Austrian Again: Reclaiming a Lost Legacy, with Anne Hand

Please register to receive the Zoom link for this free online program, as Anne Hand presents her new book, Austrian Again.

In this captivating memoir, Anne Hand embarks on a deeply personal journey to uncover her family’s hidden history during the Holocaust while pursuing Austrian citizenship. 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, Hand 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.

Anne Hand was born in 1985 in New York and holds a B.Sc. from McGill University and an Ed.M. from Harvard University. Her grandmother was a librarian, and she grew up attached to the power of the written word. Her love of books and the worlds they transported her to have always fueled her desire to make change in the world. Hand has spent her career blending research, policy, and practice to create social impact across the Americas and beyond. She is a recognized expert in global education and development, frequently publishing on topics related to technology and social impact.