During the Cold War, the World Festival of Youth and Students—commonly abbreviated in Hungarian as VIT—was an important propaganda instrument and ideological platform of the socialist “peace camp”. It was first held after the Second World War in Prague in 1947 and then in Budapest in 1949.
“Young people, unite! Forward for lasting peace, democracy, the right of peoples to self-determination and a better future!” This was the slogan of the VIT held in Budapest from 14 to 28 August.
Contemporary reports stated that 10,000 young people from 70 countries travelled to the event. Together with the Hungarian participants, the anthem of the world’s democratic youth was said to rise from more than 50,000 voices in 70 languages, expressing the aim of the world’s youth: our slogan is one: lasting peace! Sixty per cent of the visitors came from outside the Soviet bloc. A total of 54,000 Hungarian young people took part as delegates in four-day rotations, while many more attended the programmes, mass rallies, exhibitions and street dances.
A contemporary newsreel reported on the opening of the event as follows:
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Source: https://filmhiradokonline.hu/ |
For the occasion, the Hungarian Post issued a five-denomination stamp set and a souvenir sheet. The designs were created by István Köpeczi Bócz.
The stamps were printed in sheets of 100 on government stamp paper.
Watermark: XI. Kossuth Coat of Arms Watermark
A total of 140,800 sets were produced with perforation 12½ : 12, while 60,000 souvenir sheets were made with the same perforation.
Market price:
Fine mint never hinged sets cost around 5–700 forints, while used sets are around 4–500 forints. A souvenir sheet in fine condition can be bought for around 3–4000 forints.
Imperforate examples of both the stamps and the souvenir sheet also entered circulation. Imperforate souvenir sheets are very rare. Their value can reach 500,000 forints.
Click the small images to view the stamps.
Source: Monograph of Hungarian Stamps