"Documenting the life of the Hungarian community in New Zealand"
- Az új-zélandi magyar közösség lapja.
Hungary has had its fair share of tragedy. Whether it is occupation by a foreign power, defeat in battle, or dismemberment, there is plenty to grieve about in the 1100 years the Magyar tribes have occupied the Carpathian basin. We are all familiar with the great tragedies such as Mohács, the defeat in1849, Trianon, and the events of November 1956. As well these epoch defining events, there are also smaller but nonetheless painful and profound tragedies. One such tragedy, often over-looked in the history books, occurred on 11 December 1914. Three Hungarian hussar regiments, under the command of Austrian generals, stormed and took the Russian trenches at Limanowa in Galicia (now part of the Ukraine). In their red breeches, red capes and white caps, out-numbered five to one, and poorly equipped, the Hungarians nonetheless broke through the Russian defences and halted the enemies' offensive.
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The son of Géza, Stephen's original name was Vajk, but from early days he was bought up as a Christian. After defeating his rival and kinsman, Koppány, he was able to re-establish the power and authority of the árpad dynasty. Whether his coronation took place on Christmas Day 1000 or on the first day of 1001 is unclear and to a large extent irrelevant to the seminal place of Stephen in Hungarian history, neatly summed up by the great historian Gyula Szekfü who described him as the “most successful and conscientious worker for Hungary's statehood.” The event that took place so long ago still echoes for all Hungarians – witness the establishment of our very own Magyar Millennium Park in 2003.
In December in Hungarian history, Sopron occupies a special place. On 14 December 1921 the inhabitants voted in a plebiscite to be reunited with Hungary. Under the terms of the Treaty of Trianon the town had been ceded to Austria, itself subject to dismemberment. After sustained pressure the allies allowed the plebiscite to take place. Two-thirds voted in favour of rejoining Hungary, and thus Sopron is now known as the City of Loyalty. It was the only time such a plebiscite took place.
As usual there are a number of birthdays of significant Hungarians to celebrate in December. One of the twentieth century's greatest mathematicians and pioneer of the computer John von Neumann was born 28 December 1903 in Budapest. A child prodigy who could divide 8 digit numbers in his head at age six, he is reputed to have once said, “If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicated life is”.
One of Hungary's greatest poets, Mihály Vörösmarty, was born on 1 December 1800. His place in the pantheon of Hungarian literature and history is sacrosanct. His achievements are truly momentous: his poem “Appeal” (Szózat) became the second national anthem; he initiated a translation of the complete works of Shakespeare into Hungarian. The archetypal “national” poet, the defeat of 1849 affected him terribly and he spent his last years in mental anguish and torment. Despite this he could still produce arguably his greatest poem, The Ancient Gipsy (A vén cigány) in 1854, a year before his death. Truly, his works live on today in the Hungarian consciousness.
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Other notable Hungarians to have a December birthday include Kálmán Tisza, premier of Hungary from 1875-90, who was born on 10 December 1830, while another politician, Gyula Gömbös, Prime Minister from 1932-36, was born on 26 December 1886. András Schiff the pianist was born in Budapest on 21 December 1953.
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And to prove just how cruel a month December was in Hungarian history, we need look no further than December 1944. Christmas that year saw Budapest surrounded by Soviet troops. The war was lost and the fate of Hungary again out of its control. In the following 7 weeks the city suffered heavy bombardment and bitter street-fighting that was rivalled only by the savage events of Stalingrad. Only those who lived through those dark, horrible days can imagine the death and suffering that was inflicted upon the city and its inhabitants. And why should did this tragedy happen? The dead, the flower of Hungarian youth, that lay on the hills of Limanowa must have wondered the same thing - what had Hungary done to deserve such a fate? Only the words of that December born poet, Vörösmarty, can provide something approaching an answer when he wrote with such foresight:
Around the graves where we shall die
a weeping world will come,
and millions will in pity gaze
upon the martyrs' tomb.
then, Magyar, keep unshakeably
your native country's trust,
for it has borne you and at death
will consecrate your dust!
No other spot in all the world
can touch your heart as home;
let fortune bless or fortune curse,
from hence you shall not roam!