Central Europe: March for Life in Germany and Hungary draw crowds

After the violence erupted in Cologne last year, 2024 became more peaceful for the nation's Marsch für das Leben (March for Life). So far, March for Life has come to Berlin and Cologne and will expand to Munich next year.

Alexandra Linder, who is chairwoman of the pro-life organisation Bundesverband Lebensrecht (Federal Association of Right to Life), says that the police in the Cologne March for Life were more prepared this year. Although pro-abortion activists occupied one of the key bridges in Cologne, the event was still well-attended, with thousands of people standing and chanting for life. Linder says that 8000 people attended those in Berlin and Cologne. The next March for Life in Berlin and Cologne is 20 September 2025. Another March for Life, organised by a different organisation, will occur in Munich in May of next year.

The first marches in Berlin were planned as a sort of funeral procession. They wore black clothes and carried white crosses that remembered those lost to abortion or assisted suicide. The pro-life events were often faced with aggression from counter-protesters. Linder recounts that some “aggressive anti-lifers” would often shout at them and engage in physical acts of hostility.

Special report: The number of pro-life marches in Europe is growing 

The aggressions against the “1000-cross-march” and the march for life were always high and dangerous until the police changed their strategy some years ago to avoid more violence. Some people tried to occupy the stage in Berlin during the journey blessing after the march, and others tried to block the march and put a possibly dangerous liquid on the street, she says.

Now, Linder says that the events have transformed into a pro-life celebration – many colours are worn along with pictures of families, pro-life statements and music. There are still crosses to commemorate the unborn, but they are now placed at the front of the stage. After the event, bishops and pastors offer a blessing and a prayer from the stage. While the events are kept politically and religiously neutral, many who attend represent various Christian denominations.

Outside of the marches, Bundesverband Lebensrecht also organises conferences and holds lectures on the ethical implications of abortion and assisted suicide. They have featured medical professionals and bioethical experts who discuss widely debated topics such as prenatal blood tests and surrogacy. In addition to holding educational events, the members of the association, pro-life organisations, and foundations offer financial support to families and assistance through crisis pregnancy helplines.

“The future is pro-life – for our children, grandchildren, and grandparents,” she says.

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# March for Life in Hungary holds Everybody's Birthday celebration

**On 21 September 2024, Hungary held its March for Life campaign. More than 3,000 attended the event called Everybody's Birthday, which included a large birthday cake and singing Hungary's Happy Birthday song. Several pro-life organisations also joined hands to organise the march.**

Some may wonder – why hold a birthday party at a pro-life march? Edit Frivaldszky, head of the organisation Együtt az Életért Egyesület Together for Life, explains that everyone has a birthday. That is important, she says, as birthdays commemorate the gift of life. Together for Life has mobilised young people to speak out on pro-life issues and has collected signatures for petitions. Frivaldszky, a devout Catholic, said she has worked on several pro-life projects and organisations for several years.

Throughout her experiences, she has seen many young people get involved in spreading the pro-life message. Hungary's Youth for Life initiative provides training sessions for young people who want to encourage others to choose life in their lives. “Now we can see the fruits in the new generation,” Frivaldszky says.

Although Hungary's government has many politicians who have voted for pro-life policies, the debate surrounding the end of life remains ongoing. Frivaldszky says that more attention is needed to discuss palliative care and its existence. But as for now, Together for Life remains focused on helping women in need and on talking about loss, whether that is during pregnancy or after an abortion.

Frivaldszky also mentions that confronting the realities of abortion and shifting more attention to the biological processes of conception is also important for the future. “If the focus is on losing a child, a person is more willing to talk about it,” she says.