Deaf poets and musicians perform together in Austria

The Linzer Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität in Austria is hosting a project called poemmusic. Jetzt. Momentaufnahmen, which blends sign language poetry with live music performances.

Dagmar Schinnerl, the vice-rector of the university, and Magdalena Mülleder are overseeing the project. The initiative aims to show that musicality depends on internal rhythm rather than the ability to hear. The project brings together sign language, which uses hands and facial expressions, with musical instruments to create inclusive art.

The university says the project forces participants to leave their comfort zones to connect with different artistic perspectives. Sign language poet Manuela Zimmer collaborated with drummer Matthäus Schnöll to create a performance about life and time. Another poet, Ying Ni, worked with cellist Steffen Dieckow on a piece about snapshots. In their collaboration, Dieckow records the movements of Ni and responds with music to the expressions she conveys through her poetry.

The university plans to host a concert on November 12 at 19:00. The event features three 15-minute pieces performed by two duos and one trio. The project was created in cooperation with the Michael Reitter Landesschule and the Lebenswelt Schenkenfelden.