Vol. XXXII · 2001 · pp. 235-262 (28)

Peter Thaler

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Abstract

During the past decade, Austrians seemed to have numerous reasons for looking back on their historical experience. Even before the approach of a new millennium put much of Western society into an introspective mood, the inhabitants of the small Alpine republic were confronted with historically significant dates and jubilees. In 1995, the Second Republic completed its initial half century, and in the following year, Austrians commemorated the first documented reference to the region called Ostarrîchi in 996. The Austrian media inundated the population with historical images, and the scholarly community did not want to stand aside. More than a few older studies were spruced up and republished for the occasion, but a number of interesting new titles hit the market as well.