Action in Luegerplatz, 25th May 2009

Action in Luegerplatz

The working group distributed information about the proposed transformation of the Lueger statue into a monument against anti-Semitism and racism.


Excerpts of first reaction from passers-by.

"I have no idea – why should we change it? I must say I’m against that."

"Mayor and Jew hater as far as I know. I don’t care about statues and monuments. They are just there. Perhaps no statue at all. That’s an option. Or in another attitude, I don’t know which, I’m not a sculptor."

"First of all people would have to know who that was, Dr. Karl Lueger. Until that’s clear..."

"Well, that was a mayor, a complete anti-Semite – I know the whole story. You can change it, I wouldn’t mind. A memorial? A monument? It’s to the memory of a mayor who did a lot fort he City of Vienna. The Viennese are used to it. Perhaps with younger people."


"Yes, it started during his era. Then there was the Hitler period. But the foundation was laid during his mayoral thing."

"...and then the policy with foreigners – that’s what you’re talking about, isn’t it? With the whole migration to Austria...for example, the 15th district there will soon be to 60% inhabited by foreigners. Automatically a little bit of difference comes in."

"Why change? What doesn’t fit anymore? I fitted at the time. Why should we want to translate it into our present time?"

"The West in Christian hands – that’s a political slogan; it appeals to a small group, perhaps, but by and large I don’t think it’s many. The so-called big parties have forgotten what they stand for."

"The statue should stay as it is."

"I think it would be a good sign, to redesign it, because nowadays there’s a strong drift to the right. It would be at least another sign, a wake up call."

"It’s always been there and it always will be."

"If I’m honest with you, I don’t think a lot of Karl Lueger. He was…racist, one could say."


"I never liked his politics. The park should be redesigned without his statue, if you ask me."

"However, if we remove it, our grandchildren or generations to come, will never know it existet. So instead of removing it, we should make it aware to everybody that it did exist."

"I truely believe, that it should be changed. In the modern world, when the world is so small and people are travelling all around. When people are just becoming true believers of diversity and integrity, it is absolutely necessary, that any symbol from our past, which signifies nationalism or fascism or anything racistic, should be removed. It’s a good suggestion to not only change it, but you can replace it with something which signifies to the world, that Austria is more away from its fascistic or the nationalistic past."