RESPONSIVE TIMELINE

Grenzland Kärnten - A brief historical overview

The Austrian state of Carinthia is located in the heart of Europe at the interface of the three great European families, of the Teutons, the Slavs and the Romans. This situation, which is unique in Europe, has also shaped the country in particular.

While the Romanesque element has left little traces in Carinthia, did that more than 1000 Years of peaceful coexistence between Germans and Slavs in Carinthia resulted in a close economy- and community. In all the centuries there has been no national conflict.

It was not until the middle of the last century that a burgeoning Slovene nationalism was carried to Carinthia from the territory of today's Republic of Slovenia, without this being able to really gain a foothold here.

With the fall of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1918 tried the newly created state of the Serbs, Croatians and Slovenes, what was to become Yugoslavia, to join large parts of Carinthia to its national territory by force of arms.

But the Carinthians resisted! Against the will of Vienna continued from December 1918 brightly mixed up, Carinthian volunteer associations not adequately armed, Carinthian defender called, military resistance against the regular Yugoslav troops that had invaded Carinthia.

After the initially great successes of the Carinthian defensive fighters reinforced by volunteers from other Austrian federal states, but the tenfold superiority of the southern Slavs could not be withstood in the long run, allowing the establishment of a Yugoslav military- and civil administration in large parts of Carinthia could no longer be prevented.

The Carinthian defensive battle, in the course of this on the Carinthian side 268 Fallen and about 800 Wounded were to be mourned, ended in a military defeat, but made the world aware of little Carinthia.

With the, Even if the defensive struggle was lost, the great powers of that time became aware of little Carinthia. These then ordered a referendum in the disputed area.

This voted despite Yugoslav civilian- and military administration as well as massive pressure exertion on the Austrian-minded population, knapp 60 % deutsch- but also Slovene-speaking Carinthians for staying with Austria! Those national Slovenes essentially voted for Yugoslavia, those already in the Reichsrat elections in 1911 voted for the Slovenian party.

1938 the National Socialists came to power in Carinthia too. With the beginning of the state of war between Nazi Germany and Yugoslavia in 1941 the situation of the Slovenian minority in our country worsened.

The Slovenian organizations were banned, confiscated their property.

The bilingual schools that had existed until then were closed.

All in all 272 Slovenian families attacked the courageous protests of numerous Carinthian personalities, Relocated from Carinthia without compensation and without any consideration.

Quite a few families, whose members had to do forced labor, were torn apart. Some people died in the camps, some fell as soldiers in the Wehrmacht, to which they were drafted from the camps.

A few dozen people were transferred to concentration camps. These families were only able to return to their homeland after the end of the war and were materially compensated by the Austrian state.

The brutal action of the Nazi regime against the Slovenian ethnic group in Carinthia benefited from the summer 1942 the resistance of the partisans, among which, however, there were only a small proportion of Carinthian Slovenes.

Even if the military value of the partisan struggle against the Nazi regime was rather limited - even at the height of the fighting only a few hundred partisans were actively involved - this enabled a number of German armed formations to be bound and towards the end of the war to weaken the confidence of victory among the local National Socialists.

The civilian population between the fronts suffered in this struggle. On the one hand, this was the “unbelievable terror” of partisan units (Security Directorate for Carinthia report, 1952) and on the other hand exposed to brutal reprisals by the Nazi judiciary.

The National Socialist rule in Carinthia had lasted seven years.

After a day before the 8. May 1945 After the final surrender of the German armed forces in Carinthia, a provisional democratic government was formed, With the simultaneous invasion of the regular titocommunist partisan army and the proclamation of Yugoslav military power, our country threatened to join Yugoslavia and thus the continuation of the dictatorship, namely the communist.

The new democratic Carinthian state government recognized the danger and asked the British military, your 8. To have the army deployed in Carinthia as soon as possible, in the hope, so that Carinthia can be preserved undivided under the reborn Austria.

