“The initiative to establish a House of Responsibility in the “Hitler House” in Braunau am Inn represents, in my view, a meaningful signal that Austria is dealing honestly with its past and is aware of the resulting responsibility for the future.”

“I support the House of Responsibility with great enthusiasm. In my opinion, this is an immensely important project to promote a constructive approach to the person of Adolf Hitler in Austria and to take a big step forward in the process of coming to terms with the past, which is still not over. Demolition is not a solution, because demolition means displacement. The house could become an interactive democracy and education center that focuses on working with children. Adolf Hitler’s birthplace represents the dark past and children represent the future of Austria. Thus, in addition to a permanent exhibition, an annual international children’s symposium could be organized. A kind of “mini-Alpbach”, in which Braunau am Inn would be the focus of the symposium for an entire week, and the citizens of Braunau would participate in the congress events and the tourism of the town would profit. The program should be developed by Austrian schools in the context of student projects and enriched with international contributions.”

“We understand that the project has engendered some controversy in Braunau am Inn, based on the natural, healthy reaction to reject anything that would relate oneself to Hitler. However, the residents of Braunau am Inn have no less responsibility than other Austrian citizens in terms of remembrance, commitment to preserve and protect human rights, and to combat bigotry. Hosting a “House of Responsibility” would not be a stigma on Braunau am Inn, but a means fo fulfilling their responsibility.”

“I may join the critics and I also think that the planned redesign of Hitler’s birthplace and the related plans cannot be the right way. This so-called “neutralization” means repression instead of dealing with the facts. I see it this way and agree with Willi Mernyi when he says that “one apparently wants to make the world forget that the worst mass murderer in history was born in Braunau. This approach is wrong in terms of content and will not work in this way. One must stand by what was.”

With a “neutralization” what happened – history – cannot be erased or just “neutralized”. Nor should history be made invisible. We bear responsibility and must strive to make history visible.

I believe that culture of remembrance for those of us born later can only work with efforts like yours!”

„I gladly support your initiative to transform Adolf Hitler’s birth house into a House of Responsibility. It can contribute to a sincere confrontation with the past, which is a prerequisite to learning from the past, for the future.“

“Of course I would have nothing, but nothing at all, against turning the house where Adolf Hitler was born into a house of responsibility.
Another possibility would be to simply demolish the house. This is what has happened with certain Nazi buildings in Germany, so that they do not become a place of pilgrimage for neo-Nazis.
Another possibility would be to do the opposite. For example, the house could be donated to the Jewish community or to an association dedicated to the persecuted of the Nazi regime as a whole, i.e., in addition to Jews, also to Sinti and Roma, homosexuals, people with disabilities, and the multitude of politically persecuted and executed persons.
If the house remains, it must definitely be used to represent the opposite of Hitler.”

“I support the plan for the House of Responsibility, as it will give young people the opportunity to explore ways that as global citizens they can combat hate and antisemitism. This project is not to memorialise the role of Adolf Hitler but to say that we can find something good from the darkness of the 1930s and 1940s that together we can remember, educate and act in the face of evil and do good for the world.”

“The history of Hitler’s past and his policies of that time can be read in books and journals around the world. However, the origin of this history should not be ignored. It is the responsibility of every developed society to take responsibility for the past. In my opinion, the best starting point to take responsibility is Braunau, because that is where history begins. Consequently, I support the House of Responsibility.”

“What an excellent way to demonstrate to the world the power of redemption, forgiveness and that love overcomes hate in the end. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, only putting that memory to better use and to never let the mistakes of the past happen again. I would be happy to help however I can, to make this possible.”

“I am happy to support your proposal to establish a House of Responsibility in Hitler’s Braunau birthplace. It is high time that Austria admits its responsibility in the crimes of the Third Reich. Of course, our country is not to blame for the fact that Adolf Hitler happened to be born on the right side of the Inn River. However, the Austrians enthusiastically welcomed the Führer at the so-called Anschluss and were ready to follow him for years. A House of Responsibility in Braunau can help to prevent the same thing from happening again here or elsewhere. And it can keep alive the memory of those Austrians who had the courage to resist.”

“First of all, I would like to thank you very much for your incredibly important work. Especially in times when hatred and agitation are spreading more and more again, a dedicated remembrance work is indispensable. It is of great importance for all of us to keep alive the memory of the terrible time of the Nazi dictatorship and its victims. Never again to allow the unimaginable horror of the Holocaust and the inhuman ideology of the National Socialists is an everlasting obligation for every democrat. This also includes the preservation of sites of remembrance and enlightenment. Only if we show the following generations which inhuman ideology was spread by persons like Adolf Hitler, we have a chance to stop their resurgence. In doing so, however, we must succeed in ensuring that these sites do not become places of pilgrimage for the deluded followers of this horrific ideology. The approach you have mentioned of turning the building into a “house of responsibility” seems to me to be very suitable in this respect. If I can give you political support in this, please let me know.”

“We understand very well that what initially may appear as stigma is, in fact, the enormous potential for educating present and future generations about the dangers of xenophobia and other types of prejudice. We hope that this ambitious project will become a reality, for the benefit of both Austrian and international visitors to the site.”

