Culture of Liechtenstein

Culture in Liechtenstein means “part of national identity; expression of the human will to create; a lasting value worth preserving; living traditions; modern artistic activities; promotion of contemporary movements and exchange with the world”.

Its positioning on the map of Europe has resulted in its exposure to various external influences over the centuries. These cross-country inter-mingling have left a clearly visible influence on the cultural life of the country and helped shape its cultural identity. We can see this cultural collaboration in the daily life style of the people of Liechtenstein. 

The people of Liechtenstein have named their meadows according to the Roman names and the burial objects are the witnesses of the past cultures. The buildings and churches designed by the architects of the sovereign are in sharp contrast to the rural architecture of Liechtenstein. All this speaks about the country’s interaction with the outside world.

The government of the Principality of Liechtenstein actively promotes culture of the country. It is based on the Cultural Promotion Act of 1990, which safeguards free artistic expression and governs the responsibilities of the Cultural Advisory Council. The Cultural Advisory Council is a Government commission advising the Government on matters relating to the promotion and coordination of cultural activities. The state cultural policy and cultural promotion are assigned to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

There are several governmental bodies and institutions in Liechtenstein that work towards preservation and promotion of the culture. The prime among such bodies are the Liechtenstein National Library, Liechtenstein National Museum, Lichtenstein Museum of Fine Arts, Liechtenstein Adult Education, Liechtenstein Music School, Liechtenstein School of Art. Music and theatre are also an integral part of Liechtenstein culture. There are numerous music organizations such as the Liechtenstein Musical Company, the annual Guitar Days and the International Josef Gabriel Rheinberger Society and two main theatres.