Festival of Joy

Day of liberation

8 May 1945 is the day of the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht, and the day of the official end of World War II in Europe. On the occasion of the anniversary of the liberation from the Nazi terror regime, Mauthausen Committee Austria (MKÖ) annually organises the Festival of Joy on 8 May. But on 8 May, we do not only celebrate the liberation from Nazi rule. We also commemorate the millions who were prosecuted and murdered by the Nazis. Tribute is paid to the victims and the resistance fighters on this day, and the liberators are celebrated. Each year, the Festival of Joy will focus on a new annual theme. In 2025, the focus will be on "Didn't we say never again?".

8 May 2025 is the 80th anniversary of the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht. On this day, already for the thirteenth time, Mauthausen Committee Austria (MKÖ) is organising the Festival of Joy to commemorate the victims and to celebrate the liberation from the NS reign of terror.

We very much look forward to celebrating the Festival of Joy 2025 with you, once again in person, at Vienna’s Heldenplatz. The highlight of the Festival of Joy 2025 will be a speech by a contemporary witness. As the highest representative of the Republic of Austria, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has been invited to give a speech at this year's Festival of Joy. On behalf of the organiser, MKÖ Chairman Willi Mernyi will give the opening speech. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra will provide musical highlights. Once again this year, actress Katharina Stemberger will moderate the Festival of Joy, which will conclude with a festive performance of "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven. The Festival of Joy will be broadcast live on ORF III and internationally on the online channels of the Mauthausen Committee Austria.

Before 8 May, there will be educational activities on offer on the topic of liberation day and the history of Vienna Heldenplatz as well as of the Festival of Joy. The educational activities will be carried out in the form of a guided tour taking place during the two weeks before the Festival of Joy. The tour can be booked by everyone but is specially dedicated to a young audience. The tour will be about the history of 8 May, the story of and liberation from National Socialism, the history of Heldenplatz, the monuments at and around Heldenplatz, and the history of the Festival of Joy.

Once again this year, there will be many virtual activities around the theme of "Didn't we say never again?" and about 8 May.

Since 2013, Mauthausen Committee Austria has been organising the Festival of Joy at Vienna Heldenplatz on 8 May, with support from the Jewish Community, the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance, and the Gedenkdienst association. Each year, the Festival of Joy will focus on a new annual theme. Austria takes a clear official stance: 8 May is a day of joy about the end of the NS rule in Europe and is dedicated to the commemoration of the victims of the Nazis’ persecution and extermination politics.

At the Festival of Joy, over the past years, more than 128.000 visitors and online participants from all over the world have taken a strong stand for the establishment of a dignified commemoration on 8 May as the day of liberation.