The Gábor Demszky Personal Papers Are Available for Research

Announcement, OSA Archivum, Budapest, Hungary

OSA completed the processing of the Gábor Demszky Personal Papers. The first part of the papers, containing one of the largest Hungarian samizdat collections (HU OSA 302-1 Samizdat Publications, 1973-1990) was donated to OSA as early as 1995 and made available since then. This included periodicals, small prints, pamphlets and books, documents on the democratic opposition, and materials and tools used for samizdat production. A selection of records documenting Demszky’s five consecutive terms as Mayor of Budapest (1990-2010) and his short-lived presidency of the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ), along with a set of Communist state security documents were added in late 2010. This new addition is now also open for research.

The collection contains personal surveillance files on Demszky and his fellow opposition members, especially in connection with samizdat production and other ‘illegal’ activities, and documents on a university disciplinary case against him and on a well-known libel lawsuit of his against the extreme-right wing politician István Csurka. The Budapest related records include documents on the city’s urban planning, investments and policy (resolutions, agendas, and memos), as well as a comprehensive press coverage of these activities. The Mayor’s records include documents on cabinet meetings, press releases, and a coverage of Demszky’s public appearances. Among the records related to the liberal party SZDSZ there are strategy and policy papers, and some correspondence.

http://www.osaarchivum.org/press-room/announcements/G%C3%A1bor-Demszky-…