[Written by Katinka Mari, Participant of the CEU Roma Graduate Preparation Program]
During our Vienna trip, we had the opportunity to visit the Haus der Geschichte Österreich a museum dedicated to Austrian history. A special feature of the museum is that it also presents events affecting minorities living in Austria, thus expressing the importance of inclusion. In addition, we had the privilege of being guided through the history of Austria's Roma minority by the chief curator of the museum, Stefan Benedik.
As a student who chose history tutoring, it was a very special experience to hear from Stefan about the events of the Roma Holocaust in Austria and it was interesting to draw parallels between the anti-Roma crimes committed by the Austrian and Hungarian far-right today. Yet the most moving moment was when we were able to see Ceija Stojka's coat with our own eyes. As a Holocaust survivor, Stojka dedicated much of her time to going to schools to tell her own story and to educate the younger generation about the horrors she had experienced during World War II. This coat was made for her by the pupils of one of the classes she had visited, proving the important work Stojka did. This story brought tears to the eyes of many of us...
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[Written by Veronika Balogh, Participant of the CEU Roma Graduate Preparation Program]
It was important for me to visit the Haus der Geschichte Österreich with the Roma Graduation Preparation Program. I was particularly curious about how a museum in Vienna presents an exhibition that includes the Roma Holocaust.
Stefan Benedik, the curator of the exhibition, gave us an extremely rich insight into Austrian history from 1918 to the 2000’s, with a special focus on the situation of the Roma minority in this period.
I think that the exhibition itself was extremely imaginative, with several very different objects. I liked the idea of including minorities, such as the struggles of the Roma minority, because I think this approach makes the problem of the nature of oppression and exclusion even more understandable to visitors.
Throughout the guided tour, the care and attention that the curatorial team had put into the exhibition was palpable. During the visit, we were feeling both high and deep emotions.
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This tour to the House of Austrian History (https://hdgoe.at) Permanent Exhibition “New Times: Austria Since 1918” took place on 6 November 2024 as part of the Roma Graduate Preparation Program (https://romanistudies.ceu.edu/rgpp-0) Fall Term 2024 week long study visit to CEU Vienna.
Special thanks to Stefan Benedik for providing us with this curated tour opportunity.