8 May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht and the official end of the Second World War in Europe. The Mauthausen Committee Austria (MKÖ) is organising the Festival of Joy on Heldenplatz in Vienna on this day for the thirteenth time in memory of the victims and to mark the joy of liberation from the Nazi reign of terror.

The Festival of Joy 2025 will take place on 8 May 2025 at 7:30 pm at Heldenplatz in Vienna. This year’s Festival of Joy will once again be streamed internationally with English subtitles on the online platforms of the Mauthausen Committee Austria and broadcast throughout Austria by ORF.

The Festival of Joy is dedicated to a main theme every year. The main theme in 2025 will be '80 Years of Liberation from National Socialism - Never Again and Peace in Europe'. This year’s theme not only emphasises the historical dimension of remembrance, but also calls for the lessons from the past to be kept alive for the present and future.

We are delighted to announce a special musical programme with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, which will also come to a festive conclusion this anniversary year with Ludwig van Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'.

President of Austria Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen has been asked to speak as the highest representative of the Republic of Austria. MKÖ Chairman Willi Mernyi will open the Festival of Joy with some words of welcome.

The highlight of the Festival of Joy 2025 will be a speech by a contemporary witness.

The personal story of someone who experienced the atrocities of National Socialism is an impressive demonstration of why remembrance and commemoration are still essential 80 years after the liberation.

The experiences of someone who survived not only demonstrate the suffering and inhumanity of that time, but also highlight the strength and the courage to continue living and to keep bearing witness despite the most adverse of circumstances.

The speech by a contemporary witness is a reminder to us all to stand up for democracy, peace and humanity and that we must never forget where hatred, discrimination and violence can lead us.

The personal testimony aims to show the younger generation in particular how important it is to stand up and say 'never again'.

No more war. No more fascism. For peace.