Venues
Novum – Innsbruck-Mitte
Disciplines – Alternative Realm
Location – Amraser Str. 31, 6020 Innsbruck
TBA
Disciplines – Heavy Tunes, Street Culture, Open Mic (Side Event)
Location – To be announced
Sillwerk Innsbruck (Side Events)
Disciplines – Poetry Slam (Side Event), Readings (Side Event)
Location – Amraser Str. 3, 6020 Innsbruck
Disciplines
Alternative Realm
This particular sphere is the place for everything avant garde, non-mainstream, and unconventional. Shaped by post-modern irony here everything conventional is deconstructed and listeners are taken on a sonic journey which is marked by surprises, invitations, and an unhinged desire to put art first. Examples of this can be found in Post-Punk, Art-Rock or Fusion.
Heavy Tunes
Heavy Tunes is the realm of everything aggressive, intense, and primal. This category serves as the home for artists who define their sound predominantly through their intensity. High-octane songwriting that utilizes powerful vocals, thunderous guitar riff and stomping drums is the end-all be-all of this side of the musical spectrum which includes the purity of Rock'n'Roll, the rawness of punk or the brutality of extreme metal.
Street Culture
This urban form of artistic expression is deeply linked with the facetted of modern urban life. Just like the pulse of a city it is always changing and shaped by young, fearless individuals who hone their inner voice into something outstanding. Poignant delivery, sharp lyrical edges, and thumbing beats are the center of this category. Between nihilistic Gangsta rap or modern political Hip-Hop, this is the pace for everyone who's heart is beating in rhythm and rhymes.
Non-competitive side events
Our cultural journey extends beyond the main competition stage. With the support of local gastronomy partners, we are thrilled to announce a series of intimate, non-competitive events under the brand umbrella of the Isthmian Games. These unique side events, hosted by local establishments with our enthusiastic approval, offer a more laid-back atmosphere while still celebrating the essence of our musical and literary community with Open-Mic nights, poetry slams and readings.
The Isthmian Movement
The Isthmian Games were a series of ancient competitions held in honor of the god Poseidon, starting around 580 BC at the Isthmus of Corinth. These games were part of the Panhellenic Games and included various contests such as foot races, wrestling, boxing, pankration, and the pentathlon. The games, known as Isthmiads, took place every two years, in the second and fourth years of an Olympiad. Competitions occurred in a sacred pine grove, encompassing the sanctuary of Isthmian Poseidon and the venues for various events. These venues included a hippodrome for horse racing, a stadium for foot races, a theater for musical contests, and a gymnasium named Kraneion.
The Isthmian History
There are various foundation myths surrounding the Isthmian Games, one of which attributes their origin to Poseidon or Theseus. Another legend suggests that Sisyphus established the games in honor of his nephew Melicertes, whose body he had found and buried after Melicertes was killed by his mother Ino in a fit of madness and thrown into the sea. During the earlier celebrations, winners were rewarded with a wreath made of elder branches, later replaced by pine branches. The palm tree was also given as a reward, and there were public crowning ceremonies and praise for deserving individuals and entire states.
The Isthmian Games
As time passed, the focus of the Isthmian Games shifted more towards the musical arts, particularly what could be reinterpreted today as music competitions or poetry slams. Since the modern Olympic Games already adequately cover physical competitions, contemporary Isthmian Games primarily focus on the aforementioned musical arts and take place in the first and third years of the Olympiad. The modern Olympic Games and the modern Isthmian Games are not organized jointly. Despite sharing a historical connection in ancient times, there is no link between these two events today.