Thanks to the very next day, am 8. May 1945, Carinthia was occupied by the British, the previously announced annexation of Carinthia by Yugoslavia was prevented. Under pressure from the British occupying forces, the Tito troops had to evacuate southern Carinthia after a 14-day reign of terror.

However: In the few days between 9. and the 20. May 1945 Tito partisans have at least according to official reports 263 Carinthian civilians, none of which had committed war crimes, arrested and deported to Yugoslavia. 91 Displaced persons did not return to Carinthia. They were murdered and buried in mass graves.

If it hadn't been for the British calling on the Yugoslav partisan army, To vacate Carinthia - what am 22. May 1945 happened - so the titocommunist crimes against the Carinthian civilian population would probably have been continued on an even larger scale. Hatte doch Boris Kidrič, since May 1945 Chairman of the Slovenian People's Government, required, that “the remnants of Germanness must disappear from the northern regions”, which would probably also have included southern Carinthia, which is claimed as "Slovenian Carinthia".

The fact too, that only in the first two months after the end of the war, according to the Slovenian head of the commission for exhumations, Jože Dezman, at least 100.000 People - Slovenian Domobranzen, Croatian Ustashi, Serbian Chetniks, Wehrmacht members, German old Austrians and also ordinary Slovenian citizens because they were not communists - were murdered on the territory of today's Republic of Slovenia and buried in mass graves, suggests a dramatic expansion of the titocommunist attacks against the Carinthian civilian population as very likely, the British would not have intervened.

According to the latest estimates, the total number of victims of the "bloodthirsty communist rulers" is (Janez Janša) in Slovenia 300.000. 493 Mass graves were held until the beginning of March 2009 detected. The perpetrators have not yet been held responsible, what after the sensational opening of a mass grave in Laško, Slovenia in March 2009 Slovenia's Public Prosecutor General Barbara Brezigar also sharply criticized it.

To 1949 Tito-Yugoslavia maintained its territorial claims against Carinthia. In many events on Austrian Carinthian soil, the connection of “Slovenian-Carinthia” to Yugoslavia was called for, although the proportion of the Slovene population in the total population of this area was only about 10 percent (throughout Carinthia under 5 percent) had been.

The partisans' struggle against National Socialism was therefore not in favor of a free and democratic Austria on Carinthian soil, but for the connection of half of Carinthia to Yugoslavia.

Not until the Paris conference in June 1949 the four great powers have decided against the Yugoslav territorial claims, that the borders of Austria, like them on 1. January 1938 had passed, should be left.

In the State Treaty 1955, who brought freedom and sovereignty to our fatherland, Generous ethnic group rights were enshrined for the Slovenian and Croatian minorities in Austria, which have since been specifically secured with numerous implementation provisions.

swell:

• Catalog Kärntner Landesarchiv for the exhibition: "The partisans in Carinthia", Klagenfurt 2003
• Josef Rausch, Military historical publication series booklet 39/40 Wien 1979, "The partisan struggle in Carinthia in World War II".
• Alfred Elste, Michael Koschat, Paul Strohmaier “Victim, Perpetrator, Complaints ", Hermagoras Publishing House, Klagenfurt 2007.

 

Carinthian Heimatdienst - From the club's history

Am 24. January 1957 took place in Klagenfurt the founding meeting of today's Carinthian homeland service (KHD) instead of. With this association name a direct reference to the "historical" Carinthian homeland service (K.H.D) getting produced, the - on 10. March 1920 created from the "regional agitation management" as a public corporation - after the defensive battle with many victims, led the intellectual battle for the preservation of the Carinthian regional unit in association with Austria.

