Memorial event in parliament: commemorate the victims of National Socialism

Memorial event in parliament: commemorate the victims of National Socialism

Schloss Hartheim, 4682 Alkoven, Österreich - On May 2, 2025, an important parliamentary week is imminent, which is opened with a Memorial event in parliament. This event is aimed particularly at the victims of National Socialism and takes place on May 5th at 11:00 a.m. The focus is at Hartheim Castle, a place of horror, in which around 30,000 people were murdered between 1940 and 1944. As part of the event, a film excerpt from the ORF III documentary "Schloss Hartheim-The Nazi Murder" is shown. Actress Kristina Sprenger will read from the victim's biographies, and a panel discussion with experts like Florian Schwanninger and Marianne Schulze will form the framework of the event.

The Federal Council President Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler will speak the graduation words. The entire event will be transferred live to ORF 2 and in the parliamentary media library.

memory and processing of the Nazi crimes

Another important event in the context of the memorial event took place on October 1, 2023, when a commemoration for the victims of Nazi Euthanasia was carried out in the Hartheim learning and memorial location. With the participation of numerous guests of honor, including members of the victims and diplomatic representatives, the importance of the decent treatment of all people was emphasized. Governor Mag. Thomas Stelzer emphasized the responsibility to decide disregard human dignity in his commemorative speech and the need to work out the history of persecution and murder of people with disabilities was emphasized.

The memorial events are part of a broader movement to the focus of the National Socialist persecution of people with diseases or disabilities that began before National Socialism. This time was characterized by exclusion and the negative representation of these people in society, as well as the ideas of Eugenik, which propagated a society without sick or disabled people. The crimes committed in the Nazi-Euthanasia institutions such as Hartheim Castle represent a gloomy highlight of these ideologies.

political agenda in parliament

From 5 to May 9, 2025, the parliamentary events in the Federal Council will also put numerous topics on the agenda. On May 6, 2025, the consumer protection committee with Federal Minister Korinna Schumann will discuss current issues such as the financing of the VKI, the blackout strategy and collection costs. In addition, on May 7, 2025, a book presentation entitled "The role of the state healing institution during and after the Nazi regime" will take place. Oskar Dohle will hold the keynote, followed by a panel discussion with other experts.

The week ends with an important discussion about the 30-year EU membership of Austria, which will take place on May 9, 2025. EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner will hold a European speech and the debate is opened by Walter Rosenkranz.

The memorial events and the political agenda illustrate the commitment to memory, reappraisal and the right policy to protect human rights in Austria.