Memorial of National Cohesion

"The monument dedicated to the Trianon Treaty, which was inaugurated in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Versailles Peace Treaty, stands as a reminder of Hungary's loss of territory and population after World War I. It commemorates the country's painful history following the signing of the treaty in the Trianon Palace in Versailles, where Hungary lost two-thirds of its territories and a significant portion of its ethnic Hungarian population. The memorial, located at Kossuth Lajos Square across from the Hungarian Parliament, consists of a 100-meter-long tunnel that symbolizes the grief and sorrow of those who lived through this historical event. The names of every Hungarian town or village that was once part of Hungary's borders are displayed along the tunnel walls, creating a somber reflection of lost regions. However, some find the tunnel’s design somewhat discouraging, as it ends abruptly with no forward path, evoking a sense of finality. This design choice contrasts with a vision of Hungary’s future, where history is continuously evolving, and its people are actively contributing to its present and future. While the memorial effectively honors the collective memory of the loss, there is a sense of yearning for a more hopeful and forward-looking message, one that reflects the continuity of Hungarian history and a nation that continues to move forward despite its past struggles. "