News
Invitation to the Circle U. Open Conversation: Academic Freedom Under Pressure: A Professor's Perspective
Talk, 28.10.25, 10 Uhr, Belgrade/online
This panel discussion will explore the opportunities and risks of public scientific positioning. Where are the boundaries between research, personal opinion and political engagement? And how can academic freedom be preserved under pressure?
With Prof. Ivanka Popovic, Prof. Nemanja Dzuverovic, Prof. Heike Wieters, Prof. Anne-Lise Sibony and Aleksandra Knezevic. The event will be moderated by Prof. Hannes Grandits. Further information can be found here.
The full discussion is available to watch here.
Book presentations: The Disputed Austro-Hungarian Border
Agendas, Actors, and Practices in Western Hungary/Burgenland after World War I
Edited by Hannes Grandits, Ibolya Murber, and Katharina Tyran
The book The Disputed Austro-Hungarian Border: Agendas, Actors, and Practices in Western Hungary/Burgenland after World War I examines the political, social, and cultural negotiation processes in the Western Hungarian-Burgenland border region after the First World War. From a transnational perspective, the volume shows how various actors, from diplomats and civil servants to local communities, were involved in the emergence of new borders and identities. To the publisher's website.
Since its publication, the book has been presented and discussed in various locations. Two podcasts deal with the topic in particular detail:
- RevDem - The Review of Democracy: "The Hungarian Border That Took Years to Draw" (16.10.2025)
In this episode, Hannes Grandits and Katharina Tyran shed light on how the demarcation of the border between Austria and Hungary was by no means concluded with the Treaty of Trianon. Rather, the negotiations and implementations dragged on for years. The podcast focuses not only on diplomatic processes, but also on everyday experiences, shifts in identity and social consequences. Click here for the episode.
- RECET - Research Center for the History of Transformations: "Episode 70: The disputed Austro-Hungarian Border" (21.09.2025)
In this episode, Hannes Grandits and Katharina Tyran talk about the origins and central theses of their book and discuss how borders after 1918 were not only drawn politically, but also negotiated and lived socially. They also reveal what these historical processes tell us about Europe then and now. Click here for the episode.
In addition, the book was presented at the following events:
- 22 November 2025 – Washington D.C., USA
A roundtable discussion at the ASEEES Annual Convention 2025 will focus on the significance of the volume for international border and regional research. Further information will follow.
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19 September 2025 – Mattersburg, Austria
At the invitation of the Burgenland Research Society and the Burgenland Provincial Library, the book was presented at the KUZ Mattersburg and discussed with regional experts. Further information can be found here.
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18 September 2025 – Budapest, Hungary
This book presentation took place at the Central European Centre of Andrássy University Budapest in cooperation with the Austrian Cultural Forum Budapest. You can read the report on the event here.
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19 Juli 2025 – Wien, Austria
The book was also presented and discussed at the Central European History Convention 2025. This international conference is dedicated to the history of the former Habsburg Monarchy and its neighbouring and successor states. The event was organised by the Institute for Austrian Historical Research at the University of Vienna in cooperation with the CEH-C organising team. The complete programme can be found here.
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28 Mai 2025 – Berlin, Germany
At the Southeast Europe Research Colloquium at Humboldt University in Berlin, Hannes Grandits and Katharina Tyran discussed the book together with Gábor Egry. Further information can be found on the invitation flyer.
Academy lecture at the Akademija nauka i umjetnosti Bosne i Hercegovine (ANU BiH)
Academy lecture, 16.10.2025, Sarajevo
Prof. Hannes Grandits was invited to give a lecture on the topic ‘Ustanak 1875. kao početak Velike istočne krize: o čemu se danas raspravlja?’ (‘The 1875 uprising as the beginning of the Great Eastern Crisis: what is being discussed today?’) as part of a public event organised by ANU BiH.
The lecture focused on analysing the 1875 uprising in Bosnia and Herzegovina as the starting point for profound social and political upheavals. It also addressed its significance in the context of the conflicts between the European great powers at the end of the 19th century. Grandits emphasised that this local uprising should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as part of a larger process of transformation within the Ottoman Empire and Europe.
The lecture was covered by several media outlets. In addition to the Academy's reporting (see article & short video clip), local media such as Radiosarajevo and Klix.ba also published articles about the lecture.
You can watch the full lecture online here.
