Paul Telegdi

Peoples' Spring 1848 Paul Telegdi

Peoples' Spring looks at the unrest that swept like wildfire across Europe in 1848 through the eyes of Sergei, a Russian youth of noble birth forced to flee from his home because of prohibited dueling. In exile, he ends up in Prague where, because of lack of funds, he is forced to join the garrison army. He strives to learn Czech and meets his teacher Marika. From then on their fortunes are intertwined. In 1848 political unrest sweeps through the capitals of Europe and it comes to fighting in the streets of Prague. The uprising, however, is short lived and Sergei and Marika have to flee to Hungary where the revolution has a better chance. They join the Hungarian army and for a year and a half, they fight against the Austrian overlords. The life in the field is harsh, the battles are devastating and Sergei gets wounded many times. When Russia comes to the aid of the beleaguered Austrians, the revolution collapses and the Hungarian army surrenders. Again on the run, Sergei works his way home to introduce Marika to his family.