Standing before the Dsida testvérek Plaque we remember a poet silenced for too long. This plaque commemorates Dsida Jenő and his brother Csengeri Aladár. It marks the spot where they lived with their parents. This was before the First World War.
Dsida Jenő was born in 1907. His brother Aladár was born here in Budapest in 1911. The plaque reads that Dsida Jenő was a poet and translator. Csengeri Aladár became a stage actor. The memorial plaque is the work of sculptor Oláh Katalin Kinga.
Imagine this very street. It’s a sweltering summer day in June. The small crowd gathers. They are here to honor Dsida Jenő. The surrounding buildings are tall. They mostly block out the sun. There is barely any green space. This is Ilka Street in Zugló.
The family lived in this brick building from 1910 to 1914. Dsida Jenő was between three and seven years old. His father’s job brought them to Budapest. They lived here until the start of World War I. Then Dsida’s father went to war.
Muzsnay Árpád discovered the family’s Budapest address. He found Aladár’s birth certificate. Muzsnay initiated the plaque. It commemorated the 80th anniversary of Dsida’s death. Several literary organizations supported the project. These included the EMKE, the Writers’ Foundation, and the Petőfi Literary Museum.
From 1944 to 1958 Dsida Jenő’s name was forbidden. It could not be mentioned in literary circles. Despite this his poems resonated with the people of Transylvania. After 1990 his works were rediscovered. He gained recognition in Hungary. In the last thirty years his cult following has grown.
The family experienced the consequences of the Treaty of Trianon. This happened in Szatmárnémeti. This was Dsida’s birthplace. Dsida attended school here. He published his first poems in 1923. He was only fifteen years old. He said he was proud when his poem was published in Benedek Elek’s Cimbora. It was a small birthday greeting. That day he received his first honorarium.
After graduation he studied law in Kolozsvár. But literature was his main interest. For years he worked for the Pásztortűz magazine. He published his first book of poems Leselkedő magány in Kolozsvár in 1928. At 21 he was already a mature poet. He was an excellent artist of form. His poetic vision was unique. He felt close to Kosztolányi Dezső. He also admired the poets of Nyugat. These included Babits Mihály and Tóth Árpád.
Dsida Jenő’s most famous poem is Psalmus Hungaricus. He wrote it in 1936. It expresses pain and concern. This was for the fate of the Hungarian people. The poem has biblical power. The poet sees his role in focusing attention. He wants to express the tragic fate of the nation.
Dsida Jenő’s short life coincided with József Attila’s life. They had different paths but similarities too. Both published poems early. Both wrote with ease and virtuosity. Their visions were nuanced. They were gentle and playful. Both explored patriotism. They searched for God. They had ultimate trust in divine providence. Despite their early deaths both left behind great works.
So let us remember Dsida Jenő. He gifted his poetic treasures to Hungarian literature. Although authorities ignored him for decades his legacy lives on. This Dsida testvérek Plaque ensures his memory endures in Budapest.