The fabric of which memories are made
As part of the project "The Fabric of Which Memories Are Made," students in the third year fashion class at HLM HLW Krems took an artistic approach to local historical events in Krems from 80 years ago, specifically the town's National Socialist past. Under the guidance of historians Edith Blaschitz and Robert Streibel, the young people immersed themselves in this dark phase of local history during city tours and workshops.
In addition to examining the horrors of that period, we also addressed the question of whether and in what form there was resistance in Krems. The students examined the personal histories of Krems residents and discussed the nature of resistance and the lessons we can learn from these stories today.
What happened back then must never be forgotten. It is up to us to pay close attention when injustice occurs, take responsibility, and demonstrate civil courage — today, in the present moment.
The students used textiles to artistically express their experiences and create a lasting symbol of remembrance. The resulting artwork, titled “Festhalten Was Vergeht”, is located in the schoolyard of HLM HLW Krems and was officially unveiled in June 2025. The artwork commemorates the people of Krems who courageously resisted during the Nazi era and serves as a powerful reminder to never forget. The artwork was created by the third-year fashion class at HLM HLW Krems (2024/25), in collaboration with artist Gudrun Lenk-Wane and Kunstmeile Krems.
The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science, and Research.