The exhibition ‘From Repression to Remembrance’ describes the tasks and activities carried out by the Austrian National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism 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.
We are pleased to announce a special Arc of History event on the occassion of the exhibition. A panel discussion entitled 'Bridging Generations - 30 Years of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria' will feature speakers from different generations — from a survivor of atrocities committed by the Nazis to second- and third-generation descendants, as well as Professor Hannah Lessing, Managing Director of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism.
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. In a 1991 speech before the National Council, Federal Chancellor Franz Vranitzky emphasised Austria’s historical responsibility and, on behalf of the Federal Government, promised help to all those who had not yet received adequate consideration.
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.
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, including providing financial support for memorial servants and international exchange programmes for young people, creating a memorial for Roma and Sinti victims of the Holocaust and developing a platform to intensify the exchange with other national and international organisations involved in coming to terms with the Nazi period and prevention work.
Please note that the Austrian Cultural Forum is a historic and therefore not a step-free building.rmat.
