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Program Commemoration ceremonies

Sunday, 7 May 2023
Mauthausen
Quarry in the memorial
Oberösterreich
10:00

International Youth Commemoration

Chapel in the memorial
Oberösterreich
10:00

Ecumenical service

International Liberation Ceremony
Oberösterreich
Befreiungsfeier Mauthausen Copyright MKÖ
11:00

International Liberation Ceremony 2023 "Civil Courage"

The International Liberation Ceremony will take place at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial to mark the 78th anniversary of the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp. As in previous years, the International Liberation Ceremony will start with a commemorative procession with an unlimited number of participants.

Directions & Shuttle, Visitor Information

  • The International Liberation Ceremony will start with the commemorative procession at 11:00 a.m.
  • Designated meeting points have been set up for all delegations. Delegations will take part in the procession by alphabetical order. Delegations will form for the procession starting 10:20 a.m. Route Commemorative Procession (PDF)
  • The procession will start with the virtual reading of the "Mauthausen Oath" by young people in several languages.
  • After the wreath-laying, participants in the commemorative procession are invited to attend the joint liberation ceremony on the former roll call square.
  • There is limited seating for elderly persons and persons with impairments. Unfortunately, seats cannot be reserved.
  • Contributions by Willi Mernyi, chairman of the Mauthausen Committee Austria, and CIM president Guy Dockendorf will be part of the commemoration.
  • The International Liberation Ceremony will be hosted in several languages by actresses Mercedes Echerer and Konstanze Breitebner.

The thematic focus of the Liberation Ceremony is "Civil Courage". Essentially, this year’s ceremony will build a bridge to the present.

The ceremony will be broadcast by ORF III in Austria and streamed internationally and in several languages on the on-line channels of Mauthausen Committee Austria.

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.

The ceremony will be held in compliance with the current COVID safety regulations.

Please choose a month.
Friday, 27 January 2023
Bregenz
Vorarlberg-Museum
Kornmarktplatz 1
Vorarlberg
09:00 - 20:00

Theme day on the occasion of the international Holocaust remembrance day

For his exhibition "M 48° 15′ 24.13″ N, 14° 30′ 6.31″ E Special Exhibition Mauthausen - The eradication of memory", Marko ZINK will talk about how he designed this exhibit and the memorial on the site of the former Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Moreover, there will be lectures by Adam SCHMIDTBERGER, a tour guide at Mauthausen memorial, by historian Florian GUGGENBERGER, and by Werner DREIER, about how to convey memorial culture and resistance under the NS regime.

Villach
Dinzlschloss
Schloßgasse 11
Kärnten
Gedenkveranstaltung-Villach-Kärnten (C) MKÖ / H. Haider
19:00

Commemorative reading featuring Robert SCHINDEL

We invite you to a commemorative reading featuring Robert SCHINDEL at Dinzlschloss on the occasion of the International Holocaust Memorial day on 27 January, the day the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army.

Wels
Minoriten Wels
Minoritengasse 1
Oberösterreich
19:30

Event against violence on Holocaust Memorial Day

Ensemble Vocalodie will be performing works by Andreas Salzbrunn, Rudolf Mauersberger and Heinrich Schütz.
First performance of Michael Hazod’s Sounds of Stone ("Töne aus Stein"); Tina KELLER and Erwin FRIEDL will be reading works by Wolfgang Borchert:
"Requiem for a Friend", "Generation without Farewell", "And then there is only one thing!"
Stefan PETERMANN (former writer-in-residence of Wels) talks about his text "Sounds of Stone".

Tuesday, 31 January 2023
Gallneukirchen
Protestant Parish Church
Hauptstraße 1
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-Gallneukirchen CC MKOE
19:00

Memories of the “Mühlviertel Manhunt“

Author reading and literary talk featuring Elisabeth SCHMIDAUER. Schmidauer‘s novel “Fanzi“ documents memories which, initially suppressed within families, came back to haunt them. Memories of the “Mühlviertel Manhunt“ and the annihilation of persons in need of care will be presented.

Wednesday, 1 February 2023
Gallneukirchen
Memorial for Peace
Anton-Riepl-Straße/Gallneukirchner Straße
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-Gallneukirchen-Oberoesterreich (C) MKOE/Rupert Huber
19:00

Commemoration at the Memorial for Peace

A commemoration will be held at the Memorial for Peace with a word collage on the "Mühlviertler Menschenhatz im Februar 1945" (eng. "Mühlviertel Manhunt in February 1945") with a focus on the guiding theme. Afterwards the participants will walk to the memorial of the protestant Diakoniewerk. Along the way, the names of children and young people who were murdered in the former Hartheim satellite camp as "Useless Life" will be called out.

Thursday, 2 February 2023
Gallneukirchen
Memorial Stone
Hauptstraße 7
Oberösterreich
19:30

Commemoration Ceremony at the Memorial Stone

In commemoration of the "euthanasia killings" 1940-1944.

Mauthausen
Donausaal Mauthausen
Josef-Czerwenka-Straße 4
Oberösterreich
CC Anna Reisinger
20:00

Theater revue featuring poems by Erich Kästner newly set to music

Gruppe Zelinzki will present a theatre revue with poems by Erich Kästner which have been newly set to music. Though largely known as an author of children’s books, Kästner was also as a critical chronicler of the times. His poems are a lasting plea for peace and justice, for a decent and enlightened life. The music group Zelinzki has set 14 of his poems to music and collated them in a theatre revue in 13 acts.