7th DAAD East Asian Centres Conference at Peking University
Conference, 05.-06.09.2025, Beijing
Under the theme ‘East Asia and Europe in the Age of Post-Globalisation’, the 7th East Asian DAAD Centres Conference took place at Peking University in early September 2025. Researchers from China, Japan, South Korea and Germany discussed the consequences of global upheavals for politics, economics and society in both regions of the world.
The focus was on deglobalisation, geopolitical shifts, the future of shared values and the role of the humanities and social sciences in an increasingly technocratic world. Prof. Hannes Grandits gave a lecture on ‘Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine as a turning point in German and European politics: What are the consequences for globalisation?’
The conference was organised by the Centre for German Studies at Peking University in cooperation with the DAAD, Humboldt University of Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin. A cultural programme, including a visit to the Forbidden City, rounded off the conference.
The full programme can be found here.
Invitation to the book presentation ‘Food, Scaracity and Power in Southeastern Europe during the Second World War’
Book presentation, 04.07.25, HU Main Building, Berlin
On Friday, 4 July, Sabine Rutar and Paulo Fonzi will present their book ‘Food, Scaracity and Power in Southeastern Europe during the Second World War’. The book presentation will take place as part of the Berlin Forschungskolloquium Südosteuropa in cooperation with the Colloquium of the Lehrstuhl Deutsche Geschichte im 20. Jahrhundert mit Schwerpunkt Nationalsozialismus.
Further information can be found here.
Invitation to the Tourism History Workshop – Institutions, Actors, and Mobility since the 19th Century
Workshop, 01.-02.07.25, Berlin
Der Workshop widmet sich historischen Perspektiven auf Tourismus als gesellschaftliches, politisches und wirtschaftliches Phänomen seit dem 19. Jahrhundert.
Das zweitägige Programm umfasst thematisch vielfältige Panels mit Beiträgen zu urbaner Tourismuspolitik, Reisen in sozialistischen Gesellschaften, transnationaler Mobilität sowie zur Rolle von Tourismus in internationalen Machtverhältnissen. Ein Lightning Round zu aktuellen Herausforderungen der Tourismusgeschichte rundet das Programm ab.
Das vollständige Programm mit allen wichtigen Informationen finden Sie hier.
Interessierte sind herzlich eingeladen und melden sich bitte bei Dr. Ruža Fotiadis.
Invitation to the presentation of "Handbuch zur Geschichte Südosteuropas Band 3"
Book presentation, 18.06.25, Embassy of Romania
Band 3 "Staatlichkeit und Politik in Südosteuropas nach 1800" des mehrbändigen Werks "Handbuch zur Geschichte Südosteuropas" ist veröffentlicht worden. Die Botschafterin von Rumänien, I.E. Frau Adriana Stănescu, lädt dazu am Mittwoch, den 18. Juni 2025, um 18:00 Uhr in die Rumänische Botschaft ein (Dorotheenstraße 62-66, 10117 Berlin).
Der neue Band 3, herausgegeben von Konrad Clewing (IOS Regensburg) und Hannes Grandits (HU Berlin), behandelt in 10 Abschnitten die Wandlungen und Entwicklungen der Politik und Staatenwelt in diesem Teil Europas auf dem Weg in die „Moderne“ seit etwa 1800 und bis zur Gegenwart.
Das Projekt wird am Leibniz-Institut für Ost- und Südosteuropaforschung betreut. Die Bände erscheinen beim Verlag De Gruyter Oldenbourg (Berlin, Boston).
Um Anmeldung wird per E-Mail an berlin.rsvp@mae.ro bis zum 16. Juni 2025 gebeten. Die Teilnahme ist nur nach Anmeldung möglich. Das Einladungsschreiben finden Sie hier.
Link zur Veröffentlichung: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110979923/html
Summer School European Master Program 2025
Summer school, 09.-13.06.2025, Belgrade
This year's summer school of the European History Master's programme took place in Belgrade under the title ‘Crossroads of Europe: In-Betweenness & Transition in Modern History’. In addition to a varied programme of lectures and master's presentations, there was plenty of time for intensive exchange between the international students and participation in current events in the host city.
The complete program can be found here.
History Fest 2025
Conference, 02.-06.06.25, Sarajevo
This year's History Fest took place in Sarajevo from 2 to 6 June 2025 and focused primarily on the genocide in Srebrenica, the Dayton Peace Agreement and the Second World War. These topics were discussed in lectures, panel discussions, numerous book presentations and exhibitions. This year, the History Fest in Sarajevo provided a platform for exchange between historians, contemporary witnesses and the interested public for the ninth time.
