Revolution in Hungary: Impact and Influence on the Countries of the Soviet Bloc and the Socialist Camp

The annual English language issue (2026/4.) of Betekintő looks back on the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. This is perhaps the most significant event in the contemporary Hungarian history: every subsequent political system — the Kádár regime and the politicians of the 1989–90 transition — treated it as a point of reference. Indeed, in today’s fast-changing Hungarian public discourse, 1956 is once again taking on symbolic significance.

During the days of the revolution, or in the period of the subsequent repressions, world-renowned philosophers and writers, such as Hannah Arendt and Albert Camus, had to revise their previous ideas and theses on power, society, and the communist system. The 1956 Hungarian Revolution also had an impact on French and Italian domestic politics through the destabilization of the communist parties there. While much research has been done on the regional impact and influence of the revolution, there is still no comprehensive overview of its consequences in the countries of the Soviet bloc and the socialist camp.

1956 did not bring about any immediate, decisive change in these countries. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to ask whether the events influenced social movements, the tone of the press, ideology, and the thinking of political leaders. Did the events prompt the authorities to take action against those who wanted to respond to the events in Hungary? What was the connection between the impact of the Hungarian Revolution and the regional, geopolitical, and ideological changes of the time, such as the Warsaw Pact, the 20th Congress of the CPSU, the de-Stalinization process, and the Suez Crisis?

It is questionable whether the Hungarian Revolution emerged as a real point of reference, or a significant factor in contemporary social or political reception, or if it was merely a pretext in the context of internal processes that were already underway. It is also worth considering over what time scale the effects of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution manifested themselves in each country: whether the memory of the revolution could be measured in weeks, months, or even years or decades. The fourth issue of Betekintő (2026) aims to contribute to academic discourse by incorporating new research findings from ÁBTL research fellows. It also opens the floor to colleagues from institutions of the European Network of Official Authorities in Charge of Secret Police Files.

With this call for papers, Betekintő wishes to contribute to the further development of a wide-ranging exchange of views. To include in this year’s thematic issue, the editorial team are looking for studies and reviews of related publications that also take state security into consideration and add new perspectives to the academic discourse on the topic.

The abstracts of up to 300 words should be sent by the deadline below. The maximum length of papers is 40,000 characters (including spaces). Please note that only manuscripts prepared in accordance with our citation guidelines (Chicago Manuel of Style: Notes and Bibliography Style) will be accepted. For more information, please click here: https://www.betekinto.hu/en/for_our_authors

Abstract submission deadline: June 30, 2026.

Manuscript submission deadline: November 30, 2026.

Please send abstracts and manuscripts to the official email address of the editorial office: betekinto@abtl.hu

Best wishes,

Péter István Pap

Editor-in-Chief

Betekintő

Debate held on 27 April 2026

Debate on no. 6 and 7 of “Institute of National Remembrance Review”, held on 27 April 2026. Discussants were Dr. Sylwia Szyc (moderating, researcher with the Historical Research Office of the Institute of National Remembrance, Warsaw), Dr. Paweł Popieliński (Institute of Political Studies of the polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw), author of the paper “The Process and Consequences of East German Social Transformation after German Reunification”, Mr. Jacek Wróbel (Institute of National Remembrance Archives, Warsaw), author of the paper  “The Emergence of Separatist Transnistria”.

Debate held on 8 November 2024 in Katowice

Debate held during Book Fair in Katowice: "Rakowiecka 37: Transition From Prison Into Place of Remembrance. Presentation of the no. 5 of 'Institute of National Remembrance Review'”. Discussants: Prof. Filip Musiał (Institute of National Remebrance Branch in Cracow), author of the paper "The Museum of Cursed Soldiers and Political Prisoners of the Polish People’s Republic (Currently Being Created) – the History of the Building Complex, Its Mission and Planned Activities", Dr. Maciej Korkuć (Institute of National Remebrance Branch in Cracow, and editor with "INRR"), Dr. Franciszek Dąbrowski (editor-in-chief of "INRR").

Debate held on 3 November 2023 in Katowice

Debate "Tradycyjne periodyki naukowe w dobie ewolucji nowoczesnych narzędzi wydawniczych" ("Traditional Academic Periodicals in the Age of Modern Editorial Tools Evolution") held during Book Fair in Katowice on 3 November 2023. Discussants: Prof. Filip Musiał (editor-in-chief of "Aparat Represji w Polsce Ludowej 1944-1989"), Dr. Daniel Czerwiński (deputy editor-in-chief of "Pamięć i Sprawiedliwość"),  Dr. Tomasz Domański (deputy editor-in-chief of "Polish-Jewish Studies"), Dr. Mariusz Żuławnik (editor-in-chief of "Przegląd Archiwalny IPN"), Dr. Franciszek Dąbrowski (deputy editor-in-chief of "INRR"), Prof. Adam Dziuba (editor-in-chief of "Komunizm"), moderation: Dr. Jędrzej Lipski (editor-in-chief of „Dziennik Zachodni”).

Debate held on 22 June 2023

Debate “Od wojny Stalina do propagandy Putina. Konteksty narracyjne, paralele, przeciwieństwa” (From Stalin’s War to Putin’s Propaganda. Narrative Contexts, Parallels, Contradictions) held on 22 June 2023 in Warsaw, concerning no. 2 and 3 of “Institute of National Remembrance Review”. Discussants: Prof. Jan Szumski (researcher with the Historical Research Office of the Institute of National Remembrance, Warsaw, interviewed by “INRR” editorial team: “‘I Have Slightly Pessimistic Picture Of Things...’ Interview with Professor Jan Szumski”), Prof. Władysław Bułhak (researcher with the Historical Research Office of the Institute of National Remembrance, Warsaw), Dr. Witold Rodkiewicz (researcher with the Centre for Eastern Studies in Warsaw), Anna Karolina Piekarska (editor-in-chief of “INRR”) and Dr. Franciszek Dąbrowski (deputy editor-in-chief of “INRR”).

Debate held on 5 October 2022

Debate “Użyteczność poznawcza, społeczna i akademicka. Czasopisma IPN wobec wyzwań społeczeństwa opartego na wiedzy” (Cognitive, Social and Academic Usefullness. Institute of National Remembrance Periodicals Towards Challenges of the Knowledge Society). Discussants: Prof. Filip Musiał (editor-in-chief of „Aparat Represji w Polsce Ludowej 1944–1989”), Anna Karolina Piekarska (editor-in-chief of „INRR”), Dr. habil. Marcin Kruszyński (editor-in-chief of „Komunizm”), Dr. habil. Mirosław Szumiło (editor-in-chief of „Pamięć i Sprawiedliwość”), Dr. Tomasz Domański (deputy editor-in-chief of „Polish-Jewish Studies”), Paweł Tomasik (secretary of the editorial board of „Przegląd Archiwalny IPN”), moderation: Krzysztof Ziemiec.