In belated appreciation for his “sincere sympathy,” Elvis Presley will be named a citizen of Hungary and have a small park named after him by the Budapest city council.

 

In January 1957, three months after Hungarians rose up and sought independence from the Soviet Union, the King expressed concern for the Eastern European nation while making his last appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Elvis also sang a gospel standard, “Peace in the Valley” by Thomas A. Dorsey, to reflect his feelings for Hungarians’ plight after their uprising which was crushed by the Red Army.

 

Budapest mayor István Tarlós told the media that a plot near the Margaret Bridge will be called Elvis Presley Park. The decision followed another in March which resulted in the King being named an official Hungarian.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Hungary’s Capital Names Small Park After Elvis Presley for His Support of 1956 Revolution (Associated Press)

Elvis Presley to be Named Honorary Citizen of Budapest (by Sean Michaels, The Guardian)