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The Guardian, 31. 8. 90
. .. Some 1,052 exhibits are an show, ranging from a 2 cm memorial coin
to a painting measuring 5.5 by 7.5 m by Václav Sochor, depicting
a scene from the Prussian-Austrian war of 1866. Indeed, without the explanations
given in the 527-page catalogue the visitor might find it difficult to
distinguish between the 13 sections spread over 18 interconnected rooms
and covering various aspects of 19th century history.
However, there is one aspect impossible to overlook: this is no attempt
to extol the merits of Bismarck. On the contrary, in addition to the pictures
and articles demonstrating the progress in industry and war technology,
one whole section is devoted to Bismarck's dictatorial tendencies, his
stringent anti socialist laws and the social strife they engendered.
Any amount of national kitsch is an display, particularly in the last
section which deals with the cult made of Bismarck after his retirement
from office.
There is an extensive program in support of the exhibition, and six European
historians, among them Norman Stone, will lecture an Bismarck's influence
an European politics.
Michael Stone
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