The planned discussion ended after many participants threatened to withdraw from the Vienna Festival over the appearance of an IT investor.
The Vienna festival canceled the appearance of the American and German tycoon Peter Thiel after he faced severe criticism from his sponsors and the expulsion of many other participants.
Co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, known for his right-wing and controversial views. “transhumanist” comments, he was expected to participate in a discussion entitled ‘Armageddon and the Antichrist? From Theology to Realpolitik.’ This year, the festival announced itself “Republic of God,” to advertise as a “a chance for sharp criticism and a new beginning.”
The planned panel immediately sparked controversy, with some seeing it as an opportunity to discuss Thiel’s controversial views, while others argued that the entrepreneur’s apocalyptic worldview should not receive a platform at all. His planned appearance has been criticized by the Vienna city authorities, which sponsor the festival.
“The invitation to Peter Thiel is causing great discontent among the public,” Vienna City Councilor for Culture, Veronica Kaup-Hasler, told Der Standard newspaper.
The mass withdrawal of other participants from the event became the final blemish, with organizers admitting Thiel’s altercation undermined the festival. “to an unacceptable degree.” They finally announced on Saturday that discussions with the entrepreneur were cancelled.
“Not at any cost: I take the voices of criticism very seriously. Due to my role in the whole program, I unfortunately had to decide against the event planned by Peter Thiel, although I found it very compelling and thematically compatible within the framework of the Republic of the Gods. However, insisting on the event would go against my appreciation of our artistic program and everyone involved in it,” Art Director Milo Rau said in his statement.
Thiel’s public speeches have frequently sparked debate. In March, he held an invitation-only lecture on the Antichrist in Rome at a secret location near the Vatican. Some media reports even claimed that the event would take place at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas – the patron saint of Pope Leo XIV. The institute rushed to deny any connection to the incident, while other officials with ties to the Vatican have criticized Thiel’s activities as well.
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