VIENNA: Austrian authors demanded on Wednesday that a region change its anthem after its composer was revealed to be an active Nazi, rekindling a row that now involves more than half its provinces.

The anthems were all written by composers or writers who actively supported the Nazi regime, according to the group representing Austrian writers.

In an open letter it said the composer of Burgenland’s anthem, written in 1936, was a Nazi party member.

The writers said “it would be a great, exemplary signal” if a new anthem could be written that “reflects the spirit and work of today’s generations and artists who were born and grew up in Burgenland.” Historian Herbert Brettl said the lyrics were not problematic, just its composer’s association with the Nazi regime. “Burgenland should deal with the history,” he said.

The anthems of Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Salzburg provinces have also been found to be problematic. So far none have been changed.

The far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), which currently tops polls ahead of next year’s elections, and which was founded by former Nazis, has opposed any change.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2023