Timelines

In 2015, the "March of Hope" commenced as a protest march by thousands of refugees, predominantly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, traveling from Budapest towards the German-Austrian border. Prior to this, they had to endure a week-long wait at Keleti railway station, lacking adequate medical care and receiving scarce support from the Hungarian state. The German and Austrian governments resolved to open the borders and welcome the people, including many families with children. Volunteers offered assistance in the form of transportation, accommodation, material donations, and language mediation. The "March of Hope" stood as a unique and historic event in European migration policy. It symbolised the hope for a humane migration policy and an open Europe, instead of a Europe of isolation.