“We are writing to support the establishment of a “House of Responsibility” in the house where Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau im Inn. The European Roma Rights Centre has been a committed participant in the Austrian “Gedenkdienst” programme for over 10 years. We are very grateful to be sent young motivated Austrian Holocaust Memorial Servants year after year. They make a tremendous contribution to our work. The Romani Holocaust is still a neglected and, indeed, often forgotten part of European history that needs to be addressed more effectively, especially in times where far-right and anti-Roma politicians are on the rise in European countries, including Austria. There is also a need to show public support for Roma rights. Roma continue to be victims of violations of human rights on a daily basis, including hate crimes, illegal forced evictions and school segregation.
This is a unique opportunity for Austria to demonstrate its awareness of historical and continuing abuses against Roma and provide a space for those dedicated to Roma rights to do their work. We understand that the people of Braunau do not want to be associated with Hitler’s legacy, and we share this project’s vision for transforming what is now an uncomfortable reminder of the past into an active monument for peace, tolerance and intercultural dialogue.”

“I support the House of Responsibility idea for the birth house of Adolf Hitler as a worldwide meeting place for young people to learn about responsibility and democracy. Turning this house into a police station is a bad idea.”

“I personally find the idea to transform Adolf Hitler’s birth house into a House of Responsibility very appropriate. Responsibility in all its aspects is a fundamental value that is by far not enough discussed publicly in a Western democracy that Austria is. Every idea that promotes responsibility in any context – also and especially in connection with the history of the Third Reich – is appreciated.”

“The concept for the House of Responsibility has my full support. In this house, in the annex of which a criminal was born, it is necessary to commemorate, but also to assume the responsibility not to accept exclusion, stigmatization, persecution and annihilation without participation anywhere.”

“The idea with the House of Responsibility is for me the only possible solution. It would also ultimately help the city and municipality of Braunau.”

“Turning the house where Adolf Hitler was born into a police station seems to be a most inappropriate designation and a very poor and thoughtless choice, especially as the genocidal Nazi regime led by the person born there actually created a police state.

I support the alternative idea of establishing a ‘House of Responsibility’ as a place to promote democracy, social justice, cultural diversity, and inclusive society at this place of such great symbolic significance. Like in South Africa, where the notorious Apartheid era Number 4 prison complex was turned into the country’s Constitution Court, the seat of the highest Court in the land, this house should be turned into a space of education, critical thinking and where lessons from the past can be learned. It is a unique opportunity that should not be missed!”

“I believe this project is important as a means of remembrance. In Hebrew, the word of remembrance is Zecher, on the High Holy Days we have an entire section devoted to remembrance, Zichronot, not only to remember those who perished but to remember the actions of the people who caused their death. We must remember that it was through the action of a single human being and the support and complicity of those who served him that the holocaust happened. If we try to forget this, we will undoubtedly allow it to happen again. The House of Responsibility gives us a physical place to focus our remembrance and future action against such behavior.”

“I support the House of Responsibility because it is a good way for many young people to come to terms with the past. By learning from the past, we can create the conditions for a better future for all. The House of Responsibility is an important part of this process.”

“Yes, I think your idea of a “House of Responsibility” is excellent. It would transform a place with negative connotations into a positive one. This is called “healing” and we need it more than ever in our time. (And with it, the eternalists would have their worship cult destroyed).”

“The Jewish Taiwan Cultural Association (JTCA) supports the proposal to establish a “House of Responsibility” in the birthplace of Hitler in Braunau im Inn. With the passage of time, the memory of the terrible and lasting tragedy that was inflicted upon the Jewish people and so many millions of other innocent people is fading fast. With the increasing prevalence across the world of anti-Semitism, online hate, and misinformation regarding the Holocaust, it’s more imperative than ever that this building become a living platform for educating current and future generations about what happened so that it never happens again. Turning it into a police station is not only inappropriate, it’s an insult to the millions of innocent men, women, and children who lost their lives and livelihoods.”

“A difficult legacy your city has to manage. I find your idea to actively deal with the birthplace in the social discourse very important. You know best that in doing so one must also consider the discussions between 1945 and the present. I wish your idea much success!”

“Of course I’m happy to be part of this!”

“I gladly support your initiative for a House of Responsibility in Braunau am Inn. In Adolf Hitler’s birth town we need a daily reminder that hounding of people, oppression and destruction of other opinions and skin colors, even genocides, must not take place in the 21st century. Especially for young people is the Nazi-horror from the Second World War only an abstract explanation, that could be made more interesting to study through the House of Responsibility.“

“I find the idea to transform specifically Hitler’s birthplace into a House of Responsibility ingenious. What site would better fit such an undertaking? Over many years we thought that history – especially the ineffable history of the Nazis – would not repeat itself all over again. The sad and degrading treatment of refugees in need of protection, another election campaign of the FPÖ, which has committed itself to hustle and chivy, more hate-postings in the social media, as well as very dubious opinions heard in places like pubs, show that we are now closer than ever to fall into the trap. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to NOW set signs and to take a stance against the above mentioned occurrences instead of tolerating them passively. It would be very nice, especially in Braunau, to make a centre for the youth to learn about tolerance and respect towards other people and other cultures and to learn about respect towards each other. I would also like it very much if the house would become a center for encounter with multicultural events.”

“Do what would have upset Adolf the most. I cannot imagine that an institute or museum could do this for the history of racism (or of antisemitism). In no way demolish the house. I followed the discussion 2-3 years ago and found the location’s disappearance (damnatio memoriae) as the worst reply to the challenge. Formal excuses about ownership etc. must not be the center of attention.”

“You are very welcome to add me to your already impressive list as a supporter of the project to transform the Hitler Birthplace into a House of Responsibility.”