"The whole city looks like a battlefield, the statue of Stalin has been dragged away"

The letter from Judit Patke, a 15-year-old during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, details her experiences amidst the chaos in Budapest. She describes the initial protests, the atmosphere of fear and excitement, and the hardships faced by her family. The letter captures the fervor of the revolution, including slogans shouted by students and the destruction around them. Judit recounts the challenges of daily life, including food shortages and the dangers of gunfire. Despite the turmoil, she reassures her mother of their safety, expressing hope for a resolution as political changes unfold.