Geist & Gegenwart – Dialogue Forum / Whitsun Dialogue

The Styrian Government launched the 'Geist & Gegenwart' dialogues in 2005 to create a formal platform for in-depth intellectual discourse on important questions of our time, something which has always been a major concern for Graz and Styria, which constitute a dynamic hub in the South-East of Europe.

‘Geist & Gegenwart’ is a platform for fruitful, interdisciplinary and international debates on basic principles in the Styrian border region situated at the intersection of four European cultures. Styria has always seen itself as a bridge to those South-Eastern regions, which have recently moved once again towards the centre of Europe.


'Geist & Gegenwart' is made up of two components: the Whitsun Dialogues and the Seiries of Dialogues

Whitsun Dialogue

The Whitsun Dialogues, which are held every two years in Seggauberg Castle, the former Bishop’s residence in southern Styria, close to the Slovenian, Croatian and Hungarian borders. The events took place in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

Series of Dialogues

Series of dialogues launched in autumn 2007, which take place several times a year in Graz, where prominent experts contribute to intellectual discussions in lecture and discussion evenings.


“Geist & Gegenwart” is a series of events in the Austrian state of Styria which take place under the leadership of the Department of Science for the Styrian Government and the Regional Minister for Business, Tourism, Europe, Science and Research, Barbara Eibinger-Miedl. Organized in cooperation with Club Alpbach Styria, Styrian universities and the diocese of Graz-Seckau, the biennial Whitsun Dialogues and the quarterly “Geist & Gegenwart – Dialogue Events” held in the Main Hall of the Old University in Graz make a serious intellectual contribution to Styria’s development.