Published: November 28 2023
Memento Park in Budapest is a unique attraction that houses Soviet-era statues. However, the park is facing financial challenges and is at risk of being forgotten. In this article, we will explore the battle to preserve the statues and the efforts to maintain the park's heritage.
Lack of Grant Money
Despite the importance of preserving the statues and maintaining the park, Memento Park does not receive any significant grant money. The park only receives operating support of Ft 100,000 per year from the 22nd District, which is barely enough to keep the park in order. This lack of funding makes it difficult to cover the expenses required for proper preservation.
Recognition as an Endangered Heritage Site
Memento Park has been recognized as one of the seven most endangered heritage sites in Europe. The park was included in a program created by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank, which aims to raise awareness about historical sites that are at risk of being forgotten. As part of this recognition, the park received a grant of €10,000, which will be used to digitize three endangered works. These digitized versions can later be recreated through 3D printing.
Struggles with Maintenance
Maintenance difficulties pose a significant challenge for Memento Park. Without adequate funding, it becomes challenging to properly care for the statues and the park itself. The lack of resources puts the park at risk of becoming overrun by weeds and deteriorating over time.
Preserving the Heritage
Efforts are underway to preserve the Soviet-era statues and the heritage of Memento Park. Despite the financial constraints, the park's operators are dedicated to maintaining the statues and raising awareness about their historical significance. Donations and support from visitors play a crucial role in ensuring the long-term preservation of this unique attraction.
Click here to visit Memento Park online.
Questions & Answers
What is Memento Park? Memento Park is a statue park in Budapest that preserves monuments and statues from the Soviet era in Hungary.
How old is Memento Park? Memento Park is 30 years old as of autumn.
Why is Memento Park considered an endangered heritage site? Memento Park has been included in the list of seven most endangered heritage sites in Europe. This program is created by Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank to highlight historical sites that are at risk of being forgotten and struggling with maintenance difficulties.
Does Memento Park receive any grant money for its maintenance? No, Memento Park does not receive any grant money for its maintenance. It only gets an operating support of Ft 100,000 per year from the 22nd District, which is just enough to keep the park in order and prevent it from being overrun by weeds.
Has Memento Park received any financial assistance to digitize endangered works? Yes, Memento Park has received financial assistance of €10,000. With this funding, the operator can digitize three endangered works in such a way that they can be recreated later with 3D printing.
Is there an online platform to visit Memento Park? Yes, you can visit Memento Park online. Click here to visit the official website.
