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Sea of lights in Vienna: Solidarity and remembrance after the Graz tragedy!
On June 20, 2025, Vienna lights up at the Danube Island Festival in memory of the victims of the Graz shooting. Be there!
Sea of lights in Vienna: Solidarity and remembrance after the Graz tragedy!
On June 19, 2025, a very special sign of solidarity will be made in Vienna. On the occasion of the tragic shooting spree in Graz, which recently caused outrage and sadness throughout Austria, the Danube Island Festival 2025 a moving memorial event took place. The organizations SPÖ Vienna, Pro Event Team for Vienna and the Vienna Cultural Service have planned an impressive sea of lights that will shine in front of all stages of the festival on June 20, 2025 at 9:58 p.m.
The rampage, carried out by a 21-year-old at BORG Dreierschützengasse in Graz, not only affected the city, but also plunged the whole of Austria into a state of mourning. The government then declared three days of national mourning, which resulted in many events in art, culture and science. Among other things, the ski opening in Schladming-Dachstein and an evening in the Kunsthalle Graz were canceled. In Carinthia and Vienna, too, numerous events such as the MQ Pride Night and press conferences were withheld from the public in order to pay respect to the victims the small newspaper reported.
A sea of lights for peace
The Danube Island Festival, which has stood for peace, solidarity and empathy for 42 years, will send a clear message with this sea of lights: We will not let ourselves be defeated, we stick together. All visitors are invited to take part in this impressive moment and hold up their lights for the victims of the rampage and their families. This should be a sign of solidarity during this difficult time.
“The sea of lights will not only highlight the beauty of the festival, but also the solidarity of people in difficult times,” explains a spokesman for the organizers. The communal act of remembrance will go beyond the scope of the festival and shows that solidarity and empathy can also play a central role in mourning.
Ultimately, we also have the opportunity to learn from events like these and work together for a better future. The sounds of the Danube Island Festival and the numerous people who come together to raise their voices for peace remind us of this.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, it is especially important to stand together. ORF Styria further emphasizes that there is great solidarity among the population and many have already made their active contribution to strengthen the community and send a positive signal. Let's set an example together and let the lights shine! A bad event, like the shooting spree in Graz, can also be a call for strong togetherness.