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Von der Befreiung zur Freiheit


A sensitive portrait of one of the most important eras of Austrian history – from Austria’s Allied occupation until the re-establishment of full sovereignty with the State Treaty in 1955. Erich Lessing portrayed politics as well as a new emerging society and the revival of the cultural scene in post-war Austria. Text contributions by well-known personalities like Gerd Bacher, Alexander Giese and Ludwig Steiner.



230 photos
The Vienna opera-Ball is the culminating point of      
the lively "Fasching"-carnival season. For the ball,   
a dance-floor is laid over the seats of the Opera.     
Architect Clemens Holzmeister and his wife Gunda.      
Vienna,1958
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The Vienna opera-Ball is the culminating point of the lively "Fasching"-ca...

Last repairs before the opera-ball.                    
Vienna,1958
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Last repairs before the opera-ball. Vienna,1958

Painter Oskar Kokoschka teaching at his summer art class "Schule des Sehens" ("School of Seeing") at the Salzburg Fortress.

Salzburg, 1956
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Painter Oskar Kokoschka teaching at his summer art class "Schule des Sehens" ("S...

Adolf Schaerf, Austrian President (1957-1965).

President Dr. Adolf Schaerf waits for the tram to pass before crossing the Ringstrasse. Every day he would walk from his apartment in the Josefstadt district to his office in the Hofburg, without police escort or body guards.

Vienna, Austria, 1959
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Adolf Schaerf, Austrian President (1957-1965). President Dr. Adolf Schaerf wa...

Austrian sculptor Fritz Wotruba with Manfred Mautner-Markhof, Austrian industrialist.
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Austrian sculptor Fritz Wotruba with Manfred Mautner-Markhof, Austrian industria...

Austrian sculptor Fritz Wotruba at work in his studio.

Vienna, 1959
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Austrian sculptor Fritz Wotruba at work in his studio. Vienna, 1959

The Vienna Opera Ball. 

The Vienna Opera Ball is the main event of the ball season. Every year, young debutantes in white and gentlemen in tails open the dancefloor with a Polonaise choreography and a waltz by Johann Strauss.

Vienna State Opera, Vienna, Austria, 1960
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The Vienna Opera Ball. The Vienna Opera Ball is the main event of the ball s...

Before some 2.000 journalists,Khrushtchev held a
closing press conference at the Palais Chaillot,Paris
and blasted the West and the Western press.
Portrait of Khrushchev.       Paris,1960.
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Before some 2.000 journalists,Khrushtchev held a closing press conference at the...

Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky,1960
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Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky,1960

Painter Rudolf Hausner in his studio in Vienna.
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Painter Rudolf Hausner in his studio in Vienna.

Dr.Otto Schulmeister,editor-in-chief of the            
Austrian conservative daily "Die Presse".Vienna,1963
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Dr.Otto Schulmeister,editor-in-chief of the Austrian conservative da...

Austrian painter Georg Eisler in his studio.
Vienna,1975
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Austrian painter Georg Eisler in his studio. Vienna,1975