China honors the legacies of Hungarian architect László Hudec and poet Sándor Petőfi
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The friendship between China and Hungary has been reflected in the cultural and historical landmarks in Shanghai. These two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties this year. Below you may read a report by CGTN Cen Ziyuan.
China-Hungary links
The link in literature led by a poem written by renowned 19th-century Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi.
He wrote: “Liberty and love; / These two I must have. / For my love, I’ll sacrifice my life. / For liberty, I’ll sacrifice my love.”
Lu Xun, a Chinese writer, literary critic, and leading figure in modern Chinese literature, popularized it in China. In China, the statue of Petofi stands in Lu Xun Park in Shanghai, Beijing, and Ningbo. The Hungarian government donated this statue in Shanghai’s Lu Xun Park in 2007 to celebrate the country’s long-lasting friendship with China.
Hungarian-Slovak architect Laszlo Hudec is another European name known to Shanghai residents. He lived in the city for around three decades from 1918 and designed more than 60 buildings. Many of them are still standing and marked as the protected historical sites of Shanghai.
Hudec’s mark in China
The Wukang Masion, which used to serve as the International Savings Society Apartment, is one of the most well-known designs of all. It was located in the former French Concession area of Shanghai. Formerly named Normandie Apartments was renamed in 1953 to Wukang Mansion.