With success, because it was only thanks to his propaganda work, supported by thousands of volunteer activists, that the referendum on 10. October 1920 a majority of almost 60% had spoken in favor of South Carinthia remaining with Austria. Former defenders were leaders in the K.H.D. active.
The Carinthian defensive battles were crowned by the referendum. Fritz Schretter, Head of the 1955 founded Carinthian defensive fighter association honors this in 2003 published book "The Slovenes in Carinthia":“The work of the Carinthian homeland service was essential for Austria's victory in the referendum. ”The 1957 newly founded association "Carinthian homeland service“Was an umbrella organization with the Carinthian School Association Südmark, Kärntner Abwehrkampfbund and Kärntner Landsmannschaft.

In the founding meeting, Dr. Walter Lakomy elected chairman in letters to well-known Carinthian personalities, that the new association is “similar to the one at the time Carinthian homeland service wants to represent the interests of our homeland on a broad basis. ”The Austrian patriotic objective is also expressed in the statutes of the new umbrella organization:“The purpose of the association is to strengthen those who are loyal to home, especially in the mixed-language area. ”This objective was made more precise by a later amendment to the statutes:"Of the Carinthian homeland service ... is politically independent and non-profit .... Purpose of Carinthian homeland service is the strengthening of love and loyalty to the homeland of Carinthia and to the fatherland Austria…. ”For decades the functioned Carinthian homeland service as the "umbrella organization of local authorities" .

Still that was KHD not to be classified as a “superstructure” or as a mouthpiece for all those who are loyal to home in Carinthia. The member clubs, u.a.: Carinthian defensive fighter association, Carinthian Landsmannschaft, School Association Südmark, Freedom Association of Academics, Turngau Carinthia, Carinthian Youth Association as well as some student organizations and small groups, remained completely independent, as organizations were at no time involved in any resolutions of the KHD-Leadership- or. Representative bodies bound, and were therefore never subject to any kind of influence by the KHD on their association work. The designation "umbrella organization" could thus - one sees from the statutes anchored right of the member associations, voting delegates in the KHD-General meeting to send off - most accurately as a loose, occasionally formed loyal community of convenience for the implementation of certain Carinthian concerns of common interest.

Since the seventies the KHD no more efforts, To win clubs or other legal persons as members. The formation of loose and flexible alliances of convenience to cope with larger tasks in the common interest had proven to be a more effective form of cooperation than a close union in an umbrella organization. Under these aspects the concentrated KHD in the following years fully relied on the advertising of individual members and sponsors, which he does through his newspapers The Carinthian (addressed edition beginning 2009: 35.000) and the newspaper created in the mid-1990s KHD-Intern (Edition: 10.000) could design successfully. That way, eventually, over time, around 20.000 Members and sponsors are won. Including several thousand from other federal states, especially since about 1990 of the KHD-The area of ​​responsibility had gradually expanded to include the whole of Austria.

Nevertheless, the Carinthian border country work also counted 1990 the main tasks of the KHD, but at that time in addition to an often violent criticism of radical statements by Slovenian club officials and in addition to the, Opposing views in the minority school sector contrary to Slovenian ideas, in the area of ​​the official language, the bilingual place-name signs or the church language, the commitment to peaceful coexistence was given ever greater importance. For a long time, however, the associated offer of dialogue remained without a response from the Slovenian associations. Notwithstanding, the undertook KHD-Annual general meeting on 20. April 1991 a further advance and decided - also with the votes of the delegates of the Carinthian Defense Fighters Association - unanimously a "10-point program", that in the point 10 under the title “The Path to Peaceful Coexistence: KHD for Dialogue with the Slovenes “could leave no doubt about the honest willingness to talk.

But then it took until the year 1997, until the two Slovenian associations finally expressed their opposition to a dialogue with the KHD tasks and agreed to participate in a round table initiated by Governor Christof Zernatto. Under the chairmanship of the provincial governor, representatives of the Carinthian home associations met for the first time with representatives of the Slovenian associations and other well-known personalities from the state of Carinthia for detailed discussions.

