F.a.q.
Some frequently asked questions
What is the festival of Sensations?
The Festival of Sensations is a queer feminist & body-positive art experience. Rare are the places where we express and explore ourselves without the fear of being shamed or judged, where we can unlearn social norms and where we can celebrate our diversity. The Festival of Sensations is an event that creates such a place: Join us for a colorful carnival of queerness & body-positivity!
Why did we create the Festival of Sensations?
In our society, many people face marginalization. Queer and fat people, as well as people with immigrant backgrounds, often experience feelings of exclusion, being stared at and judged. This festival aims to create a safeR space where they can creatively and artistically live out their needs and expressions. Queer art is to be celebrated and the network strengthened. Together instead of alone and in the fresh air instead of on the internet.
What is included in the events, what do I have to bring?
All workshops & activities, food and drinks are not included, more infos coming soon.
GUESTS
guests & inclusion
How many people will there be?
- We aim to sell arround 300 Tickets ( 3 Day Passes & Day tickets) + 100 Volunteers & Presenters
Who will be attending?
- Our guests come as singles, couples, throuples, polycules or in other constellations, we don’t choose by the number but by their awareness and responsibility. Every participant and volunteer has to fill out an application form. A pre-registration is mandatory, there will be no tickets sold at the door.
How do I apply and what do I need to pay attention to?
- It is an essential aim of the Festival of Sensations to create a safer space with people who are part of the LGBTQA+ community or are Allys. During the application we will ask you some questions and let you reflect on your privilages.
If I come alone, how do I find people to interact with?
- The Festival of Sensations will provide a lot of activities to get to know each other without pressure. Come early and give yourself enough time to arrive at the venue, to get in touch with yourself, the nature and perhaps other human beings.
tickets & refund
How can I buy a ticket?
- You can apply here for a ticket through an online-form in each event description. There are more people wanting to come than we can host, so we have to select our guests. Please register and wait for approval. As soon as you have been approved, we kindly ask you to transfer the money via online banking or Paypal to secure your spot.
Can I apply for my friends?
- No, each person has to apply for themselves.
What if I cancel at the last minute? Will I get a refund?
- We will refund your ticket price (minus a processing fee of 20 €) if you cancel until August 1st. Afterwards we’re unfortunately not able to refund your payment. If you cancel because of a Covid infection (including valid proof of infection sent to us via apply@festivalofsensations.com), you can cancel after August 1st.
other questions
I am nervous. What can I do?
- Don’t worry. We are all nervous when we engage in something new. As a first-timer we recommend you to come early so you have enough time to connect with the space and the people around you. The Awareness Team will be in sight at all times and our team will be there to support you. Also, please reach out via email if you have any questions!
What shall I wear?
- Whatever you feel like! Wear whatever makes you feel good and what expresses the very You in this moment. Come in your favorite costume, in your most seducing underwear, dress in what you never dared to wear before or come in your pyjamas. Some of our events will offer a costume & photo corner. We dress to express, not to impress!



Awareness
awareness concept
- Awareness Team are our spaceholder and your safety contact in case you feel confused or insecure ,experienced harm or discrimination or need support with a conflict. Whenever you have a question, feel overwhelmed or overtaxed, don’t hesitate to reach out to the infopoint, them or the organizers.
How can I recognize the Awareness Team?
- The Awareness Team will be wearing recognizable hair accessories and wear a speacial scarf. We will introduce the awareness info point at the events so everyone can easily find support at any time.
Can I be part of the Awareness Team?
- Our Awareness Team are carefully selected and have a lot of personal experience at queer feminist events. If you consider volunteering as a Awareness Team we will be happy to receive your application! Email us and tell us about your motivation and about the events you have been attending in the past.
What kind of behavior will be accepted, what will be penalized?
If it feels good and everybody involved likes what is happening, we will not limit your playfulness and your pleasure in any way. However, if we witness or hear of any kind of violation of the principle of consent we will act accordingly. This can mean the exclusion of individuals from the ongoing event or even all future events. Read our policy and procedure to know who we handle things.
On Festival of Sensations there is NO space for
- people who think there’s only two sexes/genders
- people who “don’t see color”
- people who think that fat people should just exercise more and are unhealthy
- people who think kinky people are sick and should be ashamed
- people who deny disabled people their sexuality
- people who think that poor people are lazy
- people who think that migrants are homophobic and assaultive
- people who think that cis men are the real victims of patriarchy
Accessibility



is the venue accessible?
