The heart of Budapest is adorned with reminders that hint at tales of a sorrowful past. Amongst the architectural marvels, stand the monuments that represent the history of war, murders, oppression, and rebellion. There was a feeling of grief when seeing these reminders that hinted at the unstable and tragic history. The burden of a traumatic history is heavy on the cobbled streets.
Curious tourists wander the streets, some perplexed by the details of history. Many British tourist come to Budapest for the joys of cheap alcohol but become overwhelmed when told the tragedies that Hungarians rightly refuse to regret. The responsibility of sharing history is important and not to be undermined.
The country of Hungary has seen many tragedies and difficulties. After World War I it faced a loss of large amounts of land and paying reparations resulting in financial crisis and a rise in radicalism. Then World War II saw more devastation as Hungary allied with Germany. Facing more war destruction and the murder of thousands of Jewish people. Even after the devastation of war the tragedy continued. Hungary remained occupied by Russia under the tyranny of Soviet Union. The people became victims to more oppression, rebellions crushed and the country grew financially weaker until 1989 when Hungary was free from communism.
The Shoes on the Danube is one of Budapest’s most well-known reminders. It represents the thousands of Jews murdered across the banks of the river by the Nazi government during World War II. They would be asked to remove their shoes first, where many of them kept what little valuables they had left before being shot or tied together and left dead in the river. Approximately 20,000 of them were massacred on the banks of the Danube.
Passers-by pause to mourn the people they did not know. It’s a heart breaking reminder of how cruel humanity can be. The air is filled with a silent sadness. A nearby plaque offers a glimpse into the tragedy of World War II, recounting the harrowing tale of the innocent who were lost at the hands of tyranny. Through this poignant memorial, the tourists begin to grasp the weight of Budapest's wartime suffering.
Continuing through Budapest, we find standing before us the majestic Hungarian Parliament sitting on the bank the Danube. The towering spires reaching up at the sky. Its elaborate architecture shines through the day and the night. The largest building in Hungary took 17 years to build starting in 1885. People wonder around in bewilderment and awe at the intricate details.
It’s a mystery the turbulent history that has unfolded within its walls from political conflict and whispers of resilience echoing through the corridors. A building that has witness the tragedies of war and the holocaust. Tourists can enter the building in a tour and view the design and artifacts within. Becoming amazed that the beautiful design carries on inside. They leave with a better understanding of its history of royalty, architecture, and the parliaments that have governed Hungary.
As you walk around Budapest you may see what is called a Stolpersteine stone otherwise known as stumbling stones. To some they appear to be unassuming brass blocks dotted on the pavement, but they are part of the largest holocaust memorial, spanning multiple countries and cities. Each stating the names of holocaust victims, their date of birth, year of deportation, and cause of death.
As people explore Budapest they are easy ignore and that is partly the reason why they are controversial. Some argue that you are stepping on the names of the dead and its disrespectful. However, with the knowledge of what their true meaning, these stones shining like gold become important reminders. It was not uncommon to find people pausing when they walked to look down. Thinking about the life of the person on the stone and mourning what could have come of them if humanity was not so cruel. Dotted around they represent the golden hope that another tragedy like the holocaust will not take place on these streets.
In 2014, a controversial monument was built that caused outrage in certain Hungarians. It depicts the infamous Nazi eagle flying to capture liberty symbolising Hungary as the innocent victim in the German occupation in World War II. Its giant dark talons grasping at the innocent human victim beneath. People argued it ignored the role Hungary played that they were not innocent. Radicalism already was present in Hungary, and they accepted the ideas of Germany willingly. However, the government ignored, and the statue was built overnight despite constant protests. Accusing the government of confusing the murderer with the victims.
The statue still stands in Liberty Square in Budapest a reminder of the political ideas that once plagued the city. The upset and outrage are still evident as people lay pictures, poems, and flowers for the real victims of the war. The photos and messages to the ones lost in tragedy make it even more poignant. It’s a feeling of upset and outrage felt by Hungarians and visitors alike accompanied with peaceful protest in mourning the victims of the war. An acceptance that the statue will stay but those around will not forget the truth.
This is not the only controversial statue as only a few metres at the other end of Liberty Square stands a monument celebrating the red army for freeing Hungary from Nazi occupation. The same army that years later would be crushing rebellions fighting for freedom from oppression of The Soviet Union. It stands now as a reminder of how the Hungarian people were passed from dictator to dictator. Leaving them in financial crisis, oppressed and fearing for their lives.
When we see the statues that stand we must admire the strength and struggle the people of Hungary have faced. Their pride of how their country has developed now despite its turmoil and tragedy is something felt by Hungarians and Visitors alike. A solace is felt that history does not define its people now but is memories they mourn and learn from. Despite the growth of the country, it has not left its history behind. Holding it with the grief of tragedy and loss of life it has faced. Sharing its history is a responsibility Hungarians do with pride. There is an understanding that if we do not talk about our history we forget and these monuments remind us to talk, mourn and learn. It is evident everywhere in Budapest, history will never be forgotten.
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