MEMORIAL

FOR THE 550^th ANNIVERSARY OF THE NÁNDORFEHÉRVÁR (BELGRADE) BATTLE

The János (John) Hunyadi and St. John Capistran Bell Sculpture

ART DESCRIPTION

The 550th anniversary of the Battle of Nándorfehérvár (12^th-22^nd July 1456) will be celebrated this year. This special historical event is - for various reasons - equally dear to the hearts of Hungarians, Serbs, Romanians, Germans and the people living in the Danube Basin and the neighbouring countries. This interesting event of global history, has been recognised for the past six centuries in connection with the midday bell.

It presents to our generation the victory of solidarity and perseverance, and an example of sacrifice.

The memorial design consists of a 1456 mm high bell-shaped sculpture carved from white limestone. The bell serves to evoke the battle and the midday chime. The bells are rung every noon as a never-ending memorial for the heroes of the victorious battle, their solidarity and sacrifice. The bells are rung for the two leading figures: János (John) Hunyadi and John Capistran, Mihály (Michael) Szilágyi, Títusz Dugovics (Titus Dugovic), the soldiers defending the fortress, the Italian, German, Hungarian, Serbian, Czech, Polish, Wlach-Aromun, Bulgarian, Bosnian volunteers, militiamen and crusaders s well as those of many other nationalities.

The stone bell is shaped like the gothic bells of the 15^th century. On one side of its mantle is a view of Nándorfehérvár as it was depicted in 1521, together with the city arms. Standing on two sides of the castle, as if protecting it, are the full-figure depictions of the two main characters of the battle: Hunyadi with a bare sword and shield and St. John Capistran with a bannered cross and with the power of his voice.

A Latin quotation can be read on the other side of the bell:

A)

The prayer instituted against the pagans beginning with the words "OMNIPOTENS SEMPITERNE DEUS..." from Pope Calistus III's Bull dated 29^th June 1456:

OMNIPOTENS SEMPITERNE DEUS, IN CUIUS MANU SUNT OMNIUM POTESTATES AC OMNIUM IURA REGNORUM, RESPICE IN AUXILIUM CHRISTIANORUM, UT GENTES PAGANORUM, QUE DE SUA FERITATE CONFIDUNT, DEXTERE TUE POTENCIA CONTERANTUR..

In the English translation:

"Almighty and everlasting God, in whose hands dwell all might and the rights of every people: look favourably on the Christians who cry out for Thy help, so that the barbarian peoples who now confide in their own strength be humbled under the might of Thy right hand."

B)

VIVOS VOCO
MORTUOS PLANGO,
FULGURA FRANGO

I CALL THE LIVING,
MOURN THE DEAD,
BREAK LIGHTNING

The pedestal is a 150x150x150 cm octagonal block. Carved on the sides are depictions of the battle and the following text can be read in Hungarian, Serbian, English and Turkish:

"In memory of the sacrifice, solidarity and perseverance of the allied Christian forces of the Danube Basin, consisting of volunteers, soldiers and the "Royal Sailors" lead by John (János) Hunyadi and St. John Capistran who 550 years ago, on 22^nd July halted the enormous fleet and victorious army of the Conqueror of the Byzantium, the Osman Sultan Mehmed II (Fatih) planning to conquer the Western Empire of the Roman Emperor."

The memorial monument is intended to be ready by the Danube Day Celebration. It will then be sent to Belgrade as a gift from public contributions of the Hungarus Community, the Hungarian nation, local governments, institutions and private individuals. Its most deserved final location should be in the area of the old fortress.

Budapest, 10^th March 2006.