Hungary is marking the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution, paying tribute to those who fought for freedom and democracy while reaffirming its commitment to peace, stability, and stronger relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In an address delivered by Anikó Gyenge, Chargé d’Affaires of embassy of Hungary in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the anniversary was described as an opportunity to remember the courage and sacrifice of the Hungarian people and reflect on the enduring significance of the revolution for Europe.

The Hungarian Revolution began on October 23, 1956, with peaceful student demonstrations in Budapest expressing solidarity with Poland. The protests quickly developed into a nationwide uprising against Soviet domination and communist rule.

Although participants did not necessarily share the same political motives or visions for the country’s future, the desire to end oppression and Soviet occupation and establish freedom and democracy united them, Gyenge noted.

Over the following weeks, Hungary experienced dramatic political and military developments. Initial euphoria over the revolution’s successes gave way to fierce resistance against vastly superior Soviet forces, which launched a major military offensive in November.

The Hungarian people also faced the reality of international politics, including the absence of the Western military assistance many had hoped for and a profound sense of abandonment. At the same time, the country experienced international solidarity, particularly through the support expressed by the global public and international media.

The suppression of the revolution brought a devastating human cost. According to the address, 2,652 Hungarian citizens and 720 Soviet citizens lost their lives in the fighting. Approximately 200,000 Hungarians subsequently fled the country.

Although the uprising was defeated, its legacy endured and became an important part of Europe’s collective memory.

The revolution demonstrated that, even when an uprising is crushed, it can change the course of history. While an empire may win a military battle, it can begin to lose its legitimacy, while the desire for freedom can survive imprisonment, executions, exile, and decades of repression, Gyenge said during her address in Sarajevo on Wednesday evening.

The democratic transitions across Central Europe in 1989 were, in part, rooted in the events that had unfolded on the streets of Budapest more than three decades earlier. Hungary ultimately regained its independence and became a democratic country, later joining NATO and the European Union.

In 1956, Time magazine named the Hungarian freedom fighters its Person of the Year, recognising the largely anonymous young women and men who took to the streets to challenge one of the world’s most powerful dictatorships.

Their courage remains a source of national pride, but also carries a responsibility to protect the independence and democracy secured through decades of struggle.

“The most important message of 1956 is that freedom and democracy must never be taken for granted. They can be lost and they can be taken away. And this may be more important today than ever,” Gyenge stressed.

Hungary Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Cooperation with BiH

Addressing the current international environment, Gyenge noted that today’s geopolitical challenges bear similarities to those faced during the 1956 era, making peace and stability increasingly important.

Hungary, including through its participation in the European Union’s EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, attaches particular importance to peace and stability across the European continent and in its immediate neighbourhood, especially the Western Balkans.

According to Gyenge, Hungary intends to maintain this commitment in the future.

She also highlighted the Hungarian government’s intention to strengthen and expand relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary, pointing to their shared history and significant economic and cultural ties.

Hungary seeks balanced bilateral relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina based on mutual interests, while remaining committed to the country’s European path and supporting its Euro-Atlantic integration.

Gyenge said Hungary stands ready to provide assistance through both bilateral and multilateral channels.

One of the notable examples of cooperation between the two countries is the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship programme, funded by the Hungarian government, which provides educational opportunities for international students.

Anniversary Events in Sarajevo and Mostar

As part of the anniversary programme organised by the Hungarian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, several commemorative events are planned to honour the legacy of the 1956 Revolution.

On October 23, Sarajevo will host a presentation of one of the most recognisable symbols of the uprising: the Hungarian national flag with a hole in its centre, created after revolutionaries removed the communist emblem from the country’s flag.

In Mostar, with the support of the city’s leadership, the Old Bridge will be illuminated in the colours of the Hungarian national flag as a tribute to the heroes of the revolution.

The commemorations serve as a reminder of the enduring importance of freedom, democracy, and international solidarity, while highlighting Hungary’s commitment to maintaining strong relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and contributing to stability in the Western Balkans.