Magyar Hírek, 1984 (37. évfolyam, 2-26. szám)
1984-08-04 / 16-17. szám
ABOUT THIS ISSUE By the time this issue reaehes readers Hungary will] celebrate the day of constitution: the anniversary of the enactment of the constitution of the People’s Democracy, the day of which — the 20th of August — is, as we all know, also the day of the founder of the state, of Saint Stephen, first king of Hungary. A report published in the Hungarian part of the paper on Pusztaszer, scene of the first Hungarian assembly recalls the very beginnings of the Hungarian nation. The illustrations show the memorial of the Hungarian conquest, erected on the occasion of the millennium of the original settlement in 1896, immortalizing the figure of Prince Árpád atop of Doric columns, the article also gives an account of excavations removing the cloak of obscurity from a detail of life on the soil of our country, present the National Memorial Park established around the memorial, and reports on the reconstruction of the famous Feszt y Panorama, Árpád Feszty’s work illustrating the Hungarian conquest, which will be erected in the Memorial Park after complete restoration. The chronicler known as Anonymus described the first assembly in 896, relating that the heads of the seven|tribesjgathered there, and affirmed their alliance and swore allegiance to the Prince who carried the cause of the conquest to realization. All other details are lost in the obscurity of legend. But another, very real event of modem Hungarian history also relates to Pusztaszer, one that fundamentally influenced the life of the nation. In the closing weeks of the Second World War, when battle still raged in the western part of the country, the land reform, which divided the broad acres of large estates among peasants already started at Pusztaszer. The property of the Marquis Pallavicini was divided into 4 — 5 acre lots, and the first pegs marking the bounds of the new smallholdings were driven into the right in the vicinity of the Pusztaszer memorial. This was also a conquest of a kind. I should also like to mention another festive event described in the Hungarian section: the new building of the Somogy Library was recently opened in Szeged. It gives a new, modern home to the public library of that Southern Hungarian city as well as to the archives of County Csongrád. The library bears the name of its founder, Canon Károly Csizmazia Somogyi, who offered his fifty thousand books to the city of Szeged for the purpose of founding a library in 1879. The city was then recovering from a flood of the River Tisza that had practically swept it off the map. New life in the wake of destruction seemed almost hopeless. But the whole country rose to help the city, important assistance also came from abroad, yet the decisive factor was the vitality of the citizens of Szeged, of which the foundation of the library by Canon Somogyi was also a part. György Aczél, Secretary to the Central Committee and Member of the Political Committee of the HSWP delivered an address at the opening ceremony, quoting the words of the founder priest of the library: “Szeged must be not only a wealthy city, but also a cultured one, for that is the only way to rise to European hights from the dust of the Plains. This is why I offer what I have to her and through her to the country.” György Aczél pointed out, that while there no flood rages, there is no earthquake, or other devastation right now, Hungary has to face up to an economic and social challenge. An earlier general and steady rise in the standard of living ground to a halt, and everyday life is subject to increasing pressure. The same goes for culture. “The question is: is it possible to live a life more worthy of human beings, in testing times, under pressing circumstances? Yes, it is possible! Is there any sense in struggle and hope ? We are convinced that there is. As Széchenyi put it: it is not day-dreams that give warmth to life, but the ability to act. And such an ability walks among us on every one of life’s paths. An infinite variety of human differences, views, interests, tastes can meet in this readiness for action, thus forming unity... The culture, creative and value producing ability of our whole socialist society is put to the test in the international race. We know that much depends today on economic efficiency, but also that management is not a mere economic problem. It often seems as if we singlemindedlv concentrate on economic problems. Yes, we do concentrate, but production is never aimed at production for its own sake in socialism, but at providing the material foundations of a meaningful, cultured life. And vice versa: a meaningful, cultured life is the firmest foundation of the rise of economic efficiency.” Following György Aczél’s address, the bust of the founder of the library was unveiled in front of the building, then the public was given access to tbe rooms of the library. * I promised in the last issue that I would have more to say about my experiences and encounters in Australia. In Sydney I had the opportunity to meet Sir Peter Abeles on the eve of his sixtieth birthday. As he told me he emigrated to Australia from Hungary in the post-war years and entered the transport business in 1950, though, as he said, “I had never imagined I would become a carter.” That word refers to T.N.T., a transnational firm he heads which operates all the way from Brazil to Vienna. In addition Sir Peter has a prominent role in airtransport as well, heading Ansett, the largest private Australian airline. His interest extends to Australian economic life as a whole; he advises the Australian Labor Government on economic policy and was, naturally, a participant at the recent Economic Summit where the guidelines of future economic development were worked out, including possible ways of putting