Program Commemoration ceremonies

Matinee on International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Künstlerhaus Klagenfurt

The City of Klagenfurt and the Advisory Board for the Culture of Remembrance and Commemoration invite you to the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day matinee: Sunday, 28 January at 10:00 am at Künstlerhaus Klagenfurt. This year's keynote speaker will be Ernst GRUBE, born in 1932.

Welcome and opening: Mayor Christian SCHEIDER
Contemporary witness and keynote speaker: Ernst GRUBE
Musical accompaniment: Duo Masis (Anna HAKOBYAN and Karen ASATRIAN)
Moderation: Nadja DANGLMAIER

Memorial rally for the "Mühlviertler Manhunt" at the Memorial for Peace

The Mauthausen Committee Gallneukirchen invites you to a memorial rally at the Memorial for Peace in Gallneukirchen.

Political Ash Wednesday

The well-known Austrian filmmaker, science journalist and author Kurt LANGBEIN will participate in the 14th Ash Wednesday Talk organised by the Wels Initiative against Fascism at the Schloss Puchberg Education Centre.

In conversation with journalist and Antifa activist Marina WETZLMAIER, the award-winning non-fiction author, director and producer will talk about his many years of work and his socio-political approach to time-critical topics such as health, the environment and democracy.

Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to exchange ideas over classic herring cheese and drinks.

"No one has the right to obey" (Hannah Arendt) - Commemorative event on the "Mühlviertel Manhunt".

In commemoration of the "Mühlviertel Manhunt", perspektive mauthausen is organising an eventing about law and justice with music and literature.

Konstanze BREITEBNER will read. The music program will be provided by HAUSGEMACHT.

40th anniversary of the Wels Initiative against Fascism

Numerous Elfriede-Grünberg-award laureates will attend. There will be an extensive program with musical accompaniment.

Book presentation "Brüchiges Schweigen" (engl. Fragile silence) by Brigitte HALBMAYR

The book presentation of Brigitte HALBMAYR's "Brüchiges Schweigen" will take place in cooperation with the Bildungshaus Schloss Puchberg and Willi ACHLEITNER.

Conference: "Never Again is Now" - RE.F.U.G.I.U.S.

Commemoration and remembrance during times of war, hatred, and violence.

RE.F.U.G.I.U.S. has invited the following speakers:

Danielle SPERA, former ORF journalist, Director of the Jewish Museum Vienna from 2010 to 2022
This concerns all of us! - Current thoughts and comments on commemoration, remembrance, and civil society

Maximilian LAKITSCH, Senior Scientist with a focus on Global Governance at the Institute for Foundations of Law at Karl-Franzens University of Graz
Austria's role as a supporter of the State of Israel

Walter MANOSCHEK, retired associate professor of Political Sciences
Germany’s and Austria's past and the war in Gaza

Katharina TIWALD, freelance writer, teacher
The everlasting discourse: the role of history lessons at a school of many origins

Host: Walter REISS

Commemoration of all victims of the construction of the South-East Wall

Paul GULDA, RE.F.U.G.I.U.S.
Andor GROSZ, president of the association of Hungarian communities of Jews Mazsihisz
Rabbi Schlomo HOFMEISTER, welcoming speech
Representatives of the Jewish communities of Zalaegerszeg and Szombathely
Music: Bogdan LAKETIC

Book presentation "Rechnitz. The Slaughterhouse Massacre in March 1945"

On 24 March 1945, up to 180 Jewish Hungarian forced labourers were murdered in Rechnitz at the Kreuzstadl.
The massacre on 25 March 1945 is less known. Near the slaughterhouse, 18 Hungarian Jews were shot and killed. This publication is dedicated to the memory of these "almost forgotten" victims.

Welcoming speech: Mayor Martin KRAMELHOFER and Dir. Vera TANGL
Presentation: Walter REISS in conversation with Eva SCHWARZMAYER
Music: Bogdan LAKETIC & Paul GULDA

Wreath ceremony at the site of the former Wiener Neustadt Satellite Camp

at the memorial near the Serbenhalle in an intimate setting with representatives of the city

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former Hinterbrühl Satellite Camp with prayer at the Way of Sorrows

Participants can visit five different stations at the Way of Sorrows with varying themes and musical accompaniment.

