More on the Huttererpark Opening in Innsbruck, Austria

From all accounts the Huttererpark Opening I wrote about in an earlier post went very well. It took place on the 16th of October and there were other related events scheduled as well. Like I said before, it was a week-long celebration, honouring Anabaptists who died for their faith. Two Hutterite couples I know very well, took part in these festivities; which included placing memorial plaques at historic sites and giving presentations in schools.

I've been to Innsbruck and the Huttererpark, when they were still working on it, so I was very excited when a friend of mine from Austria sent me links to newspaper article and pictures, some of which I'd like to share here. The newspaper articles are naturally all in German, but there are pictures that can give you a glimpse of the events, if you can't read German.

Steinernes Monument als Zeichen der Versoehnung (Stone Monunment as a symbol of reconciliation)

Hutterer: Die Vorbilder von Gestern (Hutterites the role models from yesteryear)

Hutterer - Gedenken im Zeichen Religioeser Toleranz (Symbol on Commemorating Religious Tolerance)

Gedenken an Wiedertaeufer (Commemorations of Anabaptists)

At the Goldene Dachl in Innsbruck, where Jakob Hutter was burned at the stake

Huttererpark Opening, Eduard Geissler at the mike.

    Edward and Judy Kleinsasser, Jack and Margaret (Manitoba) walking around the stones

   commemorating twelve Anabaptist martyrs.

Each stone represents a different Anabaptist who was martyred for his/her faith. Each stone has a word from Zechariah 9:16 carved into it.

Like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.

Denn Steine an Gottes Diadem sind sie, die über seinem Land funkeln

Edward Kleinsasser giving a speech at the Opening

Gertrude Geissler, presenting "Auf der Flucht" a drama,
representing Anabaptists "On the Run".

At the end of the Huttererpark Opening representatives from various churches, including Edward Kleinsasser, read very fitting passages from Psalm 22, after which a moment of silence was observe in memory of those who gave their life for their faith.

⁴ In you our ancestors put their trust;
    they trusted and you delivered them.
⁵ To you they cried out and were saved;
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

²³ You who fear the Lord, praise him!
    All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
    Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
²⁴ For he has not despised or scorned
    the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
    but has listened to his cry for help.

²⁵ From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
    before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.
²⁶ The poor will eat and be satisfied;
    those who seek the Lord will praise him—
    may your hearts live forever!

²⁷ All the ends of the earth
    will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
    will bow down before him,
²⁸ for dominion belongs to the Lord
    and he rules over the nations.

²⁹ All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
    all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
    those who cannot keep themselves alive.