Lecture Series
“The Presence of the Pre-Modern Era”
A lecture series on the relevance of historical research to the present day
Organizers: Alexander Kästner, Gerd Schwerhoff & Hannes Ziegler (TU Dresden)
The Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period—the proverbial “pre-modern era”—doesn’t this term already suggest that these eras are very far removed from us and seem foreign to us today? Do they nevertheless (or precisely because of this) still (or once again) have something to say to the present? In this lecture series, renowned historians will explore what fascinates them and what they believe is relevant to us today.
Andreas Pečar: Is Donald Trump a Challenge for Early Modern History?
November 17, 2026, 5 p.m.
August-Bebel-Straße 20, Room E08
Andreas Pečar is a professor of Early Modern History at Martin Luther University Halle.
On the Logic of Autocracy: The Example of Frederick William I of Prussia, the “Soldier King”
January 26, 2027, 5 p.m.
August-Bebel-Straße 20, Room E08
Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger is the Rector of the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin.
You can find more information on the flyer.