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Hungary prepares to mark uprising Hungary remembers 1956 uprising
(about 17 hours later)
Dozens of heads of state and government are arriving in Hungary to mark the 50th anniversary of the uprising against Soviet rule. Hungary has begun ceremonies to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the uprising against Soviet rule.
Major events are planned for Monday, including the unveiling of a huge monument in Budapest's Heroes Square to those who died in the events of 1956. President Laszlo Solyom spoke at a ceremony on Sunday, calling for national unity in a country that has seen bitter recent political divisions.
Bloody battles were fought in the streets of Budapest as Soviet troops quelled the uprising. On Monday, events will include the unveiling of a huge monument in Budapest's Heroes Square to those who died in the events of 1956.
The commemorations come in the wake of anti-government demonstrations. Soviet troops put down the uprising in 12 days amid bloody fighting.
Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany's admission that he had lied about the economy has sparked protests. Boycott
Hungarians explore a tank display as part of anniversary events href="/1/hi/world/europe/5379586.stm" class="">Timeline: Hungary uprising Speaking at the Hungarian State Opera, President Solyom said some Hungarians were using the commemorations to serve their own interests.
The main opposition Fidesz party has said it will boycott official anniversary events at which the prime minister is speaking. "[Politicians] are not only celebrating apart, they are celebrating different things... I however say: there is only one revolution of 1956," he said.
The uprising started in Budapest on 23 October 1956, when students took to the streets to demand more political freedom. Hungarians explore a tank display as part of the anniversary href="/1/hi/world/europe/5379586.stm" class="">Timeline: Hungary uprising
Over the next few days, some 200,000 people joined the demonstrations. Austrian President Heinz Fischer, speaking as a representative of the foreign presidents, prime ministers and kings attending the events, echoed Mr Solyom's words, saying: "Parties are important, but the country is even more important."
On 4 November, the rebellion was suppressed by Soviet troops. Thousands of people were killed in what was Europe's worst violence since World War II. The main opposition Fidesz party has said it will boycott official anniversary events at which Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany is speaking.
Mr Gyurcsany caused political uproar recently when he admitted he had lied to the public about the economy.
Swift response
The uprising started in Budapest on 23 October 1956, with a crowd of 23,000, the reading of a pro-democracy manifesto and the singing of banned national songs.
By evening, there were 200,000 people in the centre of Budapest.
The protest was crushed less than two weeks after it began
A giant statue of Stalin was pulled down, leaving only the dictator's boots on the pedestal.
The Soviet response was swift.
Air and artillery assaults on Hungarian cities preceded an armoured invasion by 17 tank and infantry divisions.
Imre Nagy, the reforming Prime Minister, made a final impassioned plea to the outside world by radio.
He and hundreds of others were arrested and executed, among thousands of Hungarians who died.
On Sunday, Mr Gyurcsany and Serbian President Boris Tadic unveiled a memorial at the Serbian Embassy, where Nagy had sought asylum.
"For many, this building was first the home of hope," Mr Gyurcsany said. "Unfortunately, the road of lies began here."
The BBC's Alan Little says the uprising was the moment the world accepted the post-war partition of Europe and the apparent permanence of what Winston Churchill had called "the Iron Curtain".
On Monday, there will be a ceremony of remembrance at the statue of Imre Nagy.
The national flag will be hoisted in a ceremony outside parliament and the Budapest 1956 Freedom Declaration will be signed inside.
Then a memorial will be unveiled at the site where Stalin's statue was toppled.
The Fidesz party will hold its own rally close to the state radio building, the scene of bitter fighting in 1956.