Wednesday, 22 February 2023
Wels
Bildungshaus Schloss Puchberg
Puchberg 1
Oberösterreich
20:00

12th Political Ash Wednesday at Bildungshaus Schloss Puchberg

In a conversation with Wilhelm ACHLEITNER, psychiatrist Heidi KASTNER discusses human stupidity, ignorance and the power of "alternative facts". "We encounter stupidity in many forms - but how can we recognize it?" An entertaining discussion about a serious topic, which in such crisis-ridden times and under the influence of social media continues to grow in social importance.
The Wels Initiative against Fascism has been inviting interesting personalities to a dialogue on Ash Wednesday every year since 2011 as a civil society counter to the hate and hate rallies of right-wing parties.

Saturday, 25 March 2023
Oberwart
Town Hall
Hauptplatz 9
Burgenland
13:00

Symposium "Rethinking Commemoration"

RE.F.U.G.I.U.S. – Rechnitz Refugee and Commemoration Initiative

In recent years, we have been confronted with many new challenges concerning the way we commemorate the Shoah: The last contemporary witnesses are dying, the historical message has long since failed to reach all of society, and the warning message commemoration conveys is apparently not enough to prevent anti-semitism from becoming more widespread and more overt. What effect do ritualized days of remembrance still have today? What about the culture of remembrance and what warnings the Shoah holds for the present? And could digital media offer new opportunities?
These and many other questions will be discussed at this conference on forms of commemoration in the 2020s.

Peggau
Protestant Peace Church
St. Margarethenstraße 4
Steiermark
14:00

Memorial Trail

In memory of the march of the prisoners from the sites of hard labor to the former camp area.

Peggau memorial site
Mittereggstraße 1
Steiermark
Gedenkfeier-Peggau-Steiermark (C) MKÖ/Gemeinde Peggau
15:00

Ecumenical commemoration ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Peggau

Sunday, 26 March 2023
Rechnitz
Kreuzstadl Rechnitz
Geschriebensteinstraße
Burgenland
Gedenkfeier-Rechnitz-Burgenland-copyright-MKOE
14:00

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

Memorial with
Paul GULDA (RE.F.U.G.I.U.S.)
Claudia PRUTSCHER (Vice president of the The Jewish community Vienna)
Shmuel BARZILAI (Chief Cantor of the Jewish community Vienna)
Representative of the Jewish community Zalaegerszeg
Music: Bogdan Laketic

Naturparkmittelschule Rechnitz
Schulgasse 10
Burgenland
Cover Buch "Wir werden uns nicht entziehen" © RE.F.U.G.I.U.S.
16:00

Book presentation

in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of RE.F.U.G.I.U.S.

In February 1991, the RE.F.U.G.I.U.S. - Rechnitzer Flüchtlings- und Gedenkinitiative initiative (Rechnitz Refugee and Commemoration Initiative) was founded around the Anti-Fascist Persons Committee Burgenland and the association "Grenzlos". It set itself the goal of remembering the atrocities of National Socialism and counteracting the process of forgetting. Since then the association has dedicated itself to "commemoration and remembrance": holding commemorative ceremonies, symposia, benefit concerts. In addition, talks and negotiations with public authorities at federal, province and municipal level are intended to initiate a new policy of dealing with the past and a new culture of remembrance in Burgenland. The publication contains a detailed presentation of these processes and may be used as guidance by others.

Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Vienna-Simmering
Gasthaus "Zur Bast"
Haidestraße 22, Oriongasse
Wien
Befreiungsfeier-Simmering-Wien-MKOE-copyright-Andreas-Schwantner
14:00

Commemoration ceremony at the former satellite camp Vienna Saurer-Werke

Friday, 31 March 2023
Gmunden
Stadttheater Gmunden
Theatergasse 7
Oberösterreich
Stadttheater Gmunden © Reiner Riedler
19:30

Premiere of the musical "Briefe von Ruth" (engl. Letters from Ruth)

BRIEFE VON RUTH is about the fate and above all the courage of a young woman at the time of the Nazis to fight against conventions, to constantly question social developments critically in her diaries and letters, a young adolescent on a deep search for identity, her love for a woman, the poet Gunvor Hofmo, whom she meets and falls in love with in the darkest times - at the age of 18 as an emigrant in Norway. Their love lasted until her death, even against medical advice, and Gunvor Hofmo went to prison for weeks for her liberal beliefs. The play shows the life of a girl whose positive strength, astute powers of observation, and literary and artistic creativity had a tangible effect on her fellow human beings right up to her early end, making her testimony all the more stirring.

The world premiere is under the honorary protection of the President Alexander Van der Bellen, is produced in cooperation with the New York Opera Society and is a reference project of the cultural capital Bad Ischl- Salzkammergut 2024.

More info at: www.musical-gmunden.com

Tuesday, 4 April 2023
Wiener Neustadt
Memorial at Serbenhalle
Pottendorferstraße 47
Niederösterreich
 Gedenkfeier-Serbenhalle-WienerNeustadt-Niedersösterreich (c) Michael Rosecker
10:30

Wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Wiener Neustadt

At the memorial near Serbenhalle in a small group with municipal representatives.

