Record Number for Budapest March of the Living

Text: Solveig Hansen

Record 10,000 people took part in the 11th annual March of the Living in Budapest April 21 in commemoration of the 600,000 Hungarian victims of the Holocaust. The number of participants was more than double the number in previous years, by concern over growing antisemitism and racism, The Budapest Times wrote.

Tatomir Ion-Marius, IFLAC Director for Hungary and Romania, was one of the participants. Read his post below.

Tatomir Ion-Marius

The 11th March of the Living in Budapest, 2013

By: Tatomir Ion-Marius, IFLAC Director for Hungary and Romania

On 21st of April, in Budapest (Hungary), the 11th March of the Living took place, in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The number of people joining the march was about ten thousand. I joined the march from the very beginning. The huge crowd gathered nearby the Margaret Bridge, and then at the sound of the shofar, the march began and advanced until the Drava Street at the place specially prepared for the speeches and presentations.

Present at the March of the Living were personalities from the political, cultural and religious fields of Hungary, ex-prime ministers, ambassadors (USA, Israel, Switzerland) and civilians. Speeches were held by Gordon Gabor, President of the Foundation of the March of the Living (Hungary), Agnes Hirschi, the daughter of the Swiss consul Carl Lutz, who saved the lives of thousands of Jews during the time of deportations in Hungary, the Ambassador of Switzerland in Hungary, Chief Rabbi Frolich Robert and others.

Messages were read by officials from Switzerland and Canada. At the end of the event hundreds of white balloons were launched, and a beautiful song was played which left tears in my eyes.

It was a very moving event and it meant a lot for me to be able to join it. It is a strong NO to the antisemitism and hatred, and YES to the promotion of understanding and to the values of a Culture of Peace, values shared and promoted by IFLAC.

May Peace prevail on Earth and in the heart of each human Being.
 

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