1995: Soundtrack to Civil Society

When photographer Lukas Beck accompanied Willi Resetarits (1948–2022) with a camera in the early 1990s, he was not just documenting the artistic activities of a singer with Burgenland Croatian roots, but his activism. Resetarits’ campaigning helped realise several initiatives, which are now seen as milestones in the development of a critical public sphere in Austria. It is not by chance, therefore, that he stands at the centre of this unofficial “founding image” of Vienna’s Integration House. The photo shows the singer and activist in the new facility shortly before it opened in Vienna’s 2nd district. Resetarits was one of the main initiators of the organisation, which was founded in 1995 as a first point of contact for refugees and people seeking protection. It is still active today.

The founding of the Integration House was preceded by the Sea of Lights. On 23 January 1993, around 300,000 people gathered on Vienna’s Heldenplatz square and in several provincial capitals to take a stand against racism and exclusion, carrying candles and burning torches. The demonstration was organised by a group of human rights activists, including Willi Resetarits as one of the key actors. Following the Sea of Lights, the activists developed the idea for an Integration House. With its comprehensive range of services, the Integration House continues to play a very important role in looking after people seeking protection in Austria—from assisted living, psychological counselling and education programmes to legal advice for refugees and organising the Refugee Ball.

Willi Resetarits was born in 1948 in Stinatz/Stinjaki to Burgenland Croatian parents. He grew up speaking several languages—first in Burgenland and then in Vienna after the family had moved there. Resetarits began to make music while still at school. He played in various bands and came to fame as part of the political rock group Schmetterlinge (Butterflies), not only in Austria but abroad—the band represented Austria at the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest in London. From the mid-1980s, Resetarits performed as the popular figure of “Ostbahn-Kurti”, which he invented in collaboration with author and composer Günter Brödl. His performances included Burgenland Croatian and Croatian songs. Alongside his musical career, Willi Resetarits campaigned tirelessly throughout his life on behalf of socially disadvantaged people, standing for solidarity and against exclusion.

Our thanks for the photo and information to Lukas Beck.