|
The Hartheim Society
The Hartheim Society was founded in 1995. The idea
was one which arose from the Upper Austrian Charity Association, the owners of
the Palace of Hartheim and the Institute of Hartheim. The aim was to erect a
dignified memorial for the victims of the NS-Euthanasia programme and to turn
the whole site into a place of reflection and education. The Society decided to
go beyond this and deal with contemporary, social debates dealing with
bio-ethical and medical issues. It was also successful in gaining well-known
people from the fields of art, culture and science to take part in the
project.
 |
In 1997, a decisive breakthrough took place: the Governor
of Upper Austria, Dr. Pühringer, promised to finance an exhibition project in
the palace of Hartheim which would deal with the NS Euthanasia genocide which
took place here. At the same time, the palace and farm buildings were to be
completely renovated.
|
The sum of 10 million Euro was made available by the
Provincial Administration of Upper Austria.
Combining the content of the conception of the exhibition
and the memorial was largely the task of scholars who are members of the
Hartheim Society.
The opening of the exhibition ”THE VALUE OF LIFE” in
May 2003, means that the project of Hartheim - the memorial, the exhibition
and the educational work – will become part and parcel of the Society’s
work. The Society’s main aim in turning Hartheim into a memorial and educational centre has thus
been achieved. It sees its further task as continuing and developing these
aspects.
|