Unveiling of a stele at the site of the former Hirtenberg Satellite Camp

Memorial trail

in memory of the prisoners' march from the sites of forced labour to the former concentration camp site

Hermann-Langbein-Symposium from 8 April to 12 April 2024

For more than 40 years, the seminar "Ideology and reality of National Socialism", better known as the "Hermann-Langbein-Symposium”, has been a substantial module for continuing education on the topic of the "Nazi era in Austria". The symposium aims at raising awareness about the atrocities of the National Socialists and offering extensive knowledge and information about anti-fascist educational work for teachers of all school types. Since the place where the seminar is held is close to the Mauthausen and Hartheim memorials, excursions to these sites and their educational offers are possible.

The seminar is accessible to everyone, and attending individual lectures only is also possible. It is the longest running event within the teacher training activities.

Reading by Jack HERSCH from his book "Escape on the Death March"

The US-American Jack HERSCH reads from his book about his father David HERSCH, who managed to escape during the death march from Mauthausen to Gunskirchen in April 1945. He was hidden by the FRIEDMANN family in Kristein and thus survived.

"David Hersch Memorial March" in Enns and Ennsdorf

Together we will walk part of the route that David HERSCH had to take in April 1945. His son Jack HERSCH and the historian Angelika SCHLACKL will provide additional information. The new memorial to the victims of the death marches, which was opened by the Mauthausen Committee in October 2022, will also be presented.

Commemoration at the Jewish cemetery in Wels

The Wels Initiative against Fascism invites you to a commemoration at the Jewish cemetery in Wels with Christine HAIDEN, author, journalist, and president of the Upper Austrian Press Club.

Commemoration of the victims of the Enns death marches at the Enns-St. Laurenz Basilica

Memorial service for the 87 victims who were buried at the Enns cemetery. Thanks to recent research, some of the names of those murdered are now known. We will commemorate with words and music.

Commemoration ceremony at the site of former St. Aegyd satellite camp

The commemoration ceremony on the annual theme of "Law and Justice in National Socialism" will be organised by students from St. Aegyd Middle School with content and music. As always, the event will conclude with a silent march from the Kulturstadel to the concentration camp memorial site.

Commemoration at the memorial for Roma and Sinti

The Cultural Association of Austrian Roma, in co-operation with the Salzburg Peace Office, invites you to a commemoration ceremony at the memorial for Roma and Sinti.

During the National Socialist regime, Roma and Sinti from the city and the rural regions of Salzburg were rounded up at the former trotting track in the city of Salzburg and taken from there to the Maxglan Camp. Due to the "Auschwitz Decree", the Maxglan Camp was closed at the end of March/beginning of April 1943. The majority of the approximately 300 Roma and Sinti were deported to the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. A smaller group was sent to the so-called "Gypsy Detention Camp" in Lackenbach.

Panel discussion "The Captivation of Authoritarianism"

In commemoration of 80 years since the construction of the Melk Satellite Camp and celebrating 30 years since the MERKwürdig Association was established.

"Remembering means working on the future", writes Aleida ASSMANN. In light of increasing anti-democratic and fascist tendences all across Europe, the panel discussion will cover topics such as authoritarianism, fascism, and anti-democracy in a world that is greatly affected by digital media. Practical counterstrategies will be a particular focus.

The panellists:
Tamara EHS: Political scientist
Simon STRICK: Cultural and media scientist and author
Natascha STROBL: Political scientist and publicist

Never forget - GEH.DENKEN 2024

"We walk, we think, and we act for Peace." This is the title of the project "Human Rights Education - Political Education in Primary Schools" focussing on local contemporary history in 4th grade.

What happened 79 years ago at the Kremsbrücke? Near the Kremsbrücke in Ansfelden, students commemorate the victims of the death marches Jews had to undertake from Mauthausen to Gunskirchen.

Commemoration 2024: "Everyone is Someone - Law and Justice"

Equality in value and dignity: This is what makes us human beings. In this world, where oppression is the rule and liberation the exception, we need stories of a different world, a world where justice and law are the basis of our coexistence.

