Rainer M. János: We should rejuvenate the idea of '56 a bit, this would show the true face of the revolution. Unkempt, so what?

The 1956 Institute has faced significant challenges since its absorption into a government memory policy institute in 2019, leading to its eventual closure in 2024. The remaining researchers have found new positions, and the continuity of their collaborative work is now impossible. The interviewee advocates for the cessation of state funding for all memory policy institutions, suggesting that the state should focus on organizing public celebrations and ensuring neutral education. They propose transferring the institute's archives to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences for better management. Despite the disruption of various research projects, the interviewee acknowledges the extensive work done on 1956 and expresses hope for colleagues pursuing new topics.