King Felipe and Letizia: Mauthausen commemoration awaits 20,000 participants!

King Felipe and Letizia: Mauthausen commemoration awaits 20,000 participants!

Mauthausen, Österreich - King Felipe VI. From Spain and Queen Letizia travel to Austria on May 11, 2025. The reason for your trip is the international liberation celebration in the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial. As Merkur , the commemoration is under the motto for a 'never again!' " Visited guests, including the Austrian Federal President Alexander van der Bellen.

The celebration aims to remember the crimes of National Socialism and to set a sign of peace, democracy and human rights. Over 20,000 people who will take part in the event are an impressive sign of common commemoration. In addition to survivors and relatives, numerous young people are there to underline the importance of memory.

historical context

Spain has a special historical connection to Mauthausen, since around 7,000 Republican Spaniards were deported to the concentration camp during the Second World War. As Mauthausen Memorial could only be saved on May 5, 1945 by the US Army. This legacy is an important part of the commemoration and underlines the historical responsibility that we bear.

Central ceremony is thematically “80 years of liberation - together for a never again” and is a forum that deals not only with the past, but also with current challenges such as anti -Semitism and authoritarian tendencies. Around 60 employees of the Mauthausen concentration camp memorial are involved in the organization and implementation of the celebrations.

program of the celebration

The beginning of the international liberation celebration is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. In front of the central ceremonies, individual commemorative acts take place in various areas of the memorial, including the monument park and at historical points. The highlight of the celebration includes the move -in of international delegations and a tour of relevant exhibitions.

• Special honor of the survivors: Hana Berger Mora, Mark Olsky, Eva Clarke
• Birthday celebration in the visitor center under the motto "Mir Lebn Eybik"
• Pedagogical supporting program with free tours in nine languages ​​from 2:00 p.m.
• Special exhibition "Paths in freedom" since January 2025
• artist Judy Mardnli accessible between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

King Felipe, who is currently still in the Dominican Republic, will lead the celebrations in Mauthausen. In his last speech, he emphasized the importance of the rule of law for the protection of human dignity and democratic coexistence. Queen Letizia will certainly also be the focus of this emotional day, especially because she was able to see her daughter again after a long separation.