Hans Sima – A Political Life

The special exhibition HANS SIMA – A POLITICAL LIFE traces the political work of Carinthian Governor Hans Sima (1918–2006). From 1965 to 1974, he led the province and provided important impulses for Carinthia – also as a dedicated promoter of art, culture, and education.

Politics and Culture in Dialogue Sima maintained close ties to the Carinthian art and culture scene. He had a particular personal and cultural-political connection with the painter Werner Berg. Sima did not view art and culture as secondary matters, but as essential components of an open and future-oriented Carinthia. His commitment helped to make artists and cultural initiatives visible and to give them a social space. Sima also set lasting accents in education. Among his important strategic decisions was his support for the founding of the University of Klagenfurt.

A Politician in the Crosscurrents of His Time Conceived as a traveling exhibition, the show reconstructs Sima's life story through photographic highlights – from a young representative to his years as governor and his withdrawal from politics. The images offer insights into the earlier craft of political press photography in black and white. Self-staging through cell phone photography was still unknown. The exhibition focuses on a politician who saw himself as a bridge-builder between cultures and nations. Sima championed dialogue with the Slovenian ethnic group and wanted Carinthia to play an active role in the Alpine-Adriatic region. Cooperation between Austria, Italy, and the former Yugoslavia was intended to open up new perspectives.

Carinthia in the Heart of Europe This vision is also reflected in the exhibition itself: all content is accessible in German, English, Italian, and Slovenian. Multilingualism symbolizes Sima's idea of Carinthia as an interface and partner in a European region. Sima strongly advocated for bilingual place-name signs, but the place-name sign conflict and his differing positions on Bruno Kreisky's course in implementing the federal law of 1972 ultimately marked the end of his political career. His resignation in 1974 ended his active political career. However, his commitment to art, culture, education, and cross-border dialogue continues to resonate today.

HANS SIMA – A POLITICAL LIFE is a cooperation between the Altlandeshauptmann Hans Sima Privatstiftung, the contemporary history association VICCA, and the Museum der Stadt Villach. The exhibition is on display in the Künstlerhaus Salon and complements the ongoing exhibition COMMON STORY – VEREINT KUNST ERLEBEN.

Project Team Mag.a Ulli Sima, City Councillor for Urban Development, Mobility and Wiener Stadtwerke, Chairwoman of the Altlandeshauptmann Hans Sima Privatstiftung and granddaughter of Hans Sima Univ.-Prof. i. R. MMag. DDr. Oliver Rathkolb, Scientific Project Management Mag. Dr. Andreas Kuchler, Director Stadtmuseum Villach and Curator Mag.a Dr.in Petra Mayrhofer, Scientific Research and Publication