New Date, New Content - the World Bodypainting Festival 2023
The World Bodypainting Festival 2023 promises an impressive program. For those unable to travel, we are pleased to offer two categories in an online competition. Simultaneously, there will be three intensive days of education programs—the WB Academy Workshops. The first major live highlight will be the World Championship in Camouflage Bodypainting, followed by two full days of diverse competitions. The theme for these contests is "Welcome in Wonderland," and we have prepared an immersive experience for guests, photographers, and videographers alike. The absolute highlights of the festival will be the evening presentations of the models, followed by the prestigious world award winners ceremony and the breathtaking "Body Circus" party, which promises a surreal experience like no other.
Since its inception in 1998, the World Bodypainting Festival has pioneered a groundbreaking art movement. Over the course of a decade, it played a crucial role in the development of modern bodypainting, becoming a global driving force within this genre.
The festival's humble beginnings took place in a monastery court in Carinthia, located in the southern region of Austria. Breaking free from the confines of traditional museum walls, organizer Alex Barendregt showcased living art in an outdoor setting, accessible to people of all ages and genders, both as passive observers and active participants. Though initially a modest event, it had a profound impact, thanks in part to the extensive coverage by mass media, which helped spread the art form far and wide.
Fast forward 25 years, and despite enduring numerous challenges, including venue changes and the recent pandemic, the festival commemorated its quarter-century milestone in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, the capital of Carinthia. Embracing the theme of "Generation Next," the organizers decided to make a significant change: after 25 years of being held in public open-air parks, the WBF transitioned to an indoor location in Klagenfurt.
Now in its 26th edition, the World Bodypainting Festival has found its new home at the Klagenfurt fairgrounds, providing participants with a secure indoor environment, shielded from extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves and storms. Additionally, the festival week has been rescheduled to autumn, moving away from the peak season to offer participants a more convenient and affordable travel experience.
For detailed programs and further information, please visit our official website:
www.bodypainting-festival.com
