Suche
Remembering for the future: A look back at Lower Austria's history
In 2025, Lower Austria will address historical milestones and commemorative events with the “Remembering for the Future” initiative.
Remembering for the future: A look back at Lower Austria's history
In 2025, cultural life in Lower Austria will be strongly influenced by the motto “Remembering for the Future”. Numerous museums, cultural and educational institutions in the country are taking part in the initiative, which reflects four important historical milestones from 1945, 1955, 1995 and 2005. State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner emphasizes how important knowledge of the past is for a secure future. The aim of this initiative is to make various facets of the events of that time accessible to the public. An extensive program of exhibitions, conferences, publications and digital formats is offered to promote engagement with history.
In the Mostviertel, the events of the Second World War are particularly discussed. The House of History in St. Pölten is presenting two exhibitions from October 4th. "Hitler's Executive. The Austrian Police and National Socialism" will be on display until February 22, 2026, while the exhibition "Children of War. Growing up between 1938 and 1955" will remain open until January 17, 2027. The St. Pölten City Museum also addresses the dark history of the city during this time in its current exhibition “Look into the Shadows. St. Pölten and National Socialism,” which runs until December 28th.
Places of remembrance and memorials
The fifth part of the series “80 Years of the End of the War in Lower Austria” is dedicated to the memorial sites and the culture of remembrance in the region. Particular attention is paid to the concentration camp in Melk, which was the largest subcamp of the Mauthausen concentration camp from April 1944 to April 1945, with over 14,000 prisoners who were forced to do forced labor. The memorial in the former crematorium can be visited free of charge. Another notable place is the Guntramsdorf subcamp, which was part of the “Flugmotorenwerke Ostmark” and existed from 1943 to 1945.
The memorial sites in Lower Austria also offer a wide range of information and educational offerings, such as guided tours and workshops. This also includes the military history quarter and the “Erlauf reminds” museum, which commemorates the meeting of Soviet and US generals on May 8, 1945. The 1945 memorial room in Hochwolkersdorf and various military cemeteries, such as the one in St. Pölten, also contribute to the culture of remembrance.
Diverse range of events
Numerous events are held as part of the initiative. On September 5th, for example, a tour of the Melk Concentration Camp Memorial will be offered. The book presentation “Abducted – Banished – Unforgotten” will follow in the Lower Austrian state parliament on September 18th, and a panel discussion will take place in the Loosdorf library on September 25th. In the industrial district this is Dr. Karl Renner Museum in Gloggnitz with the special exhibition “The year 1945 – Austria between awakening and repression” until December 7, 2025.
The “Remember for the Future” initiative is intended to contribute to an active culture of remembrance and remembrance in Lower Austria and to provide a platform to keep the memory of the victims of the Nazi era alive. This bridges the gap between past, present and future so as not to lose sight of the educational aspect of history. Further information is available online at www.erinnernfuerdiezukunft.at.