Revolution day in Hungary – October 23rd

Today is the national day of Hungary and October 23rd is the day of the uprising against the communists in 1956. The revolution did not last for too long, but the spirit of the Hungarians still live and their courage to stand up against the communists gave courage to other nations around the world, even though it did not succeed the way the Hungarians hoped for.

Revolution in 1956
Revolution in 1956 – picture from fortepan

October 23rd is now one of three national days in Hungary, and on October 23rd people have the chance to relax at home and maybe go out into the city to buy an ice cream, eat some chimney cake and of course take part in one of many demonstrations in town.

There will be lots of political demonstrations in Budapest today, the biggest one probably arranged by the Elisabeth Bridge on the Pest side from 15.00. Quite some of the demonstrations are arranged by the left side in Hungary trying to protest and stand together against the right side which is currently leading the nation, but the right side will also have their gatherings today. If you want to understand more about Hungarian politics, why not read this interesting article on the subject of Hungarian politics.

All shops are closed in Budapest today, but restaurants, confectioneries, cinemas and museums are mostly open!

Cloudy October 23 & Cloudy guided tour & pictures

Jobbik demonstration
Jobbik demonstration

October 23 turned into a quite nice day, and most important, a quite peaceful day in Budapest. The only think was that in the morning it was extremely
foggy, so I have never enjoyed such foggy weather in Budapest before, at least not during a guided tour. Below you can see some pictures taken from the Gellert Hill, and just some other pictures made during the guided tour.

The big political parties escaped the inner city and har their meetings somewhere else, while the radical party Jobbik had their demonstration at the Deak Square, in the middle of the center. Police were around to make sure everything went okay, and it did! Pictured on the right you can see some people marching towards the Deak Square for the Jobbik demonstration (picture taken from the bus during the guided tour)!

Some foggy Budapest pictures (October 23, 2009)

I can't see the castle from the Gellert Hill!
Gellert Hill - with the Liberty statue almost hidden away!
The Liberty statue is almost hidden away!
Fishermens Bastion surrounded by clouds!
Fishermens Bastion surrounded by clouds!

23. October: Hungarian National day

Time Man of the year 1957: Hungarian Freedom fighter holding a PPSh-41

Tomorrow it will be 53 years since the famous 56’ revolution in Hungary. October 23, 1956, was a day of hope in Hungary and also in nations around the world looking with hope towards Hungary. It looked good for a long time, until the communist forces returned to Hungary – and all other nations mostly looked at what was happening, without involving themselves.

If you want to read more about 23. October, you can do so here!

Because of the national day most shops will be closed and quite some streets will be closed. Most restaurants will remain open, so will most cinemas and also the Szechényi Thermal Bath!

Enjoy the national day in Hungary!