Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan Concludes Official Visit to Vienna with High-Level Meetings and Historic Exhibition Opening in the Austrian Parliament

During his official visit to Vienna for the opening of Yad Vashem’s new exhibition 'Torn from Life: The Fate of Austrian Jews After the Anschluss in 1938' in the Austrian Parliament, Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, President Alexander Van der Bellen, President of the Austrian Parliament Wolfgang Sobotka, and leaders of the Jewish community underscoring Yad Vashem's ongoing commitment to Holocaust remembrance, education, documentation and research worldwide and its continued cooperation with Austria to further these goals.

Reflecting on the significance of the visit, Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan stated:

"Austria has taken significant steps in the right direction towards confronting its Holocaust-related past. While today it speaks with clarity and conviction about its role as a perpetrator in the horrors of the Shoah, there remain forces that seek to distort or rewrite this narrative. The opening of this exhibition, within the Austrian Parliament itself, holds tremendous historic and symbolic significance. It stands as a powerful testament to the necessity of Holocaust remembrance and Austria’s steadfast commitment to preserving the factual integrity of this dark chapter in history. By embracing this responsibility, Austria sends a clear message to the world: only by facing painful truths can we secure a future free from the scourge of antisemitism and hatred."

A key outcome of Chairman Dayan’s meeting with Chancellor Nehammer was the strengthening of the partnership between Yad Vashem and Austria, with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Yad Vashem and the Austrian Federal Chancellery. Chancellor Nehammer remarked:

“The work of Yad Vashem is most essential and invaluable for our collective consciousness with regard to our historic responsibility. Today, we further strengthen our cooperation and extend our partnership. Thank you, Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan, for your visit to Vienna and for our trustful exchange. During our meeting, we also discussed our joint fight against antisemitism."

During the meeting with President Van der Bellen, he emphasized Austria’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism.

“Yad Vashem is the place of eternal remembrance of six million Jewish victims of the Shoah and will always remind us of the unprecedented atrocities committed against the Jewish people,” said Van der Bellen. “I am seriously concerned about the rise of antisemitic incidents in Europe and I reiterate my personal commitment, and the commitment of the Republic of Austria, to continue fighting antisemitism in all its forms. Only then will we live up to the words ‘Never again'."

The highlight of the visit was the opening of Yad Vashem’s new exhibition, “Torn from Life,” which recounts the fate of Austrian Jews after the 1938 Anschluss through personal artifacts such as letters, photographs, and drawings, many of which are returning to Austria for the first time since their Jewish owners fled or were deported.

Yad Vashem’s exhibition in the Austrian Parliament marks a significant step in Austria’s ongoing efforts to grapple with its role in the Holocaust, while reinforcing the need for vigilance in the fight against antisemitism. Chairman Dayan’s visit and the exhibition’s opening have further strengthened the ties between Yad Vashem and Austria, creating a platform for continued cooperation and education.