Symposium: "Without Women, There Is No Uprising. On the Future of the Forgotten Female Revolutionaries"

Courage to write history – from history to HERstory

This year's edition of the communale oö 2026 art and culture festival is dedicated to a central chapter of regional history: the Upper Austrian Peasants' War of 1626. The theme will be explored across the region in many different ways – starting from the roots of the past and branching far out into the present and future. Courage, freedom, and resistance stand as the defining keywords of the era and remain in focus even after 400 years. Documented and shaped by the individual fates of men, told through heroic myths, these narratives often remain unquestained to this day. The communale oö 2026 also aims to create space for remembrance, the preservation of history and traditions, and reflection under the heading "Commemoration." But what is there to preserve if one barely appears in the collective memory of Europe? If women were excluded from having a say then as now, and their commitment to social justice remains invisible?

Resistance was and is female. Without HERstory, there is no complete HIStory. From the Peasants' Wars and the French Revolution to the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement – women were and are indispensable actors in historical upheavals: as leaders, organizers, accomplices, rebels. They risked and risk their lives in the struggle for political participation and religious self-determination. Yet their contribution is hardly anchored in society's awareness.

Symposium "Without Women, There Is No Uprising."

The interdisciplinary symposium "Without Women, There Is No Uprising. On the Future of the Forgotten Female Revolutionaries" brings them out of the shadows and puts female protest and activism in the spotlight. Because: "Whoever has power over history also has power over the present and the future." (George Orwell)

Starting from the 17th century, the symposium will discuss forms of resistance by women from different eras. The goal: to find ways to pass on female civil courage sustainably to future generations. Which methods come with which challenges? Do urban and rural unrest differ? Are today's protests truly more diverse than in the past? Can universal mechanisms of resistance be found? Are there cross-generational successes that can be celebrated together? What generally strengthens women in standing up for their concerns? In short: "What does the Peasants' War of 1626 have to do with our reality today?" Experts – including from history, philosophy, theology, media and political science, activism, art, and business – open spaces for exchange and networking together with the audience. So that past and current female resistance fighters receive the social echo they deserve in the future.

Admission: Free Registration: kulturabteilung@gmunden.ooe.gv.at

Supporting programme on 03.10.: From 7:00 pm, the symposium invites visitors to the Hipphalle for the opening of the exhibition "Not Fit for Marketing – Farm Women Beyond the Idyll" by the Artiné art association.

Supporting programme on 04.10.: At 3:00 pm, the symposium invites participants to a themed Instawalk through Gmunden's town centre.

In cooperation with communale oö 2026.