Living Cultural Heritage, Living Societies: Austria’s Voice in the UNESCO Mission
Image: Bernardo Bellotto: View of Vienna from the Belvedere, 1759–1760, © KHM-Museumsverband
May 6, 2026 | 5.30 PM
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Join us for a lecture by Dr. Sabine Haag, President of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO, who will reflect on Austria’s role in advancing UNESCO’s global mission to promote peace through cultural cooperation. Focusing on initiatives such as the World Heritage Program, the evening offers insight into how cultural heritage can serve as a vital force in fostering dialogue, strengthening identity, and shaping sustainable futures.
About the Event
Preserving cultural heritage extends far beyond safeguarding the past: It plays a crucial role in building resilient, interconnected societies. Through the lens of Austria’s engagement with UNESCO, this lecture will explore how heritage initiatives contribute to cross-cultural understanding, support sustainable tourism, and drive economic development. At the same time, World Heritage sites face mounting pressures, from climate change and rapid urbanization to the impact of mass tourism. Drawing on Austria’s experience, Dr. Haag will highlight how national commitment, combined with international collaboration, can effectively address these challenges and ensure the long-term protection of cultural treasures. The evening will provide a comprehensive perspective on the intersection of cultural policy, global cooperation, and heritage preservation, underscoring Austria’s continued contribution to UNESCO’s mission.
About the Speaker
Prof. Mag. Dr. Sabine Haag (born February 28, 1962, in Bregenz, Austria) is an Austrian art historian and leading museum administrator, recognized for her expertise in sculpture and the decorative arts, particularly Habsburg ivories. From 2009 to 2024, she served as General Director of the KHM-Museumsverband, overseeing the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, the Weltmuseum Wien, the Theatermuseum, and other affiliated institutions. Under her leadership, the KHM-Museumsverband underwent significant modernization, including large-scale digitization initiatives, innovative exhibition strategies, and major restoration projects such as the 2013 reopening of the Kunstkammer galleries after more than a decade of conservation. Notable achievements include the recovery of Saliera by Benvenuto Cellini, the restoration of works by Peter Paul Rubens, and major exhibitions such as the 2018 monographic presentation on Pieter Bruegel the Elder, accompanied by the digital initiative “Inside Bruegel.”
In parallel, Haag has played a significant role in international cultural policy as President of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO since 2018, promoting UNESCO’s goals in culture, education, and global exchange. Her contributions have been widely recognized through international honors, including the title of Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur (2022), the Cultural Leadership Award from the American Federation of Arts (2024), and the Silbernes Komturkreuz of Lower Austria (2025), among others. She was awarded the Cultural Icon Award by the U.S. Embassy in Vienna in January 2021, acknowledging her efforts in fostering transatlantic cultural dialogue through the Kunsthistorisches Museum.