Mozarteum stories – dialogue with the past
The purpose of the Platform on Politics of the Past at the Mozarteum University Salzburg is to promote a culture of commemoration focused on the period from the 1920s to the 1990s. The critical reflection on the university’s political past, particularly under Austrian Fascism, during the Nazi era and in the post-war years features centrally in its work, while equal importance is given to artistic projects that raise awareness or are conceived in the spirit of “Never Forget”. In a newly-launched Citizen Research Project, researchers from the university are appealing to the general public to assist them as they seek to create a collection of documents and eye-witness accounts.
Kunst-ARCHIV-Raum
A central element of the work on commemoration cultures and the process of coming to terms with the past is the inclusion of information and recollections from the local community, within a dialogue on the recent past of the Mozarteum University. The Platform on Politics of the Past is therefore launching an appeal to those who had any form of contact with the Mozarteum or the Musikschule für Jugend und Volk, asking them to share their memories and to look back through their personal archives for anything that could be of relevance. The project leadership hopes that this will lead tot eh discovery of new sources.
Documents, photos, eye-witness accounts
Researchers are looking for documents relating to events and teaching at the Mozarteum in the years from 1920 until c. 1990. These could include, for example, photographs, sound recordings, lecture notes and handouts, documents produced by teachers or students, programmes from concerts and other events, posters, newspaper reports, correspondence, letters, postcards, certificates and diplomas. They are also especially interested in personal recollections and eye-witness accounts. If anybody feels able to contribute to the project in this way, they are warmly invited to share their experiences with us in oral or written form.
The documents can either be gifted to the Mozarteum University archive, or provided in original form to be scanned and digitalised by staff at the archive. We would also welcome any records which have already been digitalised. The archive will store the materials appropriately and ensure that they are preserved for the future. Appointments can be made for the recording of oral narratives or eye-witness accounts.
If desired, all materials and their provenance can be anonymised to preserve the owner’s privacy. Likewise, agreements can be reached on the form in which the materials may be used, and to what extent (for example, as selected sections, with names or other details redacted, and so on).
The Platform on Politics of the Past at the Mozarteum University Salzburg is looking for historical documentation from the 1920s to the 1990s, including:
- Lecture notes, documents produced by teachers, students or schoolchildren, reports about teaching and lessons, photos, sound recordings…
- Certificates, diplomas…
- Concert programmes, posters, newspaper articles…
- Correspondence, letters, postcards…
- Personal recollections
Contact
Mag.a Elisabeth Nutzenberger
Archiv der Universität Mozarteum, Mirabellplatz 1, 5020 Salzburg
+43-676 88122 623 (Monday-Friday, 10.00am - 12.00 noon)
elisabeth.nutzenberger@moz.ac.at
