“I found the Tállya cemetery in northeastern Hungary by chance. I am a Christian scholar researching Jewish culture, and I have been photographing Hasidic pilgrimages in nearby Kerestir, Olaszliszka and Sátoraljaújhely and elsewhere for years. I often visit the area, and I discovered the cemetery.

“When I was there, I was saddened by the careless condition of the otherwise beautiful carved tombs, the sight of the fallen tombstones, and the weeds. Someone had to do something. I organized an event to tidy up the cemetery, gathering Jewish  and non-Jewish volunteers to work together to save the cemetery from destruction. Unfortunately, there are more than 1,000 historic and abandoned rural cemeteries in Hungary that no one takes care of or visits. In many places, including Tállya, the Jewish cemetery is the last surviving monument from the once-thriving Jewish community.

“It is important that we nurture the memory of the Jews who once lived here. The memory of the culture and religious diversity they represent will fade away without care.”

  • Bence Illyés