Commemoration of the victims and survivors of the death marches for Jews from Mauthausen/Gusen to Gunskirchen near Kremsbrücke and Gasthaus Stockinger.

Memorial walk for the victims of the NS justice system in Klagenfurt

Meeting point: Burghof in Klagenfurt

"Law and Justice in National Socialism" - Vigil of the K.Ö.St.V. Riegersburg (MKV) against Neo-Nazism, violence, and extremism

The vigil will take place at the memorial to the victims of the Nazi death marches of 1945 in Fürstenfeld municipal park. Speakers: K.Ö.St.V. Riegersburg

Commemoration at the former Wien Saurer-Werke Satellite Camp

Scenic theatre by "teatro caprile" on the subject of "Youth under the Swastika"

Performance for students

Commemoration ceremony at the Rathausplatz Memorial

Contemporary witnesses: Gabriella GOLDMANN and Norbert ZECHNER
Music: Jose OBESO, Gleisdorf Music School
Participants: Students of Gleisdorf Middle School, BG/BRG Gleisdorf

"Law and Justice in National Socialism" - Commemoration ceremony in St. Valentin

with political scientist and author Petra RAMSAUER, ORF moderator Tarek LEITNER and theologian and editor of the Linzer KirchenZeitung Josef WALLNER.

The art installation "Stein unter Bewachung" by the Japanese-German artist Seiji KIMOTO will be unveiled.
Musical accompaniment: "Singgemeinschaft FREIHEIT"
Participation in the commemoration ceremony: Students of IMS Langenhart

Commemoration ceremony of the victims of National Socialism at the "Fremdvölkisches Kinderheim"

Commemoration at the memorial for victims of National Socialism

Ceremony for the victims of war and National Socialism in Braunau

Speaker: Karl MARKOVICS
Musical accompaniment: Braunau Democratic Choir

In case of bad weather, the commemoration ceremony will take place at the VAZ event centre of the city of Braunau.

"Walk of Solidarity"

After the wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial on the Bundesstraße, the "Walk of Solidarity" will begin at around 10.15 am.

Walking tour at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial and discussion meeting focusing on female prisoners

As a part of the feminist commemoration of women, there will be two walking tours at the concentration camp memorial (one of them with translation into Austrian sign language) and a discussion meeting.

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former Ebensee Satellite Camp

Memorial lecture by Niklas FRANK

Opening reception of the Street Art Festival "Handreichung" to celebrate 30 years of MERKwürdig

Austrian as well as international artists display the over 38 native languages of the prisoners of the Melk Satellite Camp. The artworks will temporarily affect the appearance of the World Heritage city of Melk from 4 May to 28 September 2024.

The artists and curators will attend the opening reception. There will be music by Baba Yaga, a wild Balkans-Klezmer-Crossover-Combo.

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former Gusen Satellite Camp

The liberation ceremony is dedicated to the theme: "The Roll Call Square. Place of Murder, Place of Torture. What happend here back then? What did the prisoners have to stand here for?"
Our response: Place of Encounter.

At the end of the commemoration, a wreath ceremony will take place near the former crematorium.

Commemoration ceremony at the Memorial for Roma and Sinti as a part of the International Liberation and Commemoration Ceremony

As a result of many years of cooperation between the Cultural Association of Austrian Roma and the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma in Heidelberg, the memorial was opened to the public on 9 May 1998 with a festive ceremony. Shortly before the end of the war, on 9 March 1945, 450 female Sinti and Roma and their children were transported from Ravensbrück to Mauthausen. The babies and children were murdered by the National Socialists as soon as they arrived.

Organiser: Cultural Association of Austrian Roma

Commemoration ceremony of the KZ-Verband/VdA Upper Austria for the 42 resistance fighters murdered on 28 April 1945

The memorial plaque, which was unveiled in 2001 in memory of the 42 anti-fascists who were gassed on 28 and 29 April 1945, is an important symbol of commemoration for the political resistance in Austria. The majority of the 42 were part of the so-called "Welser Gruppe” which was annihilated by the Gestapo in 1944.

