Benedek Csaba – H. Bathó Edit – Gulyás Katalin – Horváth László – Kaposvári Gyöngyi szerk.: Tisicum - A Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok Megyei Múzeumok Évkönyve 14. (2004)

A Homage To Town Kenderes

ISTVÁN SZATHMÁRY A HOMAGE TO TOWN KENDERES THE FUNERAL Due to our eventful history, the final rest often does not mean an accomplished phase. Re-burying the dead is frequent, and these events are usually, but not always, the symbols of reconciliation. One of the last honours that rose great emotional heat and debates was the re-funeral of Vitéz Miklós Nagybányai Horthy vice admiral, the last Commander-in-Chief of the Austro-Hungarian Navy, who was head of state and regent for more than 25 years, in 1993 in Kenderes. The laté head of state deceased in Portugál in 1957, and, according to his will, his ashes could be carried intő his homeland only after the last foreign soldier had left Hungary. In agreement with the family, taking his ashes back home was initiated and carried out by the Associations of Hungárián Mariners with the co-operation of the leadership and population of Kenderes and the Order of Knights of St John. The Hungárián government officially held off from the funeral, but as priváté persons, several cabinet members were present at the ceremony. Those who opposed the last honours raised a great média scandal about the event, but the neighbouring countries' reaction could be described as relatively withheld. The international press, according to its previous point of view based upon Hungárián sources, anatomized his role in the war and his relation to the Jewish problem. The funeral, where approximately 80,000 people took part in the solemn ceremony, greatly contributed to the start of a process that might lead to the reassuring clarification of the history of Hungary between the two World Wars. 472