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This short review article has two main goals. On the one hand, to show that beyond an apparent opposition between "big state" and "big society", the history of French assistance is based more on complementarities and cooperation than on confrontation. As in Anglo-Saxon countries and Germany, it is therefore relevant to speak about a "mixed economy of welfare", although the term is almost never used. On the other hand, the paper will also try to understand that omission by tracing the outlines of the French historiography on assistance, showing that works on the subject are both relatively recent (mainly from the 1990s onwards) and often scattered across religious and social history from the 19th to the 21st century; but also between historians and other social scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the "Historical Climatology" conference that took place at the German Historical Institute in Paris, France from September 5-6, 2011. Papers presented at the conference discussed topics such as how historians can contribute to finding a solution to climate change, how climate change affected animals in England and Wales during the 14th century, and how certain types of documentary data can aid in the reconstruction of European climates.

The article offers information on "Nationes, Gentes und die Musik im Mittelalter," a conference that focused on music and social life during the Middle Ages in Europe. It took place in Gießen, Germany from September 8-11, 2011. Papers presented at the conference discussed topics such as historiography in the Alpine region in Europe during the Middle Ages, identities and societies in the Frankish Empire, and the different regional musical notations in Europe during the Middle Ages.

Copyright of GENDER: Zeitschrift für Geschlecht, Kultur und Gesellschaft is the property of Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses the history of the Bibliographie Nationale Française (BNF), the French National Library, from its foundation in 1811 under Napoleon, its expansion to other subjects beside bibliography after the World War II, and to its modern online databases. The library is the oldest national bibliography in the world. Other topics mentioned are new cooperation with other libraries, the use of microfiche to reduce paper costs, and the goal to preserve books as cultural heritage.

Copyright of Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In shaping the institution of the museum, the French revolutionaries similarly established it as a cultural agent resting upon specific cultural techniques which still account for its modernity down to the present day. On the backdrop of the all-embracing notion of the “new world" which the revolutionaries repetitiously made use of, the discussions about the creation of the Louvre outlined the museum's genuine cultural performance in terms of museification. The following article tries to develop this argument and expounds a poetics of the modern museum being essentially grounded, first, on the present as most important time line, second, on the aesthetics of the exhibits, and third, on the utopian moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents and discusses the poetics of the museum while basing on an historical investigation of the museum as an institution in France between the years 1790-1795. Thus, the article determines that the French revolutionaries that stood behind the establishment of the museum, based its concept on a set of cultural techniques that have remained relevant throughout history and thus play a role in the present as well. The revolutionaries used the narrative of "a new world" when creating the Louvre museum. The article consequently explores the poetics of the museum in modernity while concentrating on its aesthetics from an historical perspective.

The article discusses the impact of decolonization on the former colonialist empire France. The author argues that traditional historiography of the colonial era marginalised the effect of French colonialism on French culture and consciousness, and did not reflect adequately the violence of the processes of colonialism and decolonization in the social and the political arena. Topics mentioned include migration, racism, and cultural conflict in post-colonial France.

The article reviews the conference, "Mehr als nur Nachbarn. Die deutsch-französischen Beziehungen in der Ära Kohl," on the topics of German-French relations in the era of German Chancellor and Christian Democratic party leader, Helmut Kohl (b. 1930), held in Königswinter, Germany, on November 11th, 2012. Topics include Kohl's warm personal relationship to French President Francois Mitterand, French-German bilateralism within European and world politics, and defense and military cooperation between the countries.