A revolution and war of independence broke out in Hungary against the dictatorship of Rákosi and Soviet occupation 50 years ago, on 23 October 1956. It all started with a peaceful demonstration of students in Budapest and ended with crushing the resistance of armed rebels on 10-11 November. The revolution claimed the lives of 25,000 Hungarians and 7,000 Soviets and the number of injuries was in the range of several thousand. As a result of the revolution, around a quarter million Hungarians left home and fled to the countries of the West.
After the revolution was crushed, Prime Minister Imre Nagy and his closest colleagues were executed by way of revenge. Prison sentences were imposed on numerous people who were involved in the revolution.
Memorial Celebrations Around the World
All Hungarian embassies, consular offices and cultural institutes around the world, from Albania to Vietnam, will take part in presenting the revolution abroad. Memorial celebrations will be held in several cities in the USA.
The range of events will include a concert by pianist György Kurtág, a ballet based on the works of composer Péter Eötvös, the premieres of 10 new films, and several Hungarian and foreign artists will pay homage to the anniversary. The symphonic orchestras of Chicago and Cleveland will play concerts in honour of the revolution.
A memorial mass will be celebrated in New York to pay tribute to the victims and there are plans to name a street where the chief consular office is located after Imre Nagy.
A water-polo game will be held in Australia to remember the Hungarian-Soviet finals at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.
Exhibitions and scholarly conferences will be held in Moscow.
A wreath-laying ceremony will be held in Paris under the Arch of Triumph and an artwork symbolising the revolution will be unveiled at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.
An Imre Nagy memorial will be erected in Snagov/Romania, several plaques will be placed in Poland and the Vatican will host a scholarly conference.