Friday, 7 April 2023
Hinterbrühl
Memorial Site
Johannesstraße 16-32
Niederösterreich
Gedenkfeier mit Kreuzweg-Andacht
14:30

Liberation celebration at the site of former satellite camp Hinterbrühl with prayer at the Stations of The Cross

Participants can visit five different stations of the cross with varying themes, and with musical accompaniment.

Friday, 14 April 2023
City of Salzburg
Roma and Sinti Memorial
Ignaz Rieder Kai 21
Salzburg
Gedenkfeier-Roma-und-Sinti-Salzbur copyright MKOE
11:00

Commemoration ceremony at the Roma and Sinti Memorial

The Cultural Association of Austrian Roma and the Peace Office Salzburg jointly invite to a commemorative ceremony at the Roma and Sinti memorial. During the National Socialist regime, Roma and Sinti were imprisoned at the former Trabrennplatz and taken from there to the Maxglan camp, which the National Socialists called a "gypsy camp". The Maxglan camp was abandoned in late March / early April 1943 by virtue of the Auschwitz decree. The majority of the Roma and Sinti were deported to CC-Auschwitz, a smaller group to Camp Lackenbach. Only a few of them survived.

Wednesday, 19 April 2023
Ennsdorf
Ennsdorf Wayside Shrine
at the corner of Bäckerstrasse/Westbahnstrasse
Niederösterreich
Denkmal Ennsdorf CC Käferböck
18:00

Remembrance of the victims of the death marches

The commemoration of the victims of the death marches from Mauthausen/Gusen to Gunskirchen starts in the village of Ennsdorf at the bildstock. After a short speech we will walk together along the death march route to Enns.

Enns
Commemoration of the victims of the Death Marches
Crossing B1/Wienerstraße
Oberösterreich
Denkmal Enns CC Käferböck
18:30

Commemoration ceremony of the victims of the death marches of 1945

A new memorial monument opened here in October 2022, depicting death march victims in the surrounding communities and highlighting David Hersch's rescue story. After the presentation of the monument, the path continues through the elementary school in Enns, past the memorial plaque for Bozena Skrabalek.

St Lawrence Basilica Staircase
Lauriacumstraße
Oberösterreich
Gedenken bei der Basilika CC Käferböck
19:00

Commemoration in Enns at the staircase leading up to Basilica St. Laurenz

The memorial service for the 87 victims who were buried in Enns will then take place at the staircase to the Basilica of Enns-St. Laurenz. There, concrete victims will be commemorated with music and speeches.

Parish hall Enns-St. Laurenz
Lauriacumstraße 4
Oberösterreich
 CC Käferböck
19:30

Evening event on Civil Courage

The 2023 commemoration will conclude in the Enns-St. Laurenz parish hall with texts, stamps, exchanges and stories about people who acted courageously and thus stood up for others.

Saturday, 22 April 2023
Fürstenfeld
Fürstenfeld municipal park (memorial site)
Fürstenfelder Straße 23
Steiermark
Mahnwache der K.Ö.St.V. Riegersburg Fürstenfeld (MKV)
12:00 - 13:00

Solemn Vigil of the Catholic Austrian Student Fraternity Riegersburg Fürstenfeld (MKV)

Against neo-Nazism, violence and extremism on the focal theme of "Civil Courage".
Commemorative speech: Gerald GUSCHLBAUER.

Monday, 24 April 2023
Wels
Memorial for the Victims of the Death Marches, Wels Cemetery
Friedhofstraße 63
Oberösterreich
Mahmal am Friedhof Wels CC Christian Stöbich
18:30

Commemoration ceremony at the memorial for the victims of the death marches

In the spring of 1945, the Nazis drove more than 15,000 people, most of them Hungarian jews, on so-called death marches from the overcrowded concentration camp of Mauthausen to Gunskirchen satellite camp. During the three-day long foot march, about 6,000 people lost their lives. At Gunskirchen camp, 200-300 people starved daily, or they died from dysentery or a typhus epidemic. 1,030 of these victims were buried on Wels cemetery, where a memorial stone was erected upon initiative of the Wels Antifa in 2001.
Welcome: Rudolf SPITZER (board member of the Wels Initiative against Fascism)
Speaker: Prof. Andreas GRUBER (director and screenwriter)
Concluding remarks: Mag. Werner RETZL (chairperson of the Wels Initiative against Fascism)

Wednesday, 26 April 2023
Ansfelden
Gasthaus Stockinger
Kremsbrücke
Oberösterreich
Gehdenken-Ansfelden CC MKOE
18:00

MEMORIAL WALK – "Civil Courage"

Commemoration of the death marches of Jews from Mauthausen/Gusen to Gunskirchen at Kremsbrücke near Gasthaus Stockinger.

"The more citizens with civil courage a country has, the fewer heroes it will need one day."
Franka Magnani, Italian journalist, 1925-1996

Thursday, 27 April 2023
Lenzing
Pettighofen Memorial Stone
Agerstraße
Oberösterreich
Denkmal/Gedenkstein-Lenzing-Oberoesterreich copyright MKOE/Bach
18:00

Liberation ceremony and wreath-laying at the site of the former satellite camp Lenzing

Welcome: Mascha AURACHER
Memorial speeches: Margret LEHNER-WESSELY, author and journalist Petra RAMSAUER

Flowers will be laid down in memory of the deceased women prisoners.

