ERSTE Foundation

Did you know that “Kontakt” has the same meaning and is spelled the same in German, Czech and Slovak? We are celebrating 20 years of Kontakt Collection, marking two decades of contributions to the cultural landscape of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Kontakt Collection has grown to include around 1,400 artworks from approximately 160 artists and artist groups. The institution is called Kontakt, as a tribute and in reference to the work of Slovak artist Július Koller. In 2004, we initiated the Kontakt Collection to preserve and promote the art of the regions where Erste Group operates. And it wasn’t just about collecting art: Public museums and private collectors often overlooked the works of the neo-avant-garde movements of the 1960s and 1970s, which played a crucial role in the cultural and political discourse of the time. The journey of Kontakt Collection is one of artistic innovation, cultural preservation, and scholarly research. Unlike traditional collections, Kontakt does not have a permanent exhibition space. This flexibility allows the collection to be exhibited in various locations, often in the regions where the artworks originated. This “nomadic” approach fosters a deeper connection with the cultural context of the art and makes it accessible to a broader audience. As we celebrate Kontakt’s 20th birthday, look forward to international projects at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw (this weekend!) and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris (starting on 13 November). Here's to the next 20 years! #20YearsKontakt #ArtCollection #Anniversary Activation of Július Koller's work Universal Futurological Question Mark (U.F.O.),1978, in Warsaw on 18 September 2024. Photo Karolina Pawelczyk Július Koller, Universal Futurological Question Mark (U.F.O.), 1978, Kontakt Collection, Vienna Július Koller, Time/Space Definition of the Psychophysical Activity of Matter 2. (Antihappening), 1968, Kontakt Collection, Vienna Katalin Ladik, Performance, Vienna 2017, Kontakt Collection, Vienna

Professional Integration HUB 2.0 is officially launched! Professional Integration HUB is a unique internship programme for Ukrainian professionals in Austria which aims at helping them smoothly transition into European work environments. The second generation of the internship programme is now underway, bringing together participants ready to grow professionally! Over the next 3 months, participants will gain invaluable experience interning at top institutions across Austria. They will also take part in networking opportunities and professional development activities, all designed to equip them for future success. ERSTE Foundation is pleased to support this important initiative and wishing the best of luck to the participants joining this journey: - Marta Beska – The Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz) - Marharyta Pavliv– Austrian National Tourist Office (Österreich Werbung / Austria Tourism) - Oleksandra Azizova– The Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy - Anastasiia Krasina – The Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy - Anna Semenchenko– The Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy - Olesia Kvitka – C/O Vienna Magazine - Hanna Tomyshch – Impact Hub Vienna - Sabina Mamedova – Impact Hub - Oksana Musiienko – Josephinum - Medizinische Sammlungen - Tetiana Stakhivska– Office Ukraine Vienna - Mariia Kardash – Office Ukraine Graz - Anna Paskova – L&R Social Research - Iryna D’yakonova – L&R Social Research - Diana Bilyk – Salzburger Kunstverein - Viktoriia Tkachuk – The Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology (Bundesministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation & Technologie  - Kateryna Holubova– MQ – MuseumsQuartier Wien) - Mariia Molodcha – Schenker Salvi Weber Architekten - Oksana Denys – Institute for Social Policy, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) A special thanks to the partner institutions and organisations for supporting Ukrainian professionals! The Professional Integration HUB programme is initiated and funded by ERSTE Foundation, and implemented by The European Centre for Freedom and Independence.

Today is International Day of Libraries! ERSTE Foundation Library is our knowledge hive: You can explore insights on social innovation, financial literacy, culture, and more from some of Europe's brightest minds. The library’s collection has been developed since 2007. It presently holds about 14,000 items to support your research, inspire your next big idea - and we also offer fiction and lighter reading for your next vacation. "International Library Day" is mainly celebrated by public libraries, but as ERSTE Foundation Library is open to everyone, we participate in celebrating the Library Day. Registration at ERSTE Foundation Library is free - just bring a photo ID! ⏰Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 10:00-17:00 📍Vienna, Am Belvedere 1

Lessons from Europe: 22 Essays on the Future of Our Continent Discover how the past 35 years have shaped Europe beyond the numbers. This book unpacks the political and social transformations that define our continent today. "Lessons from Europe" comprises essays by:  Philipp Blom, Paschal Donohoe, Karl-Markus Gauß, Katharina Gnath, Stefan Janny, Tim Judah, Julia Kiraly, Ivan Krastev, Dominika Kroschel, Otmar Lahodynsky, Karel Lannoo, Stefan Lehne, Annamaria Lusardi, Johanna Mair, Ivan Miklos, Olivia S Mitchell, Piroska Nagy Mohacsi, Ursula Plassnik, Oana Popescu-Zamfir, Dr. Thomas Ramge, Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, Mateusz Szczurek, Zdeněk Tůma and Thomas Wieser. Editors: Johanna Mair and Thomas Wieser On 4 November 2024 "Lessons from Europe" will be presented at the ERSTE Foundation.

