European clocks have been running on Hitler’s time since the Second World War. Countries like Spain aligned with Central European Time (CET) to synchronize with Nazi Germany. However, this historical decision has left many European clocks out of tune with natural time. It raises questions about the practicality and relevance of adopting a time zone that may not align with a region’s geographic location.
Advocates for change propose splitting Europe into four time zones based on natural time, where the sun reaches its highest point at noon. This alignment would better reflect the natural rhythm of daylight and improve the overall synchronization between human activities and the environment. However, the entrenched status quo makes it challenging to implement such significant changes.
![](https://www.eurozine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Europe_time_zones_map_en.png)
It makes little sense for Poland and Spain to share the same time zone. A map of European times from Wikimedia Commons.
Another contentious issue is the practice of Daylight Saving Time (DST), initially introduced during WWI to conserve energy. However, modern-day DST policies no longer serve their intended purpose and are widely unpopular. Despite public sentiment favoring its abolition, the decision to adhere to DST or Standard Time remains with individual countries within the EU.
Time zones and DST impact not only clock settings but also human health. Disruptions to the circadian rhythm, our internal body clock tied to natural light-dark cycles, can lead to desynchronization between biological functions and societal schedules.
This complex confluence of historical, political, and physiological factors forms a continent-wide puzzle. In a bid to unravel this puzzle, we engage with esteemed guests:
Prof. Dietrich Henckel, a board member of the German Society for Time Policy (DGfZP), renowned for his expertise in urban economies and the impact of time on city structures.
Dr. Imre Márton Reményi, a versatile professional with a background spanning mechanical engineering to psychotherapy, currently leading initiatives in organizational consulting and burnout prevention.
James Irons, a talented comedian and actor based in the UK and Vienna, known for his theatrical performances and contribution to podcast theater.
We convene at the Alte Schmiede Kunstverein in Vienna to delve into this multifaceted discussion.
Creative Team
Réka Kinga Papp, Merve Akyel, Szilvia Pintér, Zsófia Gabriella Papp, Margarita Lechner, Salma Shaka, Priyanka Hutschenreiter
Management
Hermann Riessner, Judit Csikós, Csilla Nagyné Kardos
OKTO Crew
Senad Hergić, Leah Hochedlinger, Marlena Stolze, Clemens Schmiedbauer, Richard Brusek
Postproduction
Nóra Ruszkai, Kateryna Kuzmenko
Art
Victor Maria Lima, Cornelia Frischauf
Captions and Subtitles
Julia Sobota, Daniela Univazo, Mars Zaslavsky, Marta Ferdebar, Olena Yermakova, Farah Ayyash
Hosted by The Alte Schmiede Kunstverein in Vienna
Sources
Daylight Saving Time and Artificial Time Zones – A Battle Between Biological and Social Times by Till Roenneberg, Eva C. Winnebeck, and Eva C. Winnebeck, Frontiers in Physiology
When will the EU end seasonal clock changes? Only time will tell by Alice Tidey, Euronews
Do schools kill creativity? Sir Ken Robinson, TED
Related Reads
Midnight dispatch: Night workers’ voices from the UK and Romania by Julius-Cezar MacQuarie
Disclosure
This talk show is a Display Europe production, supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union and the European Cultural Foundation. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and speakers and do not represent the views of the European Union or the EACEA.