St. Aegyd/Neuwalde
Kulturstadl St. Aegyd
Marktplatz
Niederösterreich
Gedenkfeier-St.Aegyd-Niederoesterreich-02 (C) MKÖ / GISTA
18:30

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

Pupils of the secondary school St. Aegyd will be responsible for organising the contents of the ceremony on the theme of “Civil Courage”. The commemoration will begin at Kulturstadl on St. Aegyd's market square, followed by a silent march to the concentration camp cemetery.

Friday, 28 April 2023
Zipf/Vöcklabruck
Memorial in Zipf
Langwies 48
Oberösterreich
Gedenkveranstaltung-Zipf-Oberösterreich (C) MKÖ / B. Dressler
18:00

Commemoration ceremony and wreath-laying at the memorial

Memorial speech: Alois SIX (mayor of Neukirchen an der Vöckla)
Contributions by students of MS Neukirchen an der Vöckla
Musical accompaniment by students of MS Timelkam

Flowers will be laid down in memory of the deceased prisoners.

Friday, 5 May 2023
Gleisdorf
Memorial
Rathausplatz
Steiermark
Gedenkfeier Gleisdorf Steiermark (C) MKÖ / Seereiter Wolfgang
10:30

Celebration of the Memorial Day against Violence and Racism

on the topic of "Civil Courage". Greeting by mayor and member of parlament Christoph STARK. With a speech by Ursula REITER and a musical contribution by the music school Gleisdorf.

Catholic parish center Gleisdorf
Alois-Grogger-Gasse 10
Steiermark
19:00

Movie night and discussion

"3400 Semmeln: Flüchtende.Helfende.Menschen." (engl. "3400 buns: refugees.helping.people.")
Director Heinz TRENCZAK and protagonists will be available for questions from the audience after the screening.

Spital am Pyhrn
Sankt Leonhard church
Eggerweg 3
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-Spital/Pyhrn-Oberoesterreich copyright MKOE/Lammer
17:00

Commemoration ceremony of the victims of National Socialism at the "Foreign Race Children’s Home"

Commemorative speech: Dr. Maria PRIELER-WOLDAN (social researcher and author)

St. Valentin
Herzograd Memorial Site
Anna-Strasser-Platz
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-St.Valentin-Niederösterreich (C) MKÖ / M. Wiesinger
17:00

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

on the topic of "Civil Courage". Speakers: Prof. Kathrin STAINER-HÄMMERLE and Dr. Rupert GRILL from St. Valentin parish. Moreover, mayor Mag. Kerstin SUCHAN-MAYR and City Councillor for culture, Leopold FEILECKER will give speeches. The event will be co-organised by students of Langenhart middle school and accompanied by music.
After the commemoration ceremony, the participants will lay white roses at the memorial.

St. Georgen a. d. Gusen
Haus der Erinnerung
Marcel-Callo-Straße 3
Oberösterreich
Internationale Jugendbegegnung St. Georgen d.h. Gusen © MKÖ
17:00 - 20:00

International Youth Meeting

Over 400 young people from Germany, Poland, France, Austria and Italy discuss ways of commemorating, the development of the memorial at the site of the former satellite camp Gusen and civil courage then and now.

Braunau
Memorial Stone in the Salzburger Vorstadt
Salzburger Vorstadt 13
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-Braunau-Oberoesterreich-copyright-MKOE
18:00

Commemoration ceremony for the victims of war and National Socialism

Speeches by Johannes WAIDBACHER (Mayor) and Monika SOMMER (House of History Austria).

Ebensee
Entrance to "Löwengang"
Alte Traunstraße
Oberösterreich
KZ-Gedenkstätte Ebensee © MKÖ
18:00

Stations of Commemoration

Presentation of music and texts at "Löwengang", near the former camp gate, at the memorial tunnel, and at the victims’ cemetery.

Stillfüssing
Memorial Site Stillfüssing
Oberösterreich
18:30

Commemoration of the victims of National Socialism

This commemoration is also the inauguration of the new anti-fascist memorial. It will replace a former Waffen-SS memorial that served as a pilgrimage site for right-wing extremists. The former Waffen-SS memorial is now an anti-fascist memorial. It provides information in German and English about the historical facts and it is exemplary of a vibrant culture of remembrance as well as of active commitment against right-wing extremism.

Introduction: Dr. Robert EITER; Spokesperson of the Upper Austrian Network against Racism and Right-Wing Extremism
Speeches: Dr.in Charlotte HERMAN, President of the Jewish Community Linz
Jakob ULBRICH, Vicepresident of Catholic Action Upper Austria
Will MERNYI, Chairman of Mauthausen Committee Austria
Closing remarks: Thomas ANTLINGER, B.Ed.Univ., Member of the State Parliament
Music: Pichler Truhlar Music

Großraming
Landesmusikschule
Kirchenplatz 3
Oberösterreich
19:30

Reading

Erich HACKL reads from his book "Am Seil" (engl."On the Rope")

Saturday, 6 May 2023
Gunskirchen
Memorial
Bundesstraße 1
Oberösterreich
Gunskirchen Walk of Solidarity copyright MKOE
10:00

"Walk of Solidarity"

On Liberation Day, we will join survivors of the Gunskirchen concentration camp on the Walk of Solidarity for a joint liberation ceremony. The "Walk of Solidarity" starts at the memorial on Bundesstrasse 1 and ends at the site of the former satellite camp Gunskirchen.

