Ceremonial Opening of three new “Stations of Remembrance” in Wieden, 1040, on June 21, 2018
The opening ceremony took place in Johannes-Diodato Park where Roswitha Hammer initiated the event with an introduction about the “Stones of Remembrance” Association.
She welcomed the Deputy District Head Mrs Lea Halbwidl and thanked her for her introductory words delivered in English. About 35 participants were present for this commemoration ceremony coming from the US and England, as well as Vienna. A special thanks was also given to volunteers who work to support the Association.
Ms Lea Halbwidl emphasized the importance of such “democratic movements by individuals for individuals”. Many Viennese people now look after these symbolic gravestones, and the city of Vienna also recognizes the “Stones” as official monuments of the city.
In honor of Louise Marie Mayer, a member of the resistance group Mueller-Thanner, a “Stone of Remembrance” was initiated by Elisabeth Pozzi-Thanner.
She commemorated the life and work of this courageous Jewish writer, journalist and translator murdered in Auschwitz. Until late 1939 Louise Marie Mayer regularly received artists like Raoul Aslan (Burgtheater), composer Egon Wellesz, intellectuals and students at her Viennese Salon in Floragasse 7, a clever cover-up for secret resistance meetings.
A portrait photo of Louise Marie Mayer, taken by famous Jewish photographer Trude Fleischmann, was placed at the memorial stone while Benjamin Haspel from Israel spoke Kaddish.
Louise Marie Mayer’s great-grandson, Charles Mayer, brought greetings from his family in the USA.
Daliah Hindler led to the group to each of the stations.
Waaggasse 1: 
A stone for Samuel and Frida Fischer was initiated by the Hochberg and Ratnam families from New Zealand and Australia who were unfortunately not able to attend the ceremony. Daliah Hindler pronounced words of remembrance on their behalf.
Floragasse 7: 
A Stone was placed for the resistance fighter Louise Marie Mayer as well as Leopold Blechner who was deported from this house and murdered.
Benjamin Haspel from Israel spontaneously spoke the Kaddish for the two deceased.
Link to the speech of Charles Mayer https://steinedererinnerung.net/4-floragasse-rede-2/
Waltergasse 4: 
The grandchildren of the Vasos-Baczewska family from the USA commemorated the murder of Natalie Baczewska, nee Steinhaus.