Gazing up at this towering figure, can you sense the weight of history she bears? This, my friends, is the Május Statue, also known as the Liberty Statue. It stands as a powerful symbol, though its meaning has shifted and evolved over time. The Május Statue, perched atop Gellért Hill, has witnessed dramatic moments in Budapest’s story.
The Május Statue was originally erected in 1947, a tribute to the Soviet liberation of Hungary from Nazi Germany during World War II. The sculptor, Zsigmond Kisfaludi Strobl, designed this imposing figure. She clutches a palm leaf, symbolizing peace, and stands on a pedestal that adds to her monumental presence. Originally, the monument included other statues of Soviet soldiers. These figures were later removed, reflecting the changing political landscape. The original inscription, honoring the Soviet liberators, was also changed. It now commemorates all those who sacrificed their lives for Hungary’s freedom and independence.
The story of the model for the statue, Erzsebet Gaal, adds a poignant human dimension to this towering monument. Kisfaludi Strobl discovered Gaal on the streets of Budapest. He was captivated by her posture and presence. For weeks, she posed with a palm leaf, a fan creating the illusion of wind in her hair. Gaal became a minor celebrity. She attended parades and even shook hands with Yuri Gagarin. However, after the 1980s, she fell into obscurity and poverty, forgotten by the authorities. She died in 1989, just before the fall of communism, her gravestone bearing the simple inscription: “Here lies the model for the statue of liberty.”
The Május Statue, though initially intended as a symbol of Soviet liberation, now embodies a broader ideal. It represents the enduring spirit of Hungary, its resilience and its ongoing struggle for freedom. So, as you stand here, gazing up at this remarkable figure, remember not just the bronze and stone, but the human stories etched into its history. Remember Erzsebet Gaal, the woman whose image became an enduring symbol, and the countless Hungarians who fought and died for the ideals this statue now represents.