Iron Curtain Exhibition Opens in Hungary

These cars won't get you far today, but they symbolize an important escape.

Twenty years ago, Hungary was the first country to dismantle the electronic fence known as the Iron Curtain.

Thousands of East Germans fled into the west using the Trabant car.

This exhibition at the House of Terror museum in Budapest, chronicles the events.

The museum's director says it pays tribute to the Hungarian people.

[Maria Schmidt, Director, House of Terror Museum]
''If you look at these photos and read the important writings of the events of 20 years ago, I hope we will be able to repeat with a growing confidence what Mikhail Gorbachov said, that the Hungarians are good people."

Hungary welcomed tens of thousands of fleeing refugees.

Father Imre Kozma helped many who arrived across the border.

[Father Imre Kozma, Helped Refugees]:
''Because these people were afraid of each other, they did not talk to each other. They were even afraid of us, who opened our doors to them, who gave them care."

In August 1989, a border picnic was held which allowed 900 people to flee East Germany.

The Hungarian government also changed the law, enabling 60 thousand East Germans to move freely to the West.

Many people still carry the fear of those days with them the museum's program director is one of them.

[Gabor Tallai, Program Director, House of Terror Museum]:
''When we cross a border, I still get a stomach ache. I'm just glad that my children sitting in the back of the car are singing they are a new generation.''

Many hope the museum will help the new generation appreciate the role Hungary played in ending East German communism.

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