Debrecen4U June 2, 2025

Wreath-laying ceremonies on the 81st anniversary of the carpet bombing

In memory of the victims of the 1944 Debrecen carpet bombing, the Municipality of Debrecen organised wreath-laying ceremonies on the Medgyessy Promenade, at the monument to the city’s heroic dead and civilian victims, at the memorial plaque placed on the wall of the Grand building, and at the monument of the Ispotály Church on June 2, 2025.

Deputy Mayor István Puskás emphasised at the commemoration that this day serves as a reminder to feel the responsibility that peace and the preservation of a peaceful life entail. “We must remind ourselves that the peaceful everyday life that was given to us was unfortunately not given to our grandparents and great-grandparents, and we must do our part to ensure that those experiences do not repeat themselves for us and our descendants,” he underlined at the memorial to the city’s heroic dead and civilian victims.

The regional director of the Regional Directorate of MÁV Zrt., Attila Hadnagy, gave a speech at the memorial plaque placed on the wall of the Grand Station building. He highlighted that on June 2, 1944, a coordinated air attack took place against Hungarian railway stations. “Nearly 1,200 people in Debrecen, including 100 railway workers and postmen, lost their lives during the bomb attack and the subsequent rescue. Let us remember those soldiers and civilians, men, women, and children who never got to experience peace. World War II has left a testimony to this day: we can never take peace and human dignity for granted. The memory of the victims is a warning that we must never again allow hatred to rule the world,” he emphasised.

The commemoration ended at the Ispotály Church memorial, where participants also laid wreaths.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu