Budapest

 During World War II, in Budapest, a tragic and harrowing event occurred along the banks of the Danube River. Jewish people, along with other victims, were brought to the edge of the river by Nazi soldiers. They were ordered to remove their shoes, a deeply personal and dehumanizing act, before being shot at point-blank range. As they fell into the water below, their bodies and their belongings were lost, leaving behind only their shoes. This horrific scene was part of the mass executions that took place in Budapest during the war.

In memory of these victims, a haunting memorial now stands along the Danube Promenade. The memorial, titled *Shoes on the Danube Promenade*, was created by artists Can Togay and Gyula Pauer. It consists of 60 pairs of iron shoes, meticulously placed along the riverbank as a poignant tribute to those who suffered and died in this gruesome way. The iron shoes, worn and weathered, serve as a stark reminder of the lives lost and the brutal nature of the atrocities committed.

The *Shoes on the Danube Promenade* memorial stands not only as a tribute to the victims of the Holocaust but also as a symbol of collective memory. It urges viewers to reflect on the inhumanity of the past and serves as a powerful reminder to never forget the atrocities of war. This memorial continues to resonate with people from all over the world, ensuring that the pain and loss of those who perished during the Holocaust are never forgotten.