No Picnic. First Crossings of the “Iron Curtain” around 1989

The fall of the “Iron Curtain” in 1989 fundamentally changed European history: The state-socialist dictatorships were replaced — in most places peacefully — and the Cold War came to an end. In regions where deep divides had separated “East” and “West” for decades, Europe began to grow closer together.

With an exhibition presented in five languages, the House of Austrian History shows that as early as 1985, individuals and small grassroots initiatives in the border regions played a decisive role in bringing Europe together. The exhibition tells the stories of those who, with commitment, curiosity, and courage, helped turn their vision of a united Europe into reality. One highlight on display for the first time is a map showing escape routes from Hungary to Burgenland. At first, East German refugees suspected the Austrians distributing these maps of being Stasi informants. But those Austrians would soon become key escape helpers to the longed-for “West” — even before the now-famous “Pan-European Picnic” in August 1989.

The exhibition’s stories range from a school class that helped resolve a diplomatic crisis, to Czechoslovakian border guards at a costume ball in Upper Austria. It also explores why fragments of the dismantled barbed-wire border — unlike pieces of the Berlin Wall — never became coveted souvenirs.

Step into history with our digital exhibition, where original videos, personal stories, and private footage from the time of the Iron Curtain's fall bring to life the powerful moments and the people who helped shape Europe’s path to unity in 1989.

Director, House of Austrian History

Monika Sommer

Curator

Stefan Benedik

Scientific research
Vanessa Tautter

Exhibition design and graphics

Marie Gruber, Tanja Jenni, Petra Süß, Enid Wolf

Loan and rights management

Laura Langeder, Petra Süß

Layout

Tanja Jenni

Lektorat

Eva Meran 

Wissenschaftliche Konsulenz

Heidemarie Uhl

Translation English
Paul Richards

Translation Slovanian, Czech, Hungarian

Edit Szénassy

Communication and Social Media

Ildiko Füredi-Kolarik, Elke Weilharter,

Irene Pitnauer-Wolfram, Michaela Zach

Arthandling and display production

Vienna Arthandling

Lenders and licensors

Hans Iby, Kulturverein Piberstein, Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum, Österreichischer Rundfunk ORF, Niklas Perzi, Josef Schimböck, Helene Schrolmberger, Albert Traxler

With particular thanks for research contributions to Herbert Bednarik, Karl Danzer, Mojmír Jeřábek, Andreas Jordan, Irmgard Jurkovich, Irmgard Quass, Marion Schweighofer, Österreichische Mediathek, Stadtgemeinde Hardegg, Stadtmuseum Wienertor in Hainburg and to all contributors to the web exhibition