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Hungarian interview - Pal Orosz
Description
Paul Orosz gives details of the events of the 1956 Revolution, including : the 'de-kulakization' of villages, inflation, Rákosi era, Csepel factory activity, revolution account (blood), etc. Mr. Orosz was born in Szabolcs Szatmár megye. He talks about World War II, starvation, bombs, a bread crisis, the gradual take over by Soviets, inflation, and radio. His family was black-listed for owning land. He talks about communist activity and collectivization, and Josef Stalin's death in 1953. He highlights the differences between Hungarian, Polish, and Slovak communism from 1946-1956. Mr. Orosz then talks about the build up to the 1956 Hungarian revolt, including the Csepel gyár (inner city activity), the interwar period in Hungary and the changes that occured. Between 1930 and1956 Hungary became socialist. He talks about a factory meeting of 45,000 workers, communist propaganda. Mr. went to Budapest to take part in revolt, and he gives an account of the revolution and the deaths. He describes his escape via Sopron, a 80 km walk in the cold, in December 1956. He arrived at the refugee camp in Austria, and then fled to Canada, landing in Newfoundland. Mr. Orosz did not receive much help when he arrived. He married a German Hungarian woman and worked in a steel factory for 30 years. The interview concludes with Mr. Orosz talking about the destruction of Hungary and the lack of general awareness of the 1956 revolt. He thinks Canada is the best country in the world.