The Austrian Press & Information Service together with the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism is proud to present the exhibition From Repression to Remembrance in English and German.
The exhibition will be open for viewings on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting November 14, 2024 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. by appointment only. Please email washington-ID@bmeia.gv.at to reserve your time slot.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
The exhibition From Repression to Remembrance describes the tasks and activities carried out by the National Fund in areas such as Nazi victim recognition, project funding, art restitution, documenting life stories of survivors, the restoration of Jewish cemeteries in Austria, the Simon Wiesenthal Prize for outstanding civic engagement to combat antisemitism and promote Holocaust education, the renewal of the Austrian exhibition at Auschwitz, and the General Settlement Fund and its compensation and restitution for Nazi victims.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FUND
In 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the Second Republic, the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism was established at the Austrian Parliament as a belated expression of Austria’s special responsibility towards the victims of National Socialism. Its establishment only became possible once the Austrian stance towards the Nazi era had evolved: from viewing Austria as the first country to fall victim to Hitlerite aggression, to a more nuanced perspective that takes account of the involvement of many Austrians in the crimes of the Nazis.
Some 30,000 survivors from Austria living around the world have since accepted a gesture payment from Austria. Providing recognition and support for survivors is a key task of the National Fund, as well as advising the victims of National Socialism and their families.
In 2001 the Washington Agreement was concluded between Austria and the United States of America. It laid the foundation for restitution and compensation measures to be implemented by two funds, both administered by the National Fund: The General Settlement Fund for Victims of National Socialism and the Fund for the Restoration of the Jewish Cemeteries in Austria.
In total, 41,000 persons from over 80 countries around the world applied to the National Fund and the General Settlement Fund. The overwhelming majority of Austrians who fled persecution in Austria during the Nazi era did not return, but remained in their countries of refuge and exile after the war ended in 1945. The country in which most applicants – over 13,000 – took up residence was the USA. Fostering relations between Austria and the victims of National Socialism who live abroad still is a key task of the National Fund and its Secretary General.
Other undertakings are also an expression of Austria’s special responsibility, such as the renewal and running of the Austrian exhibition at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the awarding of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize and tasks involving the restitution of looted art and the Shoah Wall of Names Memorial in Vienna.
In 2024, the tasks of the National Fund were extended once more. New tasks include providing financial support for memorial servants and international exchange programmes for young people, creating a memorial for Roma and Sinti victims of the Holocaust, developing a platform and holding an annual conference to intensify the exchange of information and cooperation with other national and international organizations and institutions involved in coming to terms with the Nazi period and prevention work. Through its work, the National Fund is striving to help shape a future in which there is no place for authoritarianism, racism or antisemitism.