Budapest

The photo above is a close-up of one of thousands of Hungarian flags that were placed in the ground around the statue of Petöfi, that adorned the city of Budapest, and that were carried and waved by the people. This flag was obviously hand-drawn and carefully colored, perhaps by a child. The following album represents a few of the pictures I took that day. To view the full-sized photo, click on the thumbnail. Use your browser's "back" button to return to this page.

The statue of the founder of the liberation of Hungary, 1848, Sandor Petöfi. Note the flags in the ground below. The following is an excerpt from one of his poems: Rise up, Magyar, the country calls! It's 'now or never' what fate befalls... Shall we live as slaves or free men? That's the question - choose your `Amen'! God of Hungarians, we swear unto Thee, We swear unto Thee - that slaves we shall no longer be! (from 'Talpra, magyar!')
This sign was one of the few in English, and addressed a topic dear to my heart, so I had to get a picture of it. It's something we should not take for granted here in North America. Maybe if we had to march in the hundreds of thousands, seeking it, we would value it more.
The city streets were packed with people, for the entire day.
One of many national groups represented there, marching past the American embassy.
Doug, with the video camera.
The people kept coming and coming, all day long.
Outside the television station, listening to speeches.
Some weeks later, the Soviet holiday of April 4th was held, to very little fanfare. One of the few flags I found.
In front of the Chain Bridge, over which the candle-light parade crossed, throughout the evening and night.