Crowd celebrating at Eurovision Song Contest, showcasing pride and unity through queerness.

The Eurovision Song Contest at Qwien
19 February – 24 May 2026

An exhibition on queerness, diversity,
and the Eurovision Song Contest

Opening: 18 February 2026

The Eurovision Song Contest is far more than a musical competition—it is a cultural ritual, a transnational media event, and a space of resonance for identities. No other TV show reflects European sensibilities in such a distinctive pop-cultural way.

On the occasion of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, Qwien – the Association for Queer History and Culture presents the exhibition UNITED BY QUEERNESS, making the queer dimensions of the ESC visible, celebrating them, and critically reflecting on them.

Further informations about the exhibition

Current guided tour dates:

Private Tours:

Requests at office@qwien.at

Green pedestrian signal with two figures, promoting the "United by Queerness" exhibition.

United by Queerness. The ESC Exhibition

February 19th – May 24th 2026

https://www.qwien.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Qwien_ESC_Web_1.png 1120 1494 Qwien - Zentrum für queere Geschichte Qwien - Zentrum für queere Geschichte https://www.qwien.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Qwien_ESC_Web_1.png 1. February 2026 2. February 2026

Drag performer Ryta Tale holding a microphone for a live podcast show announcement.

Songcontest-Special mit Ryta Tale

February 22, 2026, 5 p.m.

https://www.qwien.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kacheln_Website__5.png 1120 1494 Qwien - Zentrum für queere Geschichte Qwien - Zentrum für queere Geschichte https://www.qwien.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Kacheln_Website__5.png 19. January 2026 2. February 2026

Queer City Tours for ESC 2026

Discover Vienna’s queer history on our special ESC city tours. From the State Opera and Heldenplatz to Rathausplatz, we link ESC history with queer figures who have left a lasting mark on the city’s past.

Highlights:

Udo Jürgens and the Hofburg
Prince Eugene of Savoy
Conchita Wurst and the Life Ball
The “invention” of homosexuality in Vienna
Wrap-up at the ESC Village & Red Carpet

Duration: approx. 2 hours | Languages: DE & EN | Max.: 20 people

Tickets: via Eventbrite

Green pedestrian traffic light against a blue sky near a historic building.

Curated by

Marco Schreuder

Born in the Netherlands, former member of parliament, ESC fan since 1976, journalist for DER STANDARD, former communications manager for Conchita Wurst.