Remembrance of the Oberwart Tragedy: Honoring the Victims and Confronting a Troubled Past
In Memoriam: The Oberwart Bombing and Its Enduring Legacy
On February 7, 2025, the Open House Oberwart hosted a somber memorial ceremony and unveiled the exhibition, "Man will uns ans Leben," to commemorate the horrific bombing that claimed the lives of four innocent individuals 30 years prior.
The Tragedy that Shattered Lives
On the fateful night of February 4-5, 1995, an explosive device tore through the Roma settlement of Oberwart, killing Erwin and Karl Horvath, Peter Sarközi, and Josef Simon. This act of heinous violence inflicted immeasurable pain and devastation upon their families, leaving an enduring scar on the community.
Echoes of a Dark Past
For the elderly residents of the Roma settlement, the Oberwart bombing evoked harrowing memories of the Holocaust, during which the vast majority of their relatives and friends were murdered. The attack rekindled their long-suppressed fears of being targeted again, a recurring nightmare that they had fought desperately to overcome.
A Nation’s Complicity and Silence
The tragedy exposed the complicity of the Austrian people during the Nazi era. Without their objection, Roma and Romnja were stripped of their rights and subjected to a systematic campaign of persecution. Many locals even actively contributed to their deportation to the "Gypsy camp" in Lackenbach, the ghetto in Litzmannstadt/Łódź, and ultimately to the extermination camps in Chełmno and Auschwitz.
Confronting the Past and Building a Better Future
The Oberwart bombing served as a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, intolerance, and indifference. It challenged the nation to confront its troubled past and to actively combat the forces that divide society.
The establishment of the Open House Oberwart and the "Man will uns ans Leben" exhibition are significant steps towards acknowledging the suffering of the Roma community and promoting greater understanding and reconciliation. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that such horrors never happen again.
Honoring the Memory of the Victims
As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Oberwart tragedy, we honor the memory of Erwin Horvath, Karl Horvath, Peter Sarközi, and Josef Simon. Their lives were cut short by an act of senseless violence, but their legacy will continue to inspire efforts to create a more just and inclusive society.
May their sacrifice serve as a perpetual reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of standing up against hatred in all its forms.
