General introduction
 
A number of classes and courses at the Städtisches Adolf-Weber-Gymnasium are taking part in our Comenius project on the "European baroque" with partners in France, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. Before we present our individual projects, we want to give a general introduction  into the 17th century. 

To start with: The term "baroque" is derived from the Portuguese word "barocco" which stands for an irregular pearl. We may be reminded of the fact that in this world nothing is perfect. 

People were very much influenced by the idea of "vanitas" then, the idea that everything on this earth is "vain" – in vain – because of its transitoriness. On the one hand, the presence of "vanitas" made people want to enjoy life to its fullest. "Carpe diem" : seize the day and make good use of the little time that is granted to you. Baroque joys of living are best represented in the voluptuous ladies Rubens painted, become evident in rich costumes and gigantic wigs, in overwhelming palaces and parks, in great festivities and an excessive playing with form. 

On the other hand, it was a century of wars, of the plague, of fires which meant an intense confrontation with death. To be living on this earth was for a short time only, and all creation embodied transitoriness and pointed at an eternal life after death for which one had to be prepared. 

Politically, a large number of small absolutist kingdoms evolved in Germany as a result of the Thirty Years´ War (1618-48) which had devastated central Europe. Each of these small kingdoms trying to become a miniature Versailles showed as much pomp as it could afford. In the times of the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church tried to win back its territory from the Protestants and built splendid baroque churches, particularly in Southern Germany, to impress the population. 
 
 
Monastary  
Melk
Highly important are the scientists and philosophers of this period because with their inventions (Newton, Galilei, Kepler) and concepts (Leibniz)  they founded our modern age. 

Another aspect which is interesting is that in the 17th century the first newspapers in Germany were founded -  "Viso" in Wolfenbüttel and "Relation" in Straßburg. More and more people had the chance to participate in developing a new society. 

Aleksandar Pakusevski