The Hungarian Student, 1958 (3. évfolyam, 1-2. szám)
1958-10-01 / 1. szám
EDITORUL October and the UFHS Every nation has its significant dates of special symbolic meaning. Two years ago, on a chilly October day, events took place in Budapest which for a fleeting moment stopped the turning wheels of world history. Remember that day? October twenty-third: how we waited for it to come. How surprised we were when it came unannounced, in the full magnificence of its simple beauty, bringing spring in the autumn. On that day a whole country realized what human dignity means. The 1956 October Revolution in Hungary can be interpreted in many ways. It can be looked upon as a desperate effort of individuals to shake off the shackles of tyranny. It can be regarded as an attempted step forward from the deadlock of a moribund social, political and economic system. It can be viewed as one huge protest against everything coming from the Soviet Union, or simply as one of the most magnificent fiascos in history. October twenty-third was each of these, and a little more. It was not only a negation of something despised; it was a positive movement toward a new era. The spirit of October twenty-third was rooted in a firm belief in the value of fundamental, individual human dignity, and in social justice. The basis of the Revolution was the human being and his inherent values and rights. We all remember the highlights of the events that took place on those exceptionally sunny October and November days two years ago. The MEFESZ meeting . . . the Bern monument . . . the Radio . . . the Parliament . . . the Corvin block and the Kilian barracks . . . Imre Nagy . . . the last fading words of the free radio of Hungary . . . the last shots , . . silence.... We have all dedicated ourselves to the ideals of this Revolution. We have dedicated ourselves to the people of Hungary, and in the spirit of this dedication we greet the delegates and guests of the second annual congress of the union of Free Hungarian Students. This Union—being the successor of the revolutionary MEFESZ—is based upon two postulates: intellectual growth of the Hungarian students in the free world, and representation of those of its members who still suffer behind the Iron Curtain.* It considers itself to be the repository of the ideals of the Revolution, and at the same time an active participant in the mainstream of humanity’s cultural life. We have come a long way from those preliminary talks which took place among exile student leaders in the refugee camps in Vienna. Member associations have since established themselves in fifteen countries where Hungarian students have the good fortune to be continuing their academic work. The Union held its first congress exactly one year ago in Paris. Since that time it has established a central headquarters in Switzerland, and has carried out its work on a world-wide basis. If we look back upon these achievements, we are justified in feeling modestly proud. But the road ahead is still rough and steep. The tasks to be fulfilled are many and of a great variety. It will be the congress’ job to find the answers to the many questions that confront us. Today, when the delegates convene in the sunny and hospitable land of the Italians, Hungarians everywhere ask from their representatives only this: Do not forget who you are and what you stand for. Your tasks must be fulfilled in the spirit of October and for the Hungarian people! In this spirit we greet you, and convey our sincere wishes to each and every one of you. * The UFHS is the legal successor of the revolutionary MEFESZ, (federation of Hungarian university and college students) and so, naturally, it considers the students in Hungary to be its members. 4 the hungarian student
