Address by Bence Pintér, Mayor of Győr, at the Holocaust memorial ceremony held at the Jewish cemetery in Győr on 22 June 2025
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I would like to talk about a topic that unfortunately recurs from time to time in history and takes on new forms: the phenomenon of fascism. Although we often talk about it in the past tense, the reality is that fascism is not a dusty memory, but a living threat. It is an ideology that always finds a way to return – under new flags, with new slogans, but always with the same oppressive essence.
One of the main features of fascism is the selective treatment of human dignity. It is the conviction that some people have more rights to life, land and security, while the mere existence of others can be interpreted as a ‘menace’. When a system declares certain groups to be scapegoats while treating others as “natural rulers”, the seeds of fascism have already been sown.
Another characteristic is the institutionalisation of violence. Fascism does not merely oppress; it legalises, normalises and even morally justifies oppression. When it becomes commonplace in a society for people to be deprived of their homes, their freedom of movement, their right to water, electricity, education or medical care, then it is not simply injustice that is taking place, but authority opting for inhumanity.
The third distinguishing feature of fascism is the maintenance of a permanent enemy image. This system can only survive by instilling fear, by constantly directing people’s attention towards an ‘external’ or ‘internal’ enemy. Such systems need walls, fences and checkpoints – not only physically, but also in people’s minds. This is how the other becomes a stranger, the stranger becomes an enemy, and the enemy becomes a subhuman being whose suffering no longer matters.
And finally: fascism always relies on silence. It can only grow stronger if the world does not ask questions, does not pay attention, does not raise uncomfortable issues. If we accept the false promise of ‘restoring order’ at the expense of truth. If we do not dare to call things by their name just because it is inconvenient.
Friends, history does not repeat itself – but people are prone to making the same mistakes over and over again. That is why we must recognise and reject all forms of fascism in time – not only where it marches openly, but also where it builds walls in the name of ‘security’ and where human rights are suspended due to ‘exceptional circumstances’.
Freedom, equality and human dignity cannot be relativised. If even one person’s freedom is trampled underfoot, we are all threatened. Because where human dignity can be taken away, sooner or later everyone will follow suit.
Thank you for listening.
Bence Pintér
Born in Győr in 1991. Studies at Révai Miklós High School, Győr, University of Szeged (BA) and Eötvös Lóránd University in Budapest (MA) (link)
Mayor of Győr since 2024.
Previously President of the Tiszta Szívvel a Városért Egyesület (With Heart for the City Association), journalist, father of three children. (link)
Cypresses planted on 6 July 2024 by participants of the Jewish Roots in Győr World Reunion at the Jewish cemetery on Győr-Sziget in June 2025 – photo: pkr
Invitation to the Holocaust memorial ceremony held on 22 June 2025 at the Jewish cemetery on Győr-Sziget – support for the maintenance of the cemetery: link
Edited and translated into English by Péter Krausz