This year’s August 20 fireworks show might be more expensive than ever

The August 20 fireworks show celebrating Hungary’s birthday is becoming more spectacular and expensive each year.

Last year, 34,000 pyrotechnic effects were used for the Fire and Lights show, which was touted as Europe’s largest fireworks display. However, the expenditure on the celebrations remained undisclosed to the public for a long time until Benedek Jávor, a politician from Párbeszéd (Dialogue – The Greens’ Party), requested the information. It was revealed that HUF 1.4 billion (EUR 3.6 million) was spent on the August 20 fireworks alone, while a contract worth over HUF 10 billion (EUR 26.8 million) was signed for the associated series of events, as Telex reported.

August 20 fireworks, Budapest, Hungary, celebration

Photo: Facebook

In 2022, amid the economic crisis, there were petitions urging the government to cancel the annual celebration, suggesting that the founding of the state should be marked in a simpler and more environmentally friendly manner. These petitions were rejected, with the government arguing that cancelling the event would be more costly due to the advanced stage of preparations.

In 2023, the fireworks display was accompanied by music, narration, building projections, a drone show and lights. Fifty pyrotechnicians set up the fireworks on seven barges, 65 pontoons and on the Elisabeth and Liberty Bridges. The spectacle stretched from Margaret Bridge to Petőfi Bridge over the Danube, a distance of about 4.5 km, providing a full experience for spectators along the shore. The drone show featured a total of 800 drones from two locations, while visuals were projected onto the Parliament, the National Gallery and Gellért Hill.

This year’s August 20 fireworks show is set to be even more expensive

Photo: FB/Budapest Airport

As RTL.hu reports, the state-owned Nemzeti Rendezvényszervező Ügynökség (National Event Organising Office) signed a contract worth HUF 1 billion 893 million (EUR 4.9 million) with Lounge Event Kft. and Visual Europe Ltd. for tasks related to the August 20 fireworks event management. Both companies are owned by Gyula Balásy, who openly sympathises with the Fidesz party and first became known for his hate campaigns.

The costs associated with the August 20 fireworks likely extend beyond this, as the expenses for celebrations excluding the fireworks show are typically much higher. In 2022, they amounted to HUF 10 billion (EUR 26 million) and HUF 10.3 billion (EUR 26.8 million) last year.

Péter Magyar, the ex-husband of the former Minister of Justice, has spoken openly about having to place orders with Balásy’s companies at the Student Loan Centre, which he considered excessively overpriced and of questionable quality.