Vienna Festival Drops Peter Thiel Event Following Backlash
Thiel, known as a co-founder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, had been invited to take part in a discussion exploring religious and political themes under the title ‘Armageddon and the Antichrist? From Theology to Realpolitik.’ The festival’s current edition is centered on the concept of the “Republic of Gods,” which organizers describe as a forum dedicated to “space of radical criticism and new beginnings.”
The announcement of Thiel’s participation quickly sparked debate. Supporters argued that the event could provide an opportunity to critically examine the businessman’s controversial views, while opponents contended that his ideas, particularly those linked to apocalyptic thinking, should not be given a public platform.
Among the critics were officials from Vienna’s city administration, which helps support the festival.
“The invitation to Peter Thiel is quite rightly causing great discontent among the public,” Vienna’s City Councillor for Culture, Veronica Kaup-Hasler, said.
As criticism intensified, several individuals scheduled to participate in the broader festival reportedly chose to withdraw. Organizers later acknowledged that the controversy surrounding Thiel had damaged the event “to an unacceptable extent.”
On Saturday, festival officials announced that the discussion featuring Thiel would no longer take place.
“Not at any cost: I take the critical voices very seriously. Out of my responsibility for the overall program, I unfortunately had to decide against the planned event with Peter Thiel, although I found it extremely compelling and thematically consistent within the framework of the Republic of Gods. However, insisting on the event would run counter to my appreciation of our artistic program and everyone involved in it,” Artistic Director Milo Rau said in a statement.
Thiel has repeatedly attracted public attention for remarks on religion, technology, and politics. Earlier this year, he delivered a series of private lectures in Rome focused on the concept of the Antichrist. The talks were held at an undisclosed location near the Vatican and were accessible only by invitation.
According to reports, speculation emerged that one of the events would be hosted at the Pontifical St. Thomas Aquinas University, the institution where Pope Leo XIV studied. The university quickly denied any involvement, while several figures associated with the Vatican also voiced criticism of Thiel’s activities.
The latest controversy highlights the continuing debate surrounding the role of polarizing public figures at major cultural events and the balance between open discussion and public opposition.
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