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Philanthropy

“Philanthropy is not about giving to the past. It is about giving the past a future.” (Thomas Aigner)

At DT Heritage Consulting and Conservation, philanthropy is an integral part of our commitment to cultural heritage.

Alongside our professional activities, we actively support initiatives dedicated to the preservation, restoration and appreciation of Europe's cultural legacy.

These activities reflect our belief that cultural heritage is a shared responsibility and that preserving it creates lasting value for future generations.

(c) Wolfgang Spekner

Klein-Mariazell: Heritage in Practice

The company was founded in 2023 with the goal of making our founder's wealth of knowledge and experience of more than three decades in the digital transformation of cultural heritage even more widely available.

Dr. Thomas Aigner has been passionate about historical topics since his early youth. While still at school, he organised his first archive, wrote his first book and designed his first exhibition. This laid the foundations for his later career as an archivist and head of major EU projects.

In more than a hundred academic publications to date, he has dealt with issues relating to the Middle Ages and early modern times as well as the digital transformation of cultural heritage.

However, he is particularly passionate about the former Benedictine monastery of (Klein-) Mariazell in Austria, where his company is also based.

Heritage Preservation

DT Heritage Consulting supports initiatives that contribute to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of cultural heritage. These activities complement the company's professional work and demonstrate its commitment to preserving Europe's shared heritage.

Under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Aigner the award-winning restoration of the historic Stiftskeller in Klein-Mariazell was managed.

Currently the company is working on the restoration and revitalisation of the former monastic granary (Schüttkasten), illustrating its commitment to combining heritage conservation with sustainable community development.

Michael Smidt Artist’s Residence:
Exhibition & Collection

The artistic legacy of Austrian painter, graphic artist and ceramicist Michael Smidt (1945–2025) is closely connected to Klein-Mariazell, where he lived and worked for many years.

His extensive oeuvre spans painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture, reflecting almost seven decades of continuous artistic experimentation.

Today, his legacy lives on through his works and the Michael Smidt Artist´s Residence in Klein-Mariazell, located within the premises of DT Heritage Consulting and Conservation GmbH.

Heritage in Action

DT Heritage Consulting believes that cultural heritage is not only preserved through conservation, but also by keeping historic places alive through cultural activities and public engagement.

Among these initiatives is the long-standing support of the annual "Rock in Altenmarkt" festival, which has become an important regional event bringing together people of all generations through music and community spirit.

On 14 November 2026, DT Heritage Consulting will support a performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem in the historic Basilica of Klein-Mariazell as part of Festival Cellensis. The concert will bring one of the world's greatest sacred musical works into one of Austria's most significant monastic ensembles.

Through these and similar initiatives, DT Heritage Consulting contributes to ensuring that cultural heritage remains a living part of society - where history, architecture, art, and music come together to inspire present and future generations.