Clashes in Budapest? Commemorations of German, Hungarian anti-Soviet WWII fighters and Antifa protests – UPDATED: PHOTOS
Many people in Hungary (and Europe) regard 11 February as the Day of Honour when tens of thousands of German and Hungarian defenders of the Buda Castle tried to escape the Soviet siege and reach the German lines tens of kilometres away. They believe that the Hungarian and German soldiers deserve respect for “defending Europe and Hungary against the Bolshevik Soviet Red Army”. Most historians disagree with that concept and say that the Germans and the Hungarians did not defend Europe in Budapest but postponed Hitler’s downfall despite all the horrors they experienced here.
One of the worst sieges
The siege of Budapest between December 1944 and February 1945 was one of the longest sieges in the Second World War destroying most of the beauties of the Hungarian capital. The cause of the siege was that–despite the Hungarian leaders’ requests–Hitler declared Budapest as Festung Budapest and ordered his troops to defend it against the Soviets as long as possible.
On the other hand, Stalin ordered his troops to capture the city in days, so the Soviets came exhausted and unprepared: thus, the German and Hungarian soldiers could resist for months. The defenders’ position became impossible by 11 February when they decided to break the siege and reach the German lines tens of kilometres West.
Breakout Commemoration and Performance Tour from Budapest
The “attack” became a bloodbath; tens of thousands of soldiers died in the first hours, and only hundreds reached the German lines. Some Hungarian far-right organisations believe that we should commemorate their sacrifice for holding up the Soviets. Some commemorations remain in the framework of a tour. For example, the so-called “Kitörés emlék- és teljesítménytúra” (Breakout Commemoration and Performance Tour) is a 25, 35 or 60-km tour starting this afternoon at 4:30 PM. The organisers said they would keep all the relevant laws. HERE is their event. The main organiser of the tour is Zoltán Moys, the son-in-law of parliament deputy speaker Sándor Lezsák.
Historians like Krisztián Ungváry regularly say that the Hungarian and German soldiers did not regard themselves as protectors of Europe. Therefore, commemorating them like that is dishonouring their memory.
Secret neo-nazi concerts and Antifa demonstrations
On 8 February 2020, far-right organisations, including foreign ones, could hold commemorations in Budapest’s Városmajor, but the police banned such demonstrations. Therefore, they gather in unknown places, organising the Day of Honour on 7 and 8 February to commemorate and participate in concerts. The organiser, Blood and Honour Hungary, only provided a meeting point in Budapest.
Antifa protesters are also in the Hungarian capital and plan to demonstrate between 3 and 5 PM on the Széll Kálmán Square. In 2024, they marched to the Buda Castle. In 2023, foreign antifa protesters physically harmed multiple people only because of their dress. Based on the Hungarian prosecutors, one of the organisers was the Italian Ilaria Salis, who had been elected an MEP, so she won immunity. Telex wrote that not only Antifa demonstrators committed violent attacks but also far-right activists. Here are some photos:
The Hungarian police are prepared for today’s events. Yesterday, Secretary Bence Rétvári said that authorities will be present with an increased number of dog patrols, drones, and special cars.
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