A mural to preserve the memory of the martyred poet Hanna Szenes

Hanna Szenes was born into an assimilated Jewish family in Budapest on July 17, 1921, with the name Anikó Szenes. Her father, Béla Szenes, was a journalist, stage writer, and translator. Anikó studied at the Baár-Madas reformed high school for girls, already writing poems and displaying her talent in literature.

Hanna Szenes (1921–1944), a Hungarian poet of Jewish origin, was trained by the British army to attempt to prevent the imminent deportation of Hungarian Jews. In the spring of 1944, she was parachuted into Yugoslavia. Szenes was arrested at the Hungarian border and tortured but did not reveal the details of her mission. She was sentenced to death by bullet, and the sentence was carried out.

The Színes Város (Colorful City) Group presents itself with a new performance, this time with a historical theme. As part of the commemoration series organized for the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust in Hungary, they pay tribute to Szenes Hanna, the martyred poet and parachutist, by painting a gable wall mural. The act is supported by the Hungarian Jewish Heritage Public Foundation (MAZSÖK) and the Budapest II. district municipality. The story of Hanna Szenes is like a myth that is embedded in the history of Israel and the Jewish people. Her life, work and the circumstances of her death have not received much publicity so far in Hungary – thus the main goal of the project is to make her person and legacy known as widely as possible.

"Every performance that can be linked to the 80th anniversary of the Holocaust draws attention to the importance of remembrance. Whether we're talking about a concert, a book or another work of art, each one is unique in its own way. Along with all this, this project is also particularly important because it does not want to be intrusive, it arouses interest and can make those who will see it to contemplate," said György Szabó, president of MAZSÖK.

“The art project about Hanna Szenes is important for us in many ways” said Gergely Őrsi, the mayor of the district “because the Frankel Leó Street synagogue is located at the opposite side of the road, the very same synagogue frequented by Hanna Szenes. Furthermore, the episodes of her unjustly short life in Budapest were mostly associated with our district, which is why we could immediately endorse the idea and stand by it.”

At the tender by the Colorful City Group, Emese Thamó's visual design was selected. It will be realized by a creative team of four. The painting will be visible on the gable wall of the building at Frankel Leó Street 78. The unveiling is expected to take place in the first half of September.