Today we had a theme of communism of a walking tour through Budapest. We learned a lot about the history of conflict in Hungary and how they have been invaded over and over through the years … by the Mongols, the Austrian Empire (during the Hapsburg era), then the Germans and Russians in the Second World War. The lady who was showing us around said Hungarians have repeatedly chosen the wrong side in conflicts, and it’s made life difficult.
In the Second World War they sided with the Germans, then we’re taken over by them. At the end to the war they were grateful to Russia for coming in and liberating them. Never did they imagine that would mean that they would then be controlled by Russia and pushed toward communism.
The monument in the photo was erected by the Russians as a symbol of the liberation. The Hungarians don’t like having it but it was part of a pact signed that says they can’t get rid of these things, so they planted lots of trees around so they don’t have to look at it so much.
We got to visit a museum that showed what life was like for Hungarians after the war (for about 40 years Hungary was part of the Soviet Republic), much of the peoples lives were controlled by government rules. They were limited in what they were permitted to do, how they lived (their homes were mostly small apartments like the photo), and what was taught in the schools. They did have industries but most of the goods were sent to Russia, keeping the people poor.
The lady told us they had to pretend to be happy with the way things were and would often lie about they opinions in public. What a sad way to have to live.
Later in the day we went for a long walk on the river side promenade and found a display of bronzed shoes and the wall at the water’s edge. We learned these shoes represent the Jewish people that were lined up along the wall by the Germans (Nazis) during WW2, shot and dumped into the river.
It looks like shoes from all kinds of people – even children. So sad to think about such evil that has happened in the world.
Well Behaved Kids Travel 