Provincial exhibition 2028

Water, land and life as the theme for the provincial exhibition

Ten municipalities along the Waldviertel narrow-gauge railroad are bidding for the 2028 provincial exhibition.(Bild: Wegerbauer)

Ten municipalities along the Waldviertel narrow-gauge railroad are applying to host the Lower Austrian Provincial Exhibition 2028, with the aim of repositioning themselves in the public eye and further strengthening their existing advantages. What the applicants have in mind and which topics would be possible.

Unfortunately, many projects in the Waldviertel are narrow-gauge. However, ten municipalities along the narrow-gauge railroad in the districts of Gmünd and Zwettl are now working together and will submit their application for the Lower Austrian Provincial Exhibition 2028 in April. According to Christian Laister, Mayor of Groß Gerungs, water, land and life are the suggestions for the thematic cornerstones of the show: "This would allow for a wide range of significant content - from climate to life on the land or even our cultivated pond landscape. And thus also fish farming or culinary delights." The development up to the present day would then also highlight a historical aspect.

Further strengthening the advantages
The municipalities hope that the regional show will finally raise awareness of their strengths. The advantages of the region are to be reinforced with many projects and thus lead to a repositioning in the public eye.

European location
In the "heart of Europe" and with direct public transport links to Prague and Budweis, Gmünd is to be the main location. The historic Palm House, which was built in the castle park in the 19th century, would serve as a jewel box. "It is an architectural jewel and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Waldviertel region," emphasizes town boss Helga Rosenmayer, explaining that the renovation and expansion of the building is a long-held wish of the local population.

The heads of the towns of Christian Laister (Groß Gerungs), Helga Rosenmayer (Gmünd) and Rainer Hirschmann (Litschau) are pulling together and applying for the Lower Austrian Provincial Exhibition 2028 together with seven other municipalities.(Bild: Modellregion entlang der Waldviertelbahn)

Ten municipalities on the narrow-gauge railway
Groß Gerungs, the location of the largest cardiovascular center in Austria, and the Schrammel town of Litschau with its rich cultural landscape including events are also firmly included in the concept and are intended to complement the main location of Gmünd. The municipalities of Bad Großpertholz, Brand-Nagelberg, Großdietmanns, Langschlag, St. Martin, Unserfrau-Altweitra and Weitra, which are located along the narrow-gauge railroad line, will also be able to develop and implement many other projects and play a key role in the overall concept.