Salzburg clears up: street renaming for a new age!

Salzburg clears up: street renaming for a new age!

Salzburg, Österreich - Salzburg is determined by determination against the shadows of the past. The renaming of Heinrich-Damisch-Straße in Salzburg-Parsch has now been officially decided. This measure, which is related to the National Socialist past of the namesake, marks the first step in a more comprehensive project that will affect several streets and squares in the city. At the head of this initiative is the actress and director Helene Thimig, who was not only pursued by the Nazis, but was also married to the founder of the festival Max Reinhardt. According to orf.at , the renaming is regarded as an important political signal to distance yourself from old, contaminated names.

political unity despite resistance

The Salzburg city government, including Mayor Bernhard Auinger from the SPÖ, has decided not to name any streets in honor of former National Socialists. This decision was already decided with a majority at the latest city council, with only the ÖVP and the FPÖ voted against the renaming, reports krone.at . In addition to Heinrich-Damisch-Straße, twelve more streets and squares are on the list for a name change. In this pilot project, the city plans to discuss the renaming of a nameless Mönchsberg staircase. The Historian Commission had previously examined the streets and squares and identified 13 people with Nazi past, which the city is now tackled.

For the approximately 30 affected residents, this renaming according to the city is not associated with any costs, which is a great relief. The pilot project is scheduled to bring further changes in spring 2025 after the renaming of Damisch-Strasse. This shows the fixed intention of the city of Salzburg to actively process the dark chapters of its history and to free yourself from the remains of a painful heritage.