Debrecen4U February 26, 2026

Victims of Communism Commemorated in Debrecen

The Municipality of Debrecen and the foundation Adjátok Vissza a Hegyeimet! held a joint commemoration on the Memorial Day for the Victims of Communism at the 1956 memorial created by Miklós Melocco. At the event, Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa emphasised that remembrance is not only about paying tribute to the victims of the past, but also about the responsibility to preserve freedom, peace and national self-determination in the present. He underlined that the lessons of history continue to provide guidance in a Europe burdened by war.

In his speech, Lajos Barcsa recalled that on 25 February 1947 the Soviet authorities arrested Béla Kovács, Secretary-General of the Independent Smallholders’ Party, an event which marked a turning point in Hungary’s history and paved the way for the establishment of the communist dictatorship. He stressed that the loss of freedom is often not the result of a single moment, but a gradual process in which first political opponents, then independent institutions, and finally individual liberty are dismantled. He highlighted that the communist dictatorship claimed its victims not only through executions and imprisonment, but also by depriving hundreds of thousands of families of their homes, livelihoods and futures. He recalled that approximately 100 million people worldwide lost their lives as a consequence of communism, while in Hungary hundreds of thousands were deported to the Gulag and subjected forced labour, many of whom never returned home.

The Deputy Mayor also pointed out that the crimes of the communist regime were never followed by universal international accountability; therefore, the ideology may reappear from time to time in various forms. He stated that in Hungary today we are witnessing a change of regime, as it can be said that after 37 years the successor party to the communists will not be standing in the parliamentary elections. However, we must also remain vigilant to ensure that successors do not come to power in a different guise. He emphasised that safeguarding freedom is a continuous responsibility, and that history teaches us that national self-determination, human dignity, faith and respect for tradition are values which every generation must defend time and again.

In his address, he also noted that Europe is once again living in the shadow of war, and the proximity of armed conflicts lends particular weight to remembrance. He added that, in light of Hungary’s historical experience, the country has a vested interest in preserving peace, stability and self-determination, as we know the cost of becoming a buffer zone for great power interests.

Lajos Barcsa emphasised that the history of Debrecen is closely intertwined with Hungary’s struggles for freedom, from the Reformation through the War of Independence of 1848–49 and the 1956 Revolution to the democratic transition. He stressed that the city community regards it as a moral duty to preserve the memory of the victims and to safeguard for future generations the values of freedom, national dignity and self-determination.

A prayer for the souls of the victims was said by Reformed minister Gábor Nagy. The commemoration also featured a performance by the Debreceni Alföld Színpad titled “Tördelt virágok… tördelt életek…” (“Broken Flowers… Broken Lives…”). At the close of the event, representatives of the municipality, state bodies, armed services, attending political parties and civil organisations laid wreaths of remembrance.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu