1945. Back to the future

1945 was a crucial year in Austrian history: The liberation by the Allies brought the Second World War to an end, the proclamation of independence on 27 April 1945 marks the beginning of the Second Republic. 70 years later the Austrian National Library presents in its exhibition „1945. Back to the future“ original documents from the first post-war year to cast light on the new beginning of Austria as an independent nation state.

Curated by Oliver Rathkolb, a leading Austrian historian, the exhibition displays 17 chapters, more than 40 carefully selected objects as well as several audio recordings. Many of the originals will be presented for the very first time. „1945. Back to the future“ explores central political, economic and cultural developments in 1945, a year that was shaped by the traumatic experiences of Nazi rule, social hardships, the search for a new national identity in the country‘s cultural history, and the longing for democracy.