Concentration camp ceremony
Oberösterreich
Befreiungsfeier Gunskirchen/Oberösterreich (C) MKÖ
10:30

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Gunskirchen

Welcome: Alexander BÄCK (Mayor of Edt bei Lambach)
Speakers: Sabine SCHOLL (writer); Gyorgy FRISCH (Representative of Hungarian Jews)
Concluding remarks: Willi MERNYI (Chairman of MKÖ)
Co-organised by Gunskirchen middle school, the state music school Gunskirchen, and the Gunskirchen choir.

Ebensee
Memorial Site
Max Ziegler Straße
Oberösterreich
Befreiungsfeier Ebensee/Oberösterreich © MKÖ
10:30

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Ebensee

Memorial speech: Karl-Markus GAUSS and Ron MANHEIM, son of a survivor of Ebensee satellite camp.

Graz
Literaturhaus Graz
Elisabethstraße 30
Steiermark
14:00 - 16:00

Future needs remembrance

The civil society initiative "Zukunft braucht Erinnerung" (Future Needs Remembrance) takes the "Day of Remembrance against Violence and Racism in Memory of the Victims of National Socialism - May 5" and the "Day of Joy - May 8", which were passed by the Austrian National Council in 1997, as an opportunity to remember the victims of National Socialism and at the same time to bring these memories into the social and political present of Styria. At the center of the work is a joint public commemoration and ceremony in Graz as well as the coordination and visualization of commemoration and remembrance initiatives throughout Styria.

Program
Introduction Lothar LÄSSER
Greetings by Provincial Councillor Juliane BOGNER-STRAUß
Ceremonial address by Vladimir VERTLIB
Greetings Mayoress Elke KAHR
Music and literature Erich Oskar HUETTER & Stefan HECKEL & Daniel DOUJENIS
Reading and conversation Erich HACKL with Lucia HEILMAN
Music Irina KARAMARKOVIC & Denovaire
Statement Woman.Life.Freedom.
Poetry Slam Memo & Muhammed Dumanli
Reading Ninja REICHERT
Music Lothar LÄSSER
Moderator Heidrun PRIMAS

Langenstein/Gusen
Entrance to the Memorial Gusen
Georgestraße 7
Oberösterreich
Stollenanlage Gusen copyright MKOE
17:00

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Gusen

Speakers: Executive Scientific Director of the Documentation Center of Austrian Resistance (DÖW) Dr. Andreas KRANEBITTER: Resistance groups in the Gusen Concentration Camps, Univ. Prof. Dr. Martina GUGGLBERGER (University of Linz): Women in the resistance.

Tour of the only preserved tunnel of the "Bergkristall" plant, with short introduction at the museum of local history in St. Georgen an der Gusen, Färbergasse 2.

Sunday, 7 May 2023
Mauthausen
Roma and Sinti Memorial
Mauthausen concentration camp memorial site
Oberösterreich
09:00

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

Organisation: Cultural Association of Austrian Roma

Wailing wall, commemorative plaque for the 42 resistance fighters
Mauthausen concentration camp memorial site
Oberösterreich
Gedenkkundgebung Klagemauer Mauthausen (C) MKÖ/H.Grünn
09:15

Commemoration

for the resistance fighters who were murdered on 28 April 1945.
The memorial plaque, which was unveiled in 2001 in memory of the 42 antifascists 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" (engl. Wels group), that the Gestapo broke up in 1944.
Organiser: CC association / VdA OÖ

Quarry in the memorial
Mauthausen concentration camp memorial site
Oberösterreich
10:00

International Youth Commemoration Ceremony

Chapel in the memorial
Oberösterreich
10:00

Ecumenical service

 

International Commemoration and Liberation Ceremony
Mauthausen concentration camp memorial site
Oberösterreich
Befreiungsfeier Mauthausen Copyright MKÖ
11:00

International Commemoration and Liberation Ceremony under the motto of "Civil Courage"

The International Liberation Ceremony of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial will take place on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp. This year again, the International Liberation Ceremony will start with a commemorative procession with an unlimited number of participants. After the wreath-laying ceremony, the participants of the commemoration procession will be invited to take part in the joint liberation ceremony at the former roll call square. The International Liberation Ceremony will be hosted by actresses Mercedes ECHERER and Konstanze BREITEBNER in several languages. The ceremony will be broadcast in Austria on ORF III and streamed internationally in several languages on the on-line channels of MKÖ.

The liberation celebration is dedicated to the thematic focus of "Civil Courage". Building a bridge to the present is also an essential component this year. In addition to the International Liberation Ceremony at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp Memorial, a virtual commemoration will be held on the annual theme.

More information at www.befreiungsfeier.at/en.

