Concentration Camp Memorial Association of Guntramsdorf/Wiener Neudorf

Since its founding in October 2005, the Guntramsdorf/Wiener Neudorf Concentration Camp Memorial Association, as a local affiliate of Mauthausen Committee Austria, has been dedicated to the intensive examination of the topics of racism, anti-Semitism and right-wing extremism as well as the promotion of civil courage. A core concern of the association is to raise awareness of the crimes of National Socialism in the region and to keep the memory of the victims alive. Particular attention is paid to local history, especially that of the satellite camps in Guntramsdorf and Wiener Neudorf between 1943 and 1945. The memorial association offers guided tours of contemporary history through the district of Neu-Guntramsdorf and the former concentration camp site for groups by prior arrangement.

To promote commitment of the regional population to the historical reappraisal of the Nazi era, we have initiated a number of projects and events over the years. One current example is the research project "Disappeared Guntramsdorfers", which, more than 85 years after the "Anschluss" of Austria in 1938, is investigating and shedding light on the fates of civilian victims of National Socialism from Guntramsdorf for the first time. This comprehensive research work has brought to light harrowing individual fates and stimulated a broad public discussion as well as commemorative events and the laying of memorial stones. The results were presented at a major commemorative and cultural event, which aroused great interest among the population and politicians.

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Another project is a cooperation with HTL Mödling [secondary school for engineering]. In this context, the gate of a former bunker in Neu-Guntramsdorf was reconstructed and the bunker was made accessible for guided tours. This school project enables pupils to actively engage with regional history and contribute to the preservation of historical heritage.

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The connection between the regional memorial sites and the everyday reality of people's lives is established through the design of memorial sites such as the “Park of Remembrance” in Wiener Neudorf. This site serves not only as a place of remembrance but also as an educational site that is visited by school classes, in particular to learn about what happened during the Nazi era.

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Communicating the history of the region during the Nazi era and coming to terms with this history is particularly important when working with young people. Specially designed tours, lectures and projects encourage young people to come to terms with the past and learn lessons for the present. The association works closely with schools and educational institutions to develop educational programs that raise awareness of the dangers of racism and extremism and convey the importance of civil courage.

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Overall, the Guntramsdorf/Wiener Neudorf Concentration Camp Memorial Association strives to strengthen the culture of remembrance in the region through its diverse activities, and to make an active contribution to promoting tolerance and democracy. Through close cooperation with the local population, educational institutions and political representatives, the importance of historical reappraisal is emphasized and its relevance for today's society is made clear.