Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies

06/03/2026

The way we speak is an intimate map of where we have been, serving as a powerful marker of personal and cultural identity. As communities move across borders and generations, these dialects naturally shift, evolving through migration to carry the echoes of our roots while adapting to new homes.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Halyna Shumytska, a Sociologist and Head of the Research Centre for the Sociology of Language at Uzhhorod University | Ужгородський національний університет, as one of our 2026 DUSS Virtual Scholars. Her work will examine language pattern shifts in the Transcarpathian region over a broad span of time.

The UAlberta Disrupted Ukrainian Scholars & Students (DUSS) Initiative supports academics affected by the ongoing war. Through virtual residencies and collaboration with University of Alberta mentors, we are proud to help keep these essential research conversations moving forward.

DUSS UAlberta is a partnership of CIUS, the Kule Institute for Advanced Study, the Kule Folklore Centre at the U of A, the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies, the Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta, Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies and the History, Classics, and Religion Department.

Learn more about DUSS's work since 2022, as well as support future scholarship: ow.ly/icnQ50Z2nqx

06/02/2026

Looking for a memorable night at the opera this June?

🎭 Mozart's beloved comic masterpiece *Così fan tutte* comes to Edmonton in a fresh Canadian reimagining by NUOVA Vocal Arts. Set at an elegant 1930s resort on the edge of the Canadian wilderness, this witty and surprisingly modern production explores love, loyalty, temptation, and the complexities of the human heart.

Presented as part of the 2026 National Vocal Arts Festival, the production runs June 18–21 at the historic Capitol Theatre in Fort Edmonton Park. Directed by Rob Herriot and conducted by Gordon Gerrard, the show features Canada's emerging vocal artists bringing new energy to one of Mozart's most enduring works.

The Wirth Institute is pleased to share this exciting opportunity to experience world-class vocal performance right here in Edmonton.

🎟 Learn more and purchase tickets through NUOVA Vocal Arts.

Celebrate the holiday season with ‘Miracle on 34th St.’ from the writer of the musical 'The Music Man,' at the beautiful Capitol Theatre during the Edmonton Christmas Market.

05/12/2026

The Austrian Musicological Society (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Musikwissenschaft) is now accepting submissions for its annual prize recognizing the best academic paper on music and musical culture in or from Austria.

Researchers from all musicological fields and related disciplines are encouraged to apply. The Society welcomes diverse methodological perspectives on music, musicians, and musical culture connected to Austria in the broadest sense.

📄 Submission details:
• Unpublished article
• Maximum 8,000 words (including notes)
• Written in English or German
• Multimedia-enhanced submissions (images, audio, video) are especially encouraged

🏆 Prize:
• €1000 award
• Publication as an English-language open access article in Musicologica Austriaca free of charge

📅 Deadline: June 15, 2026
📧 Submit anonymized MS Word files to: [email protected]

Please note: submissions are reviewed anonymously, and any identifying information in the manuscript will render it ineligible.

For questions about the award or Musicologica Austriaca, please contact:
Dr. Barbara Babić — [email protected]
Dr. Elias Berner — [email protected]
Dr. Konstantin Hirschmann — [email protected]

05/06/2026

📣 Call for Papers | Central European History Convention 2027 (Vienna)

Join us in July 2027 as the Wirth Institute partners with the University of Vienna and the Institute of Austrian Historical Research to host the second CEH-C!

This dynamic, international gathering invites scholars at all stages—especially early career researchers—to share new work on Central European history, from the Middle Ages to WWII. Expect engaging panels, inspiring keynotes, mentoring opportunities, and vibrant conversations across disciplines and borders.

✔️ No registration fees
✔️ Travel support available
✔️ Deadline: September 13, 2026

Be part of shaping the future of Central European history. Submit your proposal and join the conversation! Read on for full details:

In July 2027 the University of Vienna, the Institute of Austrian Historical Research, and the Wirth Institute of Austrian and Central European Studies will host a second Central European History Convention (CEH-C). This event is, again, dedicated to providing a platform for dynamic and convivial exchange on Central European History across specialties, national/language traditions, generations of scholarship, and periods — from the Middle Ages until World War II.

The focus of our discussions will be on the lands of the former Habsburg Empire and its neighbors (including the territories of the former Ottoman empire). Our goal is to facilitate international dialogue about the history of this region, with a special focus on building networks and frameworks for comparative research.
We invite scholars from all historically oriented fields at any point in their academic career to submit a paper proposal. Priority will be given to learning about the fascinating new research coming from early career scholars (including PhD students). Submissions should be done on an individual basis only. The Program Committee will organize the panels with an eye toward fostering new networks and conversations.

The three-day convention will, again, feature a highly attractive set of panels based on your submissions and, in addition, two stimulating keynotes one for the early modern, a second for the modern period by inspiring intellectuals. Another highlight of the convention will be a workshop with invited speakers (2 panels and 1 roundtable) reflecting on common intellectual problems, i.e. the temporal, spatial, and political features of Central European History making.

