Alcohol already played a central role in ancient times. It was considered a cultic food and healing elixir, but was also used to intoxicate the senses to the point of drunkenness. But where is the line between sacred drink and excessive excess? In a lecture on 3 April, in cooperation with the prevention campaign ‘Voll ist out’, the background and peculiarities of alcohol consumption at that time will be described. The event at the Archaeological Museum starts at 5 pm. Admission is free of charge.

150 years ago, the Museum der Grafschaft Mark was founded as the forerunner of today's museums in the Märkischer Kreis. Just in time for the anniversary year a new publication, “Burg Altena. Reconstruction, Controversies and Utilisation after 1900” is being published. It will be presented to the public on 28 March at 6 pm in the ballroom of the restaurant at Altena Castle.

How did computers, the internet and smartphones actually begin? How did computers come to Westphalia? Malte Thießen traces the history of digitalisation in Westphalia. It tells the story of enormous large computer systems as well as of disconnected milk cans far from the great “data highway”. It is about great fears, but also about equally great hopes. The lecture on 2 April 2025 at the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum starts at 7 pm. Admission is free, registration is requested.

We know the history of traditional clothing almost exclusively from pictures, but what do those pictures show? The lecture on 13 February 2025 will trace a pictorial history of clothing in rural Württemberg (with comparisons to other regions) and ask where the pictures come from, what they show and what they don't show. The event at the Danube Swabian Central Museum begins at 7 pm. Admission costs EUR 5.

History education involves potential contradictions. On the one hand, it should initiate independent learning processes, on the other hand, it is framed by clearly defined educational missions. In the “Monday Debate” series of the Netzwerk Zeitgeschichte, this tense relationship will be discussed on 20 January from the perspective of school practice and university history didactics. The evening in the Festsaal of Berlin's Humboldt University begins at 6 pm.

Populist movements are gaining ground, right-wing parties are celebrating electoral successes and the cohesion of traditional mainstream parties is declining: Politics, society and the media have been talking about a crisis in party democracy for some time now. This is by no means only the case in Germany, but in many European countries. On Thursday, 12 December 2024, historian Prof. Dr. Silke Mende will take a closer look at these developments. The lecture will take place in the Borken City Archive, room twelve26, and will begin at 7.30 pm.