Del Olvido al Recuerdo - Exhibition Opening in Madrid

The exhibition “From Repression to Remembrance. 25 Years of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism” is currently on display at the Centro Sefarad Israel in Madrid.

In order to mark its 25th anniversary, in 2020 the National Fund created the exhibition “From Repression to Remembrance. 25 Years of the National Fund of the Republic of Austria for Victims of National Socialism”. It gives a tour d'horizon through the various tasks that were and are entrusted to the National Fund and the two funds it administers: the General Settlement Fund for Victims of National Socialism and the Fund for the Restoration of the Jewish Cemeteries in Austria.

The exhibition is also available online and can be ordered through the Austrian Foreign Ministry. It can be visited worldwide virtually and in the form of a touring exhibition.

In 2020, it went on display in Paris at the Maison Heinrich Heine, and since 20 April 2022, the exhibition has been on show at the Jewish cultural centre Centro Sefarad Israel in Madrid, where it complements the exhibition “Seeing Auschwitz” and embeds it in a thematic context, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the origins and work of the National Fund.

Hannah Lessing at the lectern at the exhibition opening at the Centro Sefarad Israel in Madrid on 20 April 2022. © Austrian Cultural Forum MadridMadrid

Opening

At the ceremonial opening on the evening of 20 April, Secretary General Hannah Lessing spoke about its social and political background and the shift in the culture of remembrance with regard to Austria’s Nazi past, as well as personal aspects of the work with survivors.

In her closing remarks, she referred to one of the most important tasks of the National Fund at the moment, in view of the rise in antisemitism, racism and the current war in Europe: to strengthen political sensitivity and reason in society, especially in turbulent times – because the past has taught us:

“The sleep of reason produces monsters.”

The exhibition can be viewed at the Centro Sefarad Israel until 3 June 2022:

Calle Mayor 69
MADRID 28013
ESPAÑA

T: +34 91 391 10 02
F: +34 91 541 93 10
@: centro@sefarad-israel.es

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