What you need to know about Austrian National Day on October 26th
Austria celebrates its national holiday on Thursday October 26th. Aside from getting the day off work, what does the day mean to Austrians?
October 26th is a national holiday in Austria, but not just any holiday - it is literally "the" National Holiday, or "der Nationalfeiertag" in German. Internationally, it is known as Austria National Day.
The date celebrates October 26th 1955, when Austria signed its Declaration of Perpetual Neutrality and the last of the allied troops left the country a decade after the end of the Second World War.
Austria's neutrality
After the end of the Second World War, Austria was jointly occupied by the Allied forces of France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union. While Austrians welcomed the end of the war, they grew tired of the Allied occupation over time.
The Austrian parliament had little control over significant affairs because the Allied Control Council could veto any political or legislative action by the elected parliament.
READ ALSO: ‘No country is an island’: Is it time Austria abandoned neutrality?
That changed in 1955 when the Austrian State Treaty was signed, handing the country's power back over to Austria, and Austria committed to its "perpetual neutrality" - the commitment was fundamental to the Soviet Union in the Cold War context.
The neutrality document states: "For the purpose of the permanent assertion of its independence externally and for the purpose of the inviolability of its territory, Austria freely declares its perpetual neutrality. Austria will maintain and defend this with all means at its disposal."
Recent polling shows that military neutrality continues to be overwhelmingly popular, with 69 per cent of Austrians in favour and only 21 per cent against. This view is particularly strong among older Austrians and voters of the far-right FPÖ, while supporters of liberal NEOS and the Greens are more critical.
69% of Austrians back military neutrality (sorry @GunterFehlinger) pic.twitter.com/1zzPOJ1jZo
— James Jackson (@derJamesJackson) October 23, 2023
In fact, neutrality even forms a core part of the Alpine republic's national pride. 52 per cent of Austrians were proud of their neutrality in 2022, though this pales in comparison to the pride felt about the country's natural beauty, with 79 per cent of Austrians proud of their mountains, as well as two thirds of respondents taking pride in their high standard of living.
How do Austrians celebrate National Day?
Other than the hoisting of what feels like 100 flags for every resident, the Federal Government celebrates the day with a number of events.
The president addresses the nation in a TV address, honouring the war resistance victims and laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is also the day when new recruits of the Austrian Armed Forces are sworn in.
As well as this, the Office of the Federal President, the Federal Chancellery, and other ministries and public institutions are open to the public in a show of transparency.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How does Austria’s mandatory military service work?
In 2022, the events, which were significantly scaled back during the coronavirus pandemic, were back - and big. The program saw a performance show, helicopters, tanks and a flight simulator in the military parade.
During the large-scale swearing-in ceremony for new army recruits at Heldenplatz, there was a flyover with two Eurofighters and a C-130 Hercules jet. In addition, the Austrian Armed Forces presented themselves at the Am Hof (foreign missions) and Burgtheater (disaster relief).
In addition, there was a "Security Festival" taking place at the Rathausplatz.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The history behind Austria’s neutrality
This year's events and special videos will be broadcast on Austria's public television ORF.
Free admission to museums on National Day
The National Day offers the opportunity to visit many museums with free admission: the Austrian National Library (ÖNB) facilities, for example, have a unique programme in place. In addition, several other federal museums and institutions are open to the public.
The museums of the Graz Universal Museum Joanneum, as well as the Graz Museum, Vorarlberg Museum and 44 museums and collections in Burgenland, are also open to the public free of charge.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Why isn’t Austria in NATO?
There are also musical events, such as the Vienna Johann Strauss Orchester programme, playing music by Johann Strauss (son), Josef Strauss and Franz Lehár to celebrate the coming into force of Austrian neutrality.
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October 26th is a national holiday in Austria, but not just any holiday - it is literally "the" National Holiday, or "der Nationalfeiertag" in German. Internationally, it is known as Austria National Day.
The date celebrates October 26th 1955, when Austria signed its Declaration of Perpetual Neutrality and the last of the allied troops left the country a decade after the end of the Second World War.
Austria's neutrality
After the end of the Second World War, Austria was jointly occupied by the Allied forces of France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union. While Austrians welcomed the end of the war, they grew tired of the Allied occupation over time.
The Austrian parliament had little control over significant affairs because the Allied Control Council could veto any political or legislative action by the elected parliament.
READ ALSO: ‘No country is an island’: Is it time Austria abandoned neutrality?
That changed in 1955 when the Austrian State Treaty was signed, handing the country's power back over to Austria, and Austria committed to its "perpetual neutrality" - the commitment was fundamental to the Soviet Union in the Cold War context.
The neutrality document states: "For the purpose of the permanent assertion of its independence externally and for the purpose of the inviolability of its territory, Austria freely declares its perpetual neutrality. Austria will maintain and defend this with all means at its disposal."
Recent polling shows that military neutrality continues to be overwhelmingly popular, with 69 per cent of Austrians in favour and only 21 per cent against. This view is particularly strong among older Austrians and voters of the far-right FPÖ, while supporters of liberal NEOS and the Greens are more critical.
69% of Austrians back military neutrality (sorry @GunterFehlinger) pic.twitter.com/1zzPOJ1jZo
— James Jackson (@derJamesJackson) October 23, 2023
In fact, neutrality even forms a core part of the Alpine republic's national pride. 52 per cent of Austrians were proud of their neutrality in 2022, though this pales in comparison to the pride felt about the country's natural beauty, with 79 per cent of Austrians proud of their mountains, as well as two thirds of respondents taking pride in their high standard of living.
How do Austrians celebrate National Day?
Other than the hoisting of what feels like 100 flags for every resident, the Federal Government celebrates the day with a number of events.
The president addresses the nation in a TV address, honouring the war resistance victims and laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is also the day when new recruits of the Austrian Armed Forces are sworn in.
As well as this, the Office of the Federal President, the Federal Chancellery, and other ministries and public institutions are open to the public in a show of transparency.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How does Austria’s mandatory military service work?
In 2022, the events, which were significantly scaled back during the coronavirus pandemic, were back - and big. The program saw a performance show, helicopters, tanks and a flight simulator in the military parade.
During the large-scale swearing-in ceremony for new army recruits at Heldenplatz, there was a flyover with two Eurofighters and a C-130 Hercules jet. In addition, the Austrian Armed Forces presented themselves at the Am Hof (foreign missions) and Burgtheater (disaster relief).
In addition, there was a "Security Festival" taking place at the Rathausplatz.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The history behind Austria’s neutrality
This year's events and special videos will be broadcast on Austria's public television ORF.
Free admission to museums on National Day
The National Day offers the opportunity to visit many museums with free admission: the Austrian National Library (ÖNB) facilities, for example, have a unique programme in place. In addition, several other federal museums and institutions are open to the public.
The museums of the Graz Universal Museum Joanneum, as well as the Graz Museum, Vorarlberg Museum and 44 museums and collections in Burgenland, are also open to the public free of charge.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Why isn’t Austria in NATO?
There are also musical events, such as the Vienna Johann Strauss Orchester programme, playing music by Johann Strauss (son), Josef Strauss and Franz Lehár to celebrate the coming into force of Austrian neutrality.
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