60th anniversary of 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight
Cleveland City Hall Rotunda October 20, 2016
The Crack in the Berlin Wall began with a hole in a flag in Budapest!
As President John F. Kennedy said "October 23, 1956 is a day that will live forever in the annals of free men and nations. It was a day of courage, conscience and triumph. No other day since history began has shown more clearly the eternal unquenchability of man's desire to be free, whatever the odds against success, whatever the sacrifice required."
At one time (maybe still) there were more Hungarians in Cleveland than anywhere in the world outside of Budapest. Many Hungarians came here in 1956 because of the Fight for Freedom against the Soviet Union in Hungary. On October 20, 2016 the Hungarian community, including many 56ers, gathered at Cleveland City Hall to remember the 1956 Revolution.
The Hungarian Flag flew over City Hall and a large Hungarian flag with the Communist symbol blanked out, hung in the Rotunda.
Jeanette Grasselli Brown served as Mistress of Ceremonies at the program celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight of 1956. In her welcoming remarks Jenny told how '60 years ago a small nation shook the foundation of the Communist world.'
Jenny Brown
The US and Hungarian flags were presented and Ted Horvath led the crowd in the US and Hungarian national anthems.
NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.
Singing the national anthems
Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba Krasznai of the First Hungarian Reformed Church gave the Invocation. Rev. Krasznai first spoke in English and then Hungarian.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Csaba Krasznai
Mistress of Ceremonies Jeanette Grasselli Brown introduced Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson at the program celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight of 1956. Mayor Jackson praised the diversity of Cleveland and the contributions of the Hungarian community. He presented a proclamation from the City to Jenny Brown.
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson
Jenny Brown and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson
Honorary Consul General of Hungary Laszlo Bojtos is a 56er. He gave the keynote address at the program celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight of 1956. Consul Bojtos told of his experiences in 1956.
Honorary Consul General of Hungary Laszlo Bojtos
Consul Bojtos called for all the 56ers to stand and then a group photo was taken.
Hungarian 56ers in Cleveland City Hall
A 56er told the motto of his countrymen during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. He spoke the saying in Hungarian and then translated it as 'Who is not with us is against us.'
Jeanette Grasselli Brown thanked keynote speaker and 56er Honorary Consul General of Hungary Laszlo Bojtos. She read part of the entry from the US Congressional Record about the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and then the flags of the US and Hungary were retired.
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Enjoy these other images from the 60th anniversary event.
Reverend Krasznai, Mayor Jackson, Marika Megyimori and Ted Horvath
Vera Holczer and Jenny Magistrelli from the Aurora School of Music
Mrs and Consul Laszlo Bojtos
Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble members
Imre Mate is a 56er who is in rehab so couldn't attend
but was there in spirit
Mrs and Consul Laszlo Bojtos and family members
Hungarian 56ers and August Pust
Hungarian 56ers John Megyimori and
Jenny Brown, Mayor Frank Jackson and Ted Horvath
Reverend Krasznai, Jenny Brown, Mayor Jackson, Marika Megyimori and
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