• Home
• Channel: Current Affairs
• Liberty Statue Outrage: Karácsony Steps in Amid Plans to Add a Cross to Symbol of Budapest

Liberty Statue Outrage: Karácsony Steps in Amid Plans to Add a Cross to Symbol of Budapest

• 26 Aug 2024 4:37 PM
• Hungary Matters

The Liberty Statue on Gellert Hill belongs to Budapest and any changes to its pedestal can only be made with the consent of the Mayor’s Office and the Budapest History Museum, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony said.

Commenting on plans to add a cross to the pedestal, Karácsony said on Facebook that he could not support any “retroactive tampering” that would rupture the unity of an artwork that was a symbol of the city.

At the same time, he said he condemned the vandalisation of public monuments by removing religious or cultural symbols. He said he had ordered the immediate restoration of crosses broken off the Holy Crown decorations on Margaret Bridge.

Because of the significance of the Liberty Statute as a monument, any changes should be cleared by the municipal council, he said.

*********************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 
Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here!

Related links

“Public Outrage” About Damaged Holy Decorations on Budapest's Margaret Bridge

• How does this content make you feel?
• I love it
• I like it
• I dislike it

• Liberty Statue Cross

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Matters

Launched in January 2014, this newsletter published on week days covers 'everything you need to know about what’s going on in Hungary and beyond', according to its publisher the state media agency MTI.

Explore More Reports

Does German Capital Serve as Hub for Disinformation Targeting Hungary?

• 25 Mar 2026 5:55 AM

In the course of its investigation into political pressure and disinformation campaigns in Hungary, the Sovereignty Protection Office has identified journalist Szabolcs Panyi as a "network agent financed and directed by persons with Democratic Party ties in the European Commission and the United States," the office said in a statement on Tuesday.



Opposition to Bring Hungary to Standstill if Fidesz Wins Election Via Fraud

• 7 Jan 2026 7:53 AM

"If Fidesz does not stop cheating, it may win the election, but if they win because of this, we will not recognise it, we will shut down the country peacefully but very decisively," independent lawmaker Ákos Hadházy said.



Watch: Who is Péter Magyar? What Does His Tisza Party Stand For? And Can Magyar beat Orbán?

• 28 Nov 2025 12:49 PM

Magyar is the most visible new face on Hungary’s political stage — a former Fidesz insider who turned into a high-profile opposition leader almost overnight. He now accuses the government of nepotism, misusing EU funds, and using state media for propaganda, advocating for policies to combat corruption and restore democratic institutions.



Sultan of Brunei Receives Hungarian Order of Merit

• 19 Nov 2025 8:08 AM

President Tamas Sulyok met Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, in his office on Tuesday, and presented to him the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, Grand Cross with the chain and star.