Imperial identity in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Imperial identity in the Austro-Hungarian Empire
On 9 November 2026, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest will host an international workshop entitled “Imperial Identity in the Austro-Hungarian Empire”, taking place from 9:00 to 15:00 in the Faculty Council Chamber. Organised within the framework of the UNIDICE project, the event will bring together scholars from Central Europe to examine the complex nature of imperial identity in the multinational Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The workshop will explore how political, cultural and national identities coexisted, interacted and sometimes competed within the structures of the Habsburg Empire. Particular attention will be devoted to the relationship between imperial institutions, national movements, political loyalties and the diverse ethnic and linguistic communities of the monarchy. The programme will approach these questions through a combination of political, cultural and social history, with a particular emphasis on the symbolic representation of imperial authority and the tensions between imperial belonging and national identification.
Kristóf Kovács (ELTE) will examine “The Idea of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy and Hungarian Nationalism in the 'Magyar Paizs' Newspaper of Zala County.” Drawing on a weekly newspaper published in Zalaegerszeg between 1900 and 1917, his presentation will explore the relationship between Hungarian nationalism and perceptions of the Dual Monarchy. Particular attention will be paid to criticism of Austria's economic role, attitudes towards ethnic minorities and the changing representation of the monarchy following the outbreak of the First World War.
Andor Mészáros (ELTE) will present “Parallel 'Anthem Cults' and Symbolic Struggle: The Place of the Imperial Anthem in Pre-1918 Hungarian Symbolism.” His contribution will investigate the symbolic dimensions of imperial identity, focusing on the role of the imperial anthem and its relationship to competing national and political traditions in Hungary.
Roman Holec (Slovakia) will address “Imperial Identity or Loyalty – The Slovak Case,” offering insights into the relationship between imperial allegiance and national identity from a Slovak historical perspective.
The workshop will also feature contributions from Gregor Antoličič and Andrej Rahten (Slovenia) and Andrej Tóth (Slovakia), further broadening the discussion through comparative perspectives on the political and cultural history of the Habsburg Monarchy. Beyond the individual presentations, the workshop will provide an opportunity to reconsider the role of Austria-Hungary in shaping the political and cultural landscape of modern Central Europe. By bringing together different national historiographical traditions, the discussions will encourage participants to reflect on the challenges of collective belonging, competing loyalties and identity formation within a multinational state. The event is organised by Andor Mészáros (ELTE) and contributes to the broader objectives of the UNIDICE Erasmus+ project by promoting international academic cooperation, comparative historical research and a deeper understanding of Central Europe's shared yet diverse historical experiences. The workshop will be held in person, with English as the working language, providing a forum for academic exchange and dialogue among researchers interested in the political, social and cultural history of Central Europe.