In the first century of Austria’s tumultuous existence as a country since 1918, a national identity was created. This national identity generated a sense of belonging for only some groups of Austrians, leaving the rest excluded from this Austrian identity. However, Austrians who have been systematically excluded from the national identity are an invaluable part of Austrian life and culture, and to forget their stories is to perpetuate the systems of oppression and exclusion that have stained Austria’s history. This website aims to serve as a resource for those interested in learning about those who have historically and presently been othered in Austria, from their cultures to their individual stories.
The site will feature (but not be exclusively limited to) the histories and stories of Black, LGBTQIA+, Roma and Sinti, and Jewish Austrians. These identities often intersect with one another, and the construction of this website aims to reflect those intersections. The website contains multiple sections, including film and literature, conversations with directors and authors, and a list of links to other initiatives and resources. As you browse through these resources, we invite you to reconsider Austria. To see Austria not as a country that is exclusively white and Catholic but as one that has a multitude of different peoples, cultures, and identities. This counter archive of Austria stands in opposition to the notion of a single story and seeks to reflect the diversity and range of experiences lived every day in Austria. Unfortunately, as university students in the United States working in a limited time frame, we can only tell a part of their stories. Therefore, we encourage you to use our website as a starting point for further inquiry.