
8 May 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the unconditional surrender of the German Wehrmacht and the official end of the Second World War in Europe. The Mauthausen Committee Austria (MKÖ) organised the Festival of Joy on Heldenplatz in Vienna on this day for the thirteenth time in memory of the victims and to mark the joy of liberation from the Nazi reign of terror.
The Festival of Joy 2025 took place on 8 May 2025 at 7:30 pm at Heldenplatz in Vienna. This year’s Festival of Joy was once again streamed internationally with English subtitles on the online platforms of the Mauthausen Committee Austria and was broadcast throughout Austria live on ORF III, starting at 7:35 pm.
The Festival of Joy was dedicated to a main theme every year. The main theme in 2025 was '80 Years of Liberation from National Socialism - Never Again and Peace in Europe'. This year’s theme not only emphasised the historical dimension of remembrance, but also called for the lessons from the past to be kept alive for the present and future.
We were delighted to announce a special musical programme with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, which also came to a festive conclusion this anniversary year with Ludwig van Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'.
Federal President Dr Alexander Van der Bellen had sent a video message to the Festival of Joy as the highest representative of the Republic of Austria. MKÖ Chairman Willi Mernyi opened the Festival of Joy with some words of welcome.