The monument of names in Villach

Since 1999, the “Monument of Names” in the centre of Villach has commemorated the women, children and men of the district of Villach who met a violent death at the hands of the NS regime between 1938 and 1945. They are Jews, political opponents, victims of euthanasia, Carinthian Slovenes, partisans, Roma and Romnija, Sinti and Sintizas, as well as so-called asocials and homosexuals.

The erection of the monument was not initiated by victims’ associations but rather was the outcome of a school project. Since 1994, the “Association Remembrance” has attempted to bring back into public memory aspects of the suppressed National Socialist past of the city of Villach, under the active involvement of school students. Memorial ceremonies take place every year in October and May.

The remembrance of the victims of NS persecution, however, has not been met with universal approval. Since its erection, the memorial has been destroyed fourteen times; each time it has been rebuilt and expanded. It was last rebuilt in 2008, and commemorates by name 252 victims of the NS terror.