Magyar News, 2006. január-május (17. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)

2006-03-01 / 3. szám

A significant anniversary is coming up this year for the Hungarians. The reason that I don’t say for Hungary is because those who were touched in some way might not be within the population of present day Hungary. We American Hungarians had to escape in 1956 or in the following time. We, most of us, were participants, or in someway effected by the historical event of the October of that year. Things were crazy, a small country stood up against one of the world’s greatest power, against the Soviet Union. From there on it was the small country who’s action counted and not the big one’s.

We usually-say that these unbelievable Hungarians threw the monkeywrench into the gears of the Soviet and naturally the Cold War. What followed was a relief for the whole world. Don’t let anybody say it otherwise! Even if the world didn’t change to the best, it became better. Unfortunately still leaving those who take advantage in a bad way.

2006 is the 50-th anniversary that should be remembered, and not just by the Hungarians. We hope that this will be the way. There are some sticky points. Ferike Gyurcsany, Prime Minister of Hungary took the Communist sign of his chest but what was underneath it still hums the sycle and hammer sound. An event that was noticed and appreciated by the whole world was only a strange split moment in history for him. With sharp eyes he noticed the people look at it different ways. What is a noticeable one, the Hungarian view, the other is the beaten Soviet.

This is logical but Ferike wants to convince us that everybody in the whole Hungarian population had a different view. That is a few million opinions. After this brainstorm he comes up with the most stupid way to celebrate; “2006 rusty iron columns and 56 degree angle”. A person after reading the article about this said (out loud) may he rot in hell.

This 50-th anniversary celebrated throughout the World should let the people in Hungary learn that they are praised for what they had done. The whole nation should have the feeling of having their own identity that they are Hungarians and do not want to be pushed around, specially do not want to be occupied.

All over in America there are pockets of Hungarian communities. Some smaller, some bigger. Many of them erected a mark to remind the historical event of 1956. Not just because it was part of the history, but because it was part of their life. A life that changed following the Uprising. This too has changed to the better, or to the worst. Close to 200,000 escaped, 43,000 to the USA, possibly doing the only choice that was in front of them besides staying for unbelievable torture. So, to remember the events opens up the pain of being uprooted, of disconnected from part of the family, friends, from the community that was your own. Very painful.

Not only do we remember it, we want everybody to do so. Many Hungarian communities here and around the world already have their monument, small or big, but still there are the ones who are standing in line to fulfill their share.

It is interesting that one of our biggest cities, New York lacks a 1956 memorial. All the celebrations take place at the well known Kossuth monument. With the large Hungarian population it probably wouldn’t be a problem.

There is a project that is not carved out of stone but is made for our eyes to see, and our ears to hear. This is Claudia Kovács’ 90 minute film, “Tom from the Flag”. This, besides being a fantastic document that could travel all over the world has the possibility to be shown in Hungary. The present government may not like it, but it could get into schools where they do not teach the children about the true Uprising. It is hard for a government to

stop, or keep an eye on a CD disks or DVDs carrying the truth to those whose eyes are blinded intentionally. But here too is a need for a sizeable amount of money to finish the project.

Then there is the Magyar Studies of America with Gyula Egervári at the helm.Many years of struggle to put up a monument in Hungary. The Hungarian communities in America, and probably in many place of the world are dwindling down. Unfortunately to a point in Hungary the population also has smaller numbers.

Even though the “globalization”, the European Union, the efforts in Russia and China, don’t stop there, in many ways have an effect on Hungary. I am not sure that government, big shots in private manufacturing, commerce are suitable to put on the list of people who truly look for preserving the identity of the Hungarian Nation. The people hope to keep their Hungarian identity, but there is a need to foster it, to help them with it. They have to know that there were times that were hitting hard, and then there were the times when the Hungarian people struggled to survive, to overcome the impossible, not just to survive, but to strengthen their identity. A true, proper monument of 1956 will be a constant reminder, it will be strengthening their identity so no one could take advantage of them.

That is where we are today. To counteract the brainwash people are exposed to, every Hungarian, let them live in strange countries or right here in the United State, should go out of their way to do as much as they could to do away with the brain wash, remind them and teach them. They should have everything that once belonged to their ancestors, know the sacrifices and the unbelievable heroism they did for the country and the world.

We want the world to respect Hungary and her people. Don’t forget what Hungary gave to the world.

Joseph F. Balogh Page 1