The Austrian historian Prof. Dr. Oliver Jens Schmitt will be presenting his book "Moskaus westliche Rivalen – Eine europäische Geschichte vom Nordkap bis zum Schwarzen Meer" at the European University Viadrina on Tuesday, February 3 at 6 pm. At the invitation of Viadrina law professor Prof. Dr. Markus Beham, the expert on Eastern Europe will read from his award-winning book, in which he explores the question of what distinguishes Russia's political culture from its western neighbors. He spans a period from the Middle Ages to Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The event in the main building of the Viadrina, Große Scharrnstraße 59, Senatssaal (room 109), is open to all interested parties. Registration is not required.
About the author
Oliver Jens Schmitt, born in 1973, has been Professor of History of Southeast Europe at the University of Vienna and a member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences since 2005. He is considered one of the best experts on the social and cultural history of Eastern Europe. His research interests include fascism in Eastern Europe in the context of comparative fascism research, Eastern Mediterranean urban societies in the long 19th century, society and politics in the late Ottoman Empire and the late medieval history of the Balkans.
About the book
The book "Moskaus westliche Rivalen – Eine europäische Geschichte vom Nordkap bis zum Schwarzen Meer" was published last year by Klett-Cotta. In it, author Oliver Jens Schmitt shows that Moscow is not primarily separated from its western neighbors by language or religion, but above all by differences in political culture.
He establishes a comprehensive connection between the experiences from Scandinavia to the Baltic and the Mediterranean. "For the first time, a historian tells the little-known story of an often overlooked but far-reaching part of Europe, whose independence is once again under threat today," says the publisher's website.
The publication was awarded the Bruno Kreisky Prize for the Political Book of 2025.
When and where?
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 6 p.m.
Viadrina – Senatssaal (Room 109)
Große Scharrnstraße 59, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)