- Yes, all entrances to our venues are accessible and on the same floor with little or no thresholds. The gender-neutral toilets include at least one accessible toilets. Please check also our location specifications below. Our workshops are for all bodies, gender identities, sexual orientations and accessible for people of all abilities. Please reach out to us beforehand if you have any questions or would like to let us know about your special needs.
location specifications
- Location/ Space: Outside 1 Lotus Bell Tent ( ca 70qm ) , 1 Workshop space in the Garden hidden ( <150qm ) , 1 Workshop space in the Garden on the field ( <200qm ) , 1 Campfire , 1 Stage with field in front ( <150qm ) , 1 music stage next to the road,
- Inside: 1 industry hall partly open ( <300qm ), 1 cinema space
- Sanitary: 1 wheelchair acessible Toilet, 4 Garden Toilets ; 5 Toilets indoor, 5 washbasins & 4 Showers
- Other Utilities: 1 Pool , 1 Sauna, 2 Indoor Kitchens, 1 Outdoor Kitchen
I need to bring an assistant with me. How does that work?
- If you need a personal assistant or an assistant dog please reach out to us via info@festivalofsensations in advance and we will find a way to suit your needs!
I would really like to come, but I can’t afford the entrance fee.
- If there is one thing we shouldn’t have to worry about, it is money (although we know how it feelswhen you do). We want to make the Festival of Sensations as inclusive as possible. That is why we offer a wide sliding scale for our festival passes and day tickets. If you have any questions please email us at info@festivalofsensations.com



the 4 Cs
consent
Consent is about the people involved in any kind of action. It is the right to say Yes or No to whatever affects you in a certain activity. It is important to understand that previous consent for intimacy never overrides the withdrawal of consent in the present moment. In other words: Only a Hell Yes! is a Yes. And this applies to every moment.
- We check in with each other – only a Hell Yes is a Yes
- We respect personal boundaries – we respect all different kinds of a No
- There is no pre-consent – any given consent can be withdrawn a minute later, check-in with others regularly
How to say No?
There are many different ways to say No and a No doesn’t need to come in harsh words. Try out what suits your mood! As important as it is to express a No, it is equally as important to hear a No and respond gracefully – for yourself and the person being brave enough to protect their boundaries. Please find your favorite way to say No or respond to a No with this poster. Print it and spread the word!
care
- We respect you in your whole truth – feel free to express what you need and want
- We work to create a space (and maybe someday a world) without sex-shaming, kink-shaming, slut-shaming or body shaming
- We care for each other – everything is possible, nothing is obligated
- Sexual health is important to us we protect each other and get tested regularly
- We help each other out if someone seems in trouble, stressed out or frozen.
- We value self-reliance and self care.
confidentiality
What happens in the Festival of Sensations stays in the Festival of Sensations. How people express themselves there might be stigmatized in their daily life, so please treat other people and their realities with respect and confidentiality. We won’t share stories on that aren’t our own, without identifying others, its not allowed to ‘out’ others, .
- We trust each other to treat all people with respect and not ‘out’ others.
- We see it as an honor to witness other people to express their sensual and sexual self
- We won’t share stories that aren’t our own, without identifying others.
- We don’t take non-consensual pictures
covid
- Please use the provided hand sanitizer
- Wash your hands before and after touching objects, doors etc.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Longer is better.
- Avoid touching your own face
How We Create A SafeR Space
At Festival of Sensations, we strive to create a safeR space for people who are routinely marginalized by society to feel comfortable and catered for. We encourage everyone to actively ask for feedback about their language, behavior, etc. and incorporate it. When getting called in or out, try to stay calm and apologize and check in with the person later, if possible. Remember that acknowledging mistakes and being accountable for your actions only helps with building trust and a feeling of safety.
Here are some of the ways that we work towards creating a safeR space:
Gender Neutral Language
We strive to use gender neutral language when possible, especially when addressing groups of people or people whose gender we do not know. Please do not assume anyone’s gender, sex or sexuality based on how they appear. Be mindful – if you are unsure, simply use their name and/or ask what pronouns they use before addressing them. Also, when introducing yourself to a group, please mention your pronouns.
COVID Policy
Creating a safeR environment entails providing for physical safety as well as emotional! Therefore, we would like to share with you our strategy to avoid any complications due to COVID.
We are creating a space where the most vulnerable people in the community are safeR. Therefore everyone, including Construction Crew and Staff members, need to show a negative PCR-Test (not older than 48 hours) at the Check-In. PCR-Tests in Vienna are free of charge for all EU citizens and can be obtained at test sites or purchased at drug stores/pharmacies and fuel stations. If you are arriving from abroad and have no accessible PCR testing methods, we also accept a negative certificated Antigen Test (not older than 24 hours). With this step we want to create a small safeR bubble, meaning that there will be NO obligation to wear masks at the festival nor maintain a 1.5m distance from each other. As Festival of Sensations is an outdoor festival, we believe that these measures are enough to reduce the risk of spreading COVID.
