Magyar News, 2004. szeptember-2005. augusztus (15. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-11-01 / 3. szám
when we noticed a Soviet tank pull out from one of the streets. There was the long line of elderly people waiting for bread along the factory wall. Well this was a group of people, and a pretty big one for the Soviet tank. As it was expected the tank opened fire then turned into an other street, probably looking for other groups. We all hoped that some “Budapesti Srác” (the Kid of Budapest) will be able to land a Molotov-cocktail on this tank too from the rooftop of a building. Somehow the top Communists, and the Soviet military figured out that something is brewing. The Communists in charge of the Hungarian military had their commitment supporting the Soviets. The military units were moved around in the country before the days of the Uprising. It was the tactic of “separation”. The units, specially with capability of heavier fire power, were sent in directions away from the sources of ammunition. Even the two Hungarian tanks at the radio building in support of the Uprising arrived without a bullet for either the tank or personnel. With memories of destruction and blood, people dying, I am quite sensitive with matters that in some way deal with these problems. I was amazed learning about the StatuePark. I read their booklet, I went on to their internet page just leam that this grandiose presentation of the dictatorship is really “showing how bad it was”???? Studying the presentation reminded me of the peasant who goes to the county fair to sell a horse. The buyer feels the horse around and asks the peasant; “Is she pregnant?” The peasant answers: “Ha akarom vemhes, ha nem akarom akkor nem vemhes.” (If I want it pregnant then it is, if I don’t want it pregnant then it isn’t.” I will let you make your judgement. It might be easier then figuring out the peasant. In the booklet they hand out I read the following that could had been written by the peasant at the fair: “This park is about Dictatorship- but in the very same moment when it becomes Page 2 utterable, describable, and possible, then this park is suddenly about Democracy! Only democracy can give us the chance to freely think about dictatorships (or democracy even ... or anything). Inevitably, in a tourist coming from a foreign country, to whom dictatorship means nothing more than maximum a reading-experience, very different thoughts arise than in a person with a tragic past, who lived here, lived through hard times, carrying the drama of his own broken life....” I opened up the website (szoborpark.hu) and looked at some remarks that people sent in. It is amazing how many remarks there are in favor of Communism. “-It is great that they saved these monuments from the wild barbarians. Some barbarians even come here to do graffiti.-Wow! My short visit in Budapest got one of its highlights here - even though the atmosphere was a bit creepy, one really could imagine the time in the "red world". A great place! Friendship between a Hungarian laborer and a Soviet soldier. It makes it clear who is in charge-Forward comrades, nothing is lost yet!!! The army of the Communists will win!!! This was signed: ‘waresz srác! Sopron.’-My feeling is that the StatuePark and all of Hungary is marching with Communism. The label has changed, but the content is the same. I have to gratulate you. Forward on the road of Lenin.” The StatuePark seems to be an encouragement for all those who are still Communist. Then I found a remark that brings things up to date. It read: “I wish to see Medgyessy placed here too, so he wouldn’t be a parasite on us.” My thoughts went on and on, and I started to measure up things. First of all, the Soviet left Hungary in 1991. One decade. They had the money, the time to save these monuments, and put a representative display together. But in the hurry they forgot a very important part; they didn’t bring along the spilled blood of the Hungarian people. It should be shown on the boots of these statues. My other thought is about 1956. That was a half century ago. Where is the monument that shows the suffering of the Hungarian people, also the heroes of the Uprising? There wasn’t enough time for this??? I don’t want to leave anything out. We have seen plaques on the wall of some houses. Some abstract non recognizable “art pieces”(fun pieces). In the park where the Kossuth Monument is, one could find a piece of granite. First noticing it in a photograph I didn’t realize the size of it. My impression was that it is a roadside milestone that was polished to a beautiful shine. Then in an other photo I learned that it is bigger then the one on the roadside, and it has 1956 written on it. I tried to search behind this “monument” to find some image that is still burning in my heart. Where are the kids who disabled many Soviet tanks. Where are the warriors, where are the bloody scenes? Where are the victorious days over the Soviets? Left: A piece of granite representing the heroes, the blood and the hope of the 1956 Hungarians. They say its all in the granite. In the back is the Kossuth Monument. Above: Béla Kun with his marching red army. Its not in the memory of 1956 Elegant presentation of 1956. That suppose to be the flag with the hole in it. In a fold on the left are two figures who seem to be busy with the hole. Where are the Soviets that the Hungarians are beating?
