“Historically burdened” – the criticism of Burgenland’s national anthem is loud

The interest group has already criticized the folk songs of Upper and Lower Austria, Carinthia and Salzburg. Head of State Hans Peter Doskozil points out in an open letter that the national anthem of Burgenland is also “historically charged”. According to current sources, the composer Zauner was a member of the NSDAP and therefore unsuitable as a “representative of a federal state of the democratic republic of Austria”.

According to the letter, he put his music or that of his band in the service of Nazi propaganda. It is also stressed that the anthem was created at the request of the authoritarian corporate state government. A new version could provide “a democratic, current and forward-looking image of the federal state”.

Doskozil for renovation, but against change
It was said from Governor Doskozil’s office that he took the letter seriously: “It is therefore necessary to intensify the scholarly work on Zauner’s biography.” But there is “no need” to question the anthem itself: “It was rather Part of Burgenland’s identity, and it must remain so.” Historian Herbert Brettl was contacted, who initiated the current discussion This also recommends adding author biographies but not changing or removing the anthem.

“Anthem Must Stay”
ÖVP state president Christian Sagartz made a clear commitment to the state song: “The state song is not a political game ball, but an important cultural heritage. The national anthem must stay.” FPÖ leader Alexander Petschnig is also against change: such “artificial problems” would only occur in someone who lives in a bubble. The FPÖ also sticks to the old version of the anthem. The IG authors, on the other hand, are supported by the Greens. If there are brown spots associated with the national anthem, they must be removed, said club boss Regina Petrik.