This spring the world’s first ever classical music talent show had its second run in the Hungarian Television, and just like last year, the freshly discovered young talents will give a gala concert on St. Stephen’s Day, when we celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state.
Date:Saturday, the 20th of August, 8pm
Venue:Margaret Island Open-air Stage
This unique and very popular talent show, in which participants compete in three age groups, not only offers a unique opportunity to young talents, but also brings classical music to thousands of homes. Since the show’s end, the exceptional talents of Virtuosos have proven their skills on many occasions, delighting audiences all over the country.
Fireworks for St. Stephen’s Day will be live-streamed during the pause.
Budapest, August 18 (MTI) – János Lázár, the government office chief, handed over high state decorations at a ceremony in Budapest on Thursday, ahead of Hungary’s upcoming August 20 national holiday.
In his address at the ceremony, Lázár talked about the significance of one’s personal achievement, as a basis for a “healthy national pride”. Personal achievements will make up a “communal experience” and a source for being proud of being Hungarian, he added.
Lázár noted the government’s commitment to “get national culture to everybody”. He said that culture cannot be “a luxury for the elite only” and urged that the term public education “should be filled with new and real content”.
Zsolt Bayer journalist and János Lázár, the government office chief
At the ceremony, Hungary’s Order of Merit (Middle Cross) was handed over to 10 intellectuals, while lower level decorations were given to 190 others in recognition of their outstanding achievements in different walks of life.
Budapest, August 18 (MTI) – Some 800 craftsmen will take part in this year’s August 20 Crafts Festival, marking the event’s 30th anniversary, in the Buda Castle from Thursday to Sunday.
The theme of this year’s festival will be toys and games, giving visitors a chance to try street games, activities designed to improve hand skills or traditional folk instruments. The event will also feature various dance and street theatre performances.
A total of twelve countries will be represented at the festival with this year’s guests of honour being Uzbekistan, China and Russia’s Republic of Sakha.
Uzbekistan will be represented by a family specialising in brass embossing as well as a carpet weaver, a textile painter, a wood carver, a blacksmith and other craftsmen. Chinese craftsmen will include a tea artist, a batik-maker, an embroidery maker and others.
Hungarian craftsmen will include weavers, coopers, roofers, and passementerie maker among others.
Visitors will also get to take a closer look at crafts from Turkey, Spain, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
20 August – National Holiday Of The Foundation Of The Hungarian State And King Saint Stephen, The State Founder.
Stephen I (997–1038) was the last Grand Prince of the Hungarian Conquerors in the Carpathian Basin, and the first Christian king of Hungary crowned by Pope Sylvester II. King Stephen had fought for the unity of Hungary against pagan Hungarian warriors, and also for the independence of the Hungarian Kingdom against Western European Christian troops. He brought Christianity to the country and established a legal-administrative system. The 20th August is thus both a national and Christian holiday.
Programmes
Kossuth Lajos Square – Parliament
8.30-9.30 Ceremonial hoisting of the national flag of Hungary, followed by the graduation ceremony of military officers (1055 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos Square)
Ceremonial speech by János Áder, President of Hungary Welcome speech by István Simicskó, Minister of Defence
10.00-18.00 Visit to the Holy Crown (1055 Budapest, Kossuth Lajos Square – Parliament)
Lánchíd
9.00-24.00 Avenue of Hungarian Flavours (1013 Budapest, Lánchíd Street)
Clark Ádám Square
10.00-21.00 Family programmes and open-air concerts (1013 Budapest, Clark Ádám Square)
10.00 Band Buborék for the children
11.00 Hungary’s Cake
11.30 New Bread of Saint Stephen’s Day
16.00 Petruska
17.30 Supernem
19.00 Anna and the Barbies
Buda Castle
10.00-21.00 Festival of Folk Arts (1014 Budapest, Buda Castle)
14.30 Harvest March from Szent György Square and ceremonial blessing of the New Bread at the Saint Stephen’s Statue (1014 Budapest, Buda Castle)
Saint Stephen’s Basilica
17.00 Holy Mass and the procession of the Holy Right (1051 Budapest, Szent István Square – Saint Stephen’s Basilica)
Fireworks – Danube banks
21.00-21.30 Festive fireworks (Danube banks on both Buda and Pest side between Chain Bridge and Erzsébet Bridge)
Tens of thousands of people participate in these events, especially the fireworks at night, and celebrate the 20th of August in Budapest every year.
