Contemporary History with a Sharp Pen: Cartoon Exhibition "Graphic Novel" in Altaussee

The German comic artist Simon Schwartz is a master at bringing contemporary history vividly to life – and has packed the eventful history of the Altaussee salt mine – from the Stone Age through the Nazi era, to the art treasures stored in the mountain and their spectacular rescue – into a graphic novel. Stories told through images have always offered a unique gateway to our history.

Simon Schwartz is one of Germany's best-known comic artists. He debuted in 2009 with "drüben!", a touching graphic novel about his parents' departure from East Germany. His book "Packeis" received the Max und Moritz Prize in 2012 as the best German-language comic debut. This was followed in 2016 by "Vom Ende der Zündschnüre", about the crimes of the Wehrmacht in Greece. In 2022, he published "Die Nonna", in which he recounts the life story of his Italian grandmother. Through his work, Simon Schwartz combines autobiographical storytelling with historical research – creating time documents that are simultaneously personal and political. His graphic novel about the Altaussee salt mine is part of the exhibition "Graphic Novel".

The exhibition is part of the series "Hidden in the Rock. The Mountain, the Salt & the Art". The event series invites you to experience the unique symbiosis of nature, industry, and art at the Altaussee salt mine up close – with installations, guided tours, and an audio guide. The show mine is open from May to October.