STATEMENT OF LINZ09’s POSITION on “Linz in Tortes”
Response to a press release dated September 1, 2008 and headlined: “maiz: Project Cancellation Submitted to Linz09”
In a press released dated September 1, 2008, maiz – Autonomous Center by & for Immigrants announced that it is withdrawing its “Linz in Tortes” project that was to have been produced for Linz 2009 European Capital of Culture. In doing so, maiz severely criticized Linz09; its charges included a lack of professionalism and having exerted severe cost-cutting pressure.It is unfortunate that maiz felt it had to resort to this step. At the same time, we want to point out that the group’s press release contains numerous false statements, misrepresentations and insinuations that we decisively reject as utterly inconsistent with the facts. And this before the background of a long-term, joint project development process in which Linz09 has invested a great deal of time, resources and trust.
So then: what are actually the essential differences in the assessment of the current state of the project? Two factors are of decisive significance:
First of all: The basic concept of “Linz in Tortes” contains a high degree of entrepreneurial risk, but we welcomed this very dimension. After all, the development of a new product—Linzer Tortes as creations of the immigrants themselves—and their sale both in retail outlets as well as in a café featuring an event space promised to yield new approaches to cultural work seeking to achieve intercultural mediation. Nevertheless, over time it became increasingly clear that maiz’s position was that Linz09 should not merely facilitate this project but also assume 100% of the risk associated with it. Such a “no deductible” mentality is completely unfounded in such a situation in which a project is competing not only substantively but also commercially in the food & beverage sector, and this attitude does severe damage to the innovative content of the basic idea.
Secondly: maiz’s working and decision-making structures may well be appropriate for conventional projects, but they make it much more difficult to manage one that has to make unorthodox decisions. maiz was neither in a position to present a viable concept for the operation of the planned café nor to find premises suitable for it. On several occasions, Linz09 made it clear—verbally and in writing—that a production contract could not be concluded on such an unsatisfactory basis. The most recent request calling upon maiz to finally fulfill all conditions that had previously been agreed to was dated July 28, 2008.
Every project cancellation is regrettable. But especially when a production has already been announced as a part of the Capital of Culture year lineup. On the other hand, it would be a mistake not to correct misjudgments as long as there is still an opportunity to do so. Lessons can be learned from this experience. Accordingly, Linz09 will make a concerted effort to offer other program elements that deal with the very important issue of immigration and that take into account the needs of the immigrants themselves.
