Thank You, Director Rév

István Rév has been Director of the Blinken OSA Archivum since its foundation in 1995. As a research center and archives of historical documents of the recent past, the Cold War, dictatorships, human rights struggles, as well as mass atrocities against human rights, the Archivum, although part of a private university, essentially performs a public service. From the outset, István strived to ensure the widest possible open access to the collections, so that through the publication and mobilization of documents, the Archivum could function as a catalyst and promoter of democratic development after the fall of Socialist one-party systems, and thus as a cultural institution.

He believes that a key to strengthening the immune system of democratic societies is to make their political communities aware of the burdensome legacy of the recent past, so that the responsibility toward the past is manifested in social and cultural practices—which is what the research and educational programs, exhibitions, conferences, publications on history and art of the Blinken OSA Archivum have been pursuing for 30 years. Little of this would have been possible without István's determined, tireless work, his inventive ideas and initiatives.

As founding director, István Rév envisioned an institution where decisions would not be made by the director alone. Thanks to his leadership style, the Blinken OSA Archivum as a workplace is characterised by equality, partnership, respect and attention to each other, where the staff evolved into a community unified by shared goals and values, from preserving and presenting facts about the past, to expressing social solidarity, and to helping those in need.

Despite his retirement, the Archivum's mission and ambitions remain unchanged. Democratic systems are still under constant attack today, and the dark shadows of the 20th century have not been erased. Without István, it will be harder to meet this challenge, but fortunately he will not go far: as Professor Emeritus at the Central European University, we hope we can count on his attention and support.

Director Rév, thank you for your work and friendship!