Eggenberg honors resistance fighter: Hans-Kloepfer-Straße is renamed

Von WOM

In the Eggenberg district of Graz, there is an important name change: Hans-Kloepfer-Straße was renamed Julia-Pongracic-Straße. This happened on Tuesday after a vote in the local council to honor the resistance fighter and lawyer Julia Pongracic. This renaming is a specific sign of the city of Graz, which not only serves to memory of an extraordinary woman, but also promotes a broader examination of the history of National Socialism.

Julia Pongracic, born on October 30, 1910 in Graz, was actively in resistance to the Nazi regime. She had joined the forbidden social democratic party and worked with the resistance group "Austrian Freedom Front". In March 1945 it was arrested by the Gestapo and shot without legal proceedings. This makes it clear that the city not only honors Pongracic with this gesture, but also recognizes the courage and determination of many women in this dark time.

problematic background

The renaming of the Dr. Hans-Kloepfer-Straße became necessary after a commission identified the street as one of the problematic namesake. Hans Kloepfer, who used to be the namesake, was controversial because of his German national attitude and sympathy for National Socialism. In this context, the city has already renamed Maria-Stromberger-Gasse in spring, Ottokar-Kernstock-Gasse, to take this problem into account.

The mayor Judith Schwentner said that the decision was not only an appreciation of women's power, but also an important step in dealing with his own history. "We would like to appreciate Julia Pongracic, who has preserved attitude during the Nazi barbarism," says Schwentner.

Logistics of renaming

The renaming was organized for the residents, so that there are no additional costs. The city will attach the new street table and the house numbers will remain unchanged, as will the house number boards that are sent directly.

The decision to renaming is part of an ongoing process in the city of Graz, which also affects other problematic street names. It is important to create a historical awareness and at the same time appreciate the socially important events.

Details for renaming and their importance can be found in other reports, for example at Styria.orf.at, which inform about the influences and the importance of Julia Pongracic in Graz history.