Budapest: Bence Rétvári, the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of the Interior and vice-president of KDNP, emphasized the importance of understanding history to envision the future more clearly. He stated that historical awareness contributes to a strong national identity, which in turn ensures the safety of Jewish communities in Hungary.
According to KDNP, Rétvári referenced a 2022 survey by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, commissioned by the European Jewish Federation, which ranked Hungary as the second safest country for Jews in Europe, following Italy. He asserted that Hungary’s efforts to enhance national identity have concurrently made it a safe haven for Jewish people, suggesting that these efforts are mutually reinforcing.
Mária Schmidt, director general of the Central and Eastern European History and Society Research Foundation, discussed the significance of Imre Kertész’s literary works in capturing the essence of historical experiences, particularly during dictatorial regimes and
the Holocaust. She highlighted the thematic depth of Kertész’s 1975 novel “Sorstalanság” and its exploration of totalitarianism.
The Imre Kertész Institute shared insights into a performance adaptation of Kertész’s work, “Kaddis – The Prayer of Remembrancers,” which commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Hungarian Holocaust. This performance, blending literature and music, honors Holocaust victims and survivors through a unique artistic expression involving prose and music by renowned composers and artists.
The production, spearheaded by artist Zsolna Ugron and featuring contributions from various acclaimed musicians and actors, is part of a nationwide tour, offered free of charge, and organized by the KKETTK Foundation in collaboration with the Festival Academy Budapest and the Imre Kertész Institute.