Ried in der Riedmark
Memorial Stone Ried in der Riedmark
Marktplatz
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-RiedinderRiedmark-Oberoesterreich-MKOE-copyright-Schatz
15:30

Commemoration in memory of the "Mühlviertel Manhunt"

Opening and welcome by member of national parliament Sabine SCHATZ und Mayor Christian TAUSCHEK
Memorial speech: Thomas BAUM
Music: "Hausgemacht" (engl. homemade)

Monday, 8 May 2023
Amstetten
Eisenreichdornach wayside shrine
access via Schabfeldstrasse
Niederösterreich
Gedenkfeier Amstetten/Niederösterreich (C) MKÖ / T. Buchner
10:00

Wreath-laying in commemoration of the former satellite camp Amstetten

in remembrance of civilian victims of the bombings in 1944/45.
There will be a wreath-laying ceremony as well as ecumenical prayer.
Speeches: Christian HABERHAUER, mayor of the city of Amstetten, representatives of MKÖ and of the state of Lower Austria, representatives of Amicale de Mauthausen (Belgium), cultural and musical programme by Amstetten schools.

Melk
Melk concentration camp memorial site
Schießsstattweg 2
Niederösterreich
Wand der Namen_Melk (C) Christian Rabl
10:30

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Melk

Young people from the region will provide substantive input to the theme of "Civil Courage".

Wien
Memorial at Morzinplatz
Wien
Gedenkfeier_morzinplatz_CCkaropernegger
11:00

Wreath-laying ceremony

On the day of the surrender of the Nazi regime, the victims of Nazi terror are commemorated during a solemn ceremony at the monument to the victims of the Gestapo.

Speakers:
Dr. Barbara STAUDINGER; Director of the Jewish Museum Vienna
Mag.a. Judith PÜHRIGNER; City Councilor and Co-Party Chairwoman of the Green Party Vienna
Oskar DEUTSCH; President of the Jewish Community Vienna
David ELLENSOHN; Member of the Provincial Parliament and Chairman of the Green Party Vienna
Niki KUNRATH; Member of the Provincial Parliament

Music: Eva Landkammer and colleague

Steyr
Steyr concentration camp memorial site
Haagerstraße
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier Steyr/Oberösterreich © MKÖ/Steyr
17:30

Liberation celebration at the site of former Steyr satellite camp

on the topic of "Civil Courage".
Welcome: Mag. Karl RAMSMAIER - Mauthausen Committee Steyr; speech: Mayor of Steyr Ing. Markus VOGL; Memorial speech: Dr.in Brigitte HALBMAYR - Sociologist and political scientist. Words of commemoration: Daniel SIMON - Amical de Mauthausen; Contribution to the topic of "Civil Courage" by students of HLW Steyr; Music: Tromax, under the direction of Eva Schiffler.
Followed by wreath-laying and a minute of silence at the Concentration Camp memorial. In case of bad weather, the event will take place at the Münichholz fire station, Prinzstraße 1a, in Steyr.

Vienna
Heldenplatz
Wien
Fest der Freude Copyright: Wenzel
19:30

Festival of Joy

Commemorating the victims and the joy at the liberation from the Nazi regime of terror, MKÖ is organizing the Festival of Joy 2023 for the eleventh time. In 2023, the festival will be dedicated to the thematic focus of "Civil Courage". For the first time, there will be an international music programme featuring Konstantin WECKER and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark MAST. The highlights of the event include speeches by Anna HACKL, a survivor, and Austrian Federal President Dr. Alexander VAN DER BELLEN. The Festival of Joy will be inaugurated by MKÖ Chairman Willi MERNYI.

Over the past ten years, numerous in-person visitors and online guests from Austria and abroad participating in the Festival of Joy have sent out a strong message in terms of ensuring a dignified commemoration on May 8 as liberation day.

Wednesday, 10 May 2023
Vöcklabruck
Oberösterreich
10:00

Commemoration ceremony

held by students of the secondary trade school Vöcklabruck.

Memorial stone/districts sport hall
Bahnhofstraße 44
Oberösterreich
Gedenkstein-Voecklabruck copyright MKOE
12:00

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Vöcklabruck

Laying flowers at the memorial stone.

Attnang-Puchheim
Memorial site at the railway station
Oberösterreich
Gedenkveranstaltung-Attnang-Oberösterreich (c) Rudolf Loidl
18:30

Wreath-laying at the memorial

Attnang-Puchheim cinema
Mitterweg
Oberösterreich
Zeitzeugin Michaela Vidláková COPYRIGHT Birgit Dressler
19:00

Commemoration at the Attnang-Puchheim cinema

With Austrian writer Barbara FRISCHMUTH.

With students of the vocational school Attnang-Puchheim, of ORG Vöcklabruck, and with the vocal and instrumental ensemble mira.

Linz
Private University of Education, Diocese of Linz/chapel
Salesianumweg 3
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-Linz-Oberösterreich (C) MKÖ / Weidinger
19:00

"Rücksichten-Ansichten-Einsichten" (engl. considerations-perspectives-insights)

Geh!Denk!Feier! (commemoration) -  by students of the Adalbert-Stifter practical middle school for the former concentration camp Linz II.

