The local council's decision reflects a greater effort to confront Austria's Nazi past and honor resistance figures as part of a societal reckoning.
Austria to Rename Streets Commemorating Nazi Supporters
Austria to Rename Streets Commemorating Nazi Supporters
Braunau am Inn acts on longstanding criticism of controversial street names in Hitler's hometown.
In a significant move towards confronting its historical ties to Nazism, Austria is set to rename two streets in Braunau am Inn, Adolf Hitler's birthplace. The decision comes after years of complaints regarding the streets named after composer Josef Reiter and entertainer Franz Resl, both known for their allegiance to the Nazi party. The council's choice, made through a "secret vote," was informed by a local government report asserting that maintaining the existing names is unconstitutional.
Approximately 200 households will receive new addresses following the renaming. This action has been applauded by the Mauthausen Committee, which sees it as a decision of "symbolic significance." Chairman Willi Mernyi expressed gratitude to those who supported their long campaign for change. The Mauthausen concentration camp, where over 90,000 prisoners were murdered between 1938 and 1945, stands as a chilling reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
In an effort to honor those who resisted the Nazi regime, committee member Robert Eiter has proposed new street names that could pay tribute to notable figures such as former deputy mayor Lea Olczak, whose father perished in Mauthausen, and Maria Stromberger, who fought against the Nazis while serving as head nurse at Auschwitz.
While Austria has taken steps in renaming streets with Nazi associations, including one named after Porsche in Linz, remnants of this troubling history persist, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the nation in acknowledging its role during World War Two. The devastating effects of the Holocaust, which led to the murder of around 65,000 Austrian Jews and millions more across Europe, continue to haunt the collective memory of Austria, making these renaming efforts a critical aspect of societal reflection and reconciliation.
Approximately 200 households will receive new addresses following the renaming. This action has been applauded by the Mauthausen Committee, which sees it as a decision of "symbolic significance." Chairman Willi Mernyi expressed gratitude to those who supported their long campaign for change. The Mauthausen concentration camp, where over 90,000 prisoners were murdered between 1938 and 1945, stands as a chilling reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
In an effort to honor those who resisted the Nazi regime, committee member Robert Eiter has proposed new street names that could pay tribute to notable figures such as former deputy mayor Lea Olczak, whose father perished in Mauthausen, and Maria Stromberger, who fought against the Nazis while serving as head nurse at Auschwitz.
While Austria has taken steps in renaming streets with Nazi associations, including one named after Porsche in Linz, remnants of this troubling history persist, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the nation in acknowledging its role during World War Two. The devastating effects of the Holocaust, which led to the murder of around 65,000 Austrian Jews and millions more across Europe, continue to haunt the collective memory of Austria, making these renaming efforts a critical aspect of societal reflection and reconciliation.
