This evening had three reasons at once. 80 years ago the Second World War ended. 80 years ago, on 19 August 1945, the monument on Schwarzenbergplatz was unveiled. And the evening was timed to the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Fascism.
On 6 September 2025 we marked all three where they meet — at the Heroes of the Red Army Monument in the centre of Vienna. In the open air, we screened the war drama “Rzhev”.
How the monument was unveiled
Before the screening, visitors viewed an exhibition of archive photographs showing the unveiling of this very monument in post-war Vienna. Pictures taken eighty years ago stood on easels a few steps from the monument they depict.
Flowers at the foot
During the memorial part of the evening, flowers were laid at the foot of the monument.
The screening ran without disruption
Not everyone welcomed this evening: a counter-demonstration came out against the screening of the film. The Austrian police ensured safety, and the screening of “Rzhev” ran without disruption.
Immortal Regiment, Vienna, September 2025The evening on Schwarzenbergplatz became an important reminder of the price of victory and of the need to preserve historical memory. Memory shall live on!
