14 December 2008
The President of Austria, Heinz Fischer and his wife Margit Fischer, will visit Yad Vashem tomorrow, December 15, 2008. He will be accompanied by President Shimon Peres and Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev.
The President will lead a large delegation including Austrian Foreign Minister Dr. Michael Spindelegger, Defense Minister Mag. Norberg Darabos, and Minister of Education, Art and Culture, Dr. Claudia Schmeid. The Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Vienna Rabbi Paul Chaim Eisenberg will recite El Maleh Rahamim, a prayer for the souls of the Jews killed in the Holocaust, during the Memorial Ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance. At the conclusion of the visit, the President will greet Austrian students who are volunteering in Israel.
Following are media arrangements for the visit:
11:10: Arrival and tour of the Holocaust History Museum - CLOSED
Photo-Op: Hall of Names, Holocaust History Museum - POOL
12:15: Memorial ceremony, Hall of Remembrance - OPEN
12:25: Children’s Memorial - CLOSED to Cameras
12:30: Signing of the Guest Book, Exit from the Children’s Memorial - OPEN
Media who are interested in covering the Presidents’ visit are requested to coordinate with the Media Relations Department: 02 644 3410, and arrive at the Hall of Remembrance by 11:45, with a valid GPO card.
POOL
Foreign Press Stills: AFP
Foreign Press TV: ORF Austrian TV
Israeli Press Stills: Yediot Achronot
Israel Press TV: Channel 2
Contact: Estee Yaari / Foreign Media Liaison / Yad Vashem
