Budapest cemetery clean-up after years of neglect
Young helpers from countries such as Israel, the US, Canada and Belarus have been busy reclaiming large sections of Kozma Street Cemetery from nature
An international volunteer force has descended on one of the world’s largest Jewish cemeteries in the Hungarian capital of Budapest for a much needed clean-up operation.
Young helpers from countries such as Israel, the United States, Canada and Belarus have been busy reclaiming large sections of Kozma Street Cemetery from nature, after years of neglect.
They aim to restore the burial site to its former glory and learn about the history of Budapest’s Jewish community.
Speaking to EuroNews, Israeli volunteer Chani Kolan said she got involved partly because of her Hungarian connection. “I have roots here,” she said.
“My great-grandparents moved from Hungary to the States before the
Holocaust, so I have also learned about my roots.”
The 77 hectare cemetery has been operational for almost 130 years and more than 300,000 people are buried there.
It evidences a once-thriving Jewish population, with Jews having been granted full civil rights in Hungary about 150 years ago.
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