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Elizabeth Lilly Farkas, 1956er

Elizabeth Lilly Farkas spent several years in the women's political prison at Satoraljaujhely, charged with anti-communist activities, western connections, treason and spying. Her husband Imre, was arrested by the AVO, sentenced to death, and was serving his sentence in Vac Prison until 1956 when he was able to escape. They were reunited in Budapest and escaped when they saw the Revolution had no hope of succeeding. Lilly and Imre arrived to Charleston, SC on Christmas Eve to begin their new life in America.

Interview conducted by Andrea Lauer Rice and Réka Pigniczky in Sarasota, Florida in May of 2015.

Timecodes:

1956 / Escape from Hungary / Life under communism prior to Revolution
:30-4:56

Vac prison outbreak
4:57 - 7:11

“I knew that there is no such thing that the Americans would come to liberate us from the Soviet occupation, but it happened. The miracle happened.”
7:00 – 7:23

Decision to escape
7:28-10:06

The people of Kapuvar
8:41 – 9:54

Life in the U.S.
11:10-12:44

Arrival to the US
12:47-14:07

We knew we would get ahead / we worked very hard
14:24-15:30

Spirit of 1956
15:40-16:10
“The greatest thing, and I’m proud that we went through it and I am proud of the freedom fighters!”

Passing it onto their Children
16:10-17:48

“As long as we are still alive, we have to share it and teach young people about these times”
17:48-19:07