Join us for the book presentation of "Lessons from Europe: 22 Essays on the Future of Our Continent"📚 How have the last 35 years shaped Europe? Economic data can never tell the full story. This book is an attempt to go deeper. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion titled: "Yesterday’s hopes, today’s reality: What all of Europe can learn from Eastern Europe," featuring the book's editors and contributors: - Philipp Blom - Johanna Mair - Thomas Wieser For "Lessons from Europe", editors Thomas Wieser and Johanna Mair have gathered leading experts to reflect on the societal and political shifts that have shaped Europe over the past 35 years. This book tries to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western Europe that remains despite the European Union’s successful enlargement. 📅 4 November 2024 📍 ERSTE Foundation ⏰18:00 Register for the event⬇️ https://lnkd.in/df824BfN

Die Wahlen sind vorbei - doch wie verändert das Wahlergebnis Österreich und seine Rolle in Europa? Wie beurteilt die Kulturszene die politischen Verschiebungen? Welche Lösungen gibt es für eine mögliche Unregierbarkeit, und wie können ideologische Gräben überwunden werden? Darüber diskutieren - moderiert von Petra Stuiber (DER STANDARD) - im Burgtheater: - Heidi Glück – Strategieberaterin und Politikexpertin - Edit Inotai – Journalistin und Senior Fellow beim Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy (CEID) - Thomas Köck – Autor und Dramatiker - Oliver Rathkolb – Neuzeithistoriker (University of Vienna) Europa im Diskurs 📆 20 Oktober 2024 ⏰11:00 📍Burgtheater Die Diskussion findet auf Deutsch statt. Mehr Infos⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gkriuxRA IWM - Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen

Happy Birthday, Zweite Sparkasse! As we're celebrating its 18th, it's hard to imagine a time without Zweite Sparkasse: It has played a vital role in helping people in need navigate through financial challenges. The volunteers have made significant impact by becoming respectful partners, assisting people in getting back on track and living better lives. Partner NGOs can count on Zweite Sparkasse as a reliable and resourceful institution with branches all over Austria and the ability to adapt, innovate, and grow. The organisation’s dedication to promoting financial well-being has exceeded expectations, achieving more than what Boris Marte, ERSTE Foundation, and all the people involved in the early stages could have imagined. Thank you to Zweite Sparkasse for providing support where it’s most needed. And a big thank you to all the volunteers, represented by the board: Guenter Benischek, Carmencita Julia Nader, Rupert Rieder, Robert Schmidbauer, and Karin Wochele-Thoma as well as to the founding board members: Gerhard Ruprecht, Evelyn Hayden. 📷 Time flies by! In the pictures you see Margit Fischer, Heinz Fischer, Andreas Treichl, and Boris Marte at the founding celebration of Zweite Sparkasse in October 2006.

Don't miss out on events and exhibitions in our community in October! 🔹 steirischer herbst 2024: Horror Patriae, featuring "The Last Artwork About the War" by Nikolay Karabinovych. ❗ Tickets' sale starts on 9 August. 🗓 19 September 2024 - 13 October 2024 📍Graz More: https://lnkd.in/g9TArM6C 🔹 Debating Europe: Where is Austria heading after the election? with Burgtheater, DER STANDARD, and IWM - Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen. 🗓 20 October 2024 📍 Vienna More: https://lnkd.in/dypwRCvB 🔹 20 Years of Kontakt at the Opening of MSN Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw 🗓 25 October 2024 - 27 October 2024 📍 Warsaw 🔹 ”Over the Rainbow” - tranzit.sk exhibition, curated by Diana Majdakova Stigmatisation of LGBTIQA+ people is central to populist politics. Tomáš Rafa’s work captures this issue and promotes solidarity with LGBTIQA+ individuals in 🇸🇰. 🗓 Until 1 November 2024 📍 Bratislava More: https://lnkd.in/d-cCyNVj 🔹 La Biennale di Venezia 2024 The Austrian Pavilion of the 60th International Art Exhibition is curated by Anna Jermolaeva. 🗓Until 24 November 2024 📍 Giardini della Biennale, Venice More: https://lnkd.in/dRMZxqJR 🔹Igor Zabel Award for Culture and Theory 2024 celebrates the remarkable contributions of curators, art historians, theorists, writers, and critics from Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. 🗓 29 November 2024 📍 Ljubljana More: https://lnkd.in/dAPXhKqj

The European Day of Foundations and Donors highlights the essential role of the European philanthropy sector, aiming to raise awareness about its value and inspire more giving and civic engagement across our continent. As we consider the current landscape, it’s essential to recognize that civic engagement is crucial for fostering a vibrant democracy and ensuring our collective future. However, it’s crucial to remember that private efforts cannot replace robust policies and strong democratic values – both vital for a thriving society. 🤝 To mark this significant day, the Verband für gemeinnütziges Stiften is organizing the "7. Jahreskonferenz - Krisen bewältigen, Zukunft gestalten". A panel starts at 11 a.m. on "Fördern von gemeinnützigem Journalismus" exploring how foundations can support quality journalism and strengthen democracy with Maribel Königer as a panelist. #October1Europe

A Call for Solidarity: In the face of increasing censorship and cultural devastation, Slovak artists and curators are uniting to demand change. Lýdia Pribišová speaks with Ilona Németh about the alarming interventions of the Ministry of Culture, being summoned to interrogations by the police, and the importance of international solidarity. #kulturnystrajk #otvorenakultura #drzmespolu