Just as on May 9 at his inauguration, PM Péter Magyar is expected to take his place once more behind the DJ decks on Kossuth Square, in front of the Hungarian Parliament. Yet the August 20 celebrations for Hungary’s National Day will not be confined to this central stage: parties are also planned in front of the Technical University and on Margaret Island. And, reassuringly for revellers, beer will not be prohibitively expensive. The details follow.
End of generous subsidies on August 20
According to the latest information from Telex, discounted beer prices will once again feature at this year’s August 20 celebrations in Budapest – though they will be considerably higher than last year’s. In previous years, the Orbán governments took great care to ensure that certain products remained exceptionally cheap during the national day festivities. Thus, draught Borsodi (0.4l) could be had for as little as 380 forints, while a canned version (0.5l) cost 430 forints. Wine was also inexpensive (260 forints per decilitre), as were pálinka, mineral water, Viennese pretzels and Coca-Cola or Pepsi.
This year, however, the new government is no longer subsidising these prices so generously, meaning costs will rise significantly – albeit still below full market rates. The reason is that, while there is no direct subsidy, a price cap remains in place: no vendor will be permitted to sell beer for more than 1,000 forints or mineral water for more than 500 forints.
These terms were set by the event organiser, Centrum Production. Partly due to the absence of state price support, the celebration itself will be considerably cheaper to stage: the Tisza government intends to run the entire affair on a budget of just 4 billion forints.
A shorter fireworks display – and DJ Péter Magyar?
In return, even the traditionally spectacular fireworks will be briefer. The fireworks, held every year since the 1930s, will not be cancelled this year, but will last only 10 minutes. By way of contrast, last year’s display ran for 30 minutes, commissioned by the then government with a pronounced focus on King Peter Orseolo, one of Saint Stephen’s successors (1038–1041; 1044–1046), implicitly drawing an unflattering parallel between that controversial figure and the then opposition leader, now Prime Minister, Péter Magyar.
Alongside the fireworks and the pricier beer, there will be numerous free, open-air events on August 19 and 20 across three venues. On both days, the Danube embankment in front of the Technical University will host Elektro Rakpart, featuring a host of performers, while Kossuth Square will transform into Diszkótér, with acts including Anima Sound System.
Whether Péter Magyar will again step behind the DJ console – as he did on May 9 at his inauguration – remains a mystery. What is certain, according to Telex, is that a number of surprise guests have yet to be announced.
Traffic changed due to the 20 August celebrations – check out the details in our article
On Margaret Island, alternative music and guitars will take centre stage on both days. Among the acts scheduled to appear are Quimby, and there will also be an LGT tribute concert courtesy of Random Trip. For full details, readers are directed to the Telex article.
August 20 celebrations: what for?
August 20 is Hungary’s red-letter day, the nation’s official state holiday, commemorating the foundation of the state and Saint Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary. King Stephen, canonised in 1083 (reigned 997/1000–1038), continued the state- and church-building “work” of his father, Grand Prince Géza (972–997), integrating Hungary into the Christian European world. To this end, he overcame rival claimants to the throne and domestic opponents, while also successfully repelling external interference. By the end of his reign, Hungary was a young state with a solid administrative structure, firmly part of Christian Europe – one that successfully weathered the turbulent decades following Stephen’s death (1038–1046).
Major changes are coming to Hungary’s 20 August celebrations this year: here’s what’s in store
