History/Political Science paper by Kiss, Márton
The Changing Image of Francis II. Rákóczi in America and Hungary (Accepted)
Type of Abstract (select):Abstract (max. 250 words):
In hope of foreign support, Francis II. Rákóczi left the country in 1711, but his remembrance has stayed in the Carpathian basin. After another fallen revolution of 1849, his role became famous again, mostly in History and Arts. His fame has reached its peak with his reburial in 1906. The figure of Rákóczi was also important in Hungarian history both in the interwar period and in the communist era as well. Studies of his remembrance opens the question of his reputation in foreign (mostly emigrant) Hungarian communities around the world, especially in the USA. Hungarian freedom fighters – like Rákóczi, Kossuth and the participants of the 1956 uprising – have become heroes for national identity abroad.
In my presentation, I would like to show the changing role of Francis II Rákóczi (II. Rákóczi Ferenc in Hungarian) through moments, stamps and other cultural products. In different political times Rákóczi and his remembrance have become vital to the Hungarian national identity both in Hungary and in different parts of the world.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Márton Kiss is a PhD Student at the University of Pécs Faculty of Sciences Doctoral School of Earth Sciences. He acquired his MA degree in History in 2015 at the University of Pécs. His research areas are military history of Europe and China, national identity of Hungary and the history of the Rákóczi’s War of Independence. He has publications appeared in historical journals in topic for example military history and Hungarian history.