A simple question echoes: Who was Tuli József? This plaque commemorates József, a significant Hungarian writer. He was born in Döbörhegy in 1927. József died in Budapest in 1992. He lived and worked in this house.
József received the József Attila Prize in 1953. It was a recognition of his early work. He wrote novels and short stories. His works often explored rural life. They focused on human behavior. Emotional connections were important. He examined the quality of family life. Dramatic tension marks all his works.
Until the end of World War II, he worked as a farmhand. In winter, he was a servant. From 1946, he was a manual worker. József completed his secondary education privately. He then became a resident of a folk college. He graduated there. From 1949 to 1951, he studied at ELTE Russian Institute. Later, he graduated from the Academy of Theater and Film Arts. His major was dramaturgy.
In 1952, he penned two significant short stories. These were “Pheasant and Bird” and “An Honest Man”. They earned him the József Attila Prize. From 1953 to 1957, József worked as a journalist. He wrote for Szabad Föld. Between 1957 and 1961, he was a dramaturg. He worked at the Hunnia Film Studio.
The film “Kálvária” premiered in 1960. József wrote the screenplay. Prominent actors starred in it. These included Pager Antal and Agárdy Gábor. He contributed to several major films. “The Poor Rich” and “Love Thursday” are examples.
Due to his political views, he faced restrictions. From 1961 to 1962, he worked as a trainee. He worked at the Klement Gottwald Electrical Works. After this period, he became an artistic performer. From 1963 to 1967, he worked at the Óbuda Cultural Center.
Between 1967 and 1970, he was a factory journalist. He wrote for the Ikarus factory. From 1970 to 1972, he worked at the Ganz factory. Simultaneously, he was a style editor. He worked part-time at Élet és Tudomány. Later, he became a senior editor. He held this role at Táncsics and Népszava Publishers. This was the last workplace of his life. Alongside his work, he continued writing. He authored novels and short stories.
His notable novels include “Excusable Sin”. Another is “After the War”. He also wrote “A Woman Wants to Be Happy”. “Unhappy People” is another significant work. His models are mostly people living in the countryside. He primarily depicts human behavior.
József explores factors influencing emotional relationships. He looks at family life. “Excusable Sin” portrays a rural peasant family. It shows how the past’s oppressive remnants linger. They live longest within the family. Only emotional freedom can combat backwardness. The demand for equality can also help. “After the War” examines human connections. Real historical events shape them. The trials of World War II influence these relationships.
This Tuli József Plaque is a reminder. It commemorates a life dedicated to literature. His works offer insights. They explore Hungarian society and the human condition.