“THIS ONE TALKS ABOUT THE SKY THAT ONE ABOUT THE LAND, / STILL THEY ARE ALLIES” The relation of Lőrinc Szabó and György Sárközi

Abstract

In Anton Straka’s black diary, beside Lőrinc Szabó György Sárközi is also mentioned on the same attendance sheet with the authors of poems being recited on culture nights. The linkage of Lőrinc Szabó to the Friday nights and his participation is evident, but how was Görgy Sárközi engaged to these occasions and what role did he play there? How was Lőrinc Szabó’s and György Sárközi’s former career set up, and what was their relation to each other like?

The name of Lőrinc Szabó and György Sárközi are not only connected by the memories of the culture nights. Their career practically started at the same time. They were inspiring, competitive, eternal debating partners for each other. One moment of which effectively and authentically snatched it was Lőrinc Szabó’s poem entitled A bazilikában zúg a harang [The bell rings in the basilica]. In the endeavours of the author generation arising after the big war, they found an ally in each other. This is traceable in their active participation in the generation debate continued with Babits, respectively their joint action in the journal. Although the era did not leave their friendship untouched (Jew issue) and later the act of cruelty of the succeeding generations (Lőrinc Szabó’s lawsuit), their publicistic writings are evidence of following closely the other’s career, the peer review, and of solidarity lying close behind the lines and tone.

By utilising the evidences of personal documents and correspondences, the present study makes an attempt at outlining György Sárközi’s participation on Friday nights, respectively his relation to Lőrinc Szabó and their career start, by inviting the reader to further researches.