In 1956, Hungary tried and failed to overthrow its Soviet occupiers. Now, as they are about to mark the 50th anniversary of the rebellion, some politicians who weren't even born then are trying to lay claim to its legacy.

An excerpt from the BBC story:

The 50th anniversary falls in an election year and the meaning of '56 has already become an issue in April's poll.

With very little of substance to disagree about, the two main parties squabble bitterly about symbols.

The centre-left prime minister, a keen member of the Communist Youth movement in his teenage years, became one of the richest men in Hungary after socialism collapsed.

Everlasting resonance

The centre-right opposition leader was a well known dissident in the 1980s. He made his name with a fiery speech at the ceremonial reburial of Imre Nagy, the political leader of the uprising who was hanged by the communists.

If any voters are listening, both claim to be heirs of the revolutionary, anti-collectivist, pro-Western spirit of 1956.

A memorial statue representing the revolution will soon be unveiled in central Budapest and a couple of official commemorative events have been organised for the autumn.

But a few more will be hastily planned after it is known what complexion the new government is going to have.

It seems an odd way to treat history. But in this part of the world, Mitteleuropa, symbols are of everlasting resonance.