When I arrived to the residence I was amazed. It is an enormous building but it needs renovation. I was pretty confused by the secretary I've met in fact I didn't know how would I refer to the couple. It is forbidden to use the titles of noble families in Hungary but it seemed like the people who were working close to them use 'count' and 'countess' behind closed doors. I sensed that it is only because their respect.
I did not get much time to take photographs of Mr and Mrs Károlyi. In the residence they manage the Károlyi István Children Center – the previous name was Fóti Childrentown.
About the institution: ,,The main target to care needy children , to manage their life and education. (...) The Institution according to the structure is multi-function, it deals with chronicaly illness, disabled in the Especial Children Home’s Center. In the Special Children Centre take cares psychic and behavioral disorders children. The Without Attendant Under Age Home’s deals with the children who arrive to our country alone and asylum-seekers. (...) The Children Centre has an exceptional nature castle park, a lot of experience what, we have acquired during the years secure favorable conditions care of the children , who removed from their familie’s.''
After a short introduction I've been guided through their home in the building. They are not owners of the facility. Everything what nobles and aristocrats had were taken in the socialist era. They're like tenants in the residence of their ancestors. And this was my key when I started exposing them. I tried my very best in that 2 hours I had with them. My mission was to show how I felt. It was that I'm not in someone's home anymore but it was an open dollhouse. Even there was a working museum inside where tourists can cross. I choosed the 'hunting room' where were dead palm trees, the room where the stage and the piano was (obviously these were socialist creations), and their living room in their personal use.
It was shocking for me but accepted by them. History goes on...
I am very thankful to be able to meet the two of them. As a photographer I was really pleased. I could instruct them but after a while they were living their life, started a conversation like I was not there. I enjoyed it really much and it kept me focusing on my work. It kept me away of feeling sorry and deeply hurt by the history I was witnessing there.
