Memory and illiberalism in contemporary Hungary : museums, memorials, activism

The politics of memory has been playing a vital role in the construction of the illiberal political and ideological system in Hungary. This dissertation investigates the transformation of museums, memorials and public commemorations between 2010-2025 to reveal how the Orbán regime strategically reshapes historical narratives to promote a Christian conservative national identity, an anti-immigration agenda and an anti-LGBTIQ+ discourse. Through the manipulation of historical narratives and their representations, Hungary’s illiberal state reshapes public consciousness, polarizes political discourse and lays the groundwork for a long-term cultural hegemony. Combining narratives of the country’s victim position with the enhancement of national pride, illiberalism promotes the “great again” paradigm characteristic of right-wing populist regimes. The dissertation situates Hungarian illiberalism within global developments, particularly its resonance with right-wing populist movements in Europe and the United States, including ideological parallels with Donald Trump. Alongside such processes, the research explores how memory activism and artistic interventions function as counternarratives challenging state-sponsored memory regimes. While such activist practices highlight the dynamic tension between hegemonic narratives and grassroots contestation, increasing state control over cultural institutions limits their effectiveness. The case of Hungary thus offers critical insights into how regimes can instrumentalize the past to secure ideological dominance in contemporary Europe and the extent to which these narratives and infrastructures can be challenged.