From Repression to Remembrace

The Austrian Cultural Forum New York (ACFNY) is pleased to announce the bilingual exhibition From Repression to Remembrance carried out by the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism.

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.

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.

Austria’s special responsibility is also expressed through other undertakings, such as the Austrian exhibition at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the awarding of the Simon Wiesenthal Prize, tasks involving the restitution of looted art and support in obtaining Austrian citizenship for victims of National Socialism and their descendants.

A matter of particular importance is the advancement and transmission of knowledge about National Socialism, its aftereffects and the fates of its victims, as is preserving the memory of the victims. The National Fund subsidises projects that promoteremembrance and learning from history, and publishes memoirs of Holocaust survivors.

By passing the memory on to younger generations the National Fund is contributing towards a future in which there is no place for dictatorship, racism and Antisemitism.