Fraternity-Testvériség, 2008 (86. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2008-07-01 / 3. szám
FEATURE KOSSUTH'S FINAL RESTING PLACE On March 15th, the Hungarian Reformed Federation pays homage to Lajos Kossuth by placing wreaths at his statute in the U.S. Capital and in front of the Kossuth House, home of the Hungarian Reformed Federation in Washington, DC. Thus, it was only fitting that on our last trip to Hungary in December, I visited his monument in Kerepesi Cemetery on Fiumei Street in Budapest. Like most Hungarians who revere their dearly departed with regular visits to cemeteries to tend the graves and light candles, I’ve come to appreciate cemeteries for their grand sculptures and magnificent artwork. I thought I had visited some of the finest cemeteries in the world—many in New Orleans, Highgate in London, Pere Lachaise. in Paris, Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA, Forest Lawn and Westwood in Hollywood, CA and Recoleta in Buenos Ares, Argentina, home of Eva Peron’s tomb which is visited by thousands each year. However, I was not prepared for the grandeur of Kerepesi. Located on 56 acres in Pest about a 10-minute walk south from the Keleti train station, Kerepesi is an island of quiet, lush parkland in the midst of the urban Eighth District. It not only houses an incredible museum that traces burial practices throughout Hungary’s history, but it is the final resting place of many of Hungary’s most influential and historical figures. Outstanding personalities of Hungary— politicians, authors, artists, and scientists—have been granted tombs of honor there. It also bills itself as the largest open-air park of sculptures in Europe. In the Reform Era, a number of small cemeteries were established in Pest and Buda, but by the 1840’s, they were completely occupied, and the growing community surrounding them was hindering their expansion. In 1847, the town council of Pest resolved to establish a large public cemetery in the “Kerepes fields” beyond the town’s boundaries. The first burials occurred after the Liberty War of 1848/49, and initially, the site became the burial grounds for wealthy families of Pest. In 1855, the poet Mihály Vörösmarty was the first person of distinction who was buried there, and that event led to the cemetery’s growing popularity. In 1885, Kerepesi was declared a “decorative cemetery,” and since then, it has grown into a vast public monument site, highlighted by statues and architectural works from many of Hungary’s greatest artists. To relieve the Kerepesi Cemetery, the New Public Cemetery was opened at Rákoskeresztúr in 1886 and the Farkasret Cemetery was estabBY KATHY A. MEGYERI lished in Buda in 1894. But when other inner-urban cemeteries in Pest and Buda were liquidated, a number of renowned persons were granted final places in Kerepesi, and as a result, its reputation as a final resting place of honor has grown still more. For example, Karoly Kisfaludy’s remains were relocated to Kerepesi from the Vaci-Street cemetery (now the site of Lehel Square); Sándor Petőfi’s parents were transferred from the cemetery of neighboring Józsefváros; the soldiers of 1848/49 were exhumed from the Nemetvolgy Cemetery (now Gesztenyeskert in Buda), and even the remains of Hungarian Jacobins were found when the Taban Cemetery closed so they too were transferred to Kerepesi. The great mausoleums for Ganz, Batthany, Deak and Kossuth as well as the mortuary itself were erected in the years between 1867 and 1919. Thus, tombs of honor have been continually built since STATUE AT THE HUNGARIAN EMBASSY, WASHINGTON DC 10 FALL 2008
