Place of remembrance

St. Johann all about remembrance

Alois and Theresia Buder (front)

(Bild: Orte des Gedenkens)

(Bild: Orte des Gedenkens)

Third "Place of Remembrance" after Neumarkt and Hallein: focus on Nazi resistance, bridge over Wagrainer Ache to be renamed, art project launched. Opening on May 11. 

November 1943: Pongau is in the throes of war. Karl Rupitsch, a driving force behind the Goldegg deserters, is imprisoned for blackmail, eventually liberated and hidden.

It was precisely this active resistance that needed silent supporters, helpers like Theresia and Alois Buder, to whom the third Salzburg "Place of Remembrance" is dedicated. "The resistance was only able to take place because there were precisely these people in the background," emphasizes Robert Obermair, historian in the "Places of Remembrance" working group, which erects temporary memorials in all districts on behalf of the state.

The bridge over the Wagrainer Ache was named after the Buder couple.

(Bild: Orte des Gedenkens)

"Silent helpers" put themselves in mortal danger 
"Silent helpers" put themselves in great danger with their commitment. Alois Buder housed Rupitsch in his apartment for a few days and then drove him to a hiding place in Taxenbach in a truck. This was later his death sentence: Buder died in Mauthausen, his wife Theresia in Ravensbrück concentration camp shortly before the end of the war.

After stumbling stones, there are now further memorials to the Buder couple in St. Johann. The project group, which works together with the kultur:plattform, the Geschichtswerkstatt and the municipality, suggested naming the bridge over the Wagrainer Ache after the Buders and erecting a memorial plaque. Eveline Huber (SPÖ), the new head of the town, fully supports this: "We must not forget what happened."

The history is also linked to art. Artist Tatiana Lecomte focuses on the silent resistance in her text project. She also suggested a text panel for the fresco "Homecoming of two soldiers" on the outer wall of the Anna Chapel.

Ceremonial opening with text and music
The opening of the memorial site will be celebrated on May 11 (from 2 p.m., kultur:treff in the Haus der Musik): Mieze Medusa and Markus Köhle will frame the celebration with resistance poems and music. Afterwards: Visit to the chapel, fresco unveiling and conclusion at the new Buder Bridge. A year of discussions, lectures and workshops are now on the program.