Author Archives: mwcraig11

Much had been written about the Ausgleich of 1867 between Austria and Hungary: did it contribute to the dissolution of the Habsburg Empire in 1918; did it emasculate politically Franz Josef; was it inherently unfair to the other nationalities within … Continue reading →

The image of the beautiful Kaiserin Sissi of Austria-Hungary is ubiquitous across Austria, and especially Vienna. She is seen as a reminder of the romantic past of Austria, a past of beauty, elegance and “the real Austria”. However this is … Continue reading →

The Weimar Republic came into being in confusion and fear. It was born of a war that had killed and maimed millions and wrought destruction across a large part of Germany and the rest of Europe and elsewhere. The Republic … Continue reading →

Since the publication of her diary, speculation has been rife about who betrayed Anne Frank and the others hiding in the secret annexe in Amsterdam. Several suspects have been named and, although no one has been proved to be the … Continue reading →

Culture is a priority for the new President of European Economic and Social Committee. Italy’s Luca Jahier has been elected (April 2018) as the 32nd president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the EU body representing organised civil … Continue reading →

Erlkönig   Wer reitet so spät durch Nacht und Wind? Es ist der Vater mit seinem Kind. Er hat den Knaben wohl in dem Arm, Er faßt ihn sicher, er hält ihn warm. Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang … Continue reading →

On the 27th April 1916, Prince Leopold Clement Philipp August Maria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha died. For six months the prince had suffered the after effects of being shot and attacked with acid. In constant pain, he had suffered third … Continue reading →

1926, saw the release of Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed (The Adventures of Prince Achmed). Directed by Lotte Reiniger, the film was a feature-length animation that appeared ten years earlier than Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) … Continue reading →

Everyone has heard of Franz Kafka, the writer of such masterpieces such as Metamorphosis and The Trial. His troubled relationship with his father, his love life and his eventual early death from tuberculosis are all well documented. What is less … Continue reading →

So it’s that time of year again when families gather round the Christmas tree and children open their presents. Christmas has, of course, both pagan and Christian elements with many countries contributing various legends and traditions, for example, Sinterklaas from … Continue reading →