Austria has a long tradition of polar research. It was 151 years ago that the members of the “Austro-Hungarian North Pole Expedition” set out on the Admiral Tegetthoff with the aim of exploring the Arctic Ocean and finding the Northeast Passage. The ship soon got locked in pack ice, however. As it drifted with the ice, the polar explorers Carl Weyprecht and Julius Payer discovered a group of islands, which they named after the emperor: Franz-Josef-Land. A few zoological objects they brought back from this expedition are still preserved at the NHM Vienna today. Based on his experiences from the expedition, Carl Weyprecht developed key theories for modern Arctic research. His work also provided the basis for the “First International Polar Year” held in 1882-1883. Austria took part with its own research station on Jan Mayen Island.
 
Today, the Austrian Polar Research Institute (APRI) coordinates domestic research and international cooperation in the field of polar science. The first permanent Austrian polar research station was recently established in East Greenland In cooperation with the University of Graz. The APRI being a project partner of the NHM Vienna, its researchers have been closely involved in the exhibition, which gives them a platform to report on their main areas of research.
 
This exhibition highlights the unique nature of the Arctic, its fascination and fragility, as well as the rapid changes affecting the Arctic regions.  Climate change with its clearly visible and measurable effects, as well as geopolitical shifts, have drawn global attention to the Arctic.
Exploring the many facets and roles of this unique ecosystem from different perspectives, the exhibition demonstrates that the Arctic plays a crucial global role and is now more closely linked to human existence than ever before.
 

Programme

 

Welcome and introduction:

Why is Austria conducting research in the Arctic?

Department of Geography and Regional Sciences, University of Graz
 

Austria and historical Arctic research

 

The fascination of the Arctic Ocean

Dr Bettina Riedel , Curator of the exhibition and research associate of the fish collection,
I. Department of Zoology, NHM Vienna

The making of an exhibition

Dr Andreas Hantschk, Curator of the exhibition and member of the Science Communication Department, NHM Vienna
 
Followed by a tour of the new exhibition in the two special exhibition rooms and 6 cabinets
 
Inclusion in the museum on the themes of the new special exhibition
Guided tours by people with and without disabilities for people with and without disabilities Clara Porak, Managing Director of andererseits, Magazin für Behinderung und Gesellschaft and Agnes Mair, member of the Science Communication Department, NHM Vienna
 

Press kit:

https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/presse/pressemitteilungen2023/arktis

A brochure on the exhibition (EUR 6.90) and an exhibition poster (EUR 3) are available for sale at the museum shop.
The comprehensive accompanying programme, including lectures, guided tours and formats for families can be found in a flyer for the exhibition or on the NHM website at https://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/veranstaltungsprogramm