Friday, 12 May 2023
Vienna-Floridsdorf
Memorial
Hopfengasse 12
Wien
Befreiungsfeier-Floridsdorf-Wien-MKOE-copyright Andreas Schwantner
10:00

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Floridsdorf

The event starts at the commemorative plaque at Hopfengasse and ends at the memorial stone at the Floridsdorf district museum.

Saturday, 13 May 2023
Greifenburg
Memorial for the victims of National Socialism
Bahnhofstraße
Kärnten
Gedenkfeier-Greifenburg-Kaernten-copyright-MKOE
17:45

Commemoration ceremony at the memorial for the victims of National Socialism

Commemoration of those the Nazi era persecuted in the Oberes Drautal. With a memorial speech by writer Antonio FIAN and a scenic reading by students of HLW Spittal/Drau.

Sunday, 14 May 2023
Gallneukirchen
Peace Memorial
Anton-Riepl-Straße/Gallneukirchner Straße
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier beim Mahnmal für den Frieden CC Huber
18:30

Commemoration ceremony at the Peace Memorial

Author Sabine SCHOLL will be the keynote speaker at the commemoration ceremony. With her books "Lebendiges Erinnern" (2021) and "Die im Licht, die im Schatten" (2022) the author has championed a contemporary culture of remembrance.

Tuesday, 16 May 2023
Villach
Memorial of Names
Widmanngasse 35
Kärnten
18:00

Annual commemoration ceremony at the "Memorial of Names" in Villach

Welcome address: Alexandra SCHMIDT, greeting by mayor Günther ALBEL, speaker: Simone SCHÖNETT (author and winner of the 2022 Culture Award of the City of Villach)

Wednesday, 17 May 2023
Präbichl
Ski arena
Eisenstraße
Steiermark
10:00

16th March for Life

Meet at: 09:45, March for Life via the alpine chalets to the memorial.

Memorial
Pass hight
Steiermark
Haeferl, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
11:00

Commemoration ceremony in remembrance of the 250 Hungarian Jewish victims in 1945

The ceremony is part of the March for Life and will be accompanied by small pieces of music performed by pupils.

Saturday, 3 June 2023
Neumarkt
Schloss Lind/das ANDERE heimatmuseum
Steiermark
Schloss-Lind-copyright-MKOE
20:00

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Schloss Lind

The ceremony will feature a concert by Harri Stojka: "Acoustic Drive Trio" and a speech by Heimo HALBRAINER from the Clio editing house.

Friday, 9 June 2023
Klagenfurt
Musilhaus
Bahnhofstraße 50
Kärnten
18:00

Discussion with contemporary witness Ernst Grube

Topic: Living from memory for the present. Culture of remembrance after Auschwitz - alive, current, resistant

Saturday, 10 June 2023
Loiblpass Straße
Tunnel portal Loibl-Nord, forecourt of the former customs house
Kärnten
Gedenkstätte Loibl Nord CC Morokutti
09:00

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Loibl-Nord

The commemoration ceremony follows the tradition of trying to anchor this long "forgotten" satellite camp in Carinthia’s and Austria’s cultural memory. As organiser, 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. Memorial speech: diocesan bishop Dr. Josef MARKETZ. Representing contemporary witnesses: Ernst GRUBE, president of the Dachau camp community. Representing youths: Students of WiMo Klagenfurt.There will be musical accompaniment for the event.

Memorial site Loibl-Süd
Slowenien
Ehemaliges-KZ-Außenlager-Loibl-Süd-copyright-MKOE
11:00

Liberation ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Loibl-Süd

Saturday, 24 June 2023
Bretstein
Memorial site satellite camp Bretsteingraben
Bretsteingraben 16
Steiermark
Gedenkfeier-Bretstein-Steiermark-MKOE-copyright Katja Heiden
11:00

Commemoration ceremony at the site of former Bretstein satellite camp

Welcome: Stefan STRADNER (chairperson), Grete GRUBER (vice chairperson), and representatives of the association Lila Winkel.
Memorial speech: Irmgard GRISS

Saturday, 8 July 2023
Goldegg
Parking lot from Goldegg Castle
Salzburg
Gedenkfeier-Goldegg-Salzburg-copyright-MKOE
09:00

Commemorative March

Guided theme hike as a "search for clues" around the Böndlsee in Goldegg-Weng.

Memorial Stone
Hofmark 100
Salzburg
Gedenkfeier-Goldegg-Salzburg (C) MKÖ / P. Chaluplny
14:00

Commemoration ceremony

Commemorative speech by Terezija STOISITS on "Desertion – Resistance – Rehabilitation".

Friday, 21 July 2023
Weidenburg
Promoser Alm/memorial chapel
Kärnten/Friaul (Italien)
Bergkapelle Promoser Alm copyright: Hannes Guggenberger, ÖAV Sektion Obergailtal-Lesachtal
10:00

Commemorative service

Church service in the chapel in remembrance of the murder of civilians at the austrian-italian border by the National Socialists.

Sunday, 23 July 2023
Weidenburg
Fire station
Weidenburg 21
Kärnten/Friaul (Italien)
Bergkapelle Promoser Alm copyright: Hannes Guggenberger, ÖAV Sektion Obergailtal-Lesachtal
07:00

"Summer 1944 – Trails of Remembrance"

Commemorative hike to the memorial chapel on Promoser Alm/Malga di Promosio (Italy) and further to Timau on the occasion of the upcoming anniversary of the massacre among the civilian population on the Italian Carnian alps. At the end of the hike, a bus or cab will take participants back to the starting point.