The commemoration ceremony is organised by the KZ-Verband/VdA Upper Austria.

International Youth Commemoration

International Liberation and Commemoration Ceremony 2024 on the topic of "Law and Justice in National Socialism"

On the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp, the International Liberation and Commemoration Ceremony will take place at the Mauthausen Memorial. The Ceremony with a memorial procession will be held with an unlimited number of participants once again this year.

• The International Liberation and Commemoration Ceremony starts at 11:00 with a memorial procession.
• The delegations will begin to line up for the procession at 10:20 am.
• The memorial procession will start with an online reading of the "Mauthausen Oath" by youth people in different languages.
• Actresses Mercedes Echerer and Konstanze Breitebner will moderate the International Liberation and Commemoration Ceremony in multiple languages.

The International Liberation and Commemoration Ceremony is dedicated to the topic of "Law and Justice in National Socialism". As every year, referring to the present is an essential part of the event.

There will be a live broadcast on ORF III for Austria and the event will also be streamed on the online channels of MKÖ in multiple languages.

On the day of the liberation celebration, all wreaths must be delivered before 7:30 am at the latest. To enter the grounds of the CC memorial site, you need a delivery card (QR Code for delivery). On the day before the liberation celebration, the wreaths can be delivered until no later than 4:30 pm to the former camp for protective custody.

Commemoration in remembrance of the "Mühlviertel manhunt"

After the Liberation and Commemoration Ceremony at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial, there will be a commemoration of the victims of the "Mühlviertel Manhunt" at the memorial in the town of Ried in der Riedmark.

Opening and welcoming speech: MoP Sabine SCHATZ and mayor Christian TAUSCHEK
Memorial speech: Andreas GRUBER.

Walking tour to the Melk Concentration Camp memorial site

The guided walking tour will lead from Dr.-Josef-Sora-Platz via Melk train station to "Objekt 10" at the site of the former satellite camp, near the Birago military barracks, and then to the Concentration Camp memorial in Melk at the former crematorium (Schießstattweg 2).

The tour will take between 2 and 2.5 hours. Adequate clothing and hiking boots are recommended.

Reading from Franz Rieger´s book "Schattenschweigen oder Hartheim"

The reading will be performed by Cornelia ELLER and Richard HASLINGER with musical accompaniment by Roman PRÜLLER on the accordion.

Commemoration ceremony in Vöcklabruck

by students of the ORG Vöcklabruck

Wreath ceremony in commemoration of the former Amstetten Satellite Camp

There will be a wreath ceremony as well as ecumenical prayer.
Speeches: Christian HABERHAUER, mayor of the city of Amstetten, representatives of MKÖ and of the federal state of Lower Austria, representatives of Amicale de Mauthausen (Belgium), cultural and musical program by Amstetten schools

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former Melk satellite camp

The commemoration ceremony for the victims of the Melk Satellite Camp, which is traditionally visited by survivors of the camp and their families, focuses on the topic of "Law and Justice in National Socialism".

Text contributions: Students of the Stiftsgymnasium Melk
Musical arrangement: Music Middle School Melk

"Law and Justice in National Socialism" - Liberation ceremony at the site of the former Steyr Satellite Camp

Reception: Karl RAMSMAIER, Mauthausen Committee Steyr
Welcoming speech: Markus VOGL, mayor of the city of Steyr
Memorial speech:  Alois BIRKLBAUER, professor for criminal law, JKU Linz
Words of commemoration: Claude SIMON, Amicale de Mauthausen
Biographical footprints
Music: I Fisakkordeonisti
Wreath ceremony
Minute of Silence at the concentration camp memorial

In case of bad weather, the liberation ceremony will take place at the Münichholz fire station, Prinzstraße 1a, 4400 Steyr.

Wreath ceremony at the concentration camp memorial

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former Lenzing Satellite Camp

with MoP Sabine SCHATZ

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former Redl-Zipf Satellite Camp

Participants to the commemoration ceremony will be ARGE Schlier and students of Neukirchen an der Vöckla Middle School and Timelkam am Zipf Middle School.
Commemorative speech: Historian Dr Hannes KOCH, ARGE Schlier

Festival of Joy

In memory of the victims and with joy about the liberation from the Nazis' rule of terror, the MKÖ is organising the Festival of Joy for the twelfth time in 2024. This year's Festival of Joy is dedicated to the topic of "Law and Justice in National Socialism".