Area of visibility and audibility
The primary area of visibility and audibility of the fireworks is along the banks of the Danube between the Chain Bridge and Erzsébet Bridge.
Closing of traffic
Both the Chain Bridge and Erzsébet Bridge will be closed to the public.
The closing of traffic will be handled by the police forces of the Budapest Police HQ from 6:00 PM until late night on the road sections concerned. Car traffic will not be allowed by the river banks. More information on http://police.hu/
Extra public transport services will be provided between the Pest and Buda sides of the Danube. More information about the schedule of extra public transport (bus, tram, metro and HÉV-train) services will be available on http://www.bkk.hu/bkk_info/
Attention!
The staff securing the venue will keep escape paths and evacuation points free to ensure the safe evacuation of the areas in case of emergency. Everybody is kindly requested not to stay at these locations and follow the instructions of the announcer and the security staff.
Central control, meteorological reports
All information concerning the event will be received by a group of experts and a control staff base operated by the organizers.
One of the most important items of information is the regular weather report of the National Meteorological Service, which provides updates to the organizers on possible hazardous weather conditions, such as rainstorm with hail or high wind, winds above 45 km/h and downpour.
Spectators will be informed in a timely manner through the sound system installed along the river banks and at the adjacent venues at least 30 minutes before such weather conditions occur to ensure the safe evacuation of the areas. The organizers and the control staff will cancel the event even if the expected hazardous weather doesn`t end up happening. In this case, the announcer will provide detailed information on the process of evacuation and what to do.
The rescue system along the riverbanks has been established with the help of the National Ambulance Service (OMSZ). The organizers will provide ambulance cars and emergency ambulances along the banks of the Danube and at all event venues during the day. During the fireworks on-site ambulance stations will provide patient care services.
Budapest, August 5 (MTI) – Hungary’s August 20 national holiday will be “all about security” with much greater police presence on the streets than ever before, a defence ministry official said on Friday.
Security is fundamental in areas with a lot of people, especially after the terrorist attack in Nice, defence ministry state secretary Tamás Vargha told public news channel M1. People should therefore not take these increased security measures as restrictions of their personal freedoms, he added.
Vargha said there was no need to raise the terror alert level but underlined the need to be cautious during the celebrations. Police presence will be increased both at commemoration venues and along the routes leading to the various events, he added.
Budapest, May 1 (MTI) – Hungary’s trade unions called for joint efforts to reduce the vulnerability of workers while opposition parties demanded higher wages for workers on Labour Day on Sunday.
The heads of Hungary’s five trade union confederations said in the City Park that the Labour Code should be revised, a fairer tax system introduced and the minimum wage raised to subsistence level. Representatives of the TU confederations MASZSZ, Liga, ESZT, SZEF and MOSZ placed flowers at a memorial stone erected on the spot where Hungary’s first free Labour Day was celebrated.
The opposition Socialists said the past two years have made it clear that there is a great need for genuine left-wing parties. Party leader József Tóbias said in the City Park that the elections in 2018 could be won if local communities are mobilised. The left wing must not turn a blind eye on the millions living in poverty and in “existential crisis”. Budapest party leader Ágnes Kunhalmi said the government parties will have to give account of their actions in 2018. “I am convinced that they should not only be replaced but also called to account and put behind prison bars,” she said.
Ferenc Gyurcsány, leader of the opposition DK party, said in the City Park that a new democratic government would have to create a Labour Code that strengthens the representation of workers, gives them back the right to go on strike and recognises weekend work with increased bonuses.
The green opposition LMP party demanded a considerably higher wage increase than planned in the public sector. Deputy group leader Erzsébet Schmuck said in the City Park that the government is planning to spend 600 billion forints unnecessarily next year and a much lower amount is allocated for wage increases. LMP will propose amendments to the 2017 budget to ensure that the pay for full-time work should not be less than the subsistence level.
The opposition Együtt party called for a general wage increase and the introduction of a progressive tax system. Party leader Viktor Szigetvári told an event near Parliament that this is a condition for sustainable development and a stronger middle class. He added that the 12th anniversary of Hungary’s EU accession should also be celebrated on this day.
The opposition PM party said that the life of Hungarians is characterised by financial uncertainty and increased vulnerability. Party spokesman Bence Tordai told a Labour Day event that his party demands the introduction of a basic income for low earners. Workers should also be eligible, so the net minimum wage would rise from 74,000 forints a month to 105,000.
This upcoming weekend is going to be full of amazing programmes to choose from. It’s not only the last weekend in April and Labour Day, but also Mother’s Day in Hungary (1st Sunday in May) and World Laughter Day (also the 1st Sunday in May). Apropos of this, Rendezvényfigyelő collected the most fun programmes of the weekend in different places of Hungary.
Great Race, 2015 – Scuderia Ferrari on the streets of Budapest
Fish Summering in Óhegy Park, Kőbánya on the 1st of May – This event is all about fish and you should definitely take part if you are addicted to Hungarian hot fish soup with paprika an onion, as the main programme will be a fish soup contest. There’s also going to be concerts, zumba and workshops for kids.
Summering in the City Park on the 30th of April and the 1st of May – There’s nothing better than a genuine summering weekend in the beautiful environment of the City Park. The organisers await everyone in front of the Vajdahunyad Castle with a theme park, dodgem, ferris-wheel, air-castles, horse riding, Hungarian flavours and manufacturers.
PlayIT Show at Hungexpo on the 30th of April – This is the biggest gamer event in the region, not just for gamers. PlayIT Show is the successor of Budapest Game Show, the first real Hungarian gamer expo. It provides quality fun for people of all ages and genders, who are interested in the world of IT, mobiles and videogames.
Hungarian Pálinka Festival in the Városháza Park, April 28-30 – Oh the famous Hungarian schnapps…This festival is a great opportunity to discover the world of Hungarian Pálinkas and their centuries old traditions and exceptional recipes. Beyond the exceptional gastronomy experience this festival also offers the perfect place to start a beautiful evening.
Tabán Festival on the 1st of May – Tabán is a hilly place between Gellért and Vár Mountain, which has a historic past and is a prominent location of Hungarian popular music industry since the 1970s. The festival offers a wide variety of concerts from the “old hits” to today’s hits.
Maypole
Pest County:
Duna Party Summering in Vác on the 30th of April and the 1st of May – This event is going to be a traditional summering in the sense that it’s centered around entertainment for all ages. Theres’ going to be different concerts and children’ programmes on both days
Lake Balaton:
XXV. Jókai Days and Jókai bean soup cooking competition in Balatonfüred on the 29th and 30th of April – It’s an event to commemorate the famous Hungarian writer, Mór Jókai in the beautiful city of Balatonfüred. There’s going to be a book exhibition, an age-of-reform-style walk from the Jókai House, gala night in the Anna Grand Hotel, kids’ programmes, concerts and dance performances.
Pancake Festival in Balatongyörök on the 30th of April – Brave volunteers can take part in a fun pancake making competition and then enjoy the fruit of their work. The winners will be chosen as the Pancake King and Queen, while everyone can taste traditional and unique pancakes, enjoy concerts and other programmes.
Balaton Season Opening in Keszthely from the 29th of April until the 1st of May – Keszthely’s touristic season opening has been held on Labour Day and the day Hungary joined the European Union, for a long time. If you happen to be passing by make sure to check out summering.