The result of these discussions was summarized in a "declaration of principles" with the following content:

Carinthian personalities with completely different ideological orientations and responsibilities have changed over the course of the year 1997 across linguistic and ethnic barriers, without any preconditions to a table about stressful questions of the Carinthian history of 20. Century composed. This is seen as the success of efforts to promote tolerance and mutual respect for the Carinthians in both languages. Encouraged by the first two rounds of talks, the undersigned see the “round table” as the basis for further discussions and for confidence-building measures. The starting point for this is the joint consideration of the development of the country in 20. Century. She teaches us, that a tolerant approach across generations and political camps serves the goal, to work together for a good future, to their design all, who want to participate, are invited. A concept of home should be developed, of stereotypes eliminated, the community is propagated as a political guideline and creates an image of Carinthia on the basis of the diverse historical development. Bilingualism in parts of Carinthia is seen as given and worthy of funding. Measures for the preservation and development of the Slovene ethnic group are therefore advocated. The "round table" advocates a sustainable reconciliation campaign, in which both ethnic groups acknowledge and regret the injustice inflicted on the other side several times. To do this, it is necessary to come to terms with the wounds of the past honestly. The “Round Table” therefore strives for a research initiative on the broadest possible basis and with the involvement of the relevant institutions and scientists, building on work already done on the history of Carinthia im 20. Century on. Only a tolerance and openness in politics lived by all affected groups, Culture, Society and business can help, to improve the image of Carinthia externally and the climate inside.

A statement of historical importance, which justified hope, that it is in 21. Century will be possible, the history of the 20. Century to work together and thus to create a basis for a lasting and equal peaceful coexistence in Carinthia. But it wasn't until eight years later that the decisive breakthrough came:

After decades of confrontation between representative organizations of the German Carinthian and Slovenian Carinthian 2005 with one between the Carinthian homeland service, the Central Association of Slovene Organizations and the Community of Carinthian Slovenes in the run-up to politics reached a compromise on the question of place-name signs ushered in a new era of coexistence.

More important than the compromise that came after years of party disputes 2011 solved town sign issue, is namely the agreement of the German-Slovenian Carinthian consensus group, to work together to create a climate of mutual trust.

This is an important step towards lasting peaceful coexistence.

swell:

• Josef Feldner, Carinthia border region, Verlag Johannes Heyn, Klagenfurt 1982
• Stefan Karner, Andreas Moritsch (editor) Carinthia and the national question, Hermagoras and Heyn publishers both in Klagenfurt 2005, Post band 1, Josef Feldner “Strengthening the strengths loyal to home; The Carinthian Homeland Service after the Second World War ".
• Josef Feldner / Marjan Sturm, Rethinking Carinthia - two opponents in dialogue, Verlage Drava und Heyn 2007

 

The Carinthian Consensus Group. A success-story

The German-Slovenian Carinthian consensus group, which was significantly shaped by the Carinthian Homeland Service and also financed from its own resources, has reached an understanding- and reconciliation work since 2005 contributed significantly to improving the climate between the two Carinthian population groups.

Below is a brief overview of their work by 2005 to 2020

Homeland Service and Slovenian organizations have been in confrontation for decades.

The surprise in politics and the media was all the greater, than in spring 2005 Josef Feldner, Bernard Sadovnik and Marjan storm, on the proposal of the Federal Chancellor Wolfgang bowl put together and under the skillful moderation of Univ.-Prof. Stefan Karner worked out a compromise proposal in a few weeks, which ultimately laid the foundation for that 2011 created place-sign regulation has become. But the consensus group's work did not end there.

“Solemn declaration”

Shortly after the compromise proposal, the interlocutors committed themselves in the mixed-language area, to work hard to create a climate of mutual trust. Namely under the name "Carinthian Consensus Group", those in May 2005 still through Heinz Stritzl had been expanded.

This obligation was anchored in one of Carinthia's top politicians, Representatives of the churches and other public figures on 9. October 2006 co-signed "Solemn Declaration".

