Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen visited Berlin on Sunday, November 15, to join German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for the observance of Volkstrauertag, Germany's national day of mourning. The two leaders participated in a solemn ceremony at the Neue Wache, the Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Victims of War and Tyranny, where they laid wreaths to honor those lost to conflict and oppression.
Lessons from the past
During a memorial event at the German Bundestag, Van der Bellen delivered a speech that connected historical atrocities to modern-day responsibilities. He recounted a story by Austrian writer Christine Nöstlinger about Mr. Fischl, a Jewish shoemaker who was publicly humiliated by National Socialists in 1938. By sharing this account, the President highlighted the human cost of hatred and the importance of remembering individual victims within the broader context of history.
A call for peace and law
Addressing current global instability, Van der Bellen referenced the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the ongoing violence in the Middle East, and the humanitarian suffering in Sudan. He argued that establishing lasting peace requires a combination of compassion and the rule of law, urging leaders and citizens alike to prioritize the protection of the living.
The President concluded by emphasizing that Europe must remain a sanctuary where people can live in freedom, peace, and dignity. His remarks underscored a shared commitment between Austria and Germany to uphold democratic values in the face of rising international tensions.