Fraternity-Testvériség, 2010 (88. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2010-10-01 / 4. szám
Fraternity I Testvériség Embassy’s Celebration of ‘56 Leslie L. Megyeri A t noon on October 22,2010, the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC held a National Day Reception commemorating the 54th Anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight and the 21st Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic. Almost 300 persons attended the gala event representing foreign embassies and the U.S. Government, both military and civilian. Several Hungarian Americans also participated. After the rendering of the Hungarian and American anthems, Ambassador Bela Szombati welcomed the guests and noted that the 1956 Revolution was an event which resonated for all the free nations of the world. He also remarked about the status of the current tragedy in Hungary in which the red sludge killed nine people, injured over 100, and made thousands homeless. He appealed for help to those who suffered from this huge environmental damage. The keynote speaker of the event was Professor John Lukacs, the noted historian. He mentioned that three important lessons were learned from the 1956 Revolution. First, that event was the only time that all Hungarians were united against their oppressors. The other two Revolutions, in 1848 and 1917, took place among a divided nation. Second, Russian Ambassador Yuri Andropov, who was in Budapest during the 1956 Revolution and eventually became the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, learned that the Communist system was fatally flawed which paved the way for Gorbachev to dismantle that evil system. Thirdly, the Cold War was based on a mutual misunderstanding by the Americans and the Soviets who assumed that the Americans wanted to liberate the satellite countries (Eastern Europe) while the Americans believed that the Soviets wanted to expand their control into Western Europe. When America stood by while the Hungarian Revolution was Prof. John Lukacs Audience crushed by Soviet tanks, it became evident that America was not willing to liberate the captive nations of Eastern Europe. As a consequence, detente between the two superpowers was possible, according to Professor Lukacs. He also noted that the Hungarian anthem and its music is the saddest of all the national anthems that he is aware of. This anthem not only reflects the pessimism of Hungarians but their tragic history as well. Notwithstanding the tragic news of the red sludge environmental disaster, this embassy event signified the importance of keeping Hungary in the eyes of decisionmakers in Washington, DC. The Embassy should be complimented for their hospitality, displays of photographs and books addressing the 1956 Revolution, and the delightful lunch composed of Hungarian foods that was offered to the attendees. Attention Members On October 4, a torrent of toxic red sludge from an alumina plant tore through the region of Ajka and nearby villages, killing several people and injuring more than 120. The flood of sludge left a reddened swath of devastation in western Hungary. HRFA is launching a fundraising campaign to help people affected by the disaster. Please send your contributions by check to: Hungarian Reformed Federation of America 2001 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036
