The epidemic of suicides in the "City of Smiles" Bashny.Net

A method of controlling the epidemic of suicides appeared, perhaps, no less creepy than the epidemiya

tragic epidemic of suicides swept Budapest, Hungary, as a result of the First World War, and some believed that it was caused by a popular song. But even more strange than the idea was that the city was trying to fight the epidemic using the "Club of smiles": people in Budapest tried to deal with suicides, learning better smile.

That's what the newspaper «Sunday Times Perth» October 17, 1937-the year:

"Now, however, to resist the mania of suicide opened" Club of smiles. " At first it was more of a joke Professor Eno and hypnotist named Binz, but either way the club has gained popularity. Now organizers hold sessions and ensure that they can teach you to smile, like Roosevelt, Mona Lisa, Clark Gable, Dick Powell, Loretta Young, and other types of smiles.



Eno says that the methods used in his school, help to improve the business environment in Budapest and make a smile popular, and it is hoped that it will soon be known as the Budapest "City of Smiles" ».

The song «Gloomy Sunday» («Gloomy Sunday"), also known as the "Hungarian suicide song" mentioned above was written rezső seress and released in 1933. She became known eight years later, when her quail Billie Holiday.

About "Gloomy Sunday" there were several urban legends, because the number of Hungarian suicides peaked in 1930, and the press linked them with a song. In addition, there were stories that the radio stations banned the song, but really just the BBC banned the version of Billie Holiday in 1941, the year because it "undermines the morale».



Photos below depicting the efforts of the "Club of smiles" and was published in the Dutch illustrated magazine «Het Leven» in 1937. All this looks pretty scary, especially bandages that people used to build their smiles.

















via factroom.ru