1989 - so, did we, ordinary citizens, know that the whole communist era was about to collapse? We didn't; but like a sandcastle when the tide comes in, we watched as what had seemed indestructible, just washed away before our eyes.
EARLY SIGNS:
March 15th, 1988 The official annual celebrations of March 15th were overtaken by events when large numbers of people risked demonstrating to call for press freedom. This was the largest unofficial demonstration of the communist period until that time. |
June 27th, 1988
A highly significant event for people living in Budapest in 1988, was the peaceful demonstration which took place on June 27th in Hősök tere (Heroes' Square). Ceausescu had ordered the levelling of Hungarian villages in Transylvania - many Hungarians have family there and also have strong links with this area of Romania that was once a part of Hungary. The destruction of these villages engendered an extremely strong emotional reaction. However, large-scale gatherings were only permitted on communist celebration days (May 1st, August 20th etc.) thus this was potentially a risky undertaking. |
1988:
Protests against the building of a dam at Nagymaros
There had for some time been small gatherings and protests against the building of a hydroelectric power plant on the river Danube at Nagymaros. An environmental group called Duna Kör (Danube Circle) had been formed to stop the project going ahead. They also succeeded in enlisting the support of Austrians. The largest of several protests came in October of 1988.
Protests against the building of a dam at Nagymaros
There had for some time been small gatherings and protests against the building of a hydroelectric power plant on the river Danube at Nagymaros. An environmental group called Duna Kör (Danube Circle) had been formed to stop the project going ahead. They also succeeded in enlisting the support of Austrians. The largest of several protests came in October of 1988.
Daily life captured by the BBC
Here you can watch a BBC report on life in Budapest in 1988 - the street scenes capture the atmosphere of the latter days of the era in the capital city; well worth watching! |
|
1989 - Timeline
JANUARY 11th:
The Hungarian government allows the formation of new political parties and trade unions
The Hungarian government allows the formation of new political parties and trade unions
MAY 2nd:
Hungary begins to dismantle its fences along the border with Austria
"On 2 May, Hungarian soldiers began to dismantle the barbed wire and electric fencing along Hungary's border with neighbouring Austria.
The communist governments of East Germany, Romania, and Czechoslovakia were furious. They feared that their own citizens would use this gap in the Iron Curtain to flee to the West. But Moscow did nothing.
A spokesman for the Hungarian Interior Ministry, explained: 'Not only do we need the world, but the world needs us. An era will be closed with the removal of this fence, and we hope that such systems will never be needed again.'" (read more on the BBC)
Hungary begins to dismantle its fences along the border with Austria
"On 2 May, Hungarian soldiers began to dismantle the barbed wire and electric fencing along Hungary's border with neighbouring Austria.
The communist governments of East Germany, Romania, and Czechoslovakia were furious. They feared that their own citizens would use this gap in the Iron Curtain to flee to the West. But Moscow did nothing.
A spokesman for the Hungarian Interior Ministry, explained: 'Not only do we need the world, but the world needs us. An era will be closed with the removal of this fence, and we hope that such systems will never be needed again.'" (read more on the BBC)
JUNE 16th:
The reburial of Imre Nagy
"Former Communist prime minister Imre Nagy, the man who symbolises the 1956 Hungarian uprising, has been given a formal public funeral 31 years after he was executed." (read more on the BBC).
Prior to this time it was taboo to talk about the uprising (which had officially to be called a counter-revolution) against the Russians which had taken place on 23rd October, 1956, or even to mention the name of Imre Nagy, who was executed after a secret trial in 1958 following the uprising.
The reburial of Imre Nagy
"Former Communist prime minister Imre Nagy, the man who symbolises the 1956 Hungarian uprising, has been given a formal public funeral 31 years after he was executed." (read more on the BBC).
Prior to this time it was taboo to talk about the uprising (which had officially to be called a counter-revolution) against the Russians which had taken place on 23rd October, 1956, or even to mention the name of Imre Nagy, who was executed after a secret trial in 1958 following the uprising.
AUGUST 19th:
The Pan-European picnic
Originally planned as a small-scale event where the border between Hungary and Austria would be opened for just three hours, the pan-European picnic had somehow been publicised in East Germany, and many flocked to the border crossing near the town of Sopron to be able to escape to the west. Subsequently, the border was opened to all East German citizens wanting to leave - something that led directly to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the demise of communism.
The Pan-European picnic
Originally planned as a small-scale event where the border between Hungary and Austria would be opened for just three hours, the pan-European picnic had somehow been publicised in East Germany, and many flocked to the border crossing near the town of Sopron to be able to escape to the west. Subsequently, the border was opened to all East German citizens wanting to leave - something that led directly to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the demise of communism.
OCTOBER 23rd:
Hungary is declared a Republic
On the anniversary of the 1956 uprising, Hungary changes from being the People's Republic of Hungary, to the Republic of Hungary.
Hungary is declared a Republic
On the anniversary of the 1956 uprising, Hungary changes from being the People's Republic of Hungary, to the Republic of Hungary.
Click here to see reviews of my book on Amazon
and here for details of how to buy my book on Amazon Kindle, or
from Stanfords in London and Bestsellers in Budapest.