Zsuzi

The City of Veszprem in Hungary

The City of Veszprem and  Zsuzsi

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 Zsuzsi  in stone. And, Zsuzsi was, and still is, someone quite special. She's loved by the people of Veszprem. And, funnily enough, Zsuzsi  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 Stalin's soon disappeared. Hungary was Hungary again. But, Zsuzsi was not cleared away. This small part of the past had to stay. Zsuzsi was very important.

 Zsuzsi 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 Zsuzsi  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 Suzi'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, Zsuzsi'  eternal.  Zsuzsi is hope.

Veszprem. A small town in Hungary that's well worth a visit.

Zsuzi