Model of Waldheim’s wooden horse

In 1986 Kurt Waldheim was the ÖVP candidate for Federal President. In his biography he omitted to mention his Nazi past in the Balkans. When this came to light, he countered with anti-Semitic attacks. More than 50 percent of Austrians nevertheless voted for Waldheim. At the same time, however, a wide protest movement and intensive discussion about the past developed. A sculpture, Waldheim’s wooden horse, became its symbol. The sculpture was made by a Vienna stage design workshop by order of the Republikanischer Club – Neues Österreich (www.repclub.at) from a sketch by Alfred Hrdlicka.