Wien 1010 (Innere Stadt) Heldenplatz

A few more pictures, taken at Heldenplatz (Place of Heros) just next to the Volksgarten (People's Garden). I have to say thanks to Mr. Basset for giving me a reason to do some more research on the fake brick monstrosities pictured in this post. The following paragraphs grew out of that research.

2005 = Gedankenjahr
2005 has been called the Gedankenjahr (Year of thoughts / remembrances). 60 years ago, World War II came to an end. 50 years ago, Austria signed the treaty and neutrality agreement that allowed the country to regain its independence after 10 years of post-war occupation by soldiers from the US, the UK, France and Russia. Ten years ago, Austria joined the European Union. It's also the 50th anniversary of official television in the country, as I've been informed by a friend who works at ORF, Austria's public television network. There's some bickering about the idea of a Gedankenjahr - I guess it's safe to say that the idea has been completely politicized.

The brick cubes are part of a Gedankenjahr exhibition called 25 Peaces that has also been a source of controversy, especially with its nighttime outdoor light and sound show that was meant to simulate the sensation of a bombing attack - across whole neighborhoods. Two large statues of Austrian heros, Erzherzog (Archduke) Karl and Prinz (Prince) Eugen (the builder and erstwhile owner of the Belvedere Palace), stand on the Heldenplatz, in front of the Hofburg Palace. In the last days of World War II, the Austrian government  built brick enclosures around the statues, ostensibly to protect them from bomb damage, but with the actual effect of removing them from the scene. There is rich symbolism in the idea of a country covering its national heroes in the last days of the National Socialists (Nazis).

As I understand it, these cubes, each consisting of a skeleton covered with a fake brick shell, are meant to remind Austrians of the dangers of nationalism, both by obscuring the national heros again, and by reminding Austrians of the horror that was World War II.

There are currently two large brick enclosures on Heldenplatz.

They enclose the two large statues on the Platz. The Hofburg Palace is visible behind the enclosure.

Enclosures like these were built in Vienna at the very end of WWII.

They were ostensibly built for the statues' protection, but they also served as a sign of the end of the brand of nationalism preached by the National Socialists (Nazis).

These temporary fake-brick examples were built as part of a citywide exhibition designed to remind Austrians of the dangers of nationalism.

Relaxing and playing fussball (football / soccer) on Heldenplatz (Heros' Place).