The passing on of the fire

The history of the Mautner Markhof House is a story of many fates. A story of tradition, of success and, of course, also setbacks. Outstanding are the pioneers, who passionately pursued their visions and thus influenced society at that time, some of them sustainable.

You cannot choose a family, as the saying goes, that, of course, also applies to each of us, with all its advantages and disadvantages. However, what Mautner Markhof is able to give to all its members and descendants is the certainty that all dreams, wishes and imaginations can be realized with dedication, commitment, faith, will and perseverance.

Adolf Ignaz was brave, progressive, creative and revolutionary. He created, effected, shaped, produced and – above all else – had the heart in the right place. Preserving his spirit therefore means not only being the beneficiary of material and social privileges, but also courageously follow new paths, believing in oneself and creating one’s own trend-setting ideas and projects.

“Innovate don’t imitate” – or to put it in Gustav Mahler’s words: “Tradition is to pass on the fire and not to worship the ashes”.

In order to make this possible and to preserve the roots of all family members, wherever they may be, I have seized the opportunity in the age of new media to use their possibilities and laid the foundation for this as part of the website. I wish and hope that in every future generation a few descendants find that to continue what I have initiated and thus preserve what Adolf Ignaz outstandingly had begun.

 

 

Written by Theodor Heinrich Mautner Markhof