Vienna mourns: Sea from candles for Graz victims lights up in Stephansdom

Vienna mourns: Sea from candles for Graz victims lights up in Stephansdom

Stephansplatz, 1010 Wien, Österreich - in Vienna on June 11, 2025, Stephanplatz shone in a sea of ​​light and hope, while numerous citizens lit candles for the victims of the tragic killing spree in Graz. The terrible deed cost life and led to a three -day state mourning in Austria. Hundreds of people followed the call from Caritas and the "Fürand" initiative to light candles from 4 p.m. and thus express their condolences. Distributed across the entire city, numerous people took part in this sign of solidarity to show mourning and cohesion together (today] (https://www.heute.at/s/fammerende-kerzen-fuer-graz--amenken-am-stepplatz-120113456).

The memorial service took place at 5 p.m. in St. Stephen's Cathedral and was accompanied by well -known politicians, including the Vice Chancellor out of service Werner Kogler and the former Minister of Justice Alma Zadić. These signs of sympathy are not only proof of cohesion in times of crisis, but also an important step in dealing with grief. Caritas director Klaus Schwertner emphasized that love and cohesion are stronger than hatred and violence. Dominik Farthofer, head of the young church, also said that it was important to create a room for individual feelings of mourning.

mourning together everywhere in Austria

All of Austria was taken by the tragedy. The day after the killing spree, people came together in several cities to express their grief and anger. No regular lessons took place in front of schools in Carinthia; Instead, pupils and teachers started the day with minutes of commemoration. Psychologists and educators worked intensively on the psychological care of the students who were connected to the victims and one of the seriously injured. The HTL Lastenstraße in Klagenfurt was particularly affected, where the 14-year-old fatalities went to school. In front of the schools, black flags blew as a sign of mourning and solidarity, while police patrols provided security.

in Villach, the police presence was also massively reinforced, as thoughts about the crime and the associated injustice employed many students. A team of school psychologists was immediately mobilized to assist the students in this difficult time. It is particularly unfortunate that the anger created out of grief in some cases converted into xenophobia, which presented teachers and psychologists with great challenges. Your task is to act de -escalating and to counteract conflicts.

a light of hope

At 8 p.m. there was a memorial event by the Young Mission Praise from Missio, which was specifically geared towards young people. Father Karl Wallner led the youth prayer evening to give young people a feeling of community and hope. This initiative also shows that the light of hope does not have to go out in difficult times.

The official state mourning ends on June 12 at 7 p.m. with the Pummerin bell ring in St. Stephen's Cathedral. From 5:30 p.m., the ORF will broadcast a "ZiB special", in which the events around the memorial service and the mourning ceremonies are the focus. This shows once again how important it is to mourn together and show strength.

In a time of uncertainty, such events are a bright spot and a sign that the community holds together. Together we will go through these dark times.