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”

Kokoda VR published

On 3 November 2017, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), an Australian public broadcaster, published the virtual reality application “Kokoda VR” free of charge. In 12 chapters, one can learn much about the fighting in Papua New Guinea between June and November 1942 when the Japanese forces tried to get to the south coast and thus the capital Port Moresby via the now famous Kokoda Track.

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Exhibition: Jacques Grison – Devant Verdun (Bar-le-Duc, F)

From 16 November 2017 to 30 March 2018, Jacques Grison presents his photos on the battlefield of Verdun from his series “Devant Verdun” in the eponymous exhibition in the gallery of the département’s administration in Bar-le-Duc (France) präsentieren. Since decades, Grison, who was born in the region, approaches the former battlefield through his photos: His pictures show the wounds of war, still visible in a landscape that was shaped by the fighting one hundred years ago.

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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

Sorry, this entry is only available in German.

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

Sorry, this entry is only available in German.

Warning & Temptation – The Pictorial Worlds of War of Käthe Kollwitz and Kata Legrady (Berlin)

From 30 June until 9 November 2014, Käthe-Kollwitz-Museum in Berlin presents the exhibition Warning and Temptation – The Pictorial Worlds of War of Käthe Kollwitz and Kata Legrady. Two very different artists and their individual examination of war are contrasted with each other; on one hand, the pacifist works of Käthe Kollwitz that have not lost their impact and timelessness over many decades; and on the other hand, the direct and colourful works by Kata Legrady, born in 1974 in Hungary, whose contemporary approach addresses the propagandistic promises of war. In addition, the exhibition will present selected pupil’s works that mainly deal with Käthe Kollwitz as mother and grandmother, who has lost her son Peter during the First World War, and her grandson Peter during the Second World War. Continue reading “Warning & Temptation – The Pictorial Worlds of War of Käthe Kollwitz and Kata Legrady (Berlin)”