Sam Biederman, Assistant Commissioner for Communications at NYC Department of Parks & Recreation has responded to our article: Baffling New York City monument planned to commemorate 1956 Hungarian Revolution.
Statement:
The proposed monument to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution is funded and supported by a group of veterans from the conflict. The design for both plaque and the low-lying seating wall is by Tamas Nagy, an architect currently practicing and teaching in Budapest.
Background:
- The project currently has conceptual approval from the Public Design Commission and approval from Community Board 9.
- The project has been submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission
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As Mr. Biederman indicates, there is no final approval for the project from the City. It is premature (and unprofessional) to make statements about the inauguration on Hungarian Television. (See Consul General to New York Mr. Kumin here.)
The estimated cost is $525,000 from which $35,000 from the Hungarian Government. According to the project website, “we urgently need to raise an additional $340,000 to complete the memorial project.” It seems that funds are still missing and at this point we hope that it is not too late to stop this effort and plan a suitable 1956 memorial in NYC at a later time. (Read here.)
György Lázár