Insights into the programme:
Three panel discussions were organised to mark the anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement:
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‘Negotiations in Dayton from the perspective of Bosnian-Herzegovinian actors’, featuring former members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina 1990–1996 (Ivo Komšić, Mirko Pejanović, Ejup Ganić, Miro Lazović, Stjepan Kljuić). Moderator: Husnija Kamberović.
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‘Reordering Yugoslavia, Rethinking Europe: The Perspective on Dayton from Western Capitals (1995)’ with Xavier Bougarel, Andreas Wirsching, Christian Methfessel, Mary Sarotte. Moderator: Dejan Jović.
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‘Implementation of the Dayton Agreement’ with Valentin Inzko and Michael Steiner. Moderator: Kristóf Gosztonyi.
The conference also included the presentation of the 'Handbuch zur Geschichte Südosteuropas, Band 3: Staatlichkeit und Politik in Südosteuropa nach 1800' and a discussion about the Challenges and Opportunities of the Handbook Project in the Digital Age by Hannes Grandits, Ulf Brunnbauer and Edvin Pezo.
The internal workshop ‘Reordering Yugoslavia, Rethinking Europe’ (participants: Hannes Grandits, Kristóf Gosztonyi, Agnes Bresselau von Bressensdorf, Ulf Brunnbauer, Christian Methfessel, Andreas Wirsching, Stefan Sagberger, Xavier Bougarel, Bennet Groen, Baillie Bell, Dejan Jović, Husnija Kamberović, Edin Omerčić, Amir Duranović) discussed the current state of research of the third-party funded project of the same name, in which our professorship is involved.
The complete program can be found here.
Podcast: Southeast Europe in European History
Staffel 3, Episode 4 des H-Soz-Kult Podcasts "Vergangenheitsformen"
Südosteuropa ist eine ausgesprochen interessante und vielfältige europäische Region. In ihrer Geschichte verdichten sich die großen Entwicklungen der europäischen Moderne - und gleichzeitig galt Südosteuropa selbst in unserem Fach immer wieder als "das Andere" im Innern Europas. Warum ist das so, was können wir daraus lernen und was daran macht ein Studium der südosteuropäischen Geschichte so fruchtbar? Darüber spricht Claudia Prinz mit Hannes Grandits und Ruža Fotiadis von der Professur für Südosteuropäische Geschichte am Institut für Geschichtswissenschaften der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
https://www.hsozkult.de/podcast/staffel-3/suedosteuropa
Interview: Prof Hannes Grandits with Prof Heike Wieters about hybrid teaching
Interview für das ‚Netzwerk Hybride Lehre'
Für das Verbundprojekt ‚Netzwerk Hybride Lehre‘ haben Prof. Dr. Heike Wieters und Prof. Dr. Hannes Grandits ihr 2023 mit dem Preis für gute Lehre der HU-Berlin ausgezeichnetes, hybrides Seminar "How to do European History? Current Approaches and Controversies"ausgewertet. Sie berichten über Ihre Erfahrungen und geben Tipps für hybride Lehrveranstaltungen.
Hier können Sie sich das Video ansehen.
Das Interview wurde im Rahmen des berlinweiten Kooperationprojekts "Netzwerk Hybride Lehre" durchgeführt und ist Teil der Sammlung "Hybride Lehr-Lernformate: Good Practice Beispiele", die Lehrendenerfahrungen mit hybrider Lehre beleuchtet. Das Netzwerk Hybride Lehre wird vom Land Berlin (QIO – Berliner Qualitäts- und Innovationsoffensive), Juli 2022 bis Dezember 2025 gefördert.
Über das Projekt ‚Netzwerk Hybride Lehre‘ können Sie hier mehr erfahren, hier gelangen Sie zur Seite des Teilbereichs der HU.
Pius XII and the multiple migrations of post-war Europe
Conference, 19-20 February 2025, Berlin
The period after the Second World War in Europe was characterised by profound demographic upheavals. Millions of people were forced to leave their homes - including prisoners of war, refugees, displaced persons and migrants. Dealing with these migration movements presented both political and ecclesiastical institutions with major challenges. The conference ‘Pius XII and the multiple migrations of post-war Europe’ focussed on the special role of the Vatican and Pope Pius XII in particular in this context. The focus is on the measures, strategies and networks of the Catholic Church to support refugees and displaced persons. Both overarching church structures and individual actors and their behaviour are examined.
