The Vienna Humanities Festival, organised by the IWM, Wien Museum and Time to Talk, is a series of around 40 Events (in German and English) taking place from 27 till 30 September 2018 for the third time, primarily at the Wien Museum, TU Wien, Evangelische Volksschule and Stadtkino. Its purpose is to celebrate the current diversity and internationalisation of Viennese culture and Research, and to introduce its exponents to the wider public in accessible and engaging Events. The main Format of Event will be a conversation between skilled and informed moderators and one or two experts; the ambition is to be engaging, even entertaining, whilst presenting up-to-date and highest-quality research and cultural production. This year’s theme of “Power and Powerlessness” will tackle the vulnerability of democracy in Europe in light of historical events marking triumphs and crushes of democracies and in view of contemporary socio-political developments.

Speakers will include mostly researchers, artists and writers from diverse backgrounds based in Vienna, and selected contributors form other countries whose research pertains specifically to the theme. The opening lecture will be given by the historian Timothy Snyder (Yale University) at Vienna City Hall. In his talk,  in which Timothy Snyder presents his new and much-debated book “The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America”, he goes beyond the surprises and shocks to expose the true nature of the threat to the rule of law.

27 September, 19:00

Vienna City Hall, Festival Hall
Opening of Vienna Humanities Festival
Lecture of US historian Timothy Snyder

The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America

28 September, 18:00

Institute for Human Sciences
Signal or Noise: Power and Powerlessness in the Media
Panel discussion with:
– Damon Linker (TheWeek.com)
– John Palattella (The Point)
– Elisabeth von Thadden (Time)
– Katarzyna Wężyk (Gazeta Wyborcza)

28 September, 20:00

Gartenbaukino
Film premiere “The Waldheim Waltz”
Conversation with Ruth Beckermann

29-30 September, 12:00 – 19:00
Vienna Humanities Festival (main programme)

40 events in 2 days (near Karlsplatz)
– Evangelische Schule
– Stadtkino
– TU Vienna
– Wien Museum
– Radiokulturhaus

Admission free!

Further information available at www.humanitiesfestival.at