Vienna, located in the heart of the Danube valley, is the city of the waltz that is also imbued with romanticism, architecture and history. This Vienna, both traditional and modern, was the protagonist of the cross-disciplinary Humanities workshop.

The art that can be found on its streets, as well as its buildings and music inspired the various talks that were given on 22 January in the Saló de Graus room. The event was aimed at students who the following day were off on a five-day trip around the Austrian capital.  

Thus the cross-disciplinary workshop was given once again as the precursor to a unique academic experience. Alberto Estévez was the first speaker, and he talked about “The appearance of art and modern architecture in Vienna”. Estévez was formerly a professor at the Universität für angewandte Kunst de Viena (University of the Applied Arts) in the 90s and is a specialist in the Viennese Secession. 

Afterwards, Josep Casals, a professor from the University of Barcelona (UB), gave a talk entitled: “The three generations of Viennese modernity”. Subsequently there was a talk called: “Viennese neuroses: The ambivalent relationship with Vienna in the memoirs of Hilde Spiel and Ruth Klüger”, given by Rosa Pérez, a professor from the Faculty of Philology at the UB. 

After the break, UIC Barcelona professor and orchestra director Joan Grimalt gave students a talk entitled “An approach to Mahler’s music.” At the end of the event, tenured professor at the UB Joan Molet talked about “Ringstrasse Architecture”, since he is a 19th century specialist.