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont:
„For 250 years, the library of Admont Abbey has stood for openness, education and dialogue with the world. For generations, it has fascinated people from a wide variety of countries, cultures and walks of life and is considered a place where knowledge, history and spirituality are combined in a unique way. Being given an international stage as part of the ESC 2026 is therefore something very special for us.“
Franz Pichler, Economic Director of the Benedictine Abbey of Admont:
„The presence of our monastery library at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will bring Admont Abbey an exceptionally high level of worldwide media attention. It fills us with great joy and gratitude that our world-famous library can be part of this major international event. This international stage means priceless advertising value - not only for our institution, but also for the region and the cultural landscape in Styria and Austria.“
Mario Brandmüller, Head of Tourism & Marketing at Admont Benedictine Abbey:
„After the international attention surrounding our monastery library by Oprah Winfrey and in the social media, the library's presence at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 sets the next significant international milestone for our house. The inclusion of our monastery library in this global media presence enabled millions of people to discover the beauty and cultural charisma of this special place.“
Here you will find the current coverage of ORF Styria.
