Newsletter November 2026
Dear friends and supporters of the National Fund,
Autumn is upon us and it brings with it a wealth of activities, events and publications at the National Fund. In this issue, we’ll take a look back on some eventful weeks and provide details of upcoming events.
New release: Volume 9 of the “Erinnerungen” book series dedicated to the topic of exile in South America
Graphic: National Fund/Renate Stockreiter
Preserving life stories and bringing personal fates to light lie at the heart of our successful book series Erinnerungen. Lebensgeschichten von Opfern des Nationalsozialismus (“Lives Remembered. Life Stories of Victims of National Socialism”). Volume 9, with its focus on exile in South America, is now available. This volume traces the escape routes and lives of people who were forced to flee the Nazi regime as far as the distant continent, often experiencing hardship but also making new beginnings. The volumes are a valuable resource for historical and political education and are available to schools free of charge.
On 5 November 2026, the new publication will be presented at the Austrian Embassy in Buenos Aires.
Commemorating the November Pogrom of 1938
Photo: National Fund
Various commemorative events will take place around 9 November to mark the anniversary of the November Pogrom of 1938, during which Jewish shops and homes were destroyed throughout the German Reich and over 40 synagogues were demolished in Vienna alone, whilst thousands of people were deported.
On 9 November 2026, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Shoah Wall of Names Memorial in Vienna. In the evening at 7.00 pm, there is a commemorative concert at the Odeon Theatre with a focus on the theme “Women in Exile”, which is co-funded by the National Fund and open to the public.
On Tuesday, 10 November 2026, new educational materials for the exhibition Aus dem Leben gerissen (“Torn from Life”), which sheds light on the fates of Austrian Jews following the “Anschluss” in 1938, will be presented in Parliament.
On Saturday, 14 November 2026, at 10.30 am, a remembrance ceremony will take place in front of the Memorial to the Roma and Sinti in Lackenbach, Burgenland.
Award ceremony for the Simon Wiesenthal Prize on 12 November 2026
Graphic: National Fund
On 12 November 2026, the Simon Wiesenthal Prize will be awarded for the fifth time in a ceremony at the Austrian Parliament. With this award, the National Fund recognises outstanding civic engagement, honours the tireless efforts of contemporary witnesses and promotes moral courage in our society.
In keeping with Simon Wiesenthal’s conviction – “The foundation of a democracy is, above all, the truth” – we are focusing the spotlight on dedicated individuals and initiatives and their active efforts to combat antisemitism, raise awareness of the Holocaust and strengthen democracy.
The award ceremony will be broadcast live with simultaneous interpretation into English on the National Fund’s website and in the Parliament’s media library.
You can find out about the nominees and eyewitnesses here.
The National Fund at the Interpädagogica and Buch Wien fairs
Graphic: National Fund
In November, the National Fund will be represented at two trade fairs:
From 12 to 14 November 2026, we will be showcasing our educational resources for the classroom at the Interpädagogica education fair in Linz.
From 25 to 29 November 2026, our publications will be on show at the Buch Wien – including the “Erinnerungen/Lives Remembered” book series, featuring the life stories of people persecuted by the Nazi regime.
We will be presenting the National Fund’s publications and other supporting materials at both fairs. We look forward to seeing you there!
Review: The National Fund at the Parliament’s Open Day
Photo: National Fund
To mark the National Holiday on 26 October, the Austrian Parliament opened its doors to the public for the 35th time.
The National Fund had an information stand in the magnificent Columned Hall. The large crowds and countless conversations with members of the public highlighted the widespread interest in engaging with the past across generations. This is entirely in keeping with our guiding principle: "Understanding history. Taking responsibility. Strengthening democracy”.
Click here to read a report on the 2026 Open Day.
Review: EHRI seminar at the former synagogue in St. Pölten
Photo: Injoest
From 28 to 30 September 2026, the transnational, interdisciplinary EHRI seminar entitled “Victims. Perpetrators. Data. Entity, Identity, and Documentation in Holocaust Research and Remembrance” took place at the former synagogue in St. Pölten.
The symposium, organised by EHRI-AT (a consortium comprising the National Fund, Injoest and the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance, among others) in collaboration with EHRI-DE, addressed methodological and ethical questions arising in Holocaust research in the digital age. The focus was on documentation, data networking and identity research relating to victims and perpetrators.
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With best regards,
Your team at the National Fund