Stefan Boness: Flander Fields

Der preisgekrönte Fotograf Stefan Boness setzte sich in seiner langjährigen Serie „Flanders Fields“ mit den Schlachtfeldern des Ersten Weltkriegs in Flandern auseinander. Der Titel verweist auf das insbesondere in der englischsprachigen Welt bekannte Gedicht “In Flanders Fields” des kanadischen Offiziers John McCrae, sowie auf die konzeptionelle Eingrenzung auf die einstigen Schlachtfelder Belgiens. Von 2005 bis heute kehrte Boness immer wieder und bewusst zu unterschiedlichen Jahreszeiten zurück, zusammen für mehr als ein dreiviertel Jahr: „Manche Themen sind flüchtig, andere bleiben. Das ist eben ein Thema, von dem kommt man nicht los.“

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(Deutsch) 68. Berlinale 2018: Filme mit Kriegsbezug

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Conference: Central and Eastern Europe after the First World War

From 31 January until 2 February 2018, the academic conference “Central and Eastern Europe after the First World War” will take place at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic. Various presentations will address this highly interesting segment of post-war history.

The Embassador of the Slovak Republic, H.E. Peter Lizák, will give the welcome address, followed by the keynote speech “The Second Great War, 1917-1923” by the renowned historian Jay Winter.

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Essay: 1917 – A German Perspective

My short essay “1917 – A German Perspective” about the war year of 1917 is now online on New Zealand’s official website about the First World War Centenary. For both New Zealand and Australia, the First World War is of pivotal importance for shaping the national self-concept. Other perceptions are crucial if a reduction to the own perspective is to be avoided. It has been a pleasure and honour to make a small contribution in this respect.

Works by German artists from the times of the First World War were used as illustration, mostly coming from the wonderful collection of Dr Gerhard Schneider – a sincere word of thanks for this support! Continue reading “Essay: 1917 – A German Perspective”

Verdun: Der lange Weg zum Frieden 1916-2016 (Institut Français Berlin)

Institut Français Berlin presents the photo exhibition “Verdun: Der lange Weg zum Frieden 1916-2016” (Verdun: the long way to peace 1916-2016) one hundred years after the Battle of Verdun. Since years, British photographer Michael St Maur Sheil addresses the battle fields of the First World War. The battle changed the landscape, which is visible even nowadays: forts and gun cupolas that were shot to pieces, shell holes and trenches, barbed wire and unexpolded munitions. Continue reading “Verdun: Der lange Weg zum Frieden 1916-2016 (Institut Français Berlin)”

“Der Kaiser rief – und Alle Alle kamen” (E.M.Remarque-Friedenszentrum Osnabrück)

In 2015, remembering the First World War in Germany has been quite reduced – and it is unlikely to change up to 2018. Nevertheless, it is good to see that there are still some events to remember the pivotal war that took millions of lives one hundred years ago. On 12 February 2016, “Der Kaiser rief – und Alle Alle kamen” (the Emperor has called – and Really Everybody came) will be presented at Erich Maria Remarque-Friedenszentrum (Erich Maria Remarque Peace Centre) in Osnabrück, a mashup based on texts, images and sound sources. Continue reading ““Der Kaiser rief – und Alle Alle kamen” (E.M.Remarque-Friedenszentrum Osnabrück)”

Berlinale 2016: Films that address War

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Lecture “‘An artwork, liked by men’ – 100 Years of War as Mirrored by Art” (Berlin)

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