So glad you are here and so glad to have found your work. Your writing is beautiful.
And the grief for one’s country may be one of the most peculiar, intangible injuries anyone suffers, as many Americans (myself included) are just learning.
A beautiful testimony on yourself. There is not one point in our life journeys identical, except being Hungarian. But it is an immensely important one.
During my long life, I have been always an optimist, and hoped Hungary to succeed sooner or later. The past sixteen years severely tried my optimism, but I persevered. I am not a writer, but my journey spanning over WW2 to our times, deserves to be written, by an old amateur scribbler. If I live to do it...
Zsolt, I can relate to your WWII sentiments because of the headache my Hungarian great-grandmother carried to an early death. A Hungarian immigrant in America who became invisible.
I was born in 1944, Budapest got the first bombing, continued for a full year until the big war was over. I had a happy childhood, although we lived in poverty, under oppression. I had no experience of affluence and wellbeing. Then came the revolution in 1956. It promised a new world, freedom and happiness. Then the Russian tanks quenched it in two weeks. As a youngster I felt devastated, but no matter what, I wanted to find my way to be useful, to serve the common good and turn Hungary to become better place. I was obsessed with it. I did achieve quite a lot (advisor to the prime minister, undersecretary) and also have lost some of my battles. At 82, I have a big bag full of experiences under my belt and it all started toward the end of WW2.
Zsolt, I'd love to hear your stories if you are open to it. We are relocating back to Budapest in a few weeks. I assume you still live in Hungary; we could meet in person. I'm writing a Hungarian Conspiracy Thriller trilogy (Present, 1956, WWII) and look forward to hearing about your experiences.
With open arms, and more than happy to meet you in Budapest. I do live in Rákosliget, Budapest’s eastern most suburb, ( where I happened to be born on the kitchen table.) I plan to write my own story on Substack in detail, and publish either several short books, or perhaps a bigger one. If you send me your email address, I can send you a brief Life Journey. It has the essential points written by an engineer physicist’s compact brevity.
Péter, it seems that you are uniquely prepared and intellectually equipped for illuminating the current world situation, not only in Hungary but also in the US and in Spain. I thank you for your posts! They explain events clearly and provide essential backstories.
This piece explains who you are at your core, Peter. I know the difficulty of writing long form essays. Thank you for doing so, and in the service of the Hungarian people.
Thanks so much for writing! "I would never romanticise OCD. It has caused suffering, frustration, and exhaustion. But it has also forced me into a level of self-observation I probably would not have developed otherwise." Solidarity in the OCD journey!
Péter, a deeply insightful story. This statement resonated with me: "Countries arrive in your life long before politics does." It brought back so many memories of my upbringing.
I only understand OCD intellectually, but you have my compassion. I have bipolar 2 & major depressive disorder. Thanks to age, meditation, Zen practises not the religion & medication. I am I assume a regular person now. I love the way you write about how you became you. As well as about Hungary & the world. You remind me of Joseph Conrad, writing, in a language you were not originally raised in. Do you speak Catalan & Spanish? I speak Mexican Spanish ok, not fluent & some Spanish Spanish from classes. I love languages but am not even as fluent In English as you.
I've come to the conclusion that languages can be learned through classes and study and books but I suspect that real fluency only comes from regularly conversing with others.
I agree I read very well in several languages, but even in Spanish which I have been around all my life, I only speak adequately. My other languages, I can do the basics, directions, buy & order food, etc. There are sites you can talk with people, but I don't have the money.
So glad you are here and so glad to have found your work. Your writing is beautiful.
And the grief for one’s country may be one of the most peculiar, intangible injuries anyone suffers, as many Americans (myself included) are just learning.
Péter,
A beautiful testimony on yourself. There is not one point in our life journeys identical, except being Hungarian. But it is an immensely important one.
During my long life, I have been always an optimist, and hoped Hungary to succeed sooner or later. The past sixteen years severely tried my optimism, but I persevered. I am not a writer, but my journey spanning over WW2 to our times, deserves to be written, by an old amateur scribbler. If I live to do it...
Zsolt, I can relate to your WWII sentiments because of the headache my Hungarian great-grandmother carried to an early death. A Hungarian immigrant in America who became invisible.
I was born in 1944, Budapest got the first bombing, continued for a full year until the big war was over. I had a happy childhood, although we lived in poverty, under oppression. I had no experience of affluence and wellbeing. Then came the revolution in 1956. It promised a new world, freedom and happiness. Then the Russian tanks quenched it in two weeks. As a youngster I felt devastated, but no matter what, I wanted to find my way to be useful, to serve the common good and turn Hungary to become better place. I was obsessed with it. I did achieve quite a lot (advisor to the prime minister, undersecretary) and also have lost some of my battles. At 82, I have a big bag full of experiences under my belt and it all started toward the end of WW2.
Zsolt, I'd love to hear your stories if you are open to it. We are relocating back to Budapest in a few weeks. I assume you still live in Hungary; we could meet in person. I'm writing a Hungarian Conspiracy Thriller trilogy (Present, 1956, WWII) and look forward to hearing about your experiences.
Mária,
With open arms, and more than happy to meet you in Budapest. I do live in Rákosliget, Budapest’s eastern most suburb, ( where I happened to be born on the kitchen table.) I plan to write my own story on Substack in detail, and publish either several short books, or perhaps a bigger one. If you send me your email address, I can send you a brief Life Journey. It has the essential points written by an engineer physicist’s compact brevity.
Best,
Zsolt
Thank you, Zsolt! I look forward to reading your story and meeting you soon.
My email address: hungarianancestors@outlook.com
Péter, it seems that you are uniquely prepared and intellectually equipped for illuminating the current world situation, not only in Hungary but also in the US and in Spain. I thank you for your posts! They explain events clearly and provide essential backstories.
This piece explains who you are at your core, Peter. I know the difficulty of writing long form essays. Thank you for doing so, and in the service of the Hungarian people.
Thanks so much for writing! "I would never romanticise OCD. It has caused suffering, frustration, and exhaustion. But it has also forced me into a level of self-observation I probably would not have developed otherwise." Solidarity in the OCD journey!
Péter, a deeply insightful story. This statement resonated with me: "Countries arrive in your life long before politics does." It brought back so many memories of my upbringing.
I only understand OCD intellectually, but you have my compassion. I have bipolar 2 & major depressive disorder. Thanks to age, meditation, Zen practises not the religion & medication. I am I assume a regular person now. I love the way you write about how you became you. As well as about Hungary & the world. You remind me of Joseph Conrad, writing, in a language you were not originally raised in. Do you speak Catalan & Spanish? I speak Mexican Spanish ok, not fluent & some Spanish Spanish from classes. I love languages but am not even as fluent In English as you.
I've come to the conclusion that languages can be learned through classes and study and books but I suspect that real fluency only comes from regularly conversing with others.
I agree I read very well in several languages, but even in Spanish which I have been around all my life, I only speak adequately. My other languages, I can do the basics, directions, buy & order food, etc. There are sites you can talk with people, but I don't have the money.