OREANDA-NEWS А very precious historical relic enriched the Historical Treasures Collection of the National Museum. Descendants of the Szekely-born Józsa Oroszhegyi, one of the „March youths”, preserved a small wooden goblet Józsa had made during his years in prison. Probably in the second half of the 19th century the following words were carved on the artifact.

Józsa Oroszhegyi, originally József Szabó (1822-1870), belonged to the group of young men (the „March youths”) starting the revolution of 1848 on 15 March. He was born in Nagykolcs and since his family wanted him to become a priest he was sent to Miskolc and then later to Eger. However, he soon broke up with the plans of his family and moved to Pest to start his studies as a physician in 1841. He also showed interest in literature since his young age. He worked as a columnist for the „Novelties” section of „Jelenkor”, a literary journal. As an editor, he made friends with most of the young writers and poets of the era including Sándor Petőfi, Mór Jókai and Imre Vahot.

He joined the revolutionary youth in the Pilvax café and together they left to set Mihály Táncsis free from prison. Józsa was supposed to have his very last exams and present his dissertation in medical sciences in May 1848, however he postponed them in the flow of the events. He was nominated by József Eötvös as a secretary to the Ministry of Religion and Public Education in April 1848 but Józsa soon gave up his position. At the outbreak of the freedom fight he volunteered to join the army’s medical officers. After his training he was ordered to join the groups of Artúr Görgey in the Hungarian Highlands. He was sentenced to death by the imperial court of justice in Pest in his abscence when the freedom fight fell. He spent two years wandering about under a pseunonym when he was caught. His death sentence was then changed into a ten years imprisonment to be spent in the fortress of Josephstadt. It was there he carved his wooden goblet – now displayed to the public by favour of his descendants.

The story of Józsa Oroszhegyi did not stop here. He was freed from prison after a general amnesty had been announced in December 1856 and continued his studies as a physician. He received a certification as a physician, surgeon and obstetrician. He travelled to Asia Minor, Cyprus, Alexandria and served in Iran, Iraq and Bulgaria. Working as a physician he did not cease his publicistic activity – he also maintained his good relations with the Hungarian press. He wrote several articles and essays: his notable works are „Romanian life” (novel) and „The golden region of Transylvania from medical point of view” (studies).

He was on his way back to Hungary when he had a palsy and was robbed in his state of weakness. He spent some time in Kolozsvár, Pest and Buda suffering from the consequences until his death in 1870.

We commemorate the spring of 1848 by receiving the historical relic of Józsa Oroszhegyi, one of the March youths, to the National Museum.