Thousands of people took part in an annual WWII-linked commemoration held by far-right groups in Budapest Saturday, as anti-fascist activists gathered nearby to protest the rise of the far right around the world.
Each year, far-right groups from across Europe meet in Budapest for what they call a “Day of Honour” to mark a failed attempt by Nazi and Hungarian troops in 1945 to break out of the city during the Soviet Army’s siege.
While some events have been banned, including neo-Nazi concerts — that will still take place at undisclosed locations — an annual “memorial hike” is being held.
Both the commemoration as well as the anti-fascist counter-demonstration remained peaceful, after warnings from the Hungarian authorities about possible violence, like that which occurred in 2023.
Journalists estimated 4,000 people joined the “memorial hike” from Buda Castle late on Saturday, some of them wearing far-right insignia and even Nazi uniforms.
Among them was Zsolt, who said he wanted to honor “the heroes … the real Hungarians who defended the city” 80 years ago.
“We march in silence to physically experience the suffering of our ancestors,” the 33-year-old insurance broker said, declining to give his full name.
Nearby a few hundred anti-fascist activists protested under the close watch of police, which had been patrolling the streets with drones, dogs and special operations vehicles.
