This year’s programme includes dance and music performances, a traditional costume and fashion show as well as church tours with a visit to the church tower. There is also the opportunity to experience blue dyeing with indigo in the Zeugfärberei and guided tours of the dyeing museum.
Special exhibitionTischlerei Klaner-CLOUDSPACE II & INDIGO & KOREA
This year once again, a special exhibition will take place at Tischlerei Klaner during the Blue Dyeing Market. The exhibition is divided into two exciting parts, combining contemporary art with international cultural exchange.
CLOUDSPACE II
During the market hours, the Blue Dyeing works of artist Sarah Katharina Eder will be on display at Tischlerei Klaner (St. Oswalderstraße 10, 4293 Gutau). The textile pieces were created in close collaboration with Blaudruck Wagner and merge digital and traditional techniques. Digital photographs are transferred onto fabric and paper through digital printing, screen printing, and Blue Dyeing, blending into an analogue collection of traces. Ephemeral data thus become tangible objects, and memories transform into patterns that imprint themselves through repetition.
Indigo & Korea
The second part of the exhibition is dedicated to the intensive cooperation between Gutau and South Korea, which was further strengthened last year through a delegation visit. The starting point was the exhibition “Story of JJokbit – Indigo in Korea and Austria” at the Heritage Center in the city of Jeonju. A total of 41 original exhibits from the Gutau Dyeing Museum were presented, including a meticulously reconstructed “Burschenkammer” (traditional bachelor’s room). The exhibition highlights the close connection between the Blue Dyeing traditions of both countries and emphasizes the significance of Blue Dyeing as an element of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
This two-part exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to explore both contemporary artistic positions and the vibrant international network of Blue Dyeing.
Timetable
| 8:30 – 17:00 | Guided tours at the Dyeing Museum (duration: 20 minutes) |
| 9:30 | Festive Mass with the church choir in the parish church |
| 9:30 – 16:30 | Blue dyeing at the Zeugfärberei – every half hour |
| 10:30 | Opening of the Blue Dyeing Market at the market square with our guests of honour |
| 11:00 | Opening of the exhibition CLOUDSPACE II & INDIGO & KOREA at Tischlerei Klaner |
| 11:00 – 13:00 | Open-air concert by Gutauer Trachtenkapelle at the market square |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | “Platzlsingen” (open-air choral singing) by the Gutau church choir |
| 11:00 and 14:30 | Guided tours of the church including tower visits |
| 15:00 | Performance by the Gutauer Saitentrio in the parish church |
| 12:30 and 13:30 | Concert by the vocal ensemble Blauton in the parish church |
| 13:30 – 17:00 | Traditional music: Glasweckerl Musi at various locations |
| 14:30 | FASHION SHOW Traditional costumes by the OÖ Heimatwerk Blue Dyeing fashion by Barbara Kempter |
Blue Dyeing
Experience your “blue miracle” and watch the transformation of the fabric from white to green and then blue. Every 30 minutes you can experience first-hand how indigo dyeing works in the Zeugfärberei.
Food
Last year, for the first time, a new food court was created. This is located in the car park between the vicarage and the parish. Here you will find more culinary highlights and plenty of places to sit and linger.
Music
The Trachtenmusikkapelle Gutau is an integral part of our beautiful blue dyeing market. The Wirtshausmusik Glasweckerl Musi and the church choir awill also perform a Platzlsingen. In the church, you can listen to the enchanting sounds of the Blauton vocal ensemble.
Those who prefer a quieter atmosphere can sit down in the parish church and listen to the lute and its unique sounds. And in between, there is always a Platzlsingen at various locations.
Fashionshow
As every year, the market stage will be converted into a catwalk at 14:30 and the numerous visitors will be able to admire blue dyeing fashion in a wide variety of facets. This year’s blue fashion show will feature a traditional piece by OÖ Heimatwerk and a modern interpretation by Barbara Kempter.
Blue Dyeing Meeting 2026
Gutau is THE place for exchange and networking among Blue Dyeing workshops across Europe.
Ten years ago, a significant meeting took place here, during which—under the guidance of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO—the definition of Blue Dyeing was developed. This definition formed the basis for the recognition of Blue Dyeing as an element of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
To mark this occasion, a new gathering of the various workshops will take place in 2026, providing an opportunity to reflect on the changes brought about by the inscription on the international list—particularly with regard to visitor numbers, guided tours, and workshops offered by the individual studios.
Supported by Marktgemeinde Gutau and the Austrian Commission for UNESCO.