Odd sculpture of Hungarian freedom fighter Lajos Kossuth with hussar neck tattoo in Cuba raises questions – PHOTOS

A bold and baffling tribute to Lajos Kossuth has appeared in Havana, turning heads and stirring debate. Crafted by Munkácsy Prize-winning artist Gábor Benő Pogány, the unconventional statue features a long-necked figure adorned with patriotic flourishes, blending symbolism with an unusual aesthetic. Its surprising placement and timing have left many questioning whether this curious homage to Hungary’s revolutionary hero is more puzzling than poignant.

Sculpture of Lajos Kossuth in Havana

As 24.hu reports, in early November, Havana saw the unveiling of a striking and unconventional sculpture near the beach: a portrait of Hungarian freedom fighter Lajos Kossuth by Munkácsy Prize-winning artist Gábor Benő Pogány. The piece, which has drawn surprise and scepticism, features a bearded figure with a long neck adorned with a patriotic tattoo, resembling neither Kossuth nor traditional artistic styles. Some have compared it to PEZ dispensers, questioning its relevance in Cuba and linking it to a recent pattern of controversial works commissioned by those close to power.

Cuban FM in Hungary

The monument’s timing has also raised eyebrows, coinciding with the first visit of a Cuban foreign minister to Hungary since 1983. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla received an honorary doctorate and signed cooperation agreements with Hungarian officials during his visit. The new statue appears to replace a bronze predecessor that mysteriously disappeared from Havana’s Lenin Park years ago, now reimagined and donated by a folk art school. Speculation lingers over the motivations behind the installation, as the artist reportedly received an undisclosed sum for a work that many consider more puzzling than celebratory.

What was the idea behind the sculpture?

According to Szoljon, the unveiling of the Lajos Kossuth sculpture in Havana has sparked curiosity about its design and context. Sculptor Gábor Benő Pogány described the work as a “main column,” symbolising Lajos Kossuth as a “columnar” leader, with the piece crafted from frost-resistant ceramic—a curious choice given Cuba’s warm climate and lack of freezing temperatures. The statue, featuring hussars around its neck and standing twice life-size, was inaugurated in a ceremony attended largely by Hungarian officials, including Fidesz MP János Halász and Hungarian Academy of Arts vice-president Zoltán Rátóti. Despite its political overtones, Pogány distanced himself from the accompanying fanfare, explaining his absence not as a statement but simply due to his aversion to air travel.

Odd sculpture of Hungarian freedom fighter Lajos Kossuth with hussar neck tattoo unveiled in Cuba

Photo: Facebook / L Simon László

Who was Lajos Kossuth?

Lajos Kossuth was a prominent Hungarian statesman, lawyer, and revolutionary leader, renowned for his pivotal role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848–1849. A powerful orator and advocate for independence, he served as finance minister in the Batthyány government before becoming governor-president and head of the National Defence Commission, effectively acting as Hungary’s leader during its fight against Habsburg rule. Kossuth’s efforts to establish a democratic and independent Hungary made him a national hero, and his legacy endures as a symbol of freedom and self-determination in Hungarian history.