Identity Statement

Reference Code

HU OSA 368-2

Title

Media and Public Activities During Emigration

Date(s)

1977 - 1990

Description Level

Subfonds

Extent and medium (processed)

8 Archival boxes, 1.0 linear meters

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Abstract)

His professional career blocked, in January 1977 István Kemény emigrated to Paris. From January 1978 to September 1990 he was a researcher at the Maison des sciences de l'homme and the Écoles des Hautes Études en Scienes Sociales, and acted as an advisor to the Fondation pour une entraide intellectuelle européenne.

He first learnt in Paris that his one-time disciples and colleagues, considering themselves Kemény’s intellectual heirs, were continuing his work with an ever-sharper political edge. His old colleagues kept in touch with him by telephone or personal visits, and he had lively contacts with émigré Hungarian intellectuals.

While his main job was at the research center, he was also busy writing in Hungarian, French and English, as well as making programs for Radio Free Europe. He actively participated in founding and editing Magyar Füzetek, launched in Paris in 1978, and regularly wrote about the activities of the opposition in the well-known Hungarian paper Irodalmi újság, which was then based in Paris

Kemény published a large number of studies on Hungary in English, French and German periodicals, as well as a book in French on Hungarian workers. For many years he was a member of the editorial board of L’Alternative, where he organized the translation of Samizdat articles.

Until as late as the changes in 1989 he was forbidden to enter Hungary. After that he planned to divide his life between Paris and Budapest, but eventually stayed in Hungary.

The sub-fonds consists of the transcripts of Radio Free Europe programs on which Kemény worked; at the same time, one series includes some of the writings he published during his émigré years, including issues of Magyar Füzetek and Irodalmi újság as well as French and English papers.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

During the course of processing no materials have been removed.

Accruals

Not Expected

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions governing access

The collection is open for research. General restrictions apply.

Conditions governing reproduction

Az OSA kutatótermében oktatási és kutatási célra digitálisan másolható.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The series contains paper documents of good physical condition.

Description Control

Archivist's note

Processed by János Dávid, Gábor Havas, János Köllő, Júlia Varga, Krisztina Passuth and Örs Lehel Tari, September 21, 2016.