The Second World War was history 80 years ago. A historical turning point that laid the foundation for today’s independent and peaceful Austria. The memory of this is intended to preserve the importance of freedom, peace and democracy for future generations. In this sense, Mayor invited Elke Kahr In the name of the city of Graz on May 9th for a large festive event in the casemates. Despite the frosty temperatures, around 800 visitors came to the inside: together with representatives: inside of urban politics, including Vice Mayor Judith Schwentnerthe KPÖ city councils Robert Krotzer and Manfred Eber as well as KFG city councilor Claudia SchönbacherSPÖ-Klubobfrau Daniela Schlüsberberger And many municipalities: inside to commemorate this memorable date together. It started in the afternoon with the award ceremony of the painting competition initiated by the Department of Education and Integration on the subject of “Graz Malt History” of the Graz schools.
Against hatred and agitation
At 6 p.m. the festive event, which the human rights city of Graz was first organizing in this form, was ceremoniously opened by the Mayor of Graz. In her speech, she described the end of the war as the “most important cut from the history of the past century”. Graz is referred to as the “city of the folk survey”, but there was also another Graz, so Kahr and named the names Richard Zach, Julia Pongracic and the Franciscan Father Kapistran Pieller, which would be for many courage and resistance, for example. “Our city has a wide but good way”, Kahr is certain and emphasized at the same time: “War is never inevitable and upgrading is never without alternative. That is why we are making a very clear sign against hate and agitation, for peace and international understanding. We remain vigilant together when freedom and peace are threatened.”
Learn from history
The historian Karin Schmidlechner-Lienhart In her speech, brought her view of the days around May 8, 1945 and life closer. “The day was an exemption for persecuted, Jews, resistance fighters: inside, forced laborers: inside, concentration camp is, politically thinking, etc.. For the supporters: Inside the regimes, however, the day was a defeat.” For a long time, the soldiers and bomb sacrifices in Austria had been thought that the real victims were initially hidden from the collective memory. These historical lies were only replaced by a young generation of historians from the 1980s: at the same time, young people had also started to deal with the parents’ past. The restoration of the Austrian identity was successful, but the denazification had not been an issue for a long time – effects of this have been seen in the present. “There is no two fields that Austrian history has been a success story since 1945 and Austria is a democratic state with a high standard of living,” emphasized the historian and at the same time warned: “It is all the more questionable that right -wing populist and right -wing extremist movements use difficult political situations today to stir up hatred, to question the rule of law and human rights and to achieve the division of society. Racism, lack of humanity and exclusion. ” At that time, many small steps would have led to the greatest break in civilization in human history. That is why Schmidlechner-Lienhart appealed: “For everyone who wants to protect democracy, it is important to try to prevent the first steps in this direction.”
Entertainment program
Provided (musical) entertainment “The wild old” With a thoughtful program on the topic as well Isabel Frey & Bandwho devote themselves to Yiddish music. The crowning conclusion finally formed Konstantin Wecker and Her barnicel With her rousing duo program “Never again fascism, never again war!”. The moderator led through the evening Christina KropfThe Department of Communication of the City of Graz is responsible for the event organization.
Events in the commemorative year
During this year there are diverse events all over the city. Under www.graz.at/gedenkjahr2025 You can find an overview.