25 years of HANNIBAL: Anniversary performance in Sölden
Last updated on 11.04.2026
Last night, HANNIBAL celebrated its 25th anniversary on Rettenbach Glacier. Against the alpine backdrop of Sölden, some 6,000 visitors experienced one of the world’s largest contemporary open-air live performances, which has been uniting humankind, nature and choreography at an altitude of 3,000 meters since 2001.
The weather once again played a key role in this year’s production. With snowfall, the glacier scenery was filled with a special mystique – perfectly suited to the outstanding performance. A total of 6,000 spectators didn’t want to miss this anniversary and watched the production on the high altitude stage that covers approximately six cubic kilometers. What began in April 2001 as a bold experiment, has long since developed into a renowned event highlight in Ötztal, taking place every two years. Over the past 25 years, nearly 100,000 people have witnessed this interplay that blurs the lines between myth and modernity.
The masterminds behind this success story
The fact that HANNIBAL is now considered a firmly established cultural asset is largely thanks to director Hubert Lepka (Lawine Torrèn) and the Sölden-based creative Ernst Lorenzi. While Lepka realizes the artistic vision of a precise choreography together with an international ensemble, his Ötztal counterpart is the local initiator who gets the village’s community enthusiastic about this project. The array of female and male participants ranges from mountain guides and ski instructors to the employees of Bergbahnen Sölden Mountain Lifts. The event is supported by the entire region and demonstrates that the connection between professional art with established actors and local identity forms the foundation for the project’s constancy.
Human willpower as a timeless parable
In terms of content, the performance remains a parable about human determination and the unpredictability of fate. Based on historical sources, it traces the path from Carthage’s perspective, centering on “hesitation” as one of the crucial actions at its heart. The natural backdrop of the high alpine mountains serves not only as a huge open-air stage but also as an active participant, vividly illustrating the relationship between humans and nature.
Anniversary for listeners and readers
To mark the 25th anniversary, a comprehensive illustrated book (ISBN: 978-3-9501743-0-4 in German) has been published, documenting the history and the people behind this magnificent project. Additionally, the distinctive soundtrack by composer Peter Valentin coupled with narration by Harald Krassnitzer, is now available on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music – allowing listeners to relive the ultimate sound experience. “I wanted the music to convey what stands between the images: the exhaustion, the decision, the strange silence before making a major mistake,” explains composer Peter Valentin, referring to the music for the Glacier Spectacle “Hannibal”.
Further information: www.soelden.com
Pictures: HERE
