The exhibition and film housed inside the barracks compliment the design concept of Memento Park. The gigantic artwork of Statue Park is meant to be a symbolic reminder of a past era.
The exhibition – with the monumental and shocking Boots of Stalin, symbol of the regime and its collapse – gives an account of two turning points in recent Hungarian history, the events surrounding the 1956 revolution and the collapse of the system in 1989-90.
As you stroll away from the gaze of bygone “heroes,” make sure that you don’t miss the long wooden barracks at the side of “Witness Square.” The barracks, as well as housing the film “Life of an Agent” (featured in the last Funzine), also boasts an exhibition, which provides ample background to two of the most important moments in recent Hungarian history, as well as a background to the concept of the park.
Once inside, the low roof and gloomy lighting help to create a moody atmosphere in which to read the information boards or watch the film. In the center of the barracks two massive white boots sit; a replica of Stalin’s boots, all which remained of his statue after people pulled down his effigy in 1956. For a while, when it seemed that the revolution offered real hope, the boots stood as a symbol of this hope, hence the recreating of them here.
For those not familiar with the events of 1956, the boards here are essential reading. Beginning as a student demonstration on October 23rd it attracted many thousands of people as it marched though Budapest. A delegation tried to enter the radio building to have its demands read on air, but they were detained and soon shots were fired against the demonstrators who were demanding their release outside.
As the news of this spread, so did the violence and it became a full scale revolution against the system, with people seizing control of municipal councils, battling with the Communists in the street and eventually formally disbanding the government. However, this change only lasted until November 4th when the Soviets, after initially declaring their intention to withdraw from the country, wrestled back control supported by large scale reinforcements. Fighting didn’t last long and the revolution was soon put down.
It might be a good idea to visit the exhibition before the statues so that you can (if you don’t already) understand the significance of what lies next door. Entry to the exhibition is included in the price of your ticket and it has the same opening hours as the park.