THROUGH THE LENS: The Hungarian Uprising at 65: An Exhibit
October 11, 2021
The 1956 Hungarian Uprising was a revolt by the Hungarians against the ruling Communist Party and Soviet led policies which crippled Hungary after World War 2. Over 100,000 Hungarian citizens became freedom fighters and the uprising consisted of events over the course of two weeks, starting with a student protest on Oct. 23 in Budapest Hungary and ending with Soviet leadership and artillery suppressing the Uprising on Nov. 10. More than 2,500 Hungarians and 700 Soviet troops were killed in these conflicts and 200,000 Hungarians fled as refugees.
“The Hungarian Uprising at 65: An Exhibit” opened Monday afternoon and will be at Eastern until November. This exhibit will showcase real artifacts from the revolt and honor civilians involved in the uprising.
Some protesters retreated into exile, some coming to central Illinois. Among them was Dr. Steven Bela Szigethy who later settled and practiced medicine in Oblong, Illinois. This exhibit is dedicated to Szigethy.
Szigethy’s son, Stephen Szigethy, wanted to spread his late father’s legacy by compiling artifacts from the Hungarian Uprising. Stephen Szigethy said he hopes that this exhibit will educate students and bring awareness for the uprising and those impacted.
