Identity Statement

Reference Code

HU OSA 408-1-7

Title

Documents of the Farkas Committee of the Central Leadership of the Hungarian Workers Party (MDP)

Date(s)

1949 - 1956

Description Level

Series

Extent and medium (processed)

1 Archival boxes, 0.12 linear meters

Context

Archival history

The report of the Committee was discussed at the July 1956 session of the Central Leadership, and the documents were placed in the safe of Ernő Gerő, who elected secretary general at the same session. In the days of the revolution, they were transferred to the Workers’ Movement Institute, and finally, after the nationalization of party files, to the National Archives of Hungary (MNL).

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Abstract)

The goal of the Farkas Committee was to give a comprenehsive revision of the show trials, and to examine the responsibility of one time minister of defense Mihály Farkas after whom the committee was named. The Committee was set up on the initiative of János Kádár, later secretary general and József Révai one time Minister of People’s Education, in March 1956 by the Central Leadership of Hungarian Working People's Party with the participation of István Kovács (high ranking functionary of Hungarian Working People's Party, member of the Council of the President).

The series includes the files created by the Commitee, memos of sessions and documents transferred from the State Security Authority. Uniquely, the transcript of the original vax recording of the interrogation of László Rajk on June 7, 1949, which was partially falsified, as well as of the minutes of the interrogation of János Kádár on May 18, 1951, similarly recorded on wax disc, are part of the series.

The value of the series as source is very unique as it includes material the original of which were destroyed in the State Security Authority where they were created.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

The copies are just one, yet important, part of the surviving originals kept in the National Archives of Hungary (MNL).

Accruals

Not Expected

System of arrangement

Arranged according to the original structure.

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions governing access

The general rules of research in OSA Research Room apply.

Conditions governing reproduction

A dokumentumok oktatási és kutatási célból digitálisan másolhatók az OSA kutatótermében.

Description Control

Archivist's note

Processed by László Varga, March 2, 2015.