Ceremony at the Austrian Parliament Marking the 30th Anniversary of the National Fund

The National Fund was established in 1995 on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the restoration of the democratic Republic of Austria. The Federal Law on the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism was passed by the National Council on 1 June 1995 and published in the Federal Law Gazette on 30 June. It came into force retroactively on 27 April 1995, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The establishment of the National Fund at the National Council, the very “heart of the Republic“, was a clear and enduring signal of the Republic’s historical responsibility towards the victims of National Socialism 50 years after the end of Nazi rule.

On 10 November, at the site where it was established, the National Fund will look back on 30 years of responsibility in action and forward to its present and future tasks.

Time: Monday, 10th November 2025, 11 am.

Place: National Council Chamber, Parliament, Dr.-Karl-Renner-Ring 3, 1017 Vienna

Programme

Opening remarks

Peter Haubner
Second Preisdent of the National Council

Ceremonial address

Alexander Van der Bellen
Federal President

Discussion

Andreas Khol
Former President of the National Council

Franz Vranitzky
Former Federal Chancellor

Reading

Sarah Gärtner-Horvath
Third generation descendant

Yuval Yaari
Third generation descendant

Moderation

Hannah Lessing
Managing Director of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism

Music

Aliosha Biz, violin
Joschi Schneeberger, double bass
Harri Stojka, guitar

Registration

This event is by invitation only. Accredited media representatives can register here.

The ceremony will be broadcast live in the Parliament's media library and on ORF III from 11 am.