Our Reputation in the World in Autumn 1943

The character of a nation is elusive, yet it must not be exempt from scrutiny. For a small nation, striving for self-awareness is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity. The Treaty of Trianon introduced us to a formidable adversary: the propaganda directed against us. The image of us that persists is preserved in historical portrayals, travelogues, letters, and memoirs. During the Reform Era, the War of Independence, and for a significant period following the Compromise, we enjoyed the sympathy of cultured nations. This was due to the Hungarian love of freedom, an unbreakable desire for independence, and political tolerance.

From the 1880s onward, Hungary has struggled against the unfriendly atmosphere directed toward it, which escalated into outright hatred by the time of World War I. Harsh criticism, anger, and passion culminated in Trianon. While the world's judgment may be unjust, it can also hold elements of truth. A new image was born: that of the boastful, oppressive, extravagant, and politically intolerant Hungarian, impatient with minorities. This portrayal emerged in Vienna during the period of Hungarian national resistance. At the turn of the century, Pan-Slavism and Pan-Germanism sought to tarnish Hungary's reputation in European public opinion as a means of weakening the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. The propaganda of World War I targeted us in this context, and the war was not lost on the battlefield but in Western European public opinion.

Many perceive Hungary's reputation in the world as glowing, a notion the people themselves exalt—an ultimately fatal self-deception. If the world sees otherwise, it is attributed to hostile propaganda. Speakers are hired to declare abroad what is proclaimed domestically. The bitter experience of a pampered Hungarian encountering polite official courtesies abroad, only to be met with cool sarcasm, quiet disdain, and condescension, is shameful. We boast of our thousand-year history, only to be asked: which nation does not have a millennium to its name? What merit lies in that? We have crafted an image of our neighbors and assume the world sees them the same way. Yet Romanians are considered more cultured, Serbs braver, and Czechs more reliable. Hungarians are not regarded as a hospitable, freedom-loving, and chivalrous people but as a cunning, deceitful, cowardly, and oppressive amalgamation.

The formation of this hostile image began as early as 1848. With Vienna's influence, Western sympathies already aligned with the peoples hostile to us. The era of hatred began with the resurgence of national sentiments. In the abusive branches of nationalism, we fell short; the Hungarian people, being patient, tolerated the slander. Another factor lies in the kinship among European nations. They refrained from attacking their kind, while we were disparaged with condescending "Asian" labels. After the war, our competitors gained strength, and Europe resounded with their voices. Our diplomacy, literature, and fine arts did not serve our glory. Much harm was done by so-called intellectuals and entertainers. Only reliable Hungarian professionals, such as miners and manual laborers, earned respect.

We must confront unfavorable opinions, as they might bear truth! Hostile propaganda must be countered with counter-propaganda—not through vilification but by showcasing our values.

Balogh József-Illyés Gyula-Keresztúry Dezső "Hírünk a világban" Magvető kiadó, Budapest, 1985