Lakeside Festival and Summering in Tapolca on the 30th of April and the 1st of May – Family summering on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. Besides the cultural and musical programmes at the magical Malom lake, folk art workshops, market, wines, pálinka, strudels, drinks, dried fruits, chimney cakes and other sweets will be awaiting visitors.
Picnic in May by Pál Szinyei Merse
Other places:
Fish, Venison, Wine and Pálinka Festival at Lake Velence in Agárd from the 29th of April until the 1st of May – Traditions, cultural, gastronomic and natural values at the touristic season opening of Lake Velence. This is going to be the ninth time that the festival is organised as it is always a great success, with all the foods and drinks in one place.
Ship Procession with Lanterns and Summering in Esztergom from the 29th of April until the 1st of May – Build a ship for the procession! The beautiful city and basilica of Esztergom is quite a spectacle when lighted up with lanterns. Don’t miss the procession and other fun programmes.
Wine Buzz Festival at the Villány wine-district from the 29th of April until the 1st of May – Organisers await visitors in the buzzing regions of the Villány wine-district. There’s going to be maypole decoration, blues, jazz, rock’n’roll, Hungarian dance and latin dance camp performances, grill party, football contest, gastronomic specialties, workshops and even more!
Pécs University Days in the Zsolnay Cultural District between the 28th and the 30th of April – The PTE decades of tradition of mini-festival time in the Zsolnay Quarter found in the homes, where more than one hundred productions – including a lot of local and foreign bands, DJs, Community programs – and of course, the Student Rector Choice masquerade clad troops is awaiting visitors with lots of love.
The Hungarian Embassy marked the occasion of National Day and the anniversary of the 1848 Revolution with a lively series of celebratory events including traditional Hungarian food, music and dancing.
On March 15th, distinguished members of the Hungarian-American community and friends of Hungary gathered at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC in commemoration and remembrance of the 1848 Revolution.
Speaking to attendees in both English and Hungarian, Ambassador Dr. Réka Szermerkényi began the reception’s proceedings and spoke about the importance of the legacy of 1848. She highlighted that its memory continues to inspire us to never forget that it is us, the citizens of Hungary who decide about our future. Today, most of us will instinctively connect the love of freedom with love of country.
She highligthed that the values of the revolutionaries were the same values Americans cherish. The revolution of March 15th broadened avenues for political participation and previously marginalized groups were given a voice in determining the future of the nation. For the 1848 revolutionaries a commitment to national ideals was more important than ethnicity.
Hungarian dancers from the Duna Gyöngye Folk Dance Ensemble then performed for the audience. On particular stylistic display were the exuberant Csárdás dances of the 18th and 19th centuries featuring bootslapping from the men and ancient circle dances from the women. Also featured was Hungarian folk singing, courtesy of Lilla Zsuráfszky.
A reception capped the friendly and joyful evening, giving guests the opportunity to mingle with the Ambassador as well as other prominent members of the Hungarian and Hungarian-American community.
This is an edited version of PM Viktor Orbán’s annual ceremonious speech for Hungary’s National Holiday on March 15th. In it, he discusses the migrant crisis and the “hidden powers” that are controlling the tides and seeking Europe’s ruin. He urges all Europeans to unite and fight back against their planned destruction.
Hungarian culture is filled with little traditions, prophecies and superstitions that provide a little, funny guidance on how to live a life filled with luck, love and fortune! Here are 11 of our favourites.
Eat lentil stew on New Year’s Day
Hungarians love lentil stew, but it’s a tradition to eat it on New Year’s Day. You can even go right ahead and eat it just after midnight on New Year’s Eve too. Basically, for Hungarians, the reason to eat lentil stew on January 1 is so that you’ll be beautiful and rich all year long. Too easy! Related article: NEW YEAR’S TRADITIONS IN HUNGARY
Check the weather on February 2
It’s notoriously hard to predict the weather in Hungary, but Hungarians say that if the weather is good on February 2 it’s going to be a long winter. The story goes something like this: if it’s sunny on February 2 the bears come out of their winter hibernation, they see their long shadows, and decide to go back to their caves for more slumber. It’s said that the bears go back to sleep for more 40 days, so this means that spring will only arrive once that additional 40 days are up, so spring will arrive a bit late.
