The Fifties have a particular place in our collective imagination: the decade of elegance and sophistication, of the economic boom, of “the Golden Age” of radio, of the birth of rock and roll, of the beginnings of television, and the dawn of commercial air travel.
However, these iconic characteristics of the Fifties represent only one side of the decade, inspired by the bright and optimistic eagerness for change that spread all over Europe after the Second World War ended. The Cold War, the fear of a nuclear conflict, the authoritarian regimes in Spain and Portugal, a divided Germany, and a controlling conservative society were also part of European citizens’ everyday life.
These fascinating photos from Michael Leonard were taken by his father Max Leonard during his trip to Europe in 1950.
Austria. Melk Abbey, 1950
Austria. Pinzgau, 1950
Austria. Salzburg, Zell am See, 1950
Austria. Vienna Parliament, 1950
Belgium. Brussels, Hotel Metropole, Place de Brouckère, 1950
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