Hungary The Beginning of the End-20 Years since Hungary Cut the Fences

[Gordon Craig]

2009 is the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the end of Communist rule in a lot of the eastern satellite countries. On May the 2nd 1998, Hungarain Border Guards started removing the fences defining their borders with Austria. The Hungarian government assured the East German government that they would not provide a gate way for a flood of East German's to escape into Austria. It was a promise they were unable to keep. Hungaries Lake Balaton had long been a popular summer holiday destination and following the removal of the fences in May many East Germans entered Hungary, ostensibly on holiday, and went immediately to Austria. This caused a major problem for the Austrians trying to house this flood of what became refugees. Here is a BBC picture showing Hungary soldiers cutting the fencing between Hungary and Austria.

Regards,

Gordon

Edited May 5, 2009 by Gordon Craig

[Guest Rick Research]

People here have completely forgotten "before." Memory endures--I hope--more so there. This is hardly "ancient" history, but for billions drifting along in blissful oblivion, yesterday never happened. :beer:

[hunyadi]

A few things of note - apparently there is a German film being made about the event in Hungary - but dont know if its gotten off the ground or not...

Secondly - every once in a while you could buy little commemorative "chunks" of the old barbed wire with a certificate of the fence...

Thirdly - how quickly we seem to forget the events between 1917 and 1989....

[Gordon Craig]

Charles,

The barb wire things are still for sale every Tuesday at the Coin and Stamp Show.

Gordon

[Guest Darrell]

I wonder what the difference is between the Barb Wire they sell and the stuff in the scrap at the back of my house? :rolleyes:

[Gordon Craig]

Darrell,

Several thousand mile. Otherwise, probably not much except the stuff they sell here comes in a small box.

Regards,

Gordon

[cimbineus]

2009 is the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the end of Communist rule in a lot of the eastern satellite countries. On May the 2nd 1998, Hungarain Border Guards started removing the fences defining their borders with Austria...

Hi Gents,

I would like to share with you some photographs of an original and authentic piece of the so called Iron Curtain. It is interesting, that this box was made still in communist times and used as presents. Just imagine the face of a General of the Soviet Armed Forces receiving this kind of "farewell present".

Here is the box and its content:

Regards,

cimbineus

[cimbineus]

... and here is the Certificat...

... and the seal of authentication: