LSE Arts public exhibition
70th Anniversary of the Liberation of Austria organised by the Art Association Kunstplatzl
Date: Monday 16 November - Friday 11 December 2015
Time: Mon-Fri 10am-8pm
Venue: Atrium Gallery, Old Building
Austrian Refugees in Britain: The Fight Against Fascism in WWII
The exhibition portrays members and their families and their political and cultural activities. Photographs show them also as members of the British Army and the Auxiliary Territorial Service and other war workers. The exhibition displays, organised by topic, include biographical information and explanations of the photographs and the other images. Some of the material is unique and unpublished and thus an important resource for students and historians.
Sonja Frank (Vienna), granddaughter of two members of Young Austria, and publisher of “Young Austria, Austrians in British Exile 1938 – 1947, For a Free, Democratic and Independent Austria”, organised the exhibition with support from Dr Marietta Bearman and Prof. Charmian Brinson (Research Centre of German and Austrian Exile Studies, Institute of Modern Languages Research, University of London).
Before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Kindertransport brought 10,000 children from Austria, Germany and Czechoslovakia to Britain. Many children from the Kindertransport became members of Young Austria between 1939 and 1947. Young Austria was the most important organisation for young Austrian refugees in Britain while Austria was part of the National Socialist "Third Reich".
Young Austria encouraged its members to serve with the British Armed Forces, and several hundred did so. 95% of its members were active in the war effort and 80% were trade union members. The Choir of Young Austria and the Austrian Players performed for a total of 40,000 visitors (cf. Young Austria No. 17., 24 August 1946).
The President of the Austrian National Assembly, Mag. Barbara Prammer (1954-2014) wrote: "The Republic of Austria is obliged to thank the Young Austrians deeply for standing up unconditionally for a free, democratic and independent Austria."
This exhibition is open to all, no ticket required. Visitors are welcome during weekdays (Monday - Friday) between 10am and 8pm (excluding bank holidays, when the school is closed, at Christmas and Easter, or unless otherwise stated on the web listing).
For further information email arts@lse.ac.uk or phone on 020 7107 5342.
Just economics and politics? Think again. While LSE does not teach arts or music, there is a vibrant cultural side to the School - from weekly free music concerts in the Shaw Library, and an LSE orchestra and choir with their own professional conductors, various film, art and photographic student societies, the annual LSE photo prize competition, the LSE Literary Festival and artist-in-residence projects. For more information please view the LSE Arts website.
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