When new times change the old world: Austrian Contemporary History Day

Russlands Angriff auf die Ukraine hat eine Zeitenwende eingeläutet. Foto: alimyakubov - stock.adobe.com

Two world wars, economic crisis, the annexation of Austria to the Nazi regime, student protests in 1968, the fall of the Iron Curtain - the 20th century was characterised by a continuous loop of deep cuts that changed society. With Russia's invasion of Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has proclaimed the next turning point in 2022. Under the title "Zeitenwenden - Wendezeiten?", the Austrian Contemporary History Day from 11 to 13 April 2024 at the University of Graz will attempt to classify historical events that led to lasting upheavals.

After 2016, the University of Graz is once again hosting the 15th Austrian Contemporary History Day this year. More than 250 national and international academics will come together at the most important conference of contemporary historians in Austria, sharing their knowledge in a total of 100 lectures, discussion panels and sound performances.
Christiane Berth, Professor of Contemporary History, and Barbara Stelzl-Marx, Director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Research on the Consequences of War and contemporary historian at the Institute of History, have taken on the organisation. They are delighted that two Graz-specific anniversaries will be celebrated during the conference: 40 years ago, the University of Graz established the Department of Contemporary History. The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Research on the Consequences of War, which is closely linked to the University of Graz, was founded 30 years ago.

When we actually speak of the turn of an era or who defines it - for political reasons, for example - are among the main topics. This includes uncertainties and uncertainties, which in turn give rise to a strong interest in forecasts for the future. Technical innovations also often provide an opportunity to herald a "new era". At the same time, they challenge the historians themselves. They have to ask themselves the question: how can we preserve digital sources for posterity?

► Interview with the contemporary historians Christiane Berth and Barbara Stelzl-Marx

Opening on 11 April: Keynote on the war in Ukraine
One of the highlights will be dedicated to the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Serhii Plokii, Professor of Ukrainian History at Harvard University (USA), will trace the origins of the conflict and explain why the Cold War is back after a 30-year break.
In addition to the keynote speech, Rector Peter Riedler and high-ranking government representatives are expected to attend the opening of the conference, including Science Minister Martin Polaschek, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka and Science Minister Barbara Eibinger-Miedl.

► https://zeitgeschichtetag-2024.uni-graz.at

Andreas Schweiger

Related news

Does JJ have what it takes to win? Musicologists on value and impact of the Song Contest

The final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Basel on 17 May. The Austrian countertenor JJ is considered to have a good chance of winning. Can the public judge the music at all? And how much politics is involved in the assessment? Susanne Kogler and Saskia Jaszoltowski have analysed the ESC phenomenon.

What vision reveals about the seat of consciousness

Researchers at the University of Graz are using vision experiments to investigate how our brain constructs reality. The results offer insights into individual perception, are a piece of the puzzle in the search for the “consciousness” and offer new approaches to understanding neurodiversity.

Cigarette butts endanger insects: Biologists prove high risk for ants

Nicotine consumption is harmful to health. Not only for humans. The poison from carelessly discarded cigarette butts is also absorbed by plants. From there, it enters the food chain of ants, for which the substance can even be fatal. This is especially true when the animals are weakened by a pathogen. Biologists at the University of Graz are drawing attention to the high risk with a new study.

Conclave: rituals, questions of power and cinematic interpretations

With the start of the conclave on 7 May 2025, the eyes of the world will once again be on the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. However, the office of Peter's successor and the head of around 1.4 billion Catholic Christians worldwide requires a great deal of sensitivity, diplomacy and openness to change. Church historian Michaela Sohn-Kronthaler and fundamental theologian Christian Wessely talk about the background to the ritual.