Villach stands together: warm funeral for the victims of violence!

Villach stands together: warm funeral for the victims of violence!

On Sunday evening, hundreds of people gathered at the Drau in Villach to experience the final ceremony of the mourning week under the motto "A heart, a city. Villach holds together". The event started at 6 p.m. with an impressive ringing of bells that put the crowd into silent grief. During the emotional event, ten the fire brigade and water rescue divers put an illuminated heart in the Drau, a moving sign of sympathy and solidarity. The tragic circumstances led to this mourning week are devastating: on February 15, a 23-year-old Syrian stabbed passers-by and killed a 14-year-old Villacher and sometimes seriously injured five other people. The perpetrator is currently in custody after being stopped by a compatriot by a compatriot. The burial of the young victim took place on Saturday, under police protection, to take the Situation into account, as was reported.

a light against the darkness

The poetry slammer Estha Sackl took the initiative and addressed the assembled people. She addressed the sudden darkness that had fallen over the city and called for a sea of ​​lights of the community to drive away these shadows. "Villach stands together, Villach sticks together because it connects us because we are humans," said Sackl, underlining her message while the illuminated heart has been majestically pulling down the drau. The event was organized by the city of Villach and described by Mayor Günter Albel (SPÖ) as essential new beginning to help overcome the sudden violence and hatred in the city. "It takes a fresh start now," emphasized Albel and called for unity, both in Villach and all over Austria.

The event ended with the slow leaving of the mourning community, which was able to light a candle in silent memory of the tragic events to commemorate the victims, such as 5 minutes the ceremony conveys a clear message: Violence has no place in the community and the city is in memory of the victims.