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Personal stories from the 23rd of October, 1956
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The 23rd of October, 1956 is one of the most sorrowful days of the Hungarian history. Briefly, Hungary had been controlled by Russia since 1945. The death of Stalin brought people in many Eastern European countries the hope of freedom and change, but as the uprising in Hungary proved; this was not to be the case.
Most of us know the storyline and there are many sources where you can read about the events, but today we want to share personal stories of civilians from the day. What better way to get an understanding of the case than from stories of the men in the streets?
“I went to the University of Technology and Economics. Most of the professors were dressed in black; some of them even had a cockade. They were utterly enthusiastic and kind; they were with us, students. This meant a lot, especially feeling secure since in these 4-5 years you mostly belong to your teachers. We felt like we were doing the right thing because they took our side.” 24-year-old university student
“I ran into the judicial department, where I only found Professor Eckhart. It was obvious that I was going to the demonstration, I didn’t think about the potential effects of it. Then, the professor told me ‘Be careful!’ and I automatically said ‘It’s too late’. I knew that there was no way back.” 21-year-old university student
“It was uplifting to march in a big crowd, especially for me, a discriminated cadre. They were already cutting out of the flag that disgusting arms and scanning ‘Rusz-kik haza!’ We were standing in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and saw the Hungarian flag in the window of the barrack. More and more people joined as we kept marching on. It was fantastic!” 32-year-old librarian
“The session of the cabinet council was adjourned because the demonstrators were on their way to the Parliament. I got home around 5 o’clock so I listened to Erno Gero’s speech on the radio from home. Instead of being comforting, it was thrilling and shocking, fuel to the fire.” 35-year-old minister
“The demonstration had started. I joined them somewhere on Rakoczi Street at the University of Dramatic Arts. There were our teachers and Tibor Dery if I remember well. When we reached Stalin Street we saw the nameplate on the wall. We decided to take it off. We did so and the crowd was frenzied. This inspired us so much.” 26-year-old-movie director
I was a student at Technical University in Budapest. Before Oct 23, we posted the “12 points”, memory of 1848, all over the City. On Oct 23 we walked along the Bem rakpart and there I have seen first time the flag with the whole in it in a window. At the Parlament first they send Sinkovics Imre to calme the croud. Because that didnt work the light was switched off around the building. We had paper with us, so soon everybody has a torch in hand. That was the most spectacular view I ever had. At last Nagy Imre was able to come out ti talked to us
Fundamentally wrong. The 1956 uprising was not of what you say. So many years after, it would be high time to be able to see the truth, Enough resources exist for that. People in Hungary revolted against what they saw at the time as the distortion of the real ideals of the rule of the working class. Whoever is unable to see this, should not elaborate on what happened at that time