January 07, 2008

Sentiments

A little blurry perhaps in twilight, this is a statue of Hungary's president during the 1956 revolution - Imre Nagy. A man of small stature, he was placed on this footbridge and his image is preserved for the future on a somewhat grander scale. This tiny square is close to the parliament (he is keeping an eye on it), close to the US Embassy and the Danube.

An interesting footnote to this is that the man who rode into Budapest on the Russian occupying tanks and remained the leader in Hungary to the bitter end of communism - Janos Kadar - had ordered the execution of Nagy. That not being quite enough, had him buried wrapped in barbed wire and face down. During the decades since the liberalization of Hungary, the remains of Nagy had been re-buried properly. On the other hand, if I remember correctly, sometime during 2007, the grave of Kadar had been vandalized and his and his wife's bones had been taken from the grave.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Although the photo seems a bit shaky, but the place is beautiful. The bridge is lovely.

Alexander
Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex

Clueless in Boston said...

A very nice monument. I didn't realize Nagy had been executed and that his burial was so disrespectful. At least he has been
accorded a proper burial and memorialized in Hungarian history, and Kadar, justifiably, has been consigned to the "dustbin of history."

Andrea said...

Nice statue....LOVE the bridge.

Jim Klenke said...

I agree with boston about his burial.

The setting on a foot bridge is a great and original way to make him seem larger than life but true to scale.

Wayne said...

Those are two really neat bridges you snapped, between yesterday's post and today's. I like it. Very informative and really interesting!

AVCr8teur said...

That is so cruel to have someone buried like that. I'm glad to hear he finally received a proper burial. That bridge is simply lovely. So much architecture in Budapest.

Janice Thomson said...

A very horrid and spiteful burial. It is good to know he has now attained a respectful place in history. A beautiful memorial of him.

Anonymous said...

It must be a wonderful place. thanks for shared with us

Daniel J Santos said...

nice...

Amrita said...

I 'd like to standnext to him and have my photo taken.
Happy New year

zakscloset said...

he does look like he's actually keeping an eye on things...

Shammickite said...

Whata horrible mean spiteful cruel disrespectful thing to do.
I'm appalled that could happen in this "civilised" world.

quintarantino said...

Nations should honor those who gave their lives for freedom and human rights. I think they did the right thing to remember this great man.
I knew about the revolution and how it had been crushed, but hadn´t the faitest idea about the rest.
I liked the photo.

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Jules said...

Very interesting post - Isn't it amazing how bitter and twisted things can get when things like that can be done to a dead man!!! At least it has been corrected.

Sienna said...

What a gorgeous tribute and bridge...may their remains (wherever they may be) have some peace at last.

Pam