Publications Celebrating Hungarian Achievement in the USA Introduced at Corvinus University

Publications marking the 250th anniversary of the USA’s declaration of independence have been revealed during a symposium held at Corvinus University in Budapest on Tuesday. Among the speakers were former ambassadors, diplomats, and renowned academics.

One of the booklets, titled “Voice of Freedom: in Honor of the United States 250 years”, was published by our very own Friends of Hungary Foundation. The full publication can be viewed online HERE.

In his opening speech, Gergely Prőhle, President of the Hungarian Atlantic Council (Magyar Atlanti Tanács – MAT) noted that since June this year, many institutions in Hungary have prepared their own program of commemoration for the 250th anniversary of the USA, among them the Hungarian Atlantic Council and the Friends of Hungary Foundation. Both have prepared a printed publication for the event, highlighting leading personalities who have connected our nations, as well as the achievements of Hungarians in building American democracy, science, and culture. “This is an opportunity to think about what our Central-European region has given to the U.S., and what they got back from America in return,” Mr. Prőhle said.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, Mr. Jeff Adler, emphasized during his remarks that at the U.S. Embassy, diplomatic staff have been remembering the relationship between Hungary and the USA throughout this jubilee year. The U.S. deeply values this relationship and the ongoing transatlantic alliance, he said. He also pointed out that our shared history dates back to the Hungarian revolution of 1848-49. Since then, generations of Hungarians have shaped the United States either as scientists, artists, educators, or community leaders. He praised our shared dedication to national sovereignty and Western values. “The two publications introduced today preserve institutional memory, and help us understand the people as well as the events that shaped our relationship,” Mr. Adler remarked.

Among the speakers was Tamás Magyarics, former Ambassador to Ireland, whose presentation focused on U.S.-Hungarian shared history from the beginning of World War II., and the post-war period. In particular, he spoke about American reaction to the 1956 anti-communist revolution, saying that although the Americans have offered their sympathies during the uprising, in retrospect, they were sometimes raising false hopes among the Hungarian revolutionaries. For instance, when they instructed Radio Free Europe to step up anti-Russian propaganda during the revolution. But Mr. Magyarics has dismissed allegations according to which the CIA was behind the revolution. As he pointed out, there was only one CIA operative in Hungary in 1956, called “Katona,” and he only managed to send newspaper clippings in his reports, as he was unable to establish contact with the revolutionaries.

Mr. Magyarics also spoke about how, after the revolution, it was only as far as in 1968 that diplomatic relations were restored fully between our countries. He also highlighted the 1978 return of the Hungarian crown by President Jimmy Carter. Reminiscing about the return of the crown jewels, he also recalled that some Hungarians actually opposed the gesture, as they thought that this would legitimize the dictatorship of communist leader János Kádár.

Photo: Hungary Today

The post Publications Celebrating Hungarian Achievement in the USA Introduced at Corvinus University appeared first on Hungary Today.