Introduction
On 8 May 2025, Austria marks eight decades since the end of World War II. Vienna’s public squares, synagogues, and museums will host a city‑wide program of remembrance that speaks both to tragedy and to the rebirth of Jewish life. Below is your guide to the key ceremonies, exhibitions, and walking tours that will define this historic anniversary.
National Ceremony on Heldenplatz
Heldenplatz—pictured above—was where Adolf Hitler proclaimed the Anschluss in 1938. On 8 May 2025, it becomes a stage for healing. The Federal President will deliver remarks, the Vienna Philharmonic will perform Mahler’s Adagietto, and 80 beams of light will pierce the night sky to symbolize each year of freedom. Admission is free, but you must register online by 15 April.
Special Exhibitions
| Venue | Exhibition | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| House of Austrian History | From Dictatorship to Democracy | Feb 27–Oct 31 |
| Jewish Museum Vienna | Liberation Diaries: Viennese Jews 1945–1950 | Apr 2–Dec 14 |
| Museum Judenplatz | Rebuilding Faith (photo essays of post‑war synagogue life) | May 1–Nov 30 |
Each show is paired with survivor testimonies recorded in partnership with the USC Shoah Foundation.
Guided Remembrance Walks
- Leopoldstadt Liberation Tour (2 hrs) – Follows the route of Soviet troops who entered the Jewish quarter on 13 April 1945.
- Stumbling‑Stone Hunt (90 min) – Discover 20 newly installed Stolpersteine honoring deported Viennese Jews.
- Women of Resistance Walk (2 hrs) – Stories of female partisans and rescuers, ending at the new Rosa Jochmann memorial.
Tours run daily 5–11 May and cost €18 (free for students under 26).
Community Events
- Kabbalat Shabbat of Gratitude (9 May, Stadttempel) – A service blending traditional liturgy with wartime melodies recovered from Theresienstadt.
- Liberation Concert (10 May, Musikverein) – Vienna Symphony teams with the Jerusalem Academy Choir for a program of Mendelssohn and contemporary Israeli composers.
- Youth Hackathon: Coding Memory (11 May, Impact Hub) – Teens build AR apps that map hidden Holocaust sites in Vienna.
Practical Tips for Visitors
- Book Accommodation Early: The anniversary overlaps with spring conference season.
- Transportation: Extra tram lines will run until 1 a.m. on 8 May.
- Security: Expect airport‑style checks at Heldenplatz; bring ID.
- Kosher Dining: Pop‑up food stalls by Misrachi will serve kosher schnitzel and vegan falafel.
Why 2025 Matters
The 80‑year milestone is more than a round number; it is likely the last major anniversary to include living eyewitnesses. Vienna’s program therefore focuses on intergenerational dialogue: pairing survivors with school groups, digitizing family archives, and planting 8,000 saplings in the Vienna Woods—one for every Austrian Jew who returned after the war.
Plan Your Journey
Registration portals for official events open 1 February 2025 at vienna80.at. JewishInVienna will publish real‑time updates, ticket alerts, and interviews with curators. Subscribe now so you don’t miss this once‑in‑a‑lifetime commemoration.
May the memory of liberation inspire us to guard freedom for the next 80 years—and beyond.