Austrian Federal president commemorates the Corona victims

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Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen commemorated the Corona victims in a televised speech Sunday evening and appealed to the population to show consideration for each other even after a year of pandemic despite “disillusionment, grant and unwillingness.” He wished “that while we put this crisis behind us as soon as possible, we do not forget it,” he said, according to the text of the speech transmitted in advance.

He said the pandemic had demanded a lot from everyone: “Without exception, everyone was and is affected in a severe or particularly severe way. No one was spared.” This was frustrating, “but let’s please not direct the antagonism against each other,” said the Federal President: “It is precisely in a crisis that we see what we are made of. We all want and should still be able to look each other in the eye when this crisis is over. And I know that in our hearts, compassion, courage and faith in the good are stronger than anything else.”

Van der Bellen thanked everyone “who, in this tiring crisis, still take care of each other, who still look out for the well-being and health of their fellow human beings.” Many, he said, have lost loved ones to the insidious virus, some without being able to say goodbye in person. “It’s important that all of us, even those who are thankfully not directly affected by this, see that and be there for each other.” He dedicated a period of silence to the deceased during the address.

The head of state expressed optimism for the future. “So where do we go from here? Well, as trivial as it may sound, every winter is followed by a spring. And that will soon begin.” Soon, he said, everyone will have the opportunity to be vaccinated, and people will be able to enjoy life together again.

“And then I wish that while we put this crisis behind us as quickly as possible, that we don’t forget it. That we don’t forget how fragile our community is. That we learn from it for the future. That we reach out to each other again. And that we set to work together and build this country anew and better,” the President concluded.