Government parties propose declaring 2019 Rákóczi memorial year

Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén and Szilárd Németh, a lawmaker of ruling Fidesz, on Tuesday proposed to parliament that 2019 be declared a memorial year of Hungarian Prince Francis II Rákóczi.

Rákóczi (1676-1735), a ruling prince of Transylvania, led an uprising against the Habsburg Empire between 1703 and 1711.

At the peak of their power, the rebels controlled most of the Hungarian kingdom.

Although the rebellion was ultimately stifled and Rákóczi forced into exile, their fight put an end to imperial attempts to fully assimilate Hungary into the empire.

The memorial year will mark the 315th anniversary of Rákóczi’s installation as the ruling prince of Transylvania.

Under the proposal, the prince and his fight of freedom will be commemorated with a series of events, celebrations and publications.

Featured image: Wiki Commons By SA

Source: MTI