Mapping Memories of Good Will
Conference, 06.12.2024, Berlin
The 20th century in Southeast Europe was characterised by severe conflicts, including the Balkan Wars, the two World Wars and the conflicts of the 1990s. However, despite this history characterised by violence and hostility, there are also numerous but little-noticed examples of inter-ethnic solidarity, shared achievements and peaceful coexistence. These positive collective memories are often subject to ‘conscious forgetting’ and are largely ignored in the public debate.
The MAPPING Memories of Good Will project, organised by our chair and the Federal Agency for Civic Education, is dedicated to closing this gap by investigating the mechanisms of activating positive cultures of remembrance. The focus is on the question of how inter-ethnic solidarity in South Eastern Europe can be strategically mobilised in order to promote a culture of peace. The conference sheds light on geographical and temporal conflict zones - such as the relations between Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, the dynamics between Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia or the relationship between Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece - and places these in a broad historical context.
The project includes biographies of civic-minded personalities, innovative mediation formats and a creative laboratory for private history readings. The aim is to show new perspectives in dealing with the conflict-ridden past and to provide impetus for a future-oriented remembrance policy.
The conference will take place in the Senatssaal (Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin) and participation is free of charge.
Further information can be found in this event flyer.
Here you will find the detailed programme and the registration form for the event.
Reordering Yugoslavia, Rethinking Europe:
A Transregional History of Yugoslav Wars and the Post-Cold War Order (1991-1995)
Workshop, 23-24 October 2024, Munich
The workshop ‘Reordering Yugoslavia, Rethinking Europe’ is dedicated to the transregional history of the Yugoslav Wars (1991-1995) and their significance for the European reorganisation after the Cold War. The focus is on international and national perspectives on the conflicts, the humanitarian interventions and the effects of the refugee movements on Europe. Scholars will shed light on the political, social and cultural dynamics of the post-Yugoslavian region and their influence on the formation of European identity. A public panel discussion will also address the long-term consequences of the war for European refugee policy.
Disputation of Thomas Porena
Colloquium, 21 October 2024, Berlin
Invitation to the disputation by Mr Thomas Porena on the topic: Displaced and reframed. The return of the Yugoslav DPs at the end of the Second World War.
The members of the doctoral committee are:
1st reviewer: Prof Dr Hannes Grandits
2nd reviewer: Prof. Dr Milan Ristović
Chairman: Prof Dr Torsten Hiltmann
Book presentation Verginella & Ristović
Colloquium, 18 October 2024, Berlin
Marta Verginella presents her new book ‘Women, Nationalism, and Social Networks in the Habsburg Monarchy, 1848-1918’ as part of the Berlin Research Colloquium on Southeast Europe and in cooperation with the Southeast European Society. Marta Verginella is Professor of 19th Century History and Theory of History at the University of Ljubljana.
Milan Ristović presents his book: ‘Mussolini ante portas. Italijanski fašizam I jugoslovensko susedstvo (1919-1925)’ [Italian Fascism and the Yugoslav Neighbourhood Yugoslav Neighbourhood (1919-1925)]. Ristović is a professor of contemporary history at the University of Belgrade.
Disputation of Zeyne Bengisu Ertugrul
Colloquium, 08.10.2024, Paris
Announcement of the disputation of Mrs Zeyne Bengisu Ertugrul with the topic: ‘Preaching the Republic: Intellectuals and Popular Education in Post-Genocide Turkey (1930-1945)
The members of the doctoral committee are:
1st reviewer: Prof. Dr Hannes Grandits
2nd reviewer: Prof. Dr Marc Aymes
Further jury members:
Prof. Dr Ulrike Freitag, Free University of Berlin
Prof. Dr Hülya Adak, Free University of Berlin
Prof Dr Hans-Lukas Kieser, University of Newcastle, Australia
Prof. Dr Élise Massicard, Science Po, Paris
Further information can be found here.
Doctoral Workshop: Why socialism matters? Approaches to research of the political idea and the historical period
University of Pula, 28.-31.08.24, Pula
This year's workshop will shed light on the historical and current significance of socialism in politics, economics, culture and society. Since the 19th century, socialist thought and action has shaped global developments, combated social inequality and created new social dynamics. The aim of the doctoral summer school is to demonstrate the connection between socialist ideas, historical experiences and contemporary issues and to explain the relevance of their research for the past, present and future.
