13 February 2019

Exploration of places, times, circumstances of women's suffrage from 1848 until nowadays at the exhibition 'They mean it politically!' at Volkskundemuseum in Vienna

Places such as the voting booth, polling sites, the streets and other places like the coffee house (such as on view on this page) will be the orientation points at the exhibition 'They mean it politically!' at Volkskundemuseum Wien (Austrian Museum of Folk Life and Folk Art) for the travel through times and changing circumstances which influenced the development of the women's movement starting in the 19th century to especially one landmark victory, the women's right to vote, the women's suffrage. From here (the first voting happened on 16 February 1919; on 4 March 1919, the first women became members of the Austrian parliament) it goes further with critical views on today's political landscape (amount of women in the parliament, women in the role of mayors,...).

The exhibition is backed by the scientific project 'frauenwahlrecht.at' by experts from the University of Vienna. The scientists are specialised in historical, law-related, and political researches. The showcased documents are provided by archives like the Johanna Dohnal-Archiv (Johanna Dohnal was Austria's first Minister for Women, 1990 - 1995).

The title 'Sie meinen es politisch!' (They mean it politically!) references a quote by journalist and satirical writer Karl Kraus from 1907 who addressed together with the saying a sort of SOS to heaven.

'Sie meinen es politisch!' is on view from 8 March (International Women's Day) until 25 August 2019 at Volkskundemuseum Wien.

fig.: The image shows participants of the International Women's Suffrage conference during '...breakfast at Café Prückel'. (Café Prückel exists until nowadays and is currently one of the recommended destinations of Condé Nast Traveller; fast checked today). The picture was shot in June 1913 and appeared at 'Österreichs Illustrierte Zeitung', edition 22 June 1913, 933.
German: "… beim Frühstück im Café Prückel". Teilnehmerinnen der Internationalen Frauenstimmrechtskonferenz in Wien beim Frühstück im Café Prückel, Juni 1913. in: Österreichs Illustrierte Zeitung, 22. Juni 1913, 933.

The exhibition is accompanied by a program consisting of events like a tour to central places of women's suffrage in Vienna on 4 April (tour details aren't announced yet, limited number of participants, registration until 28 March).

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