From Détente to the Wall’s Downfall

The Otto von Habsburg Foundation and the John Lukacs Institute of the Ludovika University of Public Service cordially invite you to a conference entitled:

From Détente to the Wall’s Downfall

With the motto of “80 years of peace, 35 years of democracy”, the Otto von Habsburg Foundation is organising an event series in spring 2025 to address the political, economic and social developments in Europe in the 20th century and examine their impact on the present. Pivotal historical moments that have significantly shaped the European and international order will be at the centre of the discussion.

The first event in the series focuses on the turning point of 1989/1990 from both an event-based and a medium-term perspective; including an examination of the rapid developments that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall, as well as the processes that had been taking shape since the 1970s, which accelerated the collapse of the Eastern Bloc and paved the way for a united Europe.

Three publications will be presented during the conference: Horst Teltschik’s journal from 1989–1990, penned by the former advisor of Helmut Kohl together with Michael Gehler, a historian from Hildesheim University; Zsuzsa Breier’s multi-faceted analysis of the historic events; and Andreas Schmidt-Schweitzer’s sourcebook on West German–Hungarian relations following the period of détente. The invited authors, along with other experts and former leading political figures, will provide a comprehensive insight into the decisive factors that paved the way for Germany and Hungary to become what they are today after the end of the Cold War.

Programme

14.00 – 14.15     Welcoming speeches

Gergely Deli, Rector, Ludovika University of Public Service

Gergely Prőhle, Director, Otto von Habsburg Foundation, Programme Director, John Lukacs Institute

14.15 – 15.45     1989–90 and the Precursors of the Regime Change

Andreas Schmidt-Schweizer, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of History, HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities

Zsuzsa Breier, Hungarian diplomat, former Secretary of State for European Affairs (Hesse)

Markus Meckel, the last Foreign Minister of the GDR, former Social Democratic member of the Bundestag

Moderated by Boris Kálnoky, Head of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Media School

15.45 – 16.00     Coffee break

16.00 – 17.30     Hungarian and German Perspectives on 1989–90

Horst Teltschik, former Deputy Head of the Chancellery and former advisor to Helmut Kohl

Miklós Németh, the last Prime Minister of Hungary prior to the regime change

Michael Gehler, Director of the Institute of History at the University of Hildesheim

Moderated by Gergely Prőhle

17.30     Reception

The conference will be held in Hungarian, English, and German, and simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

We are looking forward to welcoming you!