In June experts and government representatives from forty-nine countries met in Prague to assess the progress made in the areas of looted art and objects of cultural, historical and religious value since the 1998 Washington Conference on Holocaust Era Assets. Moreover, further discussions involved new, innovative approaches in education, social programs and cultural initiatives related to the Holocaust. The Austrian delegation was headed by Austrian Minister of Education Claudia Schmied, whose ministry has played a key role in the field of Holocaust education and restitution of looted art. In this regard, a number of recent news articles on restitution have been included in this issue, such as the recent amendment of the Law on Art Restitution and the restitution of valuable historical records seized by Russian troops during WW II which Russia recently returned to Austria.
Finally, we are happy to provide you with a broad range of articles on recent cultural highlights and news on the Jewish Community Vienna that were published in the Austrian media, such as the 100th Anniversary of the Jewish Club Hakoah.
Yours sincerely,
Wolfgang Renezeder
Director of the Press & Information Service
Embassy of Austria