Prohászka László: Polish Monuments - Our Budapest (Budapest, 2001)
“His death is almost symbolic of our relations, of our dependence on each other in tragic times of hardship,” Károly Kapronczay wrote about him. Dr Teofil Kandefer (1902-44) was taken captive in the Fő utca building, and so was disabled soldier Jan Szablewski, both of whom were executed a few days later. Stanislava Sikorska was shot in front of the building. Crafted in an energetic, modernist style, the plaque which perpetuates their memory was made by two young Polish artists Andrzej Sibilski and Marian Banaszkiewicz. The cause of putting up a plaque to preserve their memory was supported, in addition to the two above-mentioned associations, by general Kollataj-Srzednicki’s son and grandchild. The laurel-framed inscription which recorded the year of dedication was reported missing a few years ago; it is hoped that a new one will be put up soon. CJntil 1945 the Ministry of the Interior was housed in a listed building at Országház utca 28, in what is called the ‘Civic Quarter’ of Buda castle. There are two memorial plaques here, and both have some Polish connection. To the right of the entrance, a large white marble plaque records the lives and activities of the martyrs: At the beginning of the year 1945 / antifascists of various nationalities / were suffering in the hold of the Gestapo / in this building, the former Ministry of the Interior. / Almost one quarter of the 350, mostly Hungarian soldiers, university students and labour camp inmates, as well as American, Bulgarian, French, Polish, German, Italian and Russian captives, were executed. Put up by the Organisation of Hungarian Resistance in 1992, the plaque lists those whose names could be verified. One was a Pole named Elfrida Bakalas. On the other side of the gate there is a dark red marble plaque with a smaller bronze relief, a portrait of László O’sváth crafted by Zoltán Fülöp. The inscription below reads: LÁSZLÓ O’SVÁTH / 1892-1970 / As an official of the Hungarian Royal Ministry of the Interior / he served the nation. / As a consequence he had to undergo persecution, suffering and humiliation during the Hitlerian and Soviet occupation. / It 39
