Hungarian refugees’ descendants mark 70 years in Iceland

More than 100 descendants of 52 Hungarian refugees who arrived in Iceland 70 years ago are expected to gather on Friday at Hlégarður in Mosfellsbær, where the group was first housed, mbl.is reports.

Items the refugees brought with them will be displayed, and Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir will address the gathering.

One of the refugees was Miklós Tölgyes, who later took the name Mikael Fransson. He was about 20 when he arrived in Iceland, learned Icelandic, started a family and has lived in the country ever since. His granddaughter, Erla María Jónsdóttir Tölgyes, said he was doing well and had turned 91 over the weekend.

A Morgunblaðið report on 28 December 1956 described the refugees as destitute, saying they “own only the clothes they are wearing” and that donations of clothing, household goods or money would be welcome.

The anniversary marks 70 years since the refugees arrived from Hungary. Their descendants will meet on Friday, 23 October.