“The human brain,” said German neuroscientist Manfred Spitzer, “is incredibly fond of stories.” This is a story that takes you back in time and then back to the present. A narrative about European conditions that no longer exist and yet live on in us. It is the chronicle of Mara Kraus’ enterprising family, their way of life in orderly times, as well as their survival in the insane times of the twentieth century.
Mara Kraus’ forefather came from the poorest corner of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. With satchel in hand, he went in search of a better existence. His descendants ascended to the bourgeoisie, prospered, overcame economic and marital crises, and kept on starting over again, until they ran for their lives, with nothing but a satchel in their hands.
Mara Kraus, born in 1925 in Zagreb; moved to Osijek in 1929; moved to Belgrade in 1933; May 1941: escape to Dalmatia on the island of Hvar, June: escape to Split, December: internment in Piedmont, Italy; 1943 escape to Switzerland; 1945 marriage to Ivo Kraus and return to Italy; 1948 emigration to Argentina; return to Europe in 1950; lives in Paris and Milan; emigration to Venezuela in 1955; return to Italy 7 months later; 1968 emigration to Brazil; 1972 separation from Ivo Kraus; 1985 return to Europe with partner Joe J. Heydecker.
Advance booking requested: Tel.: +43 1 535 04 31-1510 or e-mail: events@jmw.at.
Free admission as of 6:15 p.m.
Photo (c) Mara Kraus
Monday, 18 Feb 18:30,
Museum Dorotheergasse
Mara Kraus’ forefather came from the poorest corner of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. With satchel in hand, he went in search of a better existence. His descendants ascended to the bourgeoisie, prospered, overcame economic and marital crises, and kept on starting over again, until they ran for their lives, with nothing but a satchel in their hands.
Mara Kraus, born in 1925 in Zagreb; moved to Osijek in 1929; moved to Belgrade in 1933; May 1941: escape to Dalmatia on the island of Hvar, June: escape to Split, December: internment in Piedmont, Italy; 1943 escape to Switzerland; 1945 marriage to Ivo Kraus and return to Italy; 1948 emigration to Argentina; return to Europe in 1950; lives in Paris and Milan; emigration to Venezuela in 1955; return to Italy 7 months later; 1968 emigration to Brazil; 1972 separation from Ivo Kraus; 1985 return to Europe with partner Joe J. Heydecker.
Advance booking requested: Tel.: +43 1 535 04 31-1510 or e-mail: events@jmw.at.
Free admission as of 6:15 p.m.
Photo (c) Mara Kraus
Monday, 18 Feb 18:30,
Museum Dorotheergasse
