Foreword
This book is a primer, constructed in
a plain fashion, with few words and many drawings. The simple
format is appropriate, for the message of Red Primer
for Children and Diplomats is crystal clear: Those
who do not read history are condemned to repeat it.
The author (he is both artist and
writer) is Victor Vashi, who was a
political cartoonist for one of Budapest's leading newspapers, 8
Irai Ujsag. He is familiar with revolution. He
lived through both the Nazi and Soviet occupations of Hungary.
Mr. Vashi received a thorough education
in Communism, learning in the process that the classes held in
different Russian prison camps were most uncomfortable. He turned
down the suggestion of the Soviets that he continue his studies,
"tip-toed" across the border into Austria, and
eventually made his way to the United States.
Most of the cartoons in this book are
appearing for the first time [in the book
not the web site] Some however, have appeared in European
and American newspapers, including Salzburger
Nachrichten of Salzburg, Austria, Wiener
Kurier of Vienna, Hungaria
of Munich, Emigrains Szabad Szaj of
Paris, Paraat of Amsterdam, Magyarsag
of Pittsburg, Kepes Magyar Magazin of
New York, The Machinist and Machinist
Journal of Washington, D.C. and Federation
of Hungarian Former Political Prisoners in New
York.
Mr. Vashi has done a truly remarkable
job of capturing the essential spirit of that
"glorious" October Revolution of 1917 and its
aftermath. Many children have never been told what actually
happened, and some of their elders, particularly diplomats and
politicians, have apparently forgotten certain events. We trust
that both children and diplomats, and even a few politicians,
will learn something along the way as they study this primer.
