On October 2, Salzburg Global and the Austrian Embassy hosted a screening and panel discussion commemorating the 60th anniversary of the film, The Sound of Music. Diplomatica’s CEO Molly McCluskey hosted the conversation with Austrian Ambassador DDr. Petra Schneebauer and Kristina Von Trapp, granddaughter of Maria Von Trapp and the Captain, and the Executive Vice President of the Von Trapp Family Lodge and Resort in Vermont.
The discussion offered a thoughtful look at how this beloved story continues to shape cultural identity and memory. The Austrian Ambassador reflected on how Austria balances the film’s timeless charm with a more nuanced understanding of the nation today—exploring how Salzburg’s Sound of Music tourism coexists with efforts to highlight Austria’s broader, modern culture.
Kristina von Trapp shared deeply personal insights into her grandmother Maria’s legacy, tracing how her family’s story evolved from memoir to stage to screen. She reflected on the contrast between the mythologized von Trapps known worldwide and the lived experiences passed down through her family, as well as the role their home in Stowe, Vermont plays in connecting Austrian heritage with American life. The conversation closed with a resonant question: what do we hope audiences carry forward from this milestone—not just about The Sound of Music, but about history, identity, and the enduring human spirit behind the story.
*Editor’s Note: Molly McCluskey is both a Salzburg Global fellow and an Austrian-American Media Fellow.