Key facts
- Vienna Festival canceled a planned discussion with Peter Thiel.
- The cancellation followed criticism from sponsors and withdrawal threats from other participants.
- The discussion was titled 'Armageddon and the Antichrist? From Theology to Realpolitik.'
- Thiel's controversial right-wing and "transhumanist" views were cited as reasons for the backlash.
- Vienna's City Councillor for Culture, Veronica Kaup-Hasler, expressed discontent with the invitation.
Peter Thiel, a prominent figure in the tech industry known for his controversial right-wing and transhumanist views, was scheduled to participate in a discussion at the Vienna Festival. The event's theme, 'Armageddon and the Antichrist?', combined with Thiel's public persona, quickly ignited debate. While some saw it as an opportunity for critical discourse, others argued against providing a platform for his apocalyptic worldview. The controversy escalated as sponsors voiced concerns and other participants threatened to withdraw, ultimately leading to the cancellation.