The exhibition “Torn from Life” opened in Parliament this evening. The show, designed by the international memorial Yad Vashem, depicts the fate of Austrian Jews after the annexation in 1938. National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka pointed out the importance of education in reducing anti-Semitism and the associated responsibility of politics in his opening words. He also emphasized Austria’s responsibility and complicity in the Holocaust. Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan also emphasized the importance of education and remembrance as well as Austria’s responsibility. The curator of the exhibition and a descendant of a victim also had their say. The exhibition can be viewed in the Hypostyle Hall of Parliament during opening hours until November 11th.
Sobotka: Education is crucial to reducing anti-Semitism
The exhibition is a special and important building block in the “big puzzle” of Parliament’s activities to combat anti-Semitism, said National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. The exhibition shows the history of people and their significance today. These individual fates are not just history, but a mission, he emphasized. Only education and knowledge would reduce anti-Semitic attitudes. The exhibition will therefore be incorporated into the parliamentary tours. The exhibition will illustrate the events and consequences of 1938. Austria and its citizens were not only victims, but also perpetrators. They would have had a share and a responsibility in the madness of extermination and the industrial mass murder of Jews and other victim groups. Today it is important to show that Austria has learned the right lessons from its history, explained Sobotka. They want to clearly emphasize responsibility as a whole. It’s about not just living the “never again” in exhibitions. It is the task of politics to counteract the pure anti-Semitism that is currently threatening the Jewish people. The saying “From the river to the sea” is unacceptable in Austria and should not be expressed in this form.
Sobotka renewed his criticism of the ORF, which recently invited the Palestinian ambassador to a TV interview. Without replying, he made anti-Semitic comments and reversed the perpetrator-victim situation. What is needed is a clear explanation of this guerrilla war. Israel cannot be held to be the culprit.
Dayan: Exhibitions help to commemorate people
Exhibitions would help commemorate people and uphold their heritage. This will make “never again” a living reality, explained Dani Dayan, CEO of the Yad Vashem Memorial. The story of Marta Byk, who wanted to flee across the Danube to Israel, but then got stuck in what was then Yugoslavia and was ultimately brutally murdered in 1942, is one of many horrific stories that can be found in the exhibition. By 1938, the lives of Jews had become a complete horror with humiliation and violence. This was committed by German and Austrian Nazis with the complicity of too many Viennese people. Due to the duration, extent and murderous atrocities of the Holocaust, one might have expected that Austria would immediately take responsibility for its central role as an accomplice in the post-war period. Instead, a false post-war narrative was created, according to which Austria was the first victim and had no active role in the Holocaust. It was only about 40 years after the end of the Second World War that this was reassessed and Austria faced its uncomfortable past as a full perpetrator of the Holocaust. Austria subsequently entered into partnerships such as those with Yad Vashem. They are committed to joint Holocaust research, education, enlightenment and remembrance. The current exhibition in Parliament is a sign of this joint effort. Dayan thanked the President of the National Council for his commitment during his term of office. This enabled a de facto dialogue about the past.
In a conversation with the moderator and expert in anti-Semitism prevention Rifka Junger, the curator of the exhibition Michael Tal also explained its background and creation as well as the associated journey to the roots of his own family. The objects on display contain entire stories and thus tell the fates of people on the run, he explained. He hopes that visitors will be able to relate to people’s fates and thus understand what they have suffered.
Descendant Brossmann: We need the opportunity to flee to safe countries and receive asylum
Tobias Brossmann was also interviewed. He explained the life story of his great-grandfather, the photographer Richard Finali, presented in the exhibition. While his wife managed to emigrate to England with their two children, Finali stayed behind in Vienna and was ultimately deported and murdered. Countries that could have taken in his great-grandfather didn’t and that’s why he ultimately died, Brossmann explained when asked about the lessons for today. People need the opportunity to flee to safe countries and receive asylum. Likewise, narratives of inequality should not be nurtured in society. In addition, Brossmann opposed the Freedom Party’s government responsibility because they would produce one anti-Semitic individual case after another and would describe their “leader” – like Adolf Hitler at the time – as the “People’s Chancellor”.
Brossmann explained that it was difficult for his family to find moments where only commemoration could take place. There is neither a grave nor any public recognition for his great-grandfather. The first commemoration only took place in 2010 with a memorial stone, which had to be initiated and paid for by his grandmother. The exhibition is important for him and his family because it speaks openly and directly about the murder of his great-grandfather and thus gives him back his dignity
Exhibition shows personal items and fragments of life stories
The exhibition “Torn from Life,” sponsored by the Federal Chancellery, commemorates a particularly dark chapter in Austrian history 85 years ago. The “annexation” of Austria to Nazi Germany began an era in which the lives of Jews changed radically overnight. The exhibition tells personal stories of Viennese Jews who were forced to flee Austria to escape Nazi persecution, and the fate that awaited much of European Jewry. It also shows objects such as diaries, letters, but also pieces of jewelry and furniture that are connected to the life stories of their former owners. They illustrate the drastic break that the “annexation” of Austria meant for the Jews living here. (End) pst/sox
A NOTICE: Photos from this event as well as one Review of past events can be found in Parliament web portal.