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Opening of the borders, 1989

By Ádám Terjék
Translated by Judit Révész

The picture of the opening of the Hungarian-Austrian border in 1989 is living vividly in my memory: in the television news of 10 September 1989 a group of East German tourists exult and rejoice at the announcement of Gyula Horn, 24828.jpgHungarian foreign minister saying all DDR citizens staying in Hungary could leave to the “west” with their passport. Surpassing all expectations this act of Hungary played a crucial role in the soon destruction of the Berlin Wall, the reunion of Germany and of Europe. As Helmut Kohl, former chancellor of West Germany summarised in a short sentence: It was the Hungarians drawing the first brick out of the wall.

Image: Gyula Horn cutting the barbed wire at the Austrian-Hungarian border in 1989; Soucre: MTI, www.mult-kor.hu

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Friday, September 11 2009 By jj - News from Hungary

Hungary celebrated the 52nd anniversary of the 1956 revolution

IMG_0758.jpgOctober 23, 2008

On October 23, many Hungarians, all around the country, commemorated their compatriots who fought in the anti-Soviet revolution in 1956. A total of 485 events took place throughout the county. Senior government officials laid wreaths at key sites of the revolution and at the memorial in a public cemetery where martyrs of the revolution were buried in unmarked graves.

Similarly to the last two years, anti-government, mostly far right demonstrators also held their own rallies, but significantly less people participated at their programs this year. In contrast to last year, the events went peacefully and there were no clashes between the police and the far right groups.

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Tuesday, October 28 2008 By Linda - News from Hungary

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