Hungarian Refugee Memorial
Maple Island
Written by Bytown Museum
on
03/Dec/2009
In 1956 and 1957, more than 200,000 Hungarians fled their homes following a nationwide revolt against the Stalinist government of Hungary. The Hungarian Revolution began as a student demonstration and quickly spread across the country. The resulting conflict forced thousands of refugees to flee the country.
Nearly 40,000 Hungarians found asylum in Canada. Fifty years later, a monument was raised to commemorate Canada's response to this desperate situation. The commemoration consists of a red granite monument beside a wooden sculpture called a “kopjafa,” a traditional Hungarian art form which represents honour, peace, friendship and remembrance. The granite represents the strength of Canada.
The monument inscription reads, “May this monument be a lasting symbol of the gratitude of Hungarian refugees who, having escaped after the revolution in Hungary, were welcomed and provided a safe haven to rebuild their lives in Canada.”
Did you or someone in your family come to Canada after the Hungarian Revolution? Share your story with us.
