A total of 30 people from the USA, Canada, England, Israel, Argentina and Norway visited Vienna from November 6 to13 at the invitation of the Jewish Welcome Service. For the first time, the visitors were exclusively relatives of the second generation of Holocaust survivors.
The birthplaces of the guests also reveal the routes by which their parents escaped. Even though they are of the second generation, the guests have nevertheless also been deeply affected by the issues of flight, mistrust and fear. And yet they have allowed a bit of Austria into their lives through the stories told by their parents and grandparents. They were therefore very interested in visiting Vienna because an important part of their history stems from this city. During their stay, the program included visits to Jewish institutions, a city tour and a visit to City Hall and the Federal Chancellery as well as a visit to a traditional wine tavern.
“Welcoming expelled Jews and their descendants to Vienna is part of an active culture of remembrance that the city has devoted itself to. Ideally, they will learn about the home town of their parents or grandparents, have interesting encounters and forge new relationships,” said Vienna’s City Councilor for Culture Andreas Mailath-Pokorny, who received the group at Vienna City Hall. (Source: APA / OTS)
- More photos of the reception with City Councilor Mailath-Pokorny
- More photos of the reception with Federal Chancellor Kern
- More information
