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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.



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230 photos
Dr. Karl Renner, President of Austria, at 77 one of the few people still alive who were signatories at the Treaty of Versailes and Trianon in 1919. He stands in his office, the Imperial Palace in Vienna, in front of a baroque painting showing a ballet danced by the daughters of Empress Maria Theresia. Vienna, 1948
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Dr. Karl Renner, President of Austria, at 77 one of the few people still alive w...

Post-war Vienna. The Northwest Friendship train, bringing 1100 tons of food and clothing to Austria from the people of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, arriving in Vienna on March 23, 1948. A large crowd of Austrians wait to welcome the gift from the United States.
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Post-war Vienna. The Northwest Friendship train, bringing 1100 tons of food and...

The monument, commemorating the birth of the First Austrian Republic, had first been erected in 1928,but was torn down by the Dollfuss government in 1934. It has been reerected and unveiled on November 12, 1948, thirty years after the founding of the Republic. Thousands of people took part in the ceremony. Adolf Schaerf, vice-chancellor, and Theodor Koerner, mayor of Vienna, held speeches.
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The monument, commemorating the birth of the First Austrian Republic, had first...

The deathmask is taken of composer Franz Lehar (1870-1948) on his deathbed in his villa in Ischl, Austria.
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The deathmask is taken of composer Franz Lehar (1870-1948) on his death...

The four High Commissioners of Austria in 1949: (l. to r.) Geoffrey Keyes (USA), Sir Alexander Galloway (UK), Emile Béthouard (France) and Vadim Sviridov (USSR). Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria, 1949
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The four High Commissioners of Austria in 1949: (l. to r.) Geoffrey Keyes (USA),...

Corpus Christi procession on Traunsee-lake. The Holy Sacrament is taken out of the church and conveyed by the priest to a boat on which an altar has been erected. The procession, all in boats, circles around the lake behind the boat with the host. Masses are held in four diffrent spots on the lake.
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Corpus Christi procession on Traunsee-lake. The Holy Sacrament is taken out of t...

Corpus Christi procession on Traunsee-lake. The Holy Sacrament is taken out of the church and conveyed by the priest to a boat on which an altar has been erected. The procession, all in boats, circles around the lake behind the boat with the host. Masses are held in four diffrent spots on the lake.
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Corpus Christi procession on Traunsee-lake. The Holy Sacrament is taken out of t...

An Austrian billboard 1949: "Do not buy from shops that sell above prices set by the government! Fight with the Socialists"; "ERP - Austria needs 18 countries - 18 countries need Austria"; a movie-poster "Sindbad the Seafarer"; and an appeal by the Union of Austrian Concentration Camp Victims asking for support for an international Peace- Movement.
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An Austrian billboard 1949: "Do not buy from shops that sell above prices set by...

Socialist and catholic student groups clashed at the University of Vienna, in a feud which dates back to the 19th century. Catholic students had appeared, on Ascebsion Day, in the traditional caps and ribbons of the catholic students' corps. Police finally restored order after a dozen students had been injured. May 30, 1949
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Socialist and catholic student groups clashed at the University of Vienna, in a...

Socialist and catholic student groups clashed at the University of Vienna, in a feud which dates back to the 19th century. Catholic students had appeared, on Ascension Day, in the traditional caps and ribbons of the catholic students' corps. Police finally restored order after a dozen students had been injured. May 30, 1949
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Socialist and catholic student groups clashed at the University of Vienna, in a...

The "Magic Flute" at the Salzburg Festival 1949, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwaengler, performed in the "Rocky Riding School" hewn into a mountain in downtown Salzburg.
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The "Magic Flute" at the Salzburg Festival 1949, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwaengl...

The sign at the Austro-Hungarian frontier warns:"Attention - mines along barbed wire fence". Apparently ironically, residents on the Austrian side have nailed a Communist poster under the warning sign which says:"Stalin - his name means peace".
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The sign at the Austro-Hungarian frontier warns:"Attention - mines along barbed...