In times when nothing seems to help, it is often good not to be alone. Representatives from school, politics and religious communities say goodbye to Hanna, Leonie, Kaid and Co. On Sunday evening at the Graz Main Square.
A black funeral veil is located on Sunday evening over the central square and Herrengasse, the heart of the pulsating Murmetropolis. Five days after the horrific murder of Borg Dreierschützengasse, which demanded ten innocent human lives, thousands of people gather here to mourn together.
The worthy funeral for the town hall starts with the song “Homeward Bound”, sung by students from the Graz Hib Art Chors. “I need someone to comfort me,” says the song. Many people cry. Yes, comfort, hugs, encouragement, many need in these difficult hours. A board -up -to -tolk is also on site to translate the speeches for everyone.
The moderator welcomes all students, teachers, parents, representatives and “everyone who loves Graz as much as we”. “What happened in the Borg Dreierschützengasse, who have all struck us all with full strength,” she says, “but we can share the pain and load. We are together, far beyond the boundaries of Graz.”
“More love, less hate”
A video message is recorded by Federal Pass -President Alexander van der Bellen: he describes the joyful atmosphere that prevails during the break at school – she became quiet on Tuesday within seconds. “The perpetrator took the teachers and himself the future. The action leaves us speechlessly, but we will find answers – more love, less hatred, look more, look less away. We are difficult days, we wear each other.”
The speech of the State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) follows: “I have searched for the right words for a long time. How do you comfort parents who have lost their child? Maybe today it is not about the right words, but that we are together here.” What remains of the dramatic events is the coherence of the past week. You have to listen and empathize. “Maybe there is sometimes enough sentence: we are there.”
“He wanted us to hate, but he failed”
The moderator speaks personally with the students – she struggles with the tears: “I don’t meet myself to understand how you feel. But you have each other, never forget that.” She hands the word to school spokesperson Ennio Resnik, who speaks in a video message: “It is still difficult to understand the action. (…) I want us to stay together.” Whatever religion, what political attitude or gender.
He warns politics to wake up so that something like this never happens again. But he also thanks all the emergency services that have acted so professionally, and with all the teachers who were supported by the people affected. In conclusion, he says, “He wanted us to hate, but he failed.”
Mayor calls for changes
Finally, Mayor Elke Kahr (KPö) also looks back in the past week. “128 hours have passed since the unimaginable act of violence has passed. Many have lost basic confidence that is not easy to recover. Many slept little and were looking for a statement. But there is no explanation for what happened.” There is only one way as we can find courage: coherence, solidarity, humanity. “This distinguishes our city and are people in this difficult time.”
You have to ask yourself where the discomfort of the perpetrator could come from. “Looking ahead means thinking about what we can do, so that our children and young people in this world can feel safe and comfortable,” says Kahr. The students of the Borg Dreierschützengasse are asked to enter the stage. “Heal the world” is played by Michael Jackson. Spokesperson for the Ennio Resnik school also sings with a strong voice. “Please, dear government, change something. Thank you,” he says in the microphone.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
