Budapest Heroes' Square [antikvár]

TO THE MEMORY OF OUR HEROES Each nation is proud of its history and ancestors, having rendered the fatherland, the native land great, populating it and making it rich, and if fate willed so, defending it. The Hungarian people has always faced and faces now its past with pride, so that patriots speaking Hungarian keep their identity acquired by their common origin and will hand it down to future generations. Reverence is one of the noblest human sentiments, which can be expressed in numerous ways. Such feelings of the Hungarian people is visibly demonstrated by the Heroes' square in our capital Budapest, where our ancestors have erected a monument to the memory of our historical personalities, who fought bravely, and often sacrified their lives for the independence and freedom of the fatherland. The millennial monument and the memorial stone of heroes on the Heroes' square was declared by the Hungarian parliament in 2001 a national memorial place, marking the occasion ofthe thousandth anniversary of foundation of the Hungarian state. It serves at the same time as a military memorial. During the thousand years of our history our soldiers fought always in the front line for the preservation of our country. The sculptures truly commemorate our greatest military leaders, who on the hour of need stood firmly against our enemies. The memorial stone of heroes treasures the memory of unknown millions who laid down their lives for the fatherland. Our respect and reverence toward our ancestors could not be expressed more decorously, as symbolised by these compositions in the beautiful surroundings. The square itself has got its name from this simple monolithic stone as far as seventy years ago. At that time the leaders of the capital of that time asked all civilians, and all Hungarians: "In front of the memorial stone of unknown heroes, as our hallowed place of national reverence hear witness to our heroes by the exterior mark of respect by taking off their hats and doing so to declare oneself to be one with those who, without hesitation took up arms for the life and future of the nation!" These thoughts are actual even today. We can hope that the renovated memorial place, with its improved appearance and renewed shine will move passers by to bow their heads. Perhaps in the not far future the presence of a military guard of honour will emphasize our reverence to our past heroes. This artistic publication, rich in content is dedicated to everybody interested in the history of this national memorial place, who has respect for those who have defended the independence of the fatherland. We dedicate it to the new generation growing up and to all who wish to know more of the important facts of Hungarian history Our thanks are expressed to the Hungarian Ministry of Defence for encouraging the initiative and to everybody, who contributed to publication of this volume, as a decorous manifestation of our reverence. It is our pleasure to hand this volume over to all readers!