Commemorating 1956

October 23rd is a holiday in Hungary. This means a day off of school for kids and a day off of work for most people. Red, white, and green stripes sweep across the city. Flags line each of Budapest’s bridges and enormous flag banners hang over the main ring roads. At night, green, red, and white lights project the nation’s flag onto the Parliament building. Patriotism abound. America does the same for the fourth of July to celebrate independence from England. But when I think of the fourth of July, I think of barbecues, getting together with friends, and fireworks. I usually don’t spend more than a minute or two pondering my country’s battle for independence so many years ago. Most people usually don’t.

Walking around Budapest today, Hungary’s patriotism was just and focused on their former struggle to escape from the grip of socialism (aka communism). This year was different from most, because 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of Hungary’s revolt against the Soviets this day in 1956. People were milling the streets everywhere and during the middle of the afternoon, crowds seemed pleasant. The young and old wore the tri-colored bands around their arms or adorned a pin of a flag with a hole through the middle. Other people carried giant flags, waving or simply resting them on their shoulders. Some flags had holes through the center where the Socialist crest used to be. Hungary has now replaced it with its own.

Liz, Harpswell, Janos and I walked around Pest, passing by a motorcycle brigade and onto the Corvin Mozi (Corvin Movie Theatre) where a demonstration was being held. We couldn’t see much and I couldn’t understand much, so we walked around and just mostly enjoyed the fall afternoon. The temperature was brilliant and from a view on Petöfi bridge, the trees on Gellert hill looked like green, golden, and orange balls of leaves.

Later, after we had stopped at a Turkish restaurant on the main ring to refuel, we noticed that the TV in the corner was showing small riots breaking out on the main ring. More tear gas, “rubber” bullets, and injured policemen. Luckily, we were far enough away from the action, but Hajni (our program’s director) called to warn us about it.

I guess the conditions were right for something out of control to occur on this national holiday. In late September, riots against Hungary’s Prime Minister went on for several days after he admitted to not doing anything for four years and leading his country on in order to win the general election last April.

On October 23rd, 1956, Hungarians revolted against soldiers and were able to banish Soviet rule for several days. The Soviets came back to power soon after, but during that short time Hungarians had won some time for themselves and several of them fled to different countries (including Janos’ dad to America, interestingly enough).
Maybe these riots are all a result of a need to feel in control. Not that they’re acceptable or even appropriate on a day of supposed celebration, but it makes you think, “who can blame them for wanting to feel as though they have a voice?” After being subjected to Soviet rule for years and recently being lied to by their leader …it seems as though the fighting spirit is still alive on this October 23rd 50 years later.