Hungarian interview - Laszlo Szoke

Laszlo Szoke discusses what life was like in post-World War II Hungary. His father had been a soldier. Mr. Szoke has fond memories of Budapest in the 1930s, but the situation changed between 1945-1956. He talks about the activities of 1956, and working in Buda office was next to the Bem Szobor. Mr. Szoke attended political meetings, rallies and underground activities from September to Novemeber 1956. He describes Technical University, Kálvintér, Katonaközpont. Kossuth Lajos tér, speeches, youth activity, Magyar Rádio. On November 18 1956, he and his wife escaped Austria. After two weeks in the refugee camp, they flew to Canada. Mr. Szoke talks about their arrival in Vancouver, British Columbic, and the fears they had at that time. They travelled east and settled in Hamilton where they were taking in by a Catholic family. Mr. Szoke talks about Polish-Hungarian relations, Polish escape to Hungary 1945-46. Mr. Szoke later went to school, and received his MBA. In 1971 and 1989 he went back to Hungary saw a changed world. Mr. Szoke talks about the significance of the 1956 Revolution to the history of Hungary. In his new home in Canada, Mr. Szoke is actively involved with the Hungarian church, school, Scouts, and folk dancing.