Event organised by the association Erinnern Gailtal and the Austrian Alpine Club.
Important: long hike with a significant number of meters of altitude to cover and therefore requiring suitable equipment and a certain level of fitness.

Do not forget to bring a valid travel document!

Friday, 29 September 2023
Weyer-Dipoldsau
Dipoldsau Memorial
Anger
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-Weyer-Oberoesterreich-MKOE-copyright Hans Haas
17:00

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Dipoldsau

Registration

Saturday, 30 September 2023
St. Pantaleon
Memorial site Camp Weyer
Moosachstraße 18
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier-StPantaleon-Oberoesterreich-MKOE-copyright-Karl-Traintinger
18:00

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

with wreath-laying.

Registration

Municipal Office St. Pantaleon
Pantaleoner Straße 25
Oberösterreich
18:45

Lecture about the topic "The role of the police as public servants then and now"

Registration

Sunday, 1 October 2023
Alkoven
Alkoven/Hartheim palace
Schloßstraße 1
Oberösterreich
Schloss-Hartheim-copyright-MKOE
11:00

Commemoration ceremony for the victims of Nazi euthanasia at Hartheim palace

Registration

Friday, 6 October 2023
Ternberg
Pfarrbaracke
Spielfeldstraße 1
Oberösterreich
Gedenkfeier Ternberg Oberösterreich (C) MKÖ
18:30

Commemoration ceremony at the site of the former satellite camp Ternberg

in remembrance of the victims of National Socialism. The memorial hall is open to visitors starting 5:00 p.m.

Registration

Sunday, 15 October 2023
Reichraming
National Park Visitor Center
Eisenstraße 75
Oberösterreich
19:30

Vernissage of the exhibition "Menschenbilder" (engl. "Human Images")

Thursday, 26 October 2023
Klagenfurt
Annabichl cementery
Flughafenstraße 7
Kärnten
Gedenkfeier-Annabichl-Kaernten-MKOE-copyright Klaus Holler
10:00

Commemoration ceremony for the victims for a free Austria

The memorial ceremony will be held in remembrance of the victims of the National Socialist reign of terror in Carinthia.

Registration

Saturday, 28 October 2023
Goldegg
Memorial Stone in Goldegg
Hofmark 100
Salzburg
Gedenkstein in Goldegg
17:00

Silent remembrance

Registration

Wednesday, 1 November 2023
Hinterbrühl
Memorial
Johannesstraße 16-32
Niederösterreich
Gedenkfeier-Allerheiligen-Hinterbruehl-Niederoesterreich copyright MKOE
18:00

All Saints-Day commemoration ceremony

Registration

Thursday, 2 November 2023
Pichl bei Wels
Parish church Pichl bei Wels
Pfarrplatz
Oberösterreich
Pfarrkirche Pichl bei Wels CC Kranzl-Greinecker
19:00

All-Saints requiem

Registration

churchcementery
Pfarrplatz1
Oberösterreich
Gedenkstätte Friedhof Pichl bei Wels CC Kranzl-Greinecker
20:00

Act of remembrance for the victims of the “Foreign Race Children’s Home“ at Schloss Etzelsdorf

Registration

Friday, 10 November 2023
Großraming
Landesmusikschule
Kirchenplatz 3
Oberösterreich
19:30

Film screening

of "Irene Harand – ihr Kampf gegen Hitler" (engl."Irene Harand - her fight against Hitler") and talk with the director Andreas GRUBER

Registration

Saturday, 18 November 2023
Lackenbach
Roma und Sinti Memorial
Ritzingerstraße 2
Burgenland
Gedenkstätte Lackenbach-Copyright: Kulturverein österreichischer Roma
10:30

Commemoration ceremony

Rally and wreath-laying in front of the Roma and Sinti memorial in Lackenbach in memory of the Roma and Sinti murdered by the National Socialists.
On November 23, 1940, the Lackenbach camp, which the National Socialists called a "gypsy camp," was established in a former manor farm. Of the total of 4,000 Roma and Sinti interned at the Lackenbach camp, 2,000 were deported to the Lodz/Litzmannstadt ghetto in the fall of 1941 and murdered. Only 300 to 400 prisoners survived to be liberated by Soviet troops in April 1945.

Registration

Sunday, 31 December 2023
Hinterbrühl
Memorial Site
Johannesstr.16-32
Niederösterreich
Gedenkfeier-zum-Jahreswechsel-Hinterbrühl-Niederoester
18:00

Commemoration ceremony to mark the end of the year

Registration

Wednesday, 31 December 2025
Graz-Liebenau
Plaque at Maria-Cäsar-Park
Mur cycling trail
Steiermark
Gedenkveranstaltung-Graz-Liebenau-Steiermark (C) MKÖ
00:00

Remembrance at the Maria-Cesär-Park commemorative plaque

for the Nazi victims of the death march of Hungarian Jews, those murdered in the Liebenau camp and the nameless dead who were hastily buried at Grünanger. The women in the camp who had to undergo forced abortions and cruel experimental surgery at the Graz Women's Clinic will likewise be remembered.

Registration