Anniversary Ceremony Celebrates 50 years of Kurdish Refugees in Austria
Iraqi Ambassador honours the historic humanitarian bond between Baghdad and Vienna
May 12th, 2026
Dr. Hisham Al-Alwi, the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Vienna, attended a special commemorative ceremony titled “Biggie Austria – Vive l’Autriche” held at the Palais Niederösterreich. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of Kurdish refugees from Iraq in Austria, highlighting a half-century of humanitarian cooperation and cultural diplomacy between the two nations.
The ceremony brought together high-ranking Iraqi and Austrian political figures, diplomats, and a significant representation of the Iraqi Kurdish community residing in Austria. A documentary short film opened the proceedings, chronicling the arrival of the initial 96 Kurdish refugees at Vienna International Airport on March 31, 1976. This group was granted asylum by the Austrian government following the collapse of the Kurdish movement after the 1975 Algiers Agreement.
Distinguished guests included former Austrian President Hans Fischer, who was instrumental in facilitating the 1976 reception, and Safeen Dizayee, Head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Department of Foreign Relations. In his address, Mr. Dizayee expressed profound gratitude to the people and government of Austria for their enduring humanitarian stance and the support provided to Kurdish families and students over five decades.
Ambassador Dr. Hisham Al-Alwi delivered a keynote speech emphasizing that the Iraqi community has become a vital pillar of Austrian society, excelling in fields such as medicine, science, and the economy. He noted that these individuals serve as a bridge of communication, strengthening bilateral relations between the friendly countries.
The Ambassador reaffirmed the commitment of the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government to work together toward stability and sustainable development. He concluded by honoring the resilience of the refugees and pledging to further invest in Iraq’s political, economic, and cultural presence within this key European partner.
