Today, the “Fest der Freude” (Celebration of Joy) was held on Heldenplatz, a central square in Vienna. A free concert of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 was the setting for the commemoration of the 70^th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the liberation of Austria.

Of course, there were also some speeches by politicians. The most touching report, though, was given by a contemporary witness who told of the imprisonment of her family (including herself at the age of just under 16, and her twelve-year-old sister), and the murder of her mother by the Gestapo after they had helped to hide some Wehrmacht deserters.

All in all, a very dignified evening – and much more fitting than the so-called “Totengedenken” of the right-wing Burschenschafter that dominated Heldenplatz on May 8 until a few years ago.