In his speech at the event in Vienna City Hall, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen praised the DÖW as an “important pillar in the fight for the historical, ruthless coming to terms with our darkest history”, but also as an “important pillar in the fight against illiberal and totalitarian tendencies today “.
“Don’t draw a comfortable conclusion”
There is a clear commitment from politicians to continue to support the work of the DÖW, emphasized Van der Bellen: “It cannot be the case that we simply draw a line in the sand right now.” Liberal democracy must be maintained and strengthened – “especially when the environment has become more difficult”. We are in a situation that we would not have imagined just a few years ago, said the Federal President, pointing to increasing anti-Semitism. The DÖW is “an indispensable element in the network against the enemies of the open society.”
Image: (APA/Max Slovencik)
In the 60 years of its existence, the documentation archive has become a “central nucleus of resistance research” as well as research on victims and perpetrators of the Nazi era, said Education Minister Martin Polaschek (ÖVP). At the same time, the DÖW is an important authority in the fight against anti-Semitism and right-wing extremism.
Concerns about increasing right-wing extremism
The mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) expressed concern about the increasing networking of right-wing extremist groups in Europe and their support from groups that wanted to destroy the common Europe. This is not about party politics, but about a debate about the principles of our democracy, warned Ludwig. Like his predecessor and now chairman of the DÖW Foundation Board, Michael Häupl (SPÖ), he opposed attacks by the FPÖ and other right-wing groups against the DÖW. “If you deny the scientific nature of a scientific institute, you also deny it its right to exist,” criticized Häupl.
Image: (APA/Max Slovencik)
To mark the anniversary, a scientific symposium will take place on Thursday and Friday, at which experts will discuss current resistance and right-wing extremism research.
Annual grants increased
The DÖW was founded in 1963 by former resistance fighters and scientists and has been a foundation since 1983. The focus of the content includes research and communication on the topics of resistance and persecution in Austria 1933-38 and 1938-45, Holocaust, Roma and Sinti, exile, Nazi medical crimes, Nazi and post-war justice as well as right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism, restitution and compensation after 1945.
Image: (APA/Max Slovencik)
Last year, the DÖW was officially commissioned by the turquoise-green government to prepare the right-wing extremism report. The first report is due to be presented in autumn 2024. The annual donations from the Ministry of Education and the City of Vienna were increased to 855,000 euros each at the end of 2023. In addition to covering the extraordinary inflation costs, this will also make it possible to expand several areas of the institute and prepare for the institute’s planned move from the Old Town Hall to the Otto Wagner area, explained DÖW head Andreas Kranebitter in a press release.