We count on our mid-career and senior colleagues to share their analytical skills and their experience in the field by providing panel commentaries and chairships. This will foster broader discussions and networking opportunities, as last year’s convention has shown. If you want to support us in this manner, please sign up here to indicate your availability.

The program will be complemented by research labs with a focus on new media, gaming and their uses of Central European history. New to the CEHC 2027 will be a mentoring program, aimed at providing emerging scholars with feedback on their research challenges by senior scholars with a well-established record in the field.

This convention requires no participation fees and offers extremely economically viable housing costs, with financial support for travel and housing available for those in need.

English will be the spoken language of conference presentations, but scholars from all linguistic backgrounds are welcome to participate.

The conference format will be in person (not hybrid).

Proposals should be no more than 300 words + the name of the participant, affiliation, contact information, projected paper title plus a short cv of one page. They should be submitted no later than September 13, 2026. You will be notified about acceptance by December 4, 2026.

Abstracts will be published online ahead of the conference, and participants will be asked to provide panel discussants with a draft of their talk to serve as a basis for comments.

Contact Information:

Professor Peter Becker, Institute of Austrian Historical Research, University of Vienna - [email protected]

Professor Dominique Reill, Wirth Institute, University of Alberta - [email protected]

05/04/2026

Our upcoming international conference “500 Years Entwined History: Central and Ottoman Europe”, hosted by the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies in collaboration with partners at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest is only ONE WEEK away!

📍 Budapest, Hungary
📅 May 11-13, 2026

This exciting gathering brings together leading scholars to rethink the historical relationships between Central and Ottoman Europe --moving beyond traditional conflict narratives to highlight centuries of exchange, coexistence, and interconnected histories.

The conference will feature:
• Engaging interdisciplinary panels
• Renowned keynote speakers
• Opportunities for international collaboration and dialogue

Want to learn more? Visit: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/wirth-institute/conferences/budapest-2026.html



Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta Eötvös Loránd University International

500 Years Entwined History: Central and Ottoman Europe gathers invited scholars at ELTE University, in collaboration with the Wirth Institute, to mark the 500th anniversary of Mohács. Moving beyond dominant conflict-centered narratives, the conference explores the deep and often overlooked historie...

04/27/2026

What an incredible afternoon at the screening of Fiume o Morte! this past Saturday!

We were thrilled to welcome audiences to a powerful and thought-provoking film experience, presented in partnership with Metro Cinema, and made all the more special by the presence of director Igor Bezinović for a live Q&A following the screening. 🎬

Blending documentary and dramatic reconstruction, Fiume o Morte! offers a striking exploration of the turbulent aftermath of the First World War and the rise of early fascist movements through the story of Gabriele D’Annunzio’s occupation of Fiume. The film sparked a lively and insightful discussion, with audience members engaging deeply with both its historical themes and its innovative storytelling.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, and especially to Igor Bezinović for sharing his work and perspectives with such generosity. Events like this remind us of the power of film to illuminate complex histories and foster meaningful dialogue.


Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta

04/25/2026

🎬The weather may be frightful but we have a great suggestion for some indoor entertainment this afternoon! Join us at Metro Cinema for EXCLUSIVE screening of the riotous comedy docudrama FIUME O MORTE! -- followed by a live Q&A with the film's director, Igor Besinovic!

In 1919 the Italian poet, dandy and preacher of war Gabriele D’Annunzio occupied the city of Fiume. The citizens of Fiume, today called Rijeka, retell and reinterpret the bizarre story about the 16-month occupation of their city in a brutally factual yet defiantly punk cinematic journey.

Screening starts at 3:15 pm! 🍿 DON'T MISS OUT!

Reserve your tickets online now or get them at the door!
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/wirth-institute/fiume.html

04/24/2026

Former Wirth director and current Wirth Academic Advisory Board member Joseph F. Patrouch will be giving a free public lecture titled "The Story of Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon's Second Wife," at the Nickle Galleries of the University of Calgary on Saturday, May 9 at 10:45 as part of their 4th annual numismatic symposium.

You can find more information here:
https://nickle.ucalgary.ca/exhibition/napoleon-art-money-and-war/

04/24/2026

Last week, we were proud to co-sponsor a screening of the deeply moving film "Two Sisters" (2025) with our partners at the Kule Folklore Centre at the U of A as part of the Ukrainian Film Festival in Alberta (UFFA) and to host director Lukasz Karwowski in Edmonton. Our thanks to all the festival-goers who joined us to experience these powerful cinematic testaments to the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people in the face of war.

04/23/2026

The Institute for German Culture and History in Southeastern Europe at the LMU Munich Copernico. Geschichte und kulturelles Erbe im östlichen Europa will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a conference this year.

"The Future of Yesterday – Visions, Concepts, Scenarios and Germanspeaking Communities in Central and Southeastern Europe" welcomes papers from Canadian scholars and researchers!

Learn more here:
https://www.ikgs.de/ikgs25/