Citizen-Scientists Present the Tree of Memories Performance in Vienna
Oral History Project Viena Latina Merges Art and Migration Research at Wien Museum
April 21st, 2026
The "Viena Latina" project recently concluded its Oral History phase with a multidisciplinary performance titled "El Árbol de las Memorias" (The Tree of Memories) at the Wien Museum. Created by a collective of citizen-scientists, the event showcased the results of two years of research and over 70 interviews with individuals from Latin America and the Caribbean residing in Vienna. This initiative serves as a powerful example of cultural diplomacy, using community-based art to foster reflection on migration, shared memory, and the integration of Latin American voices within the Austrian capital's historical narrative.
Presented in the Ateliers of the Wien Museum, the performance transformed the gallery into a symbolic Latin American "plaza"—a public meeting space for shared memories and voices. The experience integrated poetry, dance, music, and multimedia elements to rescue oral traditions, including specific proverbs and gestures unique to Latin American culture. At the center of the scenography stood a wooden tree inspired by the aesthetic of the "Brigada Ramona Parra," symbolizing a blend of joy, collective memory, and popular struggle. Such state-supported cultural events highlight the role of art in promoting inter-cultural dialogue and social cohesion.
The project involved extensive collaboration between various prestigious institutions, including the Österreichisches Lateinamerika-Institut and the Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien. Since September 2025, dozens of participants have engaged in creative sessions to translate academic oral history into an immersive artistic experience. Rayén Cornejo, the coordinator of the Oral History axis, emphasized the strong cohesion of the group and their ongoing commitment to building collective historical reflections. This collaboration between academic researchers and the public exemplifies the modern scope of cultural diplomacy in city-level integration.
The performance culminated in a live collective construction where the audience responded to prompts regarding their own perceptions of identity and migration. This interactive element ensured that the diplomatic and social impact of the project extended beyond the performers to the wider Viennese public. Supported by European Union funding, the "Viena Latina" project demonstrates how historical research can be effectively communicated through community art to create new spaces for international understanding and cultural exchange within a city