“Sándor, József, Benedek – zsákban hoznak meleget”!
This rhyme in Hungarian says that Sándor, József, Benedek (whose name days are celebrated on March 18, 19 and 21) bring with them warm weather, but also forecast summer temperatures. For example, if there’s thunder on March 21 then it will be a dry summer.
Sprinkle (or throw) water on girls at Easter
Be a good sport if you’re a man. It is a Hungarian tradition to throw water or spritz perfume on women at Easter. It’s said to help the woman’s fertility, so what the hell!
Hungary’s version of April Fool’s Day
Hungarians call April 1 “Bolondok Napja”. Like in many other cultures the Hungarians play little pranks and pull jokes on others, especially in the morning.
August 20 weather forecast
August 20 forecasts the weather for the next 40 days; this means that whatever the weather is like on this day – so it will be for the next 6 weeks. There are many Hungarian folk traditions that relate to harvesting and what the dates say about the harvest. Along these lines: if the weather is good on Stephen Day then the fruit harvest will be plentiful, if the weather is bad the harvest won’t be good either.
Lőrinc Day marks the end of watermelon season
Lőrinc Day on September 5 marks the end of watermelon season because after that day the watermelon becomes over-ripe and that slushy consistency. It’s said Lőrinc pees in your watermelon giving it that horrible texture.
Orsolya Day predicts Winter weather
Orsolya Day on October 21 is said to predict how cold winter will be. So the tale goes, if the weather is good on Orsolya Day, it will remain nice weather all the way until Christmas.
Eat goose on November 11
Many Hungarians eat goose on Márton Day (November 11) because goose is said to be extra tasty then. Many restaurants even have special goose menus for that whole week. Also, the goose eaten on Márton Day is said to have weather forecasting properties. If the breast bone of the goose you’re eating is short and brown then winter will be quite muddy, while if it’s long and white there’ll be lots of snow!
Be nice or you’ll get a virgács instead of sweet treats at Mikulás
Mikulás is the Hungarian version of Saint Nicholson and he’s similar to Santa Claus. He visits on December 6 and usually leaves sweet treats in the little boots children leave out for him. BUT if you’ve been naughty you’ll get a “virgács” instead, which is a bundle of little sticks and twigs that symbolises Krampusz’ weapon! Related article: THE DAY OF SAINT NICHOLAS IN HUNGARY
Luca’s Chair
On Luca Day (December 13) it’s a Hungarian superstition to start carving a wooden stool. It should be ready by Christmas and you stand on that chair at mass and you’ll be able to see who is the witch because they will grow horns. Then you have to run home as fast as you can leaving a trail of poppy seeds behind you. The witch has to pick up all the seeds so that will slow them down, but if they catch you the witch will tear you right up! If you make it home safely, you have to burn the stool.
Globoport.hu writes that the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre (HTCC) of Kampala also commemorates the anniversary of the Hungarian revolution and war of independence of 1848-49. Globoport’s reporter tells us how.
The creation and conservation of the Hungarian historical consciousness is not only a national value unattached to age, but it also means a solidary community in different parts of the world that needs to be guarded, educated. So, as we live in Uganda as Hungarians from Székesfehérvár, I couldn’t imagine not commemorating one of the most prominent events of Hungary’s modern era history here, in the heart of Africa, since it is one of the foundation stones of our national identity. However, it is true that we are only celebrating today with close family members and that this is not a public holiday here, but we still wear our cockades proudly and revive our historical knowledge.
My children talked about the background of the revolution, Sándor Petőfi, Mihály Táncsics and Mór Jókai in their class. They also recited the National Song (Nemzeti Dal) in Hungarian and English thus making this prominent part of the Hungarian history more understandable for the African kids and teachers.
They perfectly understood the importance of the 12 points phrased by József Irinyi since freedom, equality and brotherhood are important to all nations. It makes