László Papp

László Papp left Hungary with his wife in 1956 after the Soviets suppressed the Hungarian Revolution. At the time, László worked at a design company where he was elected president of the workers’ council. He came to the United States, sponsored by family members in Pittsburgh, and continued to pursue his career as an architect. László dedicates his time to service in New Canaan on town councils and commissions. Most recently, he was recognized by the Hungarian community for his instrumental leadership in memorializing the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in Riverside Park, New York City. 

On the Hungarian Revolution and the uprising:  

In 1955, Khrushchev and Eisenhower in Vienna agreed to let the [Soviet] occupation end in Austria...there is no rhyme and reason for the Russians to stay here...[and] was the inspiration for the so-called revolution [which] started as a demonstration...the Russian troops which were stationed still in Hungary, and they came to Budapest and started to shoot. Then people started to throw Molotov Cocktails and resist and all that...the demonstration was like the whole city. 

In a few days, the revolutionary forces seemed to be winning...[and] that the people that who work there would take the direction in their own hands. I was working in a design office...because I graduated from the university architecture school in ‘55...for several years [when] these so-called revolution councils were formed...and I happened to be elected chairman of this office. The same thing all over, the factories and other places people work, offices, everywhere. This kind of natural progression said that now we are going to be the boss, not the companies, the leaders.  

On November 4th the Khrushchev decided that he is not going to let it happen and then the fresh invading forces came in to crush the revolution. That was overwhelming force. That was in a few days and then it was all over.  

On deciding to leave Hungary: 

We were waiting what will come out of this. And then in a few days, few weeks, it became obvious that nothing good will come out of this… people started to be herded up who participated...we were kind of hesitating. It became obvious that those who were active would be were part of it would be jailed, somehow, retribution will come. So, a friend of mine called me one evening and said that he decided that he will go. And we should make up our minds. I was already married at that time, and I said, “Well, give us a half an hour. We’ll make a decision [laughs], we’ll make a decision about that.” 

We said, "well this, this life here is going to be very difficult and bleak and maybe we will suffer some injustice...And if things get better then we’ll come back..."  

We went with the train as far as we could...we had to walk through the last 20 or so miles. And through the marshland, because the Russians started to control the border. The Hungarians were, just disappeared. But that, the Russians were in tanks. So they never came out of the tanks, so they didn’t go into the marshland. So, we went through. Arrived in Austria. The Austrians were fabulous. They were, they were just incredibly welcoming and friendly and helped us every which way. So, in a week I got a job there. I got a job in Vienna.  

On coming to America: 

The Austrian man who kind of helped us…he was the one who got me the job...He was in the export-import business and had grain import from America, and was visiting America several times. He said, “Look guys, you can stay here. You can start here, but there are so many of these refugees here now, it may be a little bit dense. But America is wonderful and you have a chance to go now, and if you don’t like it, you can come back. But if you don’t like here and you want to go later, you cannot go.” And he says, “Well, I’ll show you what America looks like.” So, one of his trips, he took this little home movie, out of his car, driving on the Merritt Parkway. He showed us the movie and said “Look at that, isn’t that beautiful?”  

His arrival in America: 

So we went to the interview and she [my wife] translated for me. And there was again, as the Austrians were wonderful so were the Americans at that time. Everybody was trying to help. I don’t know whether you kind of have any recollection of those days, but the Americans kind of felt a little bit ashamed that they should have helped….So, architect said “OK, you don’t speak English but you can draw and you can sit down work, and you will catch up the language.” 

We were happy and working...and [we] accumulated $3,000. We felt very rich…somehow, we found a one-room summer cottage in New Canaan...it was ’62. So, we bought the summer cottage. Put a foundation underneath, put in a chimney, and then a fireplace, and moved in. And we were happy. We had two kids before we had the second room!