Budapest Opens a Special Exhibition To Commemorate The International Holocaust Remembrance Day

A Universal Moral Benchmark

The Holocaust, 80 years after the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, remains not only a painfully recent historical event but also a universal moral standard. It compels us to remain vigilant against new forms of exclusion, stigmatization, and hate-mongering. This moral benchmark forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that the Holocaust happened with our involvement and, to a large extent, was perpetrated by us.

Commemorating Through Digital Exhibition

To mark this significant day, the Budapest History Museum has curated an online exhibition. This digital showcase revisits what is perhaps the largest Holocaust exhibition ever held in Hungary: the “Holocaust in Hungary” exhibition, which took place at the Budapest History Museum in 1994-95.

The Original Exhibition: A Groundbreaking Event

The 1994-95 exhibition, curated by Emil Horn with visual design by László Rajk, was a pioneering event in post-communist Hungary. Key features included:

• Over 400 square meters of exhibition space
• 26 thematic units covering the historical precursors to the aftermath
• A symbolic journey through a cattle wagon representing deportations
• Reconstructions of Jewish homes and administrative offices
• Displays of personal belongings from Auschwitz victims
• Audio elements featuring literary excerpts and victims’ names

Significance and Impact

The exhibition served multiple purposes:

• Honoring the memory of Holocaust victims
• Educating younger generations about this dark period in history
• Providing a platform for reflection on the Holocaust’s impact on Hungarian society

A Continuing Call to Action

As we commemorate this day, it is crucial to remember that the Holocaust is not just a historical event but a continuing call to action. It reminds us of our collective responsibility to combat antisemitism, racism, and all forms of intolerance.

Image source: Budapest City Hall