Born in Graz in 1953 and socialised politically and artistically (drums) in Knittelfeld. Dr. phil. (University of Graz). He is remembered for his performances with the band “Freak Out”. As a historian, director of the Graz City Museum (Stadtmuseum Graz) from 1990 to 2005 and subsequently responsible for foreign projects at the Universalmuseum Joanneum, he made valuable contributions to a progressive view of Graz’s city history. Most recently, he worked on projects for the European Capital of Culture Rijeka 2020. From 2005 to 2010, he was a member of the Styrian provincial government’s advisory board on culture: “I want to convey to the citizens that political culture is essentially human culture. Culture must not be misused as an image polishing tool.