Hainburg 84 – A movement prevails

Hainburg ’84 marks a moment when civil society courage changed political reality. The planned construction of the Danube power plant in the Hainburger Au led to one of the most defining conflicts of the Second Republic in 1984. At that time, thousands of people stood up against a project that was considered a done deal. Through non-violent protest, persistence, and personal risk, the movement succeeded in preventing the power plant and initiating a fundamental shift in the approach to nature and environmental protection. This dispute led to the development of a new ecological consciousness that continues to have an impact today.

The documentary film “Hainburg ’84 – A movement prevails” tells this story from the perspective of those who experienced it: activists who lived through the icy winter, the tense political fronts, and the historic days of the occupation. Without pathos or prominent staging, the film lets people speak whose commitment rewrote a chapter of Austrian contemporary history. Together with partners, the oekonews team has worked for several years on the review and provided insights that go far beyond well-known images.

On December 12, 2025, we invite you to the film screening and the subsequent E-Salon at the Herzstück in Bruck an der Leitha. From 6:00 PM, the doors will open for an evening that connects the past and the present. After the film, personalities from politics, business, and civil society will talk about the lessons of the past and the challenges of today – from climate protection and the energy transition to the importance of commitment in a time of global upheaval.

Guests of the E-Salon
Petra Haumer – City Councilor for Finance and Economy
Roman Kral – City Councilor, expert for renewable energy developments in the region
Alexander Petznek – Host of “Herzstück”, regional pioneer in future topics
Doris Holler-Bruckner – Publisher of oekonews, pioneer of e-mobility

Moderator: Karin Neckamm