Hungary 1956: Faces and Objects - A Historical Exhibition on the Uprising

This exhibition commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising of 1956, exploring the strong Polish-Hungarian connections during this period. It showcases objects from the time, including photographs and personal items, as well as contemporary portraits of witnesses.

Marking the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Uprising, this exhibition delves into the profound Polish-Hungarian ties that emerged during the 1956 struggle for independence. The uprising, which began on October 23, 1956, and was suppressed by Soviet forces on November 10, garnered significant attention in Poland due to changing political dynamics. Polish journalists provided objective coverage, and the public reacted strongly to the events in Hungary. The exhibition highlights the considerable humanitarian aid provided by Poles, including organized relief committees, blood donations, and the collection and shipment of vital supplies like medicines, bandages, clothing, and food. It also features contemporary portraits of witnesses by photographer Örs Csete, including Polish students who joined the Hungarian National Guard. A particularly poignant story is that of Béla Luczi, who survived an execution attempt. The exhibition concludes by examining the memory of 1956 in both Poland and Hungary, with Zbigniew Herbert's poem 'To the Hungarians' serving as a postscript. An accompanying installation, 'Stalin's Boots,' commemorates the symbolic act of toppling the monument to Joseph Stalin in Budapest. The removal of this statue, a significant event that signaled the beginning of the revolution, resulted in only the giant boots remaining. This potent symbol represents the people's demand for freedom and a rejection of Soviet influence, encapsulating the spirit of the 1956 revolution. The exhibition was a collaborative effort involving the Hungarian Institute of Culture, the History Meeting House, and the Institute of European Network Memory and Solidarity.

Information regarding ticketing or admission is not specified on this page. Visitors are directed to the general museum website for further details, as this exhibition is part of the archive of past events. Further information should be sought through official channels if available for current programming or museum access policies during the exhibition's original run. As this is an archive event, specific ticketing details are unavailable from this source. Please refer to the museum's current programming for admission policies. As this is an archival event, specific ticketing information is not available on this page. Visitors should consult the History Meeting House's official website for details on current exhibitions and admission policies. This exhibition is part of the 2017 archive and thus specific ticketing details are not provided here.