The Places of Memory in a Square of Monuments: Conceptions of Past, Freedom and History at Szabadság Tér
The Places of Memory in a Square of Monuments: Conceptions of Past, Freedom and History at Szabadság Tér
Author(s): Eric ThorstensenSubject(s): History
Published by: AHEA: E-Journal of the American Hungarian Educators Association
Keywords: monuments; Budapest; irredentism; memory; public spaces;
Summary/Abstract: In this paper I try to approach contemporary Hungarian political culture through an analysis of the history of changing monuments at Szabadság Tér in Budapest. The paper has as its point of origin a protest/irredentist monument facing the present Soviet liberation monument. In order to understand this irredentist monument, I look into the meaning of the earlier irredentist monuments under Horthy and try to see what monuments were torn down under Communism and which ones remained. I further argue that changes in the other monuments also affect the meaning of the others. From this background I enter into a brief interpretation of changes in memory culture in relation to changes in political culture. The conclusions point toward the fact that Hungary is actively pursuing a cleansing of its past in public spaces, and that this process is reflected in an increased acceptance of political authoritarianism.
Journal: AHEA: E-Journal of the American Hungarian Educators Association
- Issue Year: 2012
- Issue No: 05
- Page Range: 1-34
- Page Count: 34
- Language: English