Remembering and Commemorating

By commemorating the most horrific times of the 20th century, the Austrian Parliament would like to preserve the memory of the victims of National Socialism through various event formats, draw lessons from the past, and consciously address discriminatory and antisemitic tendencies in society.

In accordance with a resolution of the National Council and an identical resolution of the Federal Council from 1997, the Parliament has observed the "Day of Remembrance against Violence and Racism in Memory of the Victims of National Socialism" annually since 1998. This day commemorates the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp on May 5, 1945. Events are also held regularly to mark the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, 1945, and the anniversary of the November pogroms on November 9, 1938.

A culture of remembrance is the foundation for a critical and conscious examination of the past and the basis for dealing responsibly with one's own history. However, a culture of remembrance also fosters a sense of identity and is focused on raising social awareness of all forms of violence and discrimination while emphasizing the value of a pluralistic, democratic society. For this reason, since 2018, a memorial event has been held to commemorate the suppression of Parliament on March 4, 1933 by the Government of Federal Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuß. Further memorial events have commemorated, among others, the victims of the racially-motivated attack against members of the Roma ethnic group on February 4, 1995 in Oberwart and the victims of the Islamist-motivated terrorist attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015.