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Dear PWHCE reader, (in Melbourne, Australia) You are cordially invited to a talk about the brilliant, courageous and controversial Dr Frank Knopfelmacher (1923-1995). He was one of Australia’s most important post-war intellectuals. The talk will be given by Frank’s son, Andrew. Andrew will provide a general overview of his father’s intellectual and political views focusing on the issues that concerned Frank the most. One such issue to be discussed will be Dr Knopfelmacher’s concern with totalitarianism. Andrew will detail how Frank was able to draw upon his own personal experiences as a refugee from both Hitler and Stalin’s regimes and apply his acute mind and intellect to a study of the theory and practice of totalitarianism and the 'totalitarian temptation' that was entrenched in academic and other cultural institutions in Australia and overseas. The talk will also relate how Frank provided his students and followers with a theoretical and practical framework that equipped and motivated many of them to enter public life and engage in the battle of ideas. Additionally, Andrew will highlight how Frank’s political activities helped to substantially underwrite the social democratic framework within the post-war anti-communist, anti-totalitarian democratic alliance between Conservatives, Liberals and Social Democrats that was once associated with the Congress for Cultural Freedom and Quadrant magazine. Andrew’s talk will commence at
upstairs in the Carringbush function room
226 Nicholson St ABBOTSFORD [(Melway ref:- 2C K8) Near Johnson St] (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) Meals can be taken upstairs to the function room if necessary at the time of the talk. Andrew Knopfelmacher’s talk offers a special opportunity to gain an insight and perspective on the life’s work of a remarkable man and his legacy. |