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Photo - Suszi by Nigel A. JAMES
The
City of Veszprem and Suszi
If
you go down to Veszprem in Hungary, you will find a city of pasts.
An historic past with a castle – and a socialist past with
its social housing developments. Veszprem is ancient and modern and
cultural and fun. Veszprem is well worth a visit.
And,
whilst visiting Veszprem last summer, I discovered a statue just off
the main square. A statue of a woman. And, this woman could have
been anyone. But, this is a statue of Suszi. Suszi in stone. And,
Suszi was, and still is, someone quite special. She's loved by the
people of Veszprem. And, funnily enough, Suszi comes from a time that
was not loved at all. The socialist era.
The
clearing up was fast at the end of the socialist time. The hammers
and sickles and the Lenins and Stalins soon disappeared. Hungary was
Hungary again. But, Suszi was not cleared away. This small part of
the past had to stay. Suszi was very important.
Suszi
was not only a woman, she was more. All through the communist days,
the people of Veszprem saw Suszi as a symbol of hope. And, sure
enough, the dark days of oppression did come to an end. And there
Suszi stood. True to the hearts of the people who loved her.
But,
some people had believed that Suszi should leave Veszprem as well.
She, after-all, was a socialist figure. And so, the council decided
that Suszi should be broken up, too, Just like the Lenins and
Stalins. But, the people said no in a very loud way. Suszi should
stay. They would not let her go. And, so, the council gave way.
And, that's why Suszi's still there. In the hearts of the people in
the heart of the city of Veszprem.
The
city of Veszprem has many different pasts. But, Suszi's eternal.
Suszi is hope.
Veszprem.
A small town in Hungary that's well worth a visit.
Suszi - by Nigel A. JAMES