Please note that these measures will not guarantee a COVID-free environment. If you experience symptoms during the festival, please contact a team member and we will help you get a test as soon as possible.
If anyone tests positive during or in the two weeks following the festival, please inform a team member via the Emergency Number (+43 677 643 084 32) or in person wearing a mask at the festival, or after the event by sending an email to festivalofsensations@gmail.com. We will inform all attendees while maintaining your confidentiality. Contracting COVID is not a moral failure on your part, and we will not judge you for getting sick. It is, however, of utmost importance that we react swiftly and appropriately to ensure that the virus does not spread further.
(Un)Dress Code
Festival of Sensations attendees should feel free to wear whatever clothes allow us to express ourselves and are suitable for the varied activities arranged to engage all five senses.
The following are some specific points to consider: They are directed towards avoiding harm or misunderstandings and are based on experiences at previous sex- & body-positive and spiritual events.
Nudity at Festival of Sensations
As a Body Positive festival, we will feature nudity both during certain workshops/performances and sometimes informally.
When interacting with people wearing fewer clothes than you are used to, please remember this basic principle:
Someone being naked does not necessarily make them a threat, and it does not mean that they have provided you with consent.
Consent applies most obviously to physical content, but also to comments and lingering looks.
No Far-Right or nationalist Iconography
Festival of Sensations welcomes attendees of all religions and ethnicities, and for this reason we have a strict ban on symbols and iconography associated with the far-right. This includes (but is not limited to) the symbols covered by the Prohibition Act 1947 (DE: Verbotsgesetz 1947).
If in doubt, please err on the side of caution rather than ‘reclamation’ (especially if you’re not part of a group directly targeted by contemporary far-right groups.).
National flags should also be avoided wherever possible.
Avoid Appropriative Styles & Costumes
Cultural exchange is a beautiful thing, but it does not take place outside of the context of colonialism and imperialism. Please avoid cultural appropriation from cultures you do not personally belong to. If in doubt, defer to someone from the culture being drawn from (either directly or through reading).
While not everyone from marginalised communities agrees on what constitutes ‘appropriation’, it’s best if conversations around these topics are centered on their perspectives rather than defensiveness. With this in mind, we specifically discourage the following:
- Usage of Indigenous terms & artifacts by white-privileged people: feather headdresses, tipis, sweat lodges, “Aho”, dreamcatchers, “tribe,” references to spirit animals, etc.
- Locs worn by non-Black people should be avoided. Inspired by Smut Slam, we invite those who choose to wear appropriative hairstyles to learn more about racist microagressions, and to cover their hair while at the Festival.
As Smut Slam puts it, we aim to create an event which:
“strives to create a supportive and safer space, both onstage and off, and we recognize that style and behavior of individuals can contribute to an environment that feels unsafe for marginalized people. This is why we are asking non-black people who wear culturally appropriative hairstyles (for example, dreadlocks or box braids) to do research about these racist microagressions, and to cover up such hairstyles at Smut Slam while they are doing the work.”
Sustainability
We want to reduce our carbon footprint and create a sustainable space, therefore we have considered a few steps with which you can help us keep Festival of Sensations environmentally friendly.
- Eco-Friendly departure and arrival
- The journey from Vienna to Hainburg an der Donau is easy and comfortable by train. The station is just 10 minutes walking distance from the festival area.
- Leave your car at home or use the community for ride sharing.
- Food & Beverages
- We offer 100% plant-based food.
- Water is for everyone, so you’ll find free water containers distributed through the festival area. We will not use disposable cups, so bring your own bottle/cup to refill.
- You’ll find only glass bottles and sustainable carton cans at our bars. You can always use your self-brought cups/bottles if needed.
- Many of our beverage partners compensate co2 with each sold product.
- Plastic & Disposable Plastic
- There will be no disposable plastic at our festival. Help us keep the area clean by bringing back your dirty dishes to the sign posted areas. To save water, we will wash everything with dishwashers. If you feel like it, you can also use our wash tunnel.
- You can help reduce plastic by avoiding buying products at the supermarket with non-recyclable packages.
- Waste
- Don’t litter the environment. In the festival area you can throw your waste in designated trash bins. If you are going for a swim at the Donau or a hike in the beautiful forests and mountains outside of Festival of Sensations, just bring back your trash and dispose of it correctly.
- Sustainable Purchase and Reuse
- Lots of our production material and decorations are reused or borrowed from other collectives and festivals. In many cases the material is bought second hand. We welcome you to consider this option for your next private purchase. Recycling purchases save useless additional plastic packages and money.
questions?
We hope you can find the answer here…
If not please reach out to us info@festivalofsensations.com