Manfried Rauchensteiner (* 25.7.1942, Villach), since 1975 Professor for Austrian and Contemporary History at the University of Vienna and till 2021 the Diplomatic Academy, Vienna. R. also taught Military History and War theories at the Austrian Military Academy, Wiener Neustadt and the Landesverteidigungsakademie, Vienna. He was head Military Historical Service, Ministry of Defence, and 1992 – 2005 Director Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna. From 2005 till now he is advisor to the Militärhistorisches Museum, Dresden. He is author of 17 books and numerous articles, TV productions etc. The last important publications: The First World War and the End of the Habsburg Monarchy, 1914 – 1918 (2013) and Under Observation. Austria since 1918 (2021)
Sometimes the imperial legacy weighs heavily on Bad Ischl, and alternative perspectives are largely ignored – kitsch and clichés dominate, with history being clotted in the shadow of the Habsburg myth. An exhibition in the public space as well as talks and statements by European experts dare to take a differentiated look at the imperial and royal period.
(Original title: k.u.k. kritisch und kontrovers)
