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Painting the Town Red: Politics and the Arts During the 1919 Hungarian Soviet Republic
In 1919, in the wake of World War I, for a brief period Hungary was a Soviet Republic. The republic didn’t last, but the incredible effusion of art, music, film, theater, and literature that it generated did. Painting the Town Red offers an in-depth exploration of the incredible artistic flourishing brought about by the 1919 republic, showing how art and politics were intertwined—and how, for a brief time, artists saw themselves as playing a crucial part in the establishment of a new way of living and governing. Through close analyses of the works of a number of creators and a careful recounting of the history and politics of the 1919 republic, Bob Dent brings a largely forgotten moment back to life, with all its glory and, ultimately, disillusion.
288 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 21, 2019
The Hungarian Soviet Republic led a brief existence, born prematurely and never leaving its incubator, it carried the hopes of many for a brighter future but was suffocated and buried forgotten in the ditch of history. Given the Republic lasted just 133 days it is impressive what it achieved in the short time it existed especially given that it was all that time fighting a rearguard literal battle for its existence. It is perhaps in the field of the arts that the Republic left its greatest legacy and it is through the arts that Dent's book examines those tumultuous months. One of the many uprisings that could trace its roots to the discontent that swept Europe the Hungarian uprising took much inspiration from the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 - many of those involved had spent time as exiles in Russia or as PoWs. However, the Hungarian experience had also a distinct individual character approach and national character. With the collapse of the Hapsburg Empire, Hungary faced a loss of territory with victorious powers reclaiming territory from every side, this national crisis seems to have inspired support for the Republic from those who may have had little time for the proletarian message and programme itself. The book looks at the circumstances leading to the formation of the Soviet Republic, how it manifested in specific areas of the arts, the reasons for popular support and finally where it all went wrong and what happened next.
It is impressive that in the dire straits that Hungary found itself that the government plunged into such an enthusiastic campaign of cultural revolution, propagation and betterment, and that an impressive array of leading activists and artists embraced as enthusiastically as it seems they did the opportunity to try to make policy work. The fact that things did not work out on this front was not for the lack of trying but as Dent shows the impossible conditions in which it was attempted. However, the drive to democratise culture and to throw open its enjoyment and understanding to the masses certainly made great strides with venues for cultural experience opened up to the workers through cheap or free tickets and culture taken to the workers at their workplaces or closer to their homes. The clever melding of culture and political agitation while acknowledging the need for pure entertainment shows a level of understanding perhaps missing in other similar conditions. Culture was also taken to the frontline troops and into hospitals. Particularly striking was the agit-prop poster art of the Republic which Dent notes echoed but also prefigured that which emerged in Russia as the Revolution there became established. Contemporary records of participants help to paint a picture of what inspired figures such as Bela Bartok to lend their support to the Republic and reveal something of their hopes and dreams at the time. There is a real impression that for many "...true divine homage to the revolution involves being able to devote ourselves to teaching of science and the joy of art.." was really a deeply held belief. However, as Dent notes for many also learning how to blow with the wind as a means of survival meant many fairweather friends too for whom simple survival was their drive rather than any true devotion to a cause.
Still, while it lasted the Republic churned out films, music, theatre and art. It organised festivals. Perhaps most importantly it sought to give children a real education and child based learning and cultural opportunities previously the preserve of the upper classes. However, good intentions were not enough to change overnight centuries of empire, cultural imperialism and advancing hostile armies. In the end the Republic collapsed partly due to its own contradictions but mostly due to the entrenched system which raged against it. Dent's book is an important record from an interesting cultural perspective of a forgotten moment in European history.
It is impressive that in the dire straits that Hungary found itself that the government plunged into such an enthusiastic campaign of cultural revolution, propagation and betterment, and that an impressive array of leading activists and artists embraced as enthusiastically as it seems they did the opportunity to try to make policy work. The fact that things did not work out on this front was not for the lack of trying but as Dent shows the impossible conditions in which it was attempted. However, the drive to democratise culture and to throw open its enjoyment and understanding to the masses certainly made great strides with venues for cultural experience opened up to the workers through cheap or free tickets and culture taken to the workers at their workplaces or closer to their homes. The clever melding of culture and political agitation while acknowledging the need for pure entertainment shows a level of understanding perhaps missing in other similar conditions. Culture was also taken to the frontline troops and into hospitals. Particularly striking was the agit-prop poster art of the Republic which Dent notes echoed but also prefigured that which emerged in Russia as the Revolution there became established. Contemporary records of participants help to paint a picture of what inspired figures such as Bela Bartok to lend their support to the Republic and reveal something of their hopes and dreams at the time. There is a real impression that for many "...true divine homage to the revolution involves being able to devote ourselves to teaching of science and the joy of art.." was really a deeply held belief. However, as Dent notes for many also learning how to blow with the wind as a means of survival meant many fairweather friends too for whom simple survival was their drive rather than any true devotion to a cause.
Still, while it lasted the Republic churned out films, music, theatre and art. It organised festivals. Perhaps most importantly it sought to give children a real education and child based learning and cultural opportunities previously the preserve of the upper classes. However, good intentions were not enough to change overnight centuries of empire, cultural imperialism and advancing hostile armies. In the end the Republic collapsed partly due to its own contradictions but mostly due to the entrenched system which raged against it. Dent's book is an important record from an interesting cultural perspective of a forgotten moment in European history.
April 22, 2023
The first few chapters of the books he describes the Hungarian Soviet Republic as positive and later at the ending of the book he critiques the dictatorship of the proletariat which is why I gave the book three stars.
I wish I had read this book before travelling to the country, I have been to Budapest and recognized the places which the author mentioned so it felt like i travelled back in time reading this book.
I learned many new names of people who was active in the revolution and about their lives.
It's an interesting book about the short period of 133 days of the Hungarian Soviet Republic before it collapsed.
One name worth remembering is Mihály Biro who created the famous poster of the red hammer-wielding worker, which became emblematic for the Hungarian labor movement.
I wish I had read this book before travelling to the country, I have been to Budapest and recognized the places which the author mentioned so it felt like i travelled back in time reading this book.
I learned many new names of people who was active in the revolution and about their lives.
It's an interesting book about the short period of 133 days of the Hungarian Soviet Republic before it collapsed.
One name worth remembering is Mihály Biro who created the famous poster of the red hammer-wielding worker, which became emblematic for the Hungarian labor movement.
April 19, 2023
árnyalt és olvasmányos, a fordítás is jó
November 2, 2025
An interesting tidbit into a forgotten part of world history and of socialist history. The Hungarian Soviet Republic was never meant to last, at least not in this way. With the ineffective leadership of Kun, the Communist Party of Hungary allying with the bigger Social Democratic Party of Hungary, and the impending invasion from Romanian and French forces, it was always going to be short-lived. Posters, Music, Film, Performances and many other forms of art spread wildly in the short-lived republic, demonstrating what "proletarian culture" could actually look like. This brief moment of history could be seen as the working masses of Hungary essentially having a cute little dance party, but their party was abruptly and brutally crushed. But Hungary was just one of many instances yet to come of worker uprisings.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews