Tourist campaigns have evolved significantly over the last years. Highlighting landscapes, monuments, cultural offer or gastronomy seems to have fallen short for tourist organizations when it comes to use users’ attention in an increasingly competitive market. Innovation and technology, or even space, are already part of the equation, as demonstrated by the new action of Vienna tourism.

And it is that the entity Vienna Tourist Board has proposed to carry the composition “The Blue Danube”, by Johann Strauss II, To space with the campaign “Waltz Into Space.” The objective is to “amend the error” committed in 1977, when the well -known gold discs with sounds, images and music of the earth for a possible extraterrestrial contact were included on board. Bach or Mozart compositions were part of the albums, but not that of Strauss, although in popular culture it has become the “soundtrack” of space.

Therefore, following an idea of ​​the agency Jung von Matt Donauand in collaboration with European Space Agency (ESA) And the support of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, On May 31, 2025 he will broadcast the waltz to space. All this with the intention of commemorating the bicentennial of the birth of Johann Strauss, and within the framework of a set of activities and initiatives to celebrate the milestone.

As explained by the tourist authority in a statement, on that date the Vienna Symphony Orchestra will offer a concert from the MAK applied arts museum, in which it will perform a selection of galactic theme works. The culminating moment of the concert will be “The Blue Danube” that It will be transmitted in real time to the deep space antenna DSA 2 of the European Space Agency (ESA) In Cebreros, Spain.

From there, the waltz will be transmitted to the universe as an electromagnetic wave to the Light speed in the direction of the Voyager 1. And 23 hours later, the signal will reach NASA’s space probe, which has been traveling since 1977 to transport land masterpieces to possible extraterrestrial beings.
The action It can be followed live in streaming Through the web and Instagram profile of the Vienna Tourism Office. It will also be broadcast live at the Strandbar Herrmann in Vienna; In Bryant Park in New York, and right in front of the antenna in Cebreros.

The action also seeks to involve all citizens of the world, and for this he has created the initiative “Space Notes.” Users can will claim one of the 13,743 notes which is part of “The Blue Danube” and symbolically accompany the work to space. Those who do will receive a personalized certificate will become Spacenote ambassadors. Among the participants are Michael Ludwig, mayor of Vienna; or Josef Aschbacher, general director of ESA.

The campaign, in addition to the bicentennial of the birth of Strauss, also commemorates milestones in the participating agents. Thus, the European Space Agency (ESA) also recalls this year its 50 years of foundation; while the DSA 2 antenna will turn 20. Likewise, the ESA network (ESA monitoring network), where the antenna is located, celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra turns 125.

“The Vienna Tourism Office has opted for a progressive approach to Johann Strauss II, which reaches its brilliant climax with “waltz in space””Said the mayor of the city. “Once again, the Austrian capital will be presented as an innovative world capital of music: a city that not only preserves its heritage, but also promotes the future with visionary ideas”

For Norbert Kettner, director of the Vienna Tourism Office, the campaign is a reflection of how Technology and art can join to connect to humanity. “‘Waltz a space’ will have an impact beyond our solar system and will inspire the people of the earth to experience culture in Vienna”He said.

More info.: Waltz Into Space