The Embassy of Austria Commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Jan 31

This Holocaust Remembrance month, the Austrian Embassy has been engaging in the fight against antisemitism and with Holocaust commemoration on multiple levels.

During her recent visit, Austrian Federal Minister of the EU and Constitution Karoline Edtstadler highlighted the fight against antisemitism as a major issue for the Austrian government and discussed it in many of her meetings. Then, on January 26, Minister Edtstadler represented Austria at the official commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

On January 28, Ambassador Petra Schneebauer visited the Kesher Israel synagogue in Washington, DC for a discussion with Kenneth R. Weinstein on Austria’s approach to combating antisemitism in a world in crisis.

Finally, on January 29, 2024, the Austrian Cultural Forum Washington hosted renowned Austrian baritone Wolfgang Holzmair and Canadian pianist Olivier Godin at the Embassy of Austria for a Holocaust Remembrance Day concert with works composed at the Theresienstadt concentration camp. Mr. Holzmair touched the audience with his moving renditions of works by Viktor Ullman, Gideon Klein, Hans Krása, Ilse Weber and more, composed while the artists were imprisoned in the concentration camp Theresienstadt. These artists and many others managed to develop a wide variety of cultural activities while there: concerts, opera and theater performances, cabaret, readings, exhibitions. Mr. Holzmair’s narration further added to the evening, educating viewers about life in Theresienstadt, providing biographical details about many of the artists, and how their works were saved for the future. Mr. Holzmair’s voice communicated a great depth of feeling while singing works like “Homesickness” by Adolf Strauss and “I know for sure that I’ll see you again” by the same composer.