Hungary's former President, Arpad Goncz, laid to rest after he dies at 93

Cseke Csilla/MTI

Arpad Goncz, Hungary's first post-Communist President died a month ago on October 6th. Today he is laid to rest in a Budapest cemetery, as the nation comes to terms with the loss of one of its most respected and trusted leader. The family of Arpi bacsi, or Uncle Arpi, chose today on purpose, as it is a key anniversary date for Goncz's involvement in the 1956 Revolution, an even that would impact the rest of his life and which would determine his legacy.

Arpad Goncz was a remarkable person, with a remarkable legacy. He helped transition Hungary from the Communist rule to the new millenium successfully, and the whole nation will be forever grateful for that. During his time in office, he oversaw several governments, a dead Prime Minister and Hungary's joining of NATO. He managed to guide the transition peacefully and most important with minimal corruption as the nation privatized and developed, and most importantly avoided a breakdown of the system during the great taxi blockade of the 1990, where it all could have gone south very badly. Though in Hungary the President's role is largely ceremonial, his influence created a widespread power and respect for the office. Everyone listened to him. He was the patriarch.

Goncz had a remarkable life. During the 1956 revolution, he was jailed for his actions. But that did not stop him fighting for the cause. In jail he wrote books that were smuggled out, and translated literary classics to Hungarian, so that the youth can learn from them. Some of the books that he translated were The Lord of the Fly and several works by Tolkien, Orwell and Faulkner. After his release from jail he became a family man, but he never stopped his involvement with the resistance and freedom seekers. He quietly politicized and became an influential author for generations. As the regime lightened in the late 1980's, he was elected as the President of the National Author's Association and formed a liberal party too. And after independence, he was only a natural selection for honorable role of the President.

During his time in office he fought for democracy and to return Hungary's cultural and societal standards to that of the pre-Communist era. Especially in the countryside with all the great traditions. He was also very involved with forging great relations with the West, and welcomed the Pope, the Queen and several Americana, British and other Western leaders to Budapest to create a close economic and political alliance. He had a great influence on this nations future, and everyone will be forever grateful for it.

His funeral today will highlight what kind of man he was. His character. He requested a privately organized gathering, and rejected the state funeral which he deserves. There will be foreign dignitaries, the prime minister, and old friends from the political and military world attending, but they will do so as private people. As friends. The eulogy and the speeches will not carry a criticizing political tone, even though this would be the best place to stick up to the government.  They will be highlighting his past, and how he fought for his country against the Soviets. There is however one hidden message: The date.

November 6 is important as it is the anniversary of his involvement in the 1956 revolution. It is a great nod to the past, and a signal to the future about corrupt and authoritarian governments.

All we can say now is thank him for all his services to this great nation, and wish that he will rest peacefully.

This is an original material of Finchley 1959.