Presentation of the book entitled From the Danube to the Sun of Spain, organized by the Hungarian Embassy, on the victims of communism, next Monday 9 December at 19.40 in the Sala de Actos of the Vniversitas Senioribvs CEU in Madrid (calle Tutor, 35).
This work is the result of a high-level scientific collaboration between Spain and Hungary. It is proof that the two countries have common themes, values and interests. Several decades of the 20th century have been a period of great burden for the whole continent of Europe. In most countries, totalitarian regimes have taken over the state in the long run and this was no different in Hungary. For forty years, from 1949 to 1989, this country, then officially known as the People’s Republic of Hungary, was ruled by a communist regime. Soviet-style dictatorships in the central and eastern halves of Europe caused economic backwardness in the region, including Hungary, as well as social backwardness compared with the western half of the continent. It is important to see clearly what led to this political system and how Hungarians and millions of other nationalities around the world experienced it.
According to data provided by countries with this state system, communism claimed nearly 100 million victims worldwide. It is a duty to know and share their history. The Spanish contribution to this work and the excellent professional relationship established with the Hungarian National Commemoration Commission are particularly commendable.
The event will be attended by the Ambassador of Hungary, Katalin Tóth; the Vice-President of the National Memory Commission (NEB) of Hungary, Áron Máthé; the Professor of Contemporary History and director of the Chair of History “Memory and Identity” of the CEU Institute for Historical Studies, José Luis Orella Martínez; the deputy director general of the National Commission of Memory (NEB) in Hungary, Ádám Dergán; the professor at CEU-USP and Senioribvs CEU Vniversitas, Ricardo Ruiz de la Serna; Moderated by the director of the Vniversitas Senioribvs CEU, María García-Carrillo Ara.
Participation is free of charge, subject to prior confirmation (91 745 16 34, universitassenioribus@ceu.es). At the end of the presentation, a cocktail with Hungarian products will be offered.