That was the initial spark for an extremely successful reconciliation path, as the now largely conflict-free, peaceful coexistence of the two population groups shows.

The Carinthian Consensus Group has received national and international awards

Awarded national and international awards:

• “European Citizens Prize” of the European Parliament for “Extraordinary activities to promote a better mutual Understandnisses”
• Culture award of the city of Villach For “The initiation of a political culture change in Carinthia from a decades-long conflict culture to one broad culture of reconciliation” as well as national and international awards:
• “European Citizens Prize” of the European Parliament for “Extraordinary activities to promote a better mutual Understandnisses”
• Austrian Constitutional Prize of the “Forum Constitution” Vienna for "Outstanding constitutional behavior".
• 2012 were members of the consensus group with the „Great Silver Medal for Services to the Republic of Austria " excellent.

"What we have in common has meanwhile‘ become normal ’"

That posed Andrea Bergmann Years later in the Small newspaper fest, after being the members of the consensus group, Sturm, Sadovnik and Feldner had discovered amicably at a national party in the official gallery. And it complements:

"We remember. A few years ago, the thunderstorm of flashlights was aimed at them, the joint appearance was a sensation, the joint October 10 celebration groundbreaking for Carinthia.
The common – Two- and multilingual at the October 10th celebrations – is now "normal’ become.
That is good for the country. Because resources and combined energies are there for new challenges. "

Commemorating victims together as a new way to reconciliation

With regular joint commemoration of the victims of National Socialism, the victims of the defensive struggle on both sides and the titocommunist post-war victims, a completely new path to reconciliation was also embarked on internationally.

For several years now, the consensus group has beenAustrian-Slovenian initiative for a cross-border dialogue” two of the four coordinators.

Intercultural dialogue now also with Muslims

One in late November 2017 Discussion took place with representatives of the “Islamic Religious Community in Carinthia”, represented a further expansion of the dialogue process in the interest of preserving peace between cultures in Carinthia without national self-abandonment.

June 2017: Memory of the civilian victims of fascism and national socialism in Laibach

With a joint Austro-Slovenian commemoration at the central cemetery in Ljubljana / Ljubljana of the Slovenian hostages shot by the fascists and national socialists, but also of the innumerable Austrian deaths in the two world wars, Another step was taken in the cross-border joint remembrance of victims.

2018: Unique international family meeting in Arnoldstein

Am 16. September 2018 organized the Carinthian Consensus Group under the patronage of the Carinthian Homeland Service, who had taken over the entire cost, at the only international family border in Europe in Arnoldstein “The greatest festival that unites people, that had ever taken place in Carinthia " and thus set another milestone

2019: A historic breakthrough

Am 5. April 2019 the Carinthian consensus group achieved a historic breakthrough at the joint commemoration of the victims in Völkermarkt with the participation of the management team of the largest traditional association of the former “fighters around the northern border”.

The varied tasks of the Carinthian Consensus Group could only be financed thanks to the unanimous support of the Carinthian Home Service

Since the Carinthian Consensus Group was founded in 2005 the Carinthian Homeland Service finances their public relations work as well as their numerous publications.

That was and is only possible, because the top management of the Carinthian Homeland Service, just like its basis is reconciliation- and unanimously support the Carinthian consensus group's communication path.

Without this help, the Carinthian consensus group would have to, in the absence of financial support from the public, stop their work.

The Carinthian Consensus Group will be your peace- and continue and expand reconciliation work. Because the still existing distrust and aversions have to be finally eliminated

swell:

• Josef Feldner / Marjan Sturm, "Rethinking Carinthia" - Two opponents in dialogue, Verlage Drava und Heyn 2007
• Josef Feldner, "The local sign dispute", Media owner and publisher of the Carinthian Consensus Group
• Josef Feldner, “Carinthian consensus group. A success-story" – Media owner and publisher of the Carinthian Consensus Group. Publishing house Drava. Appears in October 2020