At the end of July in the vicinity of the memorial site for the Roma attacks in 1995 unconstitutional graffiti was discovered. The scribblings had racist and anti-Semitic messages and violated the Austrian Criminal Code. The police station of Oberwart was informed, a report was filed. The Building Department South - Land Burgenland as owner was informed as well.

The vicinity to the memorial which reminds of four young Romani murdered in a racist bomb attack in February 1995 is an alarming sign. Such attacks on culture of remembrance and peaceful living together cannot be ignored.

A strong sign of civil society: a school project against hatred

"As head of Romapastoral of eparchy Eisenstadt it was a great concern that this act does not silently disappear. It should be an opportunity to react actively and sensitize young people for civil courage and democratic values", declares Manuela Horvath. "In cooperation with the Zweisprachiges Bundesrealgymnasium Oberwart we started a project which shares these thoughts." Pupils of the 4hclass worked on the topics of Prohibition Act, racism, antisemitism and antitsiganism.

The next step was a meeting of pupils, headmistress, Professor Bartek and employees of the Building Department South on site in order to overpaint and prime the walls of the underground passage.Two weeks later the creative part of the project started: pupils designed the walls with positive symbols and messages for a respectful coexistence and living together.

Make strong voices visible: a young Romni takes part

An important sign was set by a young Romni who took part actively in this creative part of the project. Her participation stands for a personal sign and the importance and empowerment of members of ethnic groups in our society.

Police as partner against racism

It was gratifying that two officials of the police station Oberwart were present and took also part actively in the designing. This is an important sign that the police take such acts seriously and appear together with our civil society against hatred and harassment.

Learning for the future, together for democracy and respect

This project was much more than overpainting hate speech. It was a strong sign against racism and anti-democratic tendencies. It shows the fact that we do not only learn from the past but that we can also motivate young people to take responsibility and engage oneself to establish an open and democratic society.

Thanks a lot to all participants

Thanks to the headmistress and the pedagogical team of the Zweisprachiges Bundesrealgymnasium Oberwart, the active pupils of the 4hclass, the employees of the Building Department South, the officials of the police station Oberwart and the representatives of media for their considerate and sensitive reporting.

Together we set signs against oblivion and hatred and for a respectful togetherness.

Manuela Horvath

Diözese Eisenstadt

Hauptabteilung Pastorale Dienste I Leiterin der Romapastoral

Mitglied des Volksgruppenbeirates der Roma im Bundeskanzleramt