Folklore Association
The Folklore Society was founded in Vienna in 1894 . He is the legal entity of the Austrian Museum of Folklore and since 1895 publisher of the Austrian Journal of Folklore .
history
The founding initiators in December 1894 were Michael Haberlandt and Wilhelm Hein . You worked at the prehistoric-ethnographic department of the Natural History Museum and were associated with the Anthropological Society founded in Vienna in 1870 . Although the aim was to anchor as broadly as possible in the population, the association initially recruited itself mainly from members of the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie . Therefore, the end of the Austrian monarchy brought the association into great difficulties. The situation, which had become even more difficult during the Nazi era , was only consolidated after the Second World War by Leopold Schmidt , the then association president and director of the Austrian Museum of Folklore. Under the presidency of Klaus Beitl , the membership was increased, and the association experienced a national and international opening.
The club today
Today's association activity is closely linked to the activities of the museum. The association's news bulletin entitled Folklore in Austria is sent to members every two months, and the Austrian Folklore Journal appears twice a year. The current president is Wolfgang Maderthaner , his deputies are Brigitta Schmidt-Lauber and Margot Schindler . Matthias Beitl , the current director of the Austrian Museum of Folklore, was elected as the managing secretary general . Other board members: Birgit Johler (Deputy General Secretary), Stefan Benesch (Treasurer), Olaf Bockhorn (Deputy Treasurer).
Michael Haberlandt Medal
As the highest honor for services to Austrian folklore, the association awards the Michael Haberlandt Medal, which is awarded by the association's president. Previous honors are:
- 1974 Richard Beitl
- 1975 Franz C. Lipp
- 1980 Hiltraud Ast
- 1990 Hans Grießmair
- 1998 Leopold Kretzenbacher
- 2004 Klaus Beitl