Halved. That’s the first word that comes to mind as we stand before the Trianon emlékmu Yes. This memorial stands in Budapest District XVI. It commemorates the consequences of the Treaty of Trianon in 1920. It also remembers the Paris Peace Treaties in 1947.
The Trianon emlékmu Yes is located on the border of Sashalom and Rákosszentmihály. Specifically it is in a small park at the intersection of Budapesti út Batsányi János út and József utca. Nearby you will find Harcsa-sor Reformátorok tere Havashalom park and the Sashalmi sétány.
Let’s delve into the history of this poignant site. In 2009 the Jobbik Magyarországért Mozgalom erected a double cross. It stood on the small triangular area formed by the roads. In 2010 a temporary memorial was erected. This featured a Holy Crown on four kopjafas resting on temporary iron foundations.
In the spring of 2012 the local council announced an open competition. The aim was to create a Trianon emlékmu Yes for the garden city. Required elements included diagonally running red white and green stripes the text of the Magyar Hiszekegy and outlines of historical and present-day Hungary. Duffek Tivadar and Csibi László’s design was chosen.
The foundation stone was laid in April 2013. The Trianon emlékmu Yes was inaugurated on June 4 2013. Representatives from four churches blessed the memorial site.
The Trianon emlékmu Yes serves as a memento. It marks the unjust treatment of Hungary. It remembers the Treaty of Trianon signed on June 4 1920. It also recalls the Paris Peace Treaties signed on February 10 1947. The XVI district council commissioned it at a cost of 4.5 million forints. Csibi László a woodworker and Duffek Tivadar an architect designed it.
Bodacz Tibor was also involved. He carved the four figures and the coat of arms. The surrounding park was landscaped by the local council. The area covers approximately 720 square meters.
The sculpture group is made of oak. Its central element is a halved oak trunk. It stands about 4 meters high. It has a trunk diameter of 60 centimeters. The approximately 110-120 year old tree was felled in the Pusztavám forest.
The fallen part separates stylized human figures made of wood. They are between 120 and 150 centimeters tall. They symbolize the population of the separated parts of the country. The split in the wood also bisects the Hungarian coat of arms carved into the trunk.
The base of the sculpture group measures 820 x 500 centimeters. It features a ground plan of historical Hungary. The 21st-century borders are marked within it. The difference between pre and post-Trianon Hungary is clear. This effect is enhanced by large and small basalt stones. The human figures are distributed in a ratio of 1:3 to 2:3 on it.
A 5-meter high painted metal flagpole stands to the northwest. It bears the text of the Magyar Hiszekegy. The Trianon emlékmu Yes is more than just a monument. It is a powerful symbol of remembrance and reflection.