Monuments of famous Hungarians all over the world
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Szeretlekmagyarország.hu has collected five different places all around the world where statues, monuments, and memorials keep the memories and heritages of famous Hungarian people. These people deserve to be remembered even outside their native countries.
1. Lajos Kossuth Monument in New York City
In 1927, Hungarian-American Géza Barko initiated a campaign through the daily Amerikai Magyar Nepszava to erect a statue to Kossuth in New York City. Although fund raising was conducted primarily through Hungarian-American religious and civic groups, the general public of New York contributed as well. Mayor James Walker organized and headed a statue committee and convinced the city council to designate a fitting location on Riverside Drive.
Photo: erdely.maThe original idea was for a memorial bust; but fund raising met with an unexpected response and a full-blown monument resulted.
Hungarian sculptor Janos Horvai was commissioned to design the sculptural grouping, based on the Kossuth statue in Cegléd, Hungary. The project progressed with astonishing speed and on November 5, 1927 ground was broken for the base of the statue.
The statue shows Kossuth holding the sword of Washington, which was gifted to him when he was in America.
2. Bartók Béla Statue in Brussels
Béla Bartók has always been popular in Belgium. The statue of the Hungarian composer and pianist is located in the centre of Brussels.
The statue was a gift from Hungary to Brussels, which is a great thing, because it had taken several months before the Belgian capital accepted it.
Bartok is considered to be one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He shares the honour as Hungary’s greatest composer with Franz Liszt.
3. István Bocskai Statue in Geneva
As a recognized patron of Protestant Reformation, the István Bocskai Statue can be found on the Reformation Wall in Geneva, Switzerland. The wall honours many of the main individuals, events, and documents of the Protestant Reformation by depicting them in statues and bas-reliefs.