80 years of the second republic: Styria celebrates change and ascent!

80 years of the second republic: Styria celebrates change and ascent!

Steiermark, Österreich - Today, on May 20, 2025, the second Republic of Austria celebrates its 80th anniversary. Thousands of people who were born in 1945 take part in this celebration that originated in Vienna. The second republic was proclaimed on April 27, 1945, shortly after the official end of the Second World War on May 8, 1945 with the unconditional surrender of Germany. Austria had previously been freed from the National Socialist rule, after the battle for Vienna, which initiated state formation after the horrors of the war. ots reports that the ORF is a comprehensive multimedia program with the title "80 years second second Republic ”.

As part of this program, the nine state studios of ORF create a total of nine documentaries that tell the regional stories of Austria. These documentaries shed light on the life stories of people born in a decisive year, in 1945. On May 21, 2025 at 10:30 p.m., the documentary "Our Austria: Styria - structure, departure, ascent" will be broadcast, which has been discussing the fundamental changes in Styria since 1945. Such.ch emphasizes that the Styria mutated from an economically stable state.

The development of Styria since 1945

in 1945 Styria was divided into different occupation zones before the British troops took control in summer. During its deduction in 1955, the region was economically consolidated and benefited from the "economic miracle", which Austria experienced in the following decades. Nevertheless, this development was not without challenges, because in the 1980s there was a crisis in the nationalized industry, which led to extensive restructuring processes. These developments shape the economic landscape of Styria to this day.

1995 was founded by the “AutoCluster Styria”, a network of 300 companies that employs around 70,000 people. Styria has since developed into a leading research and innovation region in Europe. These successes are illustrated in the upcoming documentation by the biographies of three contemporary witnesses. History of Austria offers valuable context on the recent history of Austria and highlights how the political landscape has designed in the past 80 years.

The protagonists of the documentation

The documented life stories come from significant personalities who significantly influenced the political and social life of Styria. Waltraud Klasnic, born in October 1945, was the first woman who was at the head of a state government in Austria (1996-2005). Her way from growing up in the poor conditions to the political leadership role is exemplary for the post -war opening. Erwin Schwentner, born in July 1945, experienced the turbulent 68 movement and, as President of the Senate at the Graz Higher Regional Court, was not only active in case law, but also in art. Herbert Blasl, who saw the light of day in March 1945, worked as a miner and driver and experienced both the heyday and the crises of the nationalized industry.

The documentation is made by Dr. Helmut Konrad, a contemporary historian and former rector of the University of Graz, commented and analyzes. The content not only takes a look at the success, but also for the challenges that the population and politics in Styria faced each other in the past 80 years. This historical argument shows how the change in society is closely linked to the development of the second republic.