Elvis honoured in Budapest

The king of rock n roll is set to have a square named after him in Hungary's capital.

'The reasons for honouring him are not sentimental but political,' says mayor of the city, Istvan Tarlos.

It turns out that the American bopmaster made a personal tribute to Budapest in the awake of the tragic Russian crackdown in 1956.

After Soviet tanks crushed the famed pro-democracy uprising, Elvis played a song for Hungary on cult TV program the Ed Sullivan show.

Besides playing 'Peace in the Valley', Elvis ensured that host Ed Sullivan asked for donations to be sent to Hungary. The overall sum amounted to 26 million Swiss francs in 1957.

The citizens of Budapest have been presented with a short-list of 12 respectable locations for Elvis Presley Square, and a vote will decide the ultimate location.

Hungary is not the only Eastern bloc country to honour the king. Over the mountains in Poland, former royal capital of Krakow boasts its very own Elvis Presley Avenue.

Source: AFP