Monument of the names in Hermagor: commemorate forgetting!

Monument of the names in Hermagor: commemorate forgetting!

in Hermagor, Carinthia, an important monument is being built to remember the victims of National Socialism. On May 8, 2025, the “Monument of the Names” is to be inaugurated, as Bernhard Gitschtaler, chairman of the “Remembernern Gailtal” association, reports. This memorial is equipped with two large glass panels on which the names of 66 murdered victims are listed, together with the place of killing and the year of crime. The concrete foundation is financed by the municipality of Hermagor, while the association bears the costs for the monument itself. The first preparatory work has already started and the initiative is part of a crowdfunding campaign that was started at www.erinnern-gailtal.at and www.respekt.net/projections to gain additional support.

A silenced story is illuminated

The dark time of National Socialism is often replaced in Carinthia, which has led to the extensive forgetting of the regional victims. The association “remembering Gailtal” has been working to process this story since 2013 and to recover the numerous victims. Euthanasia victims, who are considered the largest sacrificial group in the valley, as well as Carinthian Slovenia, Jews and resistance fighters often remain unnamed. Gitschtaler emphasizes that this lack of memory is a serious problem and should be changed with the upcoming monument. The project stands not only for the past tragedy, but also for an invitation to the community to deal with this story.

All interested parties are cordially invited to the inauguration ceremony, which is led by Bischofsvikar Msgr. Engelbert Guggenberger. The situation shows that memory work is essential to prevent forgetting. As informed respect.net , the municipality of Hermagor has already started working on the foundation and calls for far-reaching support for the crowdfunding project to achieve.