Press release from the Memorial Kärnten/Koroška Association, a platform against the resurgence of fascism, racism, and anti-semitism; the Association of Displaced Slovenes and the Association of Carinthian Partisans regarding the desecration of the artwork in front of the kärnten.museum in Klagenfurt/Celovec
The undersigned express deep concern and strongly condemn the recent attack on the artwork designed by the artist collective 'zweintopf' in front of the kärnten.museum in Klagenfurt/Celovec, which is dedicated to all victims of the Second World War. This monument is an important symbol of remembrance, respect and historical truth about the suffering and resistance against Nazifascism, which in Carinthia was carried out primarily by partisans from the Slovenian minority. This resistance made an important contribution to the liberation from the Nazi regime and to the emergence of the Second Republic.
In contrast to the monument on Domplatz, which presents a one-sided and revisionist view of the history of the Second World War and belittles the role of the partisan resistance, the artistic intervention in front of the museum is an expression of the effort to achieve a comprehensive and inclusive understanding of history. The attack on it is not only vandalism, but a politically motivated expression of intolerance and rejection of dialogue.
Particularly worrying is the recent attempt to defame the resistance against the murderous Nazi regime under cover of night and fog. Apparently, certain right-wing extremist circles are unwilling to engage in an open discussion based on scientific findings – neither with the initiators of the memorial nor with the general public. The people of Carinthia have a legitimate interest in clarifying history – the exhibition Hinschaun! Poglejmo! at the kärnten.museum, as part of which the artwork was installed, has made significant contributions to this – and to a respectful treatment of the Slovenian minority. Instead of dialogue, the perpetrators choose vandalism and intimidation.
The undersigned strongly condemn this attack. It is not merely an attack on a work of art. It is much more than that: it is an attack on democracy, on respectful coexistence and on history itself. This aggression is one of a series of attacks during the commemorative year 2025. In this context, we recall the revisionist pamphlet published in the historical journal Carinthia I, the theatre performances “QUEERinthia,” which had to take place under police protection, the renewed defacement of bilingual place-name signs, as well as the tragic culmination in the police operation at the Peršman museum on 27 July. These attacks remind us how important it is for all people to work towards an open, pluralistic and democratic future for Austria. Anti-fascist and human rights work is an important service to positive social development.
We call on the competent authorities to investigate the perpetrators, bring them to justice and ensure the protection of memorial sites. The incident should serve as a reminder to everyone of the importance of working continuously to promote peaceful coexistence in the present, characterised by tolerance and respect. The cowardly attack on the artwork, motivated by right-wing extremism, reminds us all that it is high time to place zweintopf's artwork commemorating all victims of the Second World War alongside the historical revisionist stone on Domplatz. We call on the Mayor of Klagenfurt/Celovec to do so by the end of this commemorative year.
Memorial Kärnten/Koroška, Platform against the resurgence of fascism, racism and anti-semitism
Association of Displaced Slovenes
Association of Carinthian Partisans
Klagenfurt/Celovec, 16 November 2025