The Professorship of Southeast European History is the co-organiser of the Doctoral Summer School.
More information can be found at here.
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| Prof. Dr. Johannes Grandits and Prof. Dr. Heike Wieters (f.l.t.r.) and Prof. Dr. Niels Pinkwart, Vice President for Teaching and Studies (centre) Photo: Franziska Oschmann |
Award for good teaching 2023
Humboldt Day of Teaching, 27.06.2024, Berlin
Prof. Dr Heike Wieters and Prof. Dr Johannes Grandits from the Institute of History received the HU's 2023 Award for Good Teaching on Humboldt Teaching Day on 27 June. The award was given for their joint seminar ‘How to do European History? Current approaches and controversies’, which they held together with colleagues from various partner universities in a hybrid format in the summer semester 2023.
The theme of the 2023 Award for Good Teaching was ‘International Teaching and Learning’. A total of 100 nominators took part and nominated 42 courses and 38 lecturers. From this ‘long list’, the faculties recommended 19 proposals to the jury for consideration. The award, which is endowed with 10,000 euros, is one of the most highly endowed prizes of its kind in Germany.
You can find the complete press release here.
Summer School: European History Master
Università Roma Tre, 17.-21.06.2024, Rome
This year's European History Summer School is being held at Roma Tre University in cooperation with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and other European partner universities.
The programme begins with an introductory session and is dedicated to interreligious dialogue, with a special focus on Rome from a European perspective. The Tor Pignattara district will also be visited, as well as important religious institutions such as an Islamic cultural centre, a Hindu temple and a Bahá'í centre.
The participating students will also present their Master's theses. Thursday will be dedicated to the history of resistance in Rome during the German occupation. The programme concludes on Friday with a feedback session, which offers space for reflection and exchange.
You can find the full programme here.
History Fest 2024
History Fest, 03.-09.06.2024, Sarajevo
The History Fest 2024 is dedicated to the topic of ‘Integrations and Disintegrations in South-East Europe 1914-2024’. The focus is on historical and current processes of the disintegration of large states - such as the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires and Yugoslavia - as well as the emergence of new integrations. Questions on the role of anarchism and national movements, the 1974 constitution as a trigger for Yugoslavia's disintegration, the significance of the 1994 Washington Agreement and the 1984 Olympic Games in Sarajevo as integrative moments will be discussed.
This will be accompanied by academic lectures on topics such as the German and Italian occupation of Greece, Muslim history in the Balkans and railway construction in Bosnia. The festival also includes book presentations, student meetings and a conference on military history in Mostar. The aim is to draw attention to historical roots and the possibility of successful integration despite today's disintegration.
You can find the full programme here.
Excursion to Montenegro and Bosnien & Herzegowina
Study excursion, 28.05-04.06.24, MN and BiH
The excursion to Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina from 28 May to 4 June 2024 gave 17 students the opportunity to explore key historical and cultural issues in the region. They explored topics such as religion in public spaces, the legacy of the Habsburg Empire, ancient remains and the complex memories of the partisans of the Second World War. The handling of Jewish history, national personalities and tourism development under socialism were also critically analysed.
The stops in Kotor, Cetinje, Mostar, Jablanica and Sarajevo provided profound insights into regional characteristics and the complexity of the recent history of the Balkan region. Discussions with experts, museum visits and encounters with students from other universities provided valuable impetus for the research work. The results of the excursion were incorporated into a jointly compiled reader, which summarises the diversity of topics and perspectives and represents an important contribution to the further examination of the history and culture of the Balkans.
In addition to the intensive work, we had an exciting time full of shared moments - including some nerve-wracking experiences, such as the bus journey that took us down the winding roads to Kotor.
Book presentation Buchczyk & lecture by Thaden
Colloquium, 17.05.2024, Berlin
Presentation of Magdalena Buchczyk's new book ‘Weaving Europe, crafting the museum. Textiles, history and ethnography at the Museum of European Cultures, Berlin’. Magdalena Buchczyk is a junior professor of social anthropology specialising in cultural expressions at the Institute for European Ethnology at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Matthias Thaden will then give a lecture on the topic: ‘An excellent Hutsul, Gagauz, Ruthenian and Romanian collection for relatively little money’ Notes on the acquisition contexts of ethnographic objects from South-East Europe at the Museum of European Cultures in Berlin’. He is a research associate at the Museum of European Cultures (MEK) in Berlin.
You can find the invitation here.