Book Talk: “Austrian Again: Reclaiming Lost Legacy”
On November 13, 2025, the Embassy hosted Anne Hand to present her recently published book Austrian Again: Reclaiming a Lost Legacy.
Ms. Hand regained her Austrian citizenship as a descendant of persons persecuted by the Nazi regime in Austria. In her captivating memoir, she embarks on a deeply personal journey to uncover her family’s hidden history during the Holocaust while going through the citizenship restoration process. As Austria opens the door to reparation citizenship for descendants of those victimized by the Nazi and Austrofascist regimes, Hand digs through fragments of family stories and documents to trace her Austrian and Czechoslovakian roots. Through her search, she pieces together the story her ancestors withheld from their children after World War II, while reflecting on identity, migration, and heritage.
Navigating the bureaucratic process of gaining citizenship, this journey becomes much more than just a legal pursuit. It transforms into a reflection on memory, loss, and resilience, culminating in the celebration of legacies both long buried and still cherished. Along the way, she confronts the silences and gaps in her family's past, grappling with the weight of history and its impact on future generations. This story is a heartfelt meditation on the intersection of personal and shared history, and a joyful tribute to the power of remembering and belonging.
The citizenship restoration process is part of our commitment to Austria’s historical responsibility towards the Jewish community. We are honored that Anne decided to highlight the process through her book.
