Austrian president Alexander van der Bellen has awarded Prof. Maria Kłańska, long-time head of the JU Department of German Literature, with the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art. It was presented to Prof. Kłańska by the Ambassador of Austria to Poland Dr Werner Almhofer in the Libraria Room of JU Collegium Maius.
Austrian Decoration for Science and Art is one of the most important Austrian decorations as far as cultural achievements are concerned. Prof. Maria Kłańska received it as a recognition of her contributions to Austrian literature and art as well as her work on the development of scientific collaboration with Austrian universities and cultural institutions. As emphasised by Andrzej Tombiński, honorary consul of the Austrian Republic in Kraków, her papers on 19th and 20th century literature and Galicia proved to be vital instruments in the promotion of Austrian culture.
Prof. Maria Kłańska has been working at the JU Institute of German Studies since 1973. Her interests include 19th and 20th century Austrian literature, Galicia and Bukovina in literature, Jewish studies, reception of ancient history and the Bible in 20th century literature as well as Norwegian literature. In 2001, she has been awarded with the Herder Prize for scholars in the humanities.
