The “Verein für Gedenkkultur in Graz” (translating to “Society for Remembrance Culture in Graz” is dedicated to promoting remembrance culture in Graz and Styria, with a particular focus on fostering visible and public commemoration and remembrance of the victims of National Socialism.
Mission
The main mission of the Society for Remembrance Culture is to implement the ‘Stolpersteine’ project by the Cologne-based artist Gunter Demnig in Graz and, from 2018/2019, in other Styrian municipalities as well.
“Stolpersteine” is a project designed to commemorate the fate of those who were murdered, deported, displaced, driven to suicide or affected by “Aryanisation” expropriations under National Socialism; it commemorates both Jewish victims and those who were victims of political, religious or ethnic persecution, who were murdered because of their sexual orientation, for refusing to serve in the military, or because their lives were deemed ‘worthless’ (so-called ‘euthanasia’).
The brass plaques on the Stolpersteine bear the names and dates of the victims, along with the inscription: “Lived here” or “Worked here.” They are set into the pavement in front of the last places where the victims voluntarily lived or worked.
Further activities:
- Academic research into the names and biographies of victims of the Nazi regime from Graz and Styria
- Academic and commemorative events on the impact of Nazi terror in Styria and on victims of the Nazi regime, including in cooperation with other commemorative initiatives and academic research institutions
- Public relations work and networking with other groups, associations, initiatives and school projects committed to the culture of remembrance
- Educational programme for young people…
- Educational programme for youth groups and interested adults (including commemorative walks to selected Stolpersteine in Graz)
Get involved
The Stolpersteine project also relies heavily on the involvement of individuals who are committed to commemorating the victims of National Socialism, for example:
- by suggesting further locations for Stolpersteine: proposing names of people to be commemorated with a Stolperstein (such as victims from one’s own family circle or from one’s place of residence or work),
- by actively participating in the Society,
- through membership or donations, which can be used, for example, to help cover the costs of producing the stones, to support research work, or to fund the preparation and organisation of commemorative events or special events for young people.
Full membership: €20 per year
Concessionary membership (school pupils, students, apprentices, those performing community service or military service, jobseekers, asylum seekers): €10 per year
Supporting membership: €50 per year - by sponsoring a Stolperstein to cover the costs of materials, production and installation, currently €132 (as of 2020)
We gratefully accept any support with joy, respect and deep gratitude.
For further information, contact details or enquiries, please contact: verein-fuer-gedenkkultur-graz@gmx.at
Bank details: easyBank
Account holder: “Verein für Gedenkkultur in Graz”
IBAN: AT56 14200 20010937427
BIC: BAWAATWW
Our areas of activity
General information
The members of the society (Note: currently comprising interested individuals, representatives from the Jewish Community, the Protestant and Catholic Churches, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, victims’ associations, local councillors (Greens, SPÖ, KPÖ, ÖVP) and historians) are categorised as full members, associate members and honorary members. Full members are those who participate fully in the society’s work. Associate members are those who support the society’s activities primarily by paying an increased membership fee. Honorary members are individuals appointed for their special services to the society.
Membership
- Membership of the association is open to all natural persons who share the association’s objectives, as well as legal entities and partnerships with legal capacity.
- The Executive Committee decides on the admission of full and associate members. Admission may be refused without giving reasons.
- Until the association is established, the provisional admission of ordinary and associate members shall be carried out by the founders of the association; if an Executive Board has already been appointed, this shall be carried out by the Executive Board. This membership shall only take effect upon the establishment of the association. If an Executive Board is appointed only after the association has been established, the (definitive) admission of ordinary and associate members shall also be carried out by the founders of the association until that time.
- Appointment as an honorary member shall be made by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee.
Executive Board
Tristan Ammerer, chairman
Graz City Councillor, specialising in areas including remembrance culture; previously District Mayor of Graz-Gries in 2019/20; works as a freelancer in social media management.
Thomas Stoppacher, Treasurer
Historian and cultural educator at the Austrian Cabaret Archive; staff member at Granatapfel Kulturvermittlung and CLIO; PhD candidate at the Centre for Jewish Studies at the University of Graz; research focuses on anti-Semitism and Jewish history (Styria and Austria);
Jointly responsible for research and outreach at the Society for Remembrance Culture.
Heribert Macher-Kroisenbrunner
PhD candidate and former project researcher at the Centre for Jewish Studies at the University of Graz, and a member of staff at the Universalmuseum Joanneum. Main areas of historical research: contemporary and social history, biographical research, the study and tracing of Jewish life, and remembrance work addressing forgotten and/or repressed regional history.
Jointly responsible for research.
Daniela Grabe (former chairwoman)
Studied history and German language and literature, later studied business informatics; since 1998, alongside other professional activities, has been involved in researching Nazi history; 2003–2017: Green Party councillor in Graz; main occupation: software development at an international company specialising in precision measuring instruments; responsible for: commemorative events and assisting with archival research.
Thomas Meier, Project Team Member (supporting Financing)
Former project staff member, teacher of mathematics and physics at MMS Gratwein;
Manager and treasurer of the cultural association “Grazer Universitätsorchester”.
Assists us with financial matters and grant applications.
Felicitas Fröhlich
Children’s book author and adult educator, trainer in areas including gender and diversity. She is jointly responsible for social media, educational outreach/remembrance walks and organisational support for the commemorative events in Graz.
Management
Birgit Roth
Has worked at the University of Graz since 2005 (administration/project management); previously worked in the cultural sector. Translator, co-founder of Border Crossing Spielfeld.
Since November 2023, Managing Director of the Society for Remembrance Culture, responsible for, amongst other things, overall coordination, the laying of Stolpersteine, public relations, finances and grant applications.
Tel: +43 664-1553850