October 23: Hungary remembers revolution
For
several days it seemed as though the Freedom Fight would be successful, but in
the end the Soviets did not withdraw from Hungary, and on 4 November 1956
they launched a counter-attack which effectively created a state of war between
the two countries. Thousands of Hungarian citizens were killed, the Freedom
Fight was crushed and communist dictatorship and Soviet occupation remained,
becoming even more brutal.
Archive
photo 2010
Reprisals
were launched against anybody who took any part in the Revolution, regardless
of sex or age. Hungarian citizens were imprisoned en masse, executed or sent to
labour camps. Hundreds of thousands left the country. There were decades of
punishment for those who took part in the Revolution and for their families –
their children, for example, could not go to university or apply for certain
jobs.
Right
up until the political transition of 1989 it was forbidden to speak of the
Revolution, and the subject was not taught in schools. During the transition,
as a mark of respect for 1956, the Third
Hungarian Republic
was declared on 23 October, 1989.
Archive
photo 2010
On
the national holiday this year, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will give a speech
in front of Parliament, and there will be events throughout the day for those
wishing to peacefully commemorate the Revolution. This year the Terror House
Museum is joining in the
commemorative events and will stage special history presentations. Likewise,
the Opera House will host family events, and at the Technical University
films based on 1956 will be screened. On the previous evening there will also
be the traditional torchlight procession from the Technical University
to Parliament.
For
those visiting Budapest, the unique Terror House
Museum in the city centre
provides information on the oppression of communist dictatorship, the
Revolution and its consequences.
source: Prime Minister’s Office
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