Over the past eleven years, numerous visitors and virtual participants from Austria and abroad have sent a strong signal for the establishment of a worthy commemoration of 8 May as Liberation Day at the Festival of Joy.

Commemoration ceremony at the Memorial for Peace

The topical focus of the commemoration in Gallneukirchen is "Humans - Rights". Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law (Art. 6 of the UN Convention on Human Rights).

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former Floridsdorf Satellite Camp

The commemoration ceremony begins at the Floridsdorf District Museum. This will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial plaque in Hopfengasse.

Annual commemoration ceremony in Villach at the Memorial of Names

Welcome: Alexandra SCHMIDT
Greetings: Mayor Günther ALBEL

The memorial speech will be held my Austrian writer, essayist, and playwright Antonio FIAN.

Music: Saxophone quartet, Villach Music School

Excursion to Hartheim Castle Education and Memorial Centre

"Lichtblicke" - Geh!Denk!Feier! in Linz

by students of the 4th grade at the Adalbert-Stifter-Praxismittelschule in memory of the former Linz II Satellite Camp

Wreath ceremony at the concentration camp memorial at Attnang-Puchheim train station

17th March of Life in memory of the 250 Hungarian Jews who died in 1945

The 17th March of Life is organised as part of the project "Human rights and democracy as lived everyday culture" for Upper Styrian communities. We will commemorate the 250 Hungarian Jews who died in 1945 and walk along their path together.

The meeting point is at 9.45 am in the Präbichl Skiarena. At 10 am the March of Life will lead via the Almhäuser to the memorial (approx. half an hour's walk).

Please bring a fist-sized stone in memory of the victims. Warm clothing and rain gear are recommended.

Commemoration ceremony at the memorial

in memory of the 250 Hungarian Jews who died in 1945

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former Dipoldsau Satellite Camp

Walking tour to the Melk Concentration Camp Memorial 

The guided walking tour will lead from Dr.-Josef-Sora-Platz via Melk train station to "Objekt 10" at the site of the former satellite camp, near the Birago military barracks, and then to the Concentration Camp Memorial in Melk at the former crematorium (Schießstattweg 2).

The tour will take between 2 and 2.5 hours. Adequate clothing and hiking boots are recommended.

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former Lind Castle Satellite Camp

Literature & Music: Angelika HAGEN and Andreas SCHREIBER
Angelika HAGEN will present the book "FLUCHT IN DIE FREIHEIT. Österreichische Juden in Palästina und Israel" (Escape towards freedom. Austrian Jews in Palestine and Israel) published by herself and Joanna NITTENBERG.
Musical accompaniment curated specially for this event - a combination of classical music, jazz, and free improvisation by Angelika HAGEN and Andreas SCHREIBER

Book presentation at Contemporary History Museum Ebensee

Georg Friedrich HAAS: "Durch vergiftete Zeiten, Memoiren eines Nazibuben" (Through Toxic Times; Memoirs of a Nazi Boy)

International Commemoration Ceremony at the site of the former Loibl North Satellite Camp

The commemoration ceremony follows the tradition of trying to anchor this long "forgotten" satellite camp in Carinthia’s and Austria’s cultural memory. Mauthausen Committee Carinthia/Koroška feels a moral duty towards the victims of Loiblpass Concentration Camps, to tell the story of their suffering and dying, but also to preserve their story of courageous resistance and survival with honour.

Welcoming words: Landeshauptmann Dr Peter KAISER
Voice of the descendants - contemporary witnesses: Dr Georg LEXER
Message from the French Amicale de Mauthausen, Paris
Voice of the youth: Students of the Waldorf School Klagenfurt/Celovec, under the direction of Mrs Silvia VELIK
Commemorative speech: Aron STIEHL, Director of the Klagenfurt/Celovec City Theatre

International Liberation Ceremony at the site of the former Loibl South Satellite Camp

"Svobodni! Liberated! A Festival in Honour of Resistance"

Memorial Kärnten/Koroška invites you to a festival on Klagenfurt Cathedral Square.

