What if a memorial could speak? What stories would the Gloria Victis Memorial tell? This memorial stands as a tribute to the victims of communism and the heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. It is located near Budapest in Csömör.
The Gloria Victis Memorial is the first of its kind. It commemorates the 100 million victims of communism. It also honors the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The memorial was revealed on October 21 2006. This marked the fiftieth anniversary of the revolution.
Look around at the arched big wall. It is the “world-wall”. The wall surrounds a circular base. This base represents the world. It extends from the center at right angles. This symbolizes that a quarter of the world was affected by communism. The maps of the four continents appear shifted. Affected territories are marked with lead rosettes. These rosettes visually explain the extent of the devastation.
Crosses sit atop the arched brick wall. They symbolize respect for the victims. Barbed-wire fences recall the inhumanity of death camps and prisons. The memorial is made of frost-proof hard limestone from Turkey. János Víg is the sculptor and restorer from Gödöllő. He created this site.
Listen to the belfry’s knell. It conveys sympathy and respect to communism’s victims around the world. Lead thorns on the wall mark this. See the glossy Latin cross of rustproof steel. It symbolizes Christian faith. It also symbolizes the promise of a future overcoming suffering. Miklós Gombos a master bell founder cast the knell.
Notice the memorial of 1956 extending from the world-wall. It resembles a battleship. This symbolizes the 1956 Revolution. It was the first event to break the concrete wall of communism. This marked the beginning of communism’s end. It collapsed in most areas of the world soon after.
Inside the monument you can see Hungary’s enlarged historic map. It comes out from the world-wall. The Latin stone cross leans toward the triumphant wall of ’56. This symbolizes Hungary being the first to shoulder the “cross of responsibility”. They fought against communism.
Outside, the date 1956 is visible. A quote from a Sinka poem is carved. It is gilded as a symbol of the glorious event. István Sinka lived in Csömör in 1944 and 1945. His memorial column faces the Council House. On the front is the rustproof steel flag of ’56. It has the famous hole in the middle. Freedom fighters cut out the “coat of arm of Rákosi”. Rákosi was the communist leader at that time. This flag symbolizes 1956.
The Gloria Victis Foundation maintains this memorial. It commemorates victims from numerous countries. These include Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union. The memorial also remembers victims from China, Cuba, and Afghanistan. It serves as a place to honor those who suffered under communist regimes. The memorial stands as a testament to the fight for freedom. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering the past.