a brake on inflation and reducing unemployment. Sir Peter said that he urged the extension of economic relations with Hungary. One way might be closer ties between T.N.T. and Hungarian firms with whom they are already cooperating. Indeed Sir Peter is undertaking a business trip to Hungary soon. ZOLTÁN HALÁSZ Tradition, Patriotism, National Identity An interview with, Deputy Prime Minister István Sarlós “What does patriotism mean in a modern context?” “The simplest, most general meaning of patriotism is awareness of the fact that we are Hungarians. Patriotism today — as ever — begins with the acceptance of our Hungarian nationality, of the history of the nation, accepting its past — the good as well as the evil in it — its present, and also its future, by doing everything to the best of aurabilitv building firm foundations for the future. The consciousness of national identity is a much discussed subject currently, ‘who is Hungariant’ ? is often asked. If you ask me anyone who claims to be Hungarian is Hungarian. The meaning of patriotism changed from time to time in the course of history, indeed, it may differ in the same era according to differing interests and interpretations. Let us just recall, for instance, the diagonally opposite position after the decisive battle of Stalingrad concerning then required attitudes of patriotism by the regime and — even arguing among themselves — by Ferenc Erdei, László Németh, Péter Veres and the others at the famed meeting at Balatonszárszó. Today caring for peace and prosperity, putting one’s shoulder to the wheel working for the nation is the timely form of patriotism. The measure of this differs amongst various sections of society, but it is more active and more conscious than ever before.” “How do you, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister, find the state of national consensus?” “I think it is reasonable to ask: national consensus in what? Because the range of consensus and of the community whose it is, the opinions and position which agrees about a given question varies from subject to subject. The consensus is widest in that we want peace. We want to build economic, cultural and political relations with countries of the four quarters of the globe. There is not much disagreement among Hungarians about the necessity to raise prosperity, the standard of living, increasing educational standards. Naturally, there are differences about ideas how these national tasks should be coped with. Believers and materialists, workers, students and pensioners all svipport the good of the country. But the moment certain areas are mentioned the constellation changes, and we experience consensus of varying degree concerning particular areas and events. This is natural, for interests, education, levels of knowledge, family background, cultural standards and tastes differ. Differing opinions do not mean opposition. Men committed to public ownership debate private business partnerships. Young and old have different ideas about investment priorities, since for young people who still live with their parents because they lack a home of their own but — thanks to their youth, home building is of primary imjjortance, in contrast with the older generation, which give priority to the improvement of hospitals. Our aim should be to stand by each other ready to help, even accepting sacrifices not only in distress, at times of natural disasters, floods, or storms, but also in the sunshine; mutual assistance should be our natural way of life also in prosperity.” “Considering the art and literature produced lately, it seems that a peculiar reassessment of traditions is talcing place in Hungarian intellectual life. What is your opinion about this process?” “There is an almost continuous exchange of views about the assessment of traditions, and the past in Hungary publicly as well as when two or three meet in private. Exploring, analysing, assessing the events of the past is the duty of historians. But putting the searchlights on the connection between past and present demands more mobility and ability to form judgements. There were times in which the past was judged according to a pattern, serving the official standpoint of the time. Public opinion was informed incorrectly and misleadingly. Let us not forget how biased the official, government-approved attitude to history was before 1945. What is the lesson to be drawn? Every event, and all of the personalities of the past have to be looked at in the context of their own time, and they must not be classified according to whether or not they suit our present purposes. This goes for Saint Stephen, King Matthias Corvinus, Louis Kossuth and Count Széchenyi, it applies to all. The oversimplifications of the fifties, which classified events and men according to the aims and presumed interests of the day — they admitted them to the pantheon of heroes with a progressive label, or shut gates against them — are today frequently replaced by reassessments that merely reverse the verdict. Some wish to describe events condemned by history as acceptable, or pronounce summary judgements accepting, but misinterpretingour current political practice. I think we should write objectively also about the fifties, putting what was good and bad in their proper place. We have to accept our history, since that is the only way to avoid the errors of the past under the new circumstances.” “What is the position of the government concerning the relations of ethnic Hungarians living in other countries unth Hungary, their ambitions, attempts to preserve the native tongue and the consciousness of being Hungarians? Patriotic feelings and an active will to help is apparent in many emigrant Hungarians. How do you interpret these new developments?” “To be concerned about the fortunes of mankind, and within that the