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former Bretstein Satellite Camp

"My father, the deserter"

Conversation with Peter PIRKER, Reinhold BILGERI, Elfi OBLASSER, and Erhard GASSNER.
Host: Michael KERBLER

Commemoration ceremony

Guard of honour: State governor Wilfried HASLAUER
Welcoming speech: Andreas HUSS, chairman of the Austrian Health Insurance ÖGK, Hannes RAINER, mayor of Goldegg and Sepp SCHELLHORN, member of Austrian Parliament
Texts about the topic of "Resistance": Michael KÖHLMEIER
Music: Goldegger Bläsertrio

Laying of stumbling stones at Goldegg Castle

Commemorative walk "Summer of 1944 - Paths of Remembrance"

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the massacre on the civilian population by the National Socialists and fascists on the Italian Carnic Mountain pastures, we will hike to the memorial chapel on the Promoser Alm/Cra. Promosio and on to Timau.

The trail leads via Bischofalm, a section of the Carnic High Mountain Trail and the Kronhofer Törl to the Promoser Alm - Malga di Pramosio (Italy). We will commemorate the innocent victims at the alpine chapel. After refreshment at the mountain hut, we will descend to Timau, from where the AV bus or a taxi will take us back to the starting point.

Ascent: 1100 metres, descent: 1000 metres, meeting point: Weidenburg fire station at 5:00 am.
Important: This is a long and steep hike. Adequate gear and fitness are required!
Please register via telephone and bring valid ID! Organisation: Hannes Guggenberger: +43 660 350 32 71

Commemoration ceremony at the memorial for the victims of National Socialism

Commemoration of those persecuted during the Nazi era in the Oberes Drautal

Commemoration ceremony for the victims of St. Pantaleon-Weyer camp

with wreath ceremony

Commemoration ceremony for the victims of Nazi euthanasia at Hartheim Castle

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former Ternberg Satellite Camp

in memory of the victims of National Socialism

The commemoration will show that young people in Upper Austria know how to deal sensitively with the past of memorial sites. In addition, the commitment to respect and honour humann dignity an human rights shall also be demonstrated. Together we want to set an example!

The memorial room is open from 5 pm.

Commemoration ceremony for the victims for a free Austria

The commemoration ceremony takes place in memory of the victims of the Nazi terror regime in Carinthia.

The first part of the event will take place at the Memorial to the Victims for a Free Austria in the main avenue of the cemetery. The second part of the event, with the commemorative speech by Irmgard BOHUNOVSKY-BAERENTHALER, will take place directly afterwards in the ceremonial hall.

The programme will be accompanied by music from the duo ‘FinePulse’ as well as Maj KARUN and Vid SMOLEJ.
Moderation: Mirjam ZWITTER-ŠLEMIC

Opening event "Hartheimkünstler" (Hartheim's Artists)

Commemoration ceremony on All Saints Day

"Disappeared Wiener Neudorf Residents" - a town explores its history

First presentation of current research findings on the victims of National Socialism in Wiener Neudorf.

Artistic realisation of the original NS documents by actor Franz FROSCHAUER.
Musical accompaniment: Andrea FROSCHAUER

Requiem in the parish church

In memory of the children of the "Fremdvölkisches Kinderheim" at Etzelsdorf Castle.

Opening event "Hartheimkünstler" (Hartheim's Artists)

Commemoration ceremony

Rally and wreath ceremony at the memorial for Roma and Sinti in Lackenbach in memory of the Roma and Sinti murdered by the National Socialists.

On 23 November 1940, the Lackenbach Camp, known by the Nazis as the "Gypsy Camp", was established in a former estate. Among the 4,000 Roma and Sinti interned there, 2,000 were deported to the Łódź/Litzmannstadt Ghetto in autumn 1941 and murdered. Only 300 to 400 prisoners survived the liberation by Soviet troops in April 1945.

Commemoration ceremony on the occasion of the turn of the year