Austria looks back on an eventful century. The proclamation of the democratic republic in 1918 is the starting point for the renewed hdgö main exhibition "New Times: Austria since 1918". In it, we offer insights into the most important political, social, cultural and economic developments of the last century. History is told up to the present and from the present. Extraordinary objects, documents, some of which have never been shown before, artistic positions and interactive media stations bring contemporary history to life for young and old. Historic rooms with contemporary architecture and design offer a harmonious ambience for a journey through time.
Exhibition view © Klaus Pichler/hgdö
New in the main exhibition: Remembering: The present of the Nazi past
In 1945, the Allies liberated Austria and placed the country under their administration until 1955. For a long time, Austria presented itself as the "first victim" of National Socialism. It was concealed how many Austrians had supported the regime or had been involved in Nazi crimes. The Nazi ideology and the former supporters of National Socialism had a long-lasting effect on the Second Republic. The actual victims of the Nazi regime, on the other hand, often remain unheard or even continue to be discriminated against.
Exhibition view © Klaus Pichler/hgdö
Today, Austria's shared responsibility for Nazi crimes is beyond dispute. However, in view of the crises of recent years, right-wing extremist ideologies are once again increasingly spreading in large parts of society. In the newly designed themed area of the main exhibition, the hdgö shows that coming to terms with the Nazi past is an ongoing process that cannot be brought to a close. The central questions arise again and again: What does remembering National Socialism mean? What need for action arises from this for the present?
Exhibition view © Klaus Pichler/hgdö
In four chapters, this section of the hdgö's main exhibition "New Times. Austria since 1918" gives a feeling for the long breath of National Socialism and dictatorship and explains why the confrontation with Nazi rule and its crimes has shaped the history of the Second Republic to this day. Unique objects make the victims' long struggle for recognition visible or show how topical these issues are in the present day, for example by means of patches in the style of Jewish stars with the inscription "unvaccinated".
At the heart of the themed area is an interactive map, in which the public is asked to participate: make visible where you currently see burning conflicts over signs of remembrance throughout Austria or comment on examples from others!
The permanent exhibition "New Times: Austria since 1918" is open all year round
https://hdgoe.at
