Hungary's first post-communist president laid to rest

Arpad Goncz, Hungary's first post-communist president who died in October at the age of 93, was buried on Friday in a non-political ceremony attended by tens of thousands of admirers.

Imre Mecs, a retired liberal politician who was Goncz's cellmate when both were jailed for sending literature abroad after Hungary's failed revolution of 1956, paid tribute to the author, translator, politician, and humanist Goncz, calling him "the best president of all time."

In his speech, Mecs emphasized Goncz's love of his country and people, saying "he was human, a man of the people, a man of the poor and the voice of the oppressed and the wronged."

At Goncz's request, Asztrix Varszegi, Archabbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma, an old friend, spoke in the name of the Catholic Church. "Arpad Goncz was a man with a sincere heart and open spirit who not only knew how to love, but was worthy of love," said Varszegi.

The only other speaker was Goncz's oldest grandchild, Marton Galambos, who spoke of the former president on behalf of the family.

While many dignitaries from Hungary and abroad attended the funeral, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, all appeared as private citizens, and none spoke.

Goncz served as Hungary's president from 1990 to 2000 and was perhaps Hungary's best-loved modern political personality. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Zsuzsanna, and his four children including Hungary's former foreign minister Kinga Goncz. Endit