Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has revealed which moment of this year’s 20 August national holiday left the strongest impression on him, highlighting a meeting with 160 young people from child protection institutions.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Magyar described the national holiday as a long, memorable and heartwarming day, but said that meeting the young people shortly before the evening fireworks was by far its most emotional moment.
‘Heartbreaking and uplifting’
The 160 young people had been invited to the Karmelita Palace, where they watched the fireworks from the terrace while enjoying food and refreshments. Magyar said he briefly sat down with the young people on the grass and spoke with them before the fireworks began.
He described seeing the young people as both “heartbreaking and uplifting”, noting that although they had faced difficult circumstances, they were smiling and enjoying the national holiday.
The prime minister also made a pointed political reference to the location, saying that the young people were having a picnic in the same place where, a year earlier, “those in power who had abandoned them and believed themselves untouchable” had celebrated.
“I thought to myself that there is justice. Love ultimately conquers everything,” Magyar wrote.
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A 16-hour national holiday
Magyar also recounted his packed schedule on 20 August, saying that he left the main entrance of Parliament at 8 AM for the swearing-in ceremony and returned to the same location 16 hours later, at midnight, to bid farewell to tens of thousands of young people celebrating.
His programme included the raising of the national flag, the swearing-in ceremony for newly commissioned officers, an air show and the presentation of state awards. He also attended the national meeting of TISZA Islands, which he said brought together around 10,000 supporters, as well as the procession carrying the Holy Right at St Stephen’s Basilica.
The evening programme included a large-scale drone show and light display, along with Hungarian carnival events at three locations. Yet, despite the packed programme, Magyar said his meeting with the 160 young people was the moment he would remember most from this year’s national holiday.
If you missed it: PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Budapest lights up as Hungary celebrates 20 August with spectacular fireworks and drone show
Featured image: Facebook/Péter Magyar
