Tucked away in the Huntington Avenue wing of the Prudential Mall sits the Sandor Petofi Plaque. Have you noticed it before? It is easy to miss amidst the shopping and dining experiences. This plaque is the only memorial within the entire Prudential Mall.
The Sandor Petofi Plaque was placed here on March 17, 2013. It commemorates a significant figure in Hungarian history. But who was Sandor Petofi?
Sandor Petofi was born Alexander Petrovics. He lived from 1823 to 1849. Petofi was a Hungarian poet and a key player in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. Many consider him Hungary’s national poet. He authored “Nemzeti dal”. It is said this inspired the revolution in the Kingdom of Hungary. This revolution grew into a war for independence from the Austrian Empire.
Petofi dedicated his life to freedom and democracy. This makes Boston an appropriate place for his memorial. Boston is the home of the American Revolution. Why is the Sandor Petofi Plaque here at the Prudential Mall?
The Consulate General of Hungary is nearby. It is located at 111 Huntington Avenue. Many countries have consulates in various US cities. These consulates support their citizens living in or traveling to the city. Other Hungarian Consulates are in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. The Embassy of the Republic of Hungary is in Washington DC.
You might notice flower wreaths placed at the Sandor Petofi Plaque. This happens a few times each year. Wreaths are placed on January 1st. This marks Sandor Petofi’s birthday. Another placement is on March 15th. This is the National Day honoring the 1848 Revolution. The final wreath placement is on July 31st. This is the anniversary of Sandor Petofi’s death.
At the top of the Sandor Petofi Plaque, you will find these words. “Liberty, Love. They are all I need. For love I sacrifice my life. For Liberty I sacrifice my love.” These are powerful words that summarize his beliefs.
Laszlo Hunyadi, a Hungarian artist, designed the bronze Sandor Petofi Plaque. The Hungarian Consulate of Boston supported its creation. The Boston Panorama World Club and the Hungarian Society of Massachusetts also helped. The plaque sits on a large stone base.
Petofi’s works continue to hold a special place in Hungarian hearts. Even today, proud Hungarians remember his poems. The widely recognized “National Song” is one example. On March 17, 2013, the dedication event included Hungarian dancers. They performed traditional choreography. People read Petofi’s poems in both Hungarian and English. A children’s choir sang in Hungarian. These children were second-generation Hungarian-Americans.
Sandor Petofi’s legacy lives on through this memorial. It reminds us of his fight for freedom. It also celebrates the connection between Hungary and Boston. So next time you are here take a moment to reflect on this remarkable man. Remember his words and his dedication to liberty and love.