The Federal Ministry of the Republic of Austria sits in a centuries-old building on a thriving street in one of the oldest public squares in Vienna. In the Alois Mock-Saal hall, where I and eight other journalists recently gathered as part of an Austrian-American Media Fellowship, a fresco widely considered one of the most important historical artworks in Austria adorns the ceiling. Crafted between 1848 and 1850 by Beidermeier painter Leopold Kupelwieser, the elaborate 23-paneled behemoth features scenes from Austrian history. But, like the building whose ceiling it graces, some of that history is in need of revision. "Against the background of the time when it was created, the partly idealizing series of pictures, which does not always correspond to today's historical knowledge, has a more counter-revolutionary identity of the entire state," reads a pamphlet painstakingly describing each image. "On the basis of individual events, various rulers, and the virtues programmatically associated with both, represented in the form of allegorical figures, the viewer should be brought closer to Austria's mission and greatness, as well as the evidence for the past fulfillment of the values represented."* It's easy to present a partly-idealized version of a country's history, although harder of course to painstakingly recreate it through twenty-three intricate panels on a ceiling. But as Austria strives to position itself as a key player in solving Europe's most pressing issues - from the Ukraine war, to the nuclear insecurity, to global environmental threats - it's also taking a hard look back at its complicated past. During my fellowship with the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, I had the chance to speak with Dr. David Schriffl, the head of the Ministry's historical division, about confronting the building's, and country's, secrets face on. "It's important for the ministry to take care of our history, and the house, and look back openly at the darker parts of our history," Schriffl told me as we stood beneath the fresco.Read more in Austria's Bridge to the World.
In historic Austria, selecting one property to profile is impossible. Picturesque Salzburg is home to the historic Schloss Leopoldskron, built in 1736 and today host to the Salzburg Global Seminar, founded in 1947 to challenge current and future leaders to shape a better world.
Read about the history of the Schloss Leopoldskron on the Salzburg Global Seminar's website, and learn about some of their upcoming programs.
You may have read that the Swedish Ambassador's residence is up for sale. But did you know? Diplomatica got the exclusive story in September 2021 about why Sweden is selling the residence, and how diplomatic properties must evolve to meet the changing needs of modern diplomacy.
Read As Diplomacy Changes, So Must Its Architecture on Diplomatica.
Do you have a historic property or a new initiative at your embassy or residence we should know about? You can nominate a building or tell us more on our Nominations Form.
Looking for something fun to do this weekend, next week, or this month? Here's our curated list of the most interesting public diplomacy events happening soon.November 15 7:00 pm Enjoy a performance by classical Trio Frizzante at the Embassy of Austria.November 16 6:00 PM - Some of Europe’s brightest literary talents gather at the Ukrainian Institute of America to celebrate the power of international literature for the return of European Literature Night.November 16 6:30 The Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. presents the third edition of the film series "Mujeres de Cine" at the Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain.November 17 5-8pm, the Embassy of Argentina will be participating in ArtWalk Dupont.Explore a photo exhibit of regional success stories of the Italian food and wine scene at the Embassy of Italy. Several dates throughout November.Now until November 30, the Embassy of Greece is hosting Catherine Kernan’s exhibition “An Artist in Greece: Travel Sketches, Paintings, and Prints 1973-2021." Guests are welcomed between 11-3pm on weekdays.
Are you organizing an event our readers would enjoy? Let us know and we'll include it in the next issue.
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