Dear friends of the Connecting Memories project,
thank you for your interest in Connecting Memories, a transnational memory community on Nazi forced labor in Lower Austria, which is currently under development. With our newsletter, we want to keep you informed about developments in the project, but also about specific opportunities to participate in the project and upcoming events and reports!
“I hope I can provide some information to help with [others’] quest of forced labour camps.”
(Geoff Ware, Descendant Scientist, UK)
Memory lives through exchange — and through shared commitment. In recent weeks, the Connecting Memories project has gained many insights into memories of forced labour, built new collaborations, and facilitated personal encounters.
On 9 March 2026, the book “Mit Zeitzeugen auf Spurensuche – Nach verschiedenen Lagern im Bezirk Lilienfeld im 2. Weltkrieg” (In search of traces with eyewitnesses – Following the trail of various camps in the Lilienfeld district during the Second World War)was presented. With this publication, around 80 years after the end of the war, the authors Michael Pirker, Johann Schweiger, and Alfred Streicher have produced a comprehensive documentation of Nazi camps in the district. The book opens up new perspectives on the fate of prisoners of war, concentration camp prisoners, and forced labourers, who played a significant role in shaping the economic and social life of the region. Based on local photographic material and powerful eyewitness interviews, the publication tells previously unknown stories and shows how important committed research from within society can be — and how much it can contribute to expanding historical knowledge.
On 15 March 2026, Merle Bieber and Karin Böhm presented the Connecting Memories project at the Lower Austria Museum Day as part of the inaugural “Forum on Citizen Science in Lower Austria” in cooperation with the first research network. At themed tables, participants exchanged experiences, made contacts, and gathered new ideas. Lower Austria’s committed museum community contributed valuable information and suggestions to the project, leading to lively exchange and networking. The conversations demonstrated not only the strong interest in participatory historical research, but also the central importance of cooperation for the project.
In early April, we had the opportunity for a personal exchange with a descendant: Geoff Ware, whose father was a British prisoner of war during the Second World War, came to Krems together with his wife Pat and friends. After visiting the Geschichtswerkstatt at museumkrems, to which he had contributed a photograph, the group toured the site of the former prisoner-of-war camp Stalag XVII B in Krems-Gneixendorf. He was accompanied by Edith Blaschitz, Eva Mayr, and Karin Böhm from the Connecting Memories team. Geoff Ware is planning another trip to Austria to visit Pottenbrunn, where his father was forced to work: “I’ll definitely come back.” Impressions from this visit can be found on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/connectingmemories.at/.
The Connecting Memories project is continuing to expand its networks. At a meeting with Alexander Schatek, initiator of the online archive Topothek, and coordinator Markus Fürst, an agreement was reached on future cooperation that will significantly strengthen the search for historical sources. The Topothek platform has been an important point of contact for preserving local cultural heritage for many years. Through this cooperation, it will become even easier in future to identify and make accessible photographs, documents, and memories from private ownership. These personal sources are of invaluable importance: they expand our knowledge of forced labour and make history tangible. For this reason, the project invites everyone interested to take part — whether by sharing materials or by actively participating as a Citizen Scientist.
How can I get involved at this stage?
There will be many different opportunities to get involved in the various phases of the Connecting Memories project. In this newsletter, we therefore want to provide information about current opportunities for collaboration. We are also always happy to receive your ideas and input — please feel free to contact us at connectingmemories@donau-uni.ac.at.
We are currently working intensively on the future platform, including in cooperation with several Citizen Scientists from Leobersdorf. Many thanks to everyone who completed our questionnaire on their interests and needs!
From autumn onwards, you too will be able to become active and share your memories and contributions.
Please therefore note the following kick-off date:
SAVE THE DATE: 14 October 2026, 6:00 p.m. in Krems (+ online transmission via Zoom)
Upcoming Events & Press Reports
The project is planning regular events with lectures, opportunities for exchange, and excursions, both online and offline.
Media outlets have already reported on our project. Articles have appeared in the last two months in Bezirksblatt, the Wiener Zeitung and the Standard.
If you would like to get in touch with us personally, we invite you to the following event:
On 27 May 2026, Kinga Frojimovics will represent the Connecting Memories project at the 27th International Conference “From the Past to the Present” in Debrecen. In her presentation on the deportation from Debrecen, she will address, among other things, the fate of Jews deported from Debrecen to forced labour camps in Lower Austria. The conference is organised by the University of Debrecen and the Jewish Community of Debrecen.
SAVE THE DATE: 14 October 2026, 6:00 p.m. in Krems (+ online transmission via Zoom)
Warm regards from the Connecting Memories team!
