October 23 – Budapest commemorations and traffic restrictions
On the occasion of the Hungarian National Day on October 23, there will be 400−450 events at several venues in the capital and across the country this Friday and Saturday. The traditional torch-lit march from Budapest’s Technical University to Bem József Square will take place on Friday afternoon. According to tradition, the national flag will be hoisted in a ceremony in front of the Parliament at 9 am. In addition, several marches and demonstrations will be held in several locations in the city centre.
October 23 marks the anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 uprising against the Soviet rule. At the press conference held on Tuesday, Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary for International Communication and Relations, said that this year, the commemorations of the 1956 Revolution and War for Independence will already begin on 22 October. He also added that
this year, Hungary commemorates not only the 65th anniversary of the revolution but also the riots and atrocities that took place on the 50th anniversary.
Commemorative events
Central events will start at 2 pm on Friday at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, writes Index. After the wreath-laying ceremonies, representatives of the Rákóczi Association will also join the commemoration, and they will march together to the ceremony at the Technical University.
The traditional torch-lit march to Bem József Square will start at 4 pm.
The commemoration at Bem Square will begin at 5 pm. There will also be light shows both on the evenings of 22 and 23 October.
On Saturday, according to tradition, events will start in the morning at Kossuth Lajos Square.
The national flag will be hoisted with military honours in a ceremony beginning at 9 am in front of the Parliament.
People can visit the Grand Staircase, the Dome Hall, and the Hungarian Crown in the Parliament building free of charge between 10 am and 5 pm. The House of Terror Museum can also be visited free of charge, and candles will be lit along the walls of the museum during the day. Commemorations will also be held at Plot 301 in the New Public Cemetery, writes MTI.
According to Index, the Peace March of the pro-government Civic Union Forum and the related CÖKA Foundation will begin at the quay in front of the Technical University at 2 pm. At 3:30 pm, the commemoration will continue at an unusual venue.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will deliver his speech at the intersection of Andrássy Avenue and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street where commemorations were marred by violence 15 years ago.
The opposition Democratic Coalition, Jobbik, LMP, Socialist, Parbeszed, and Momentum parties, together with the new MMM movement, will also organise a joint event on 23 October which will take place at 4 pm on the corner of Andrássy Avenue and Dózsa György Street. Péter Márki-Zay, the opposition candidate for prime minister, Péter Jakab, András Fekete-Győr, Klára Dobrev, and Gergely Karácsony will all deliver a speech. The Peace March of the Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party will begin at 11:30 am at Oktogon. The Our Homeland Movement will also hold a commemoration at Corvin alley from 3 pm.
According to epidemiologists and the operative board, the above-mentioned commemorative events can be held safely, without restrictions. Zoltán Kovács also added that
the restrictions introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic will not apply to the state commemorations and cemetery visits on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
March 15th 1848, the beginning of the War of Independence
Traffic restrictions
According to BKK, due to the events connected to the National Holiday, temporary traffic restrictions and roadblocks can be expected between October 20 and 24 in the capital.
On Friday, the restrictions will mainly affect Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street and the route of the traditional march
(the quay in front of the Technical University – Szent Gellért Square – Szent Gellért Quay – Döbrentei Square – Várkert Quay – Ybl Miklós Square – Lánchíd Street – Clark Ádám Square – Fő Street – Jégverem Street – Bem Quay – Csalogány Street – Nagy Imre Square – Fő Street – Bem József Square).
On 23 October, József Attila Street, Károly Boulevard, the intersection of Andrássy Avenue and Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street, the section of Andrássy Avenue between Kodály körönd and Dózsa György Street and a part of Erzsébet Square will be closed.
There will also be roadblocks in the surrounding streets. The following route will be closed between 2 pm and 3 pm: the quay in front of the Technical University – Szent Gellért Square – Liberty Bridge – Vámház Boulevard – Kálvin Square – Múzeum Boulevard – Astoria – Károly Boulevard – Deák Ferenc Square – Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Street. The restrictions will also affect the traffic schedule of public transport.
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Source: index.hu, bkk.hu, mti.hu