We unveiled a memorial plaque to Cardinal Mindszenty at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here in Te Whanganui-a-Tara yesterday evening. Mindszenty visited Aotearoa in December 1974, a few months before his death. (A family member recalls his visit, mostly for having to kiss the Cardinal's ring!) This year marks 50 years of his death and is being commemorated worldwide by Hungarian communities.

The highlight of the evening for me though was the playing of Gryllus brothers, two of the founders of the legendary Hungarian folk music group, Kaláka. They have been performing their music since about 1969. They sounded just great.

#Hungary #Mindszenty #Gryllus #Kaláka

Budapest, 1949. Today, 6 May, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Cardinal Mindszenty, the arch-conservative and staunchly anti-Communist Hungarian cardinal, shown here at his show trial, before his inevitable imprisonment. A special Mass, marking this anniversary of his death, is to be held at the beginning of the conclave in Rome.

Source: Fortepan [164858] Fortepan/Album045

#fortepan #Budapest #Mindszenty #Hungary

Hungary, October 1956. The staunchly anti-communist Cardinal Mindszenty addresses a small crowd following his release from prison on 30 October where he had been held since 1948 after being convicted of treason. He would remain at liberty for only a few more days before seeking refuge in the American Embassy when the Soviets invaded on 4 November. He remained there until 1971.

Source: Fortepan [197816] / ETH Zürich

#fortepan #Hungary #Budapest #1956Revolution #Mindszenty