“Does freedom need democracy?” This is the title of a preview of the 2017 European Tolerance Talks organized by Club Carinthia together with PEN-Club Austria, Travel Industry Club and the international tax consultancy TPA on 18 January 2017 at BKS Bank in Vienna. The keynote statement is given by columnist Anneliese Rohrer, who has already provided provocative statements on the subject with her book “Ende des Gehorsam” (“End of obedience”). Fresach President Hannes Swoboda provides an overview of the past activities of the Denk.Raum.Fresach and gives an outlook on the highlights of the coming year. PEN President Helmuth A. Niederle explains the activities of the oldest Austrian association of writers in the 70th year of its revival. The political round-up is completed by the political scientist Vedran Dzihic (The Illiberal Democracy) and the writer Serafettin Yildiz (Turkey under Erdogan). When: 18 January 2017 Where: Bank of Carinthia and Styria (BKS) Renngasse 6-8, 1010 Wien Press conference: 5.30 pm Panel discussion: 6.30 pm The FRESACH program presentation at Club Carinthia will be devoted to the diverse threats of our democratically shaped society and the increasing infra-structure of decade-long values. Vedran Dzihic and Serafettin Yildiz illuminate in this context the growing aggravation of the political climate in Europe, Russia and Turkey. The new East-West conflict is also a subject in Fresach.“The future of freedom – Europe’s civil society and the consequences of globalization” will be the focus of the European Tolerance Talks from 30 May to 3 June 2017 in the Carinthian mountain village of Fresach. On this occasion, well-known authors, scientists and economists discuss current political developments and their risks for the individual. The first two days will be held in Villach. (ws) Painting © Erika Seywald
