Kisfaludy László: A kisfaludy Kisfaludy család története (Régi magyar családok 2. Debrecen, 2004)

Abstract

poems, for example, the one called Mohács, also represent a very high artistic level. In 1848, the din of arms and battles replaced the enthusiasm of the Reform Age. And just like in former great wars, the Kisfaludy family also took an active part in the War for Independence following the Revolution of 1848. Interestingly, while lieutenant colonel Móric Kisfaludy displayed valor in the Hungarian army, his uncle, János Kisfaludy, served as a general under the Habsburgs (although, by this time, as a retired officer). However, kinship ties proved to be stronger than the difference in loyalties, since, following the suppression of the Hungarian attempt at achieving independence, János used all his connections and influence to try and set free his captive nephew. During the second half of the 19th century, members of the Kisfaludy family come forth again in the fields of public life and literature. Both Árpád Béla Kisfaludy and his brother, Zoltán, were notable writers and poets of their age, just like Atala Kisfaludy, who was located a little bit further away from them in the family tree. When the halcyon days of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy came to an end and the two world wars ensued, another soldier rose to become the most famous member of the family. His name was Colonel Károly Kisfaludy, and he fought in both world wars, while steadily moving up in the military hierarchy. An example for his integrity as a good christian would be that he secretly supported with his unit, as far as he only could, the 1944 revolt of the Poles against the Germans at a time when the Poles, otherwise age-old friends of the Hungarians, were officially considered our enemies. After the war, his services for the homeland were acknowledged by the anti-Hungarian communist system by classifying him as a politically unreliable person. Since that time, the several dozens of Kisfaludy-s have lived their quiet everyday lives across the world. Among the present descendants, there are people whose common ancestor lived 400 (!) years ago and yet it has been only recently that they met for the first time in their lives to experience a certain instinctive and immediate trust and understanding forming between them. The present book has been written, first of all, for the Kisfaludy-s of today in order to remind them of the importance