Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation

"The Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation, located at the southern end of Liberty Square in Budapest, was unveiled in 2014 to commemorate the Nazi takeover of Hungary on March 19, 1944. The monument features the archangel Gabriel, symbolizing Hungary, being attacked by a Germanic eagle marked with the year 1944 on its ankle. The scene is set against broken columns, with the inscription, “In memory of the victims,” intended to honor those who suffered under Nazi occupation. However, the memorial has been steeped in controversy since its inception. Many Jewish groups and historians argue that it portrays Hungary solely as a victim of Nazi aggression, ignoring the active complicity of Hungarian authorities in the Holocaust. Critics claim it whitewashes Hungary’s role in the deportation of 437,000 Jews and other atrocities that occurred before and during the German occupation. The monument has been accused of shifting blame away from the Hungarian government of the time, particularly the Horthy regime, which enacted anti-Semitic laws and collaborated with Nazi policies. The memorial’s construction was highly contentious, completed in secrecy overnight to avoid protests. Opponents, including Holocaust survivors and scholars, viewed it as a distortion of history, accusing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government of “falsifying the Holocaust” and blurring the lines between victims and perpetrators. Despite the official narrative, an informal counter-memorial has emerged in front of the monument. Families of Holocaust victims and activists have placed photos, documents, and messages to preserve the memory of those who perished. These personal tributes provide a stark contrast to the government’s depiction and serve as a reminder of Hungary’s complex and painful history during World War II."