Hungarian president presents high state awards on national holiday

Budapest (MTI) – President János Áder presented Hungary’s state orders as well as the prestigious Kossuth and Széchenyi prizes to recognise public personalities, artists and scientists on the occasion of the anniversary of the 1848 revolution in Parliament on Wednesday.

In his address at the award-giving ceremony, Áder commemorated heroes of the 1848 events, and referred to those developments as the beginning of a modern political nation. In 1848 Hungary “demonstrated that it has a talent for freedom, which meant a freedom for new ideas, property, and bourgeois development”.

“Hungarians achieved a miracle: they abolished privileges and opened the door wide open for development; the nation’s vitality, energy and enterprise could manifest themselves in industry, science, art, and commerce,” he added.

The president quoted 19th century poet János Arany, and said that “the homeland must be served well and wisely” through research, medical work, road construction, theatrical performances, innovation, continuing traditions, and educating the next generations. He also highlighted the awardees’ achievements, which he said could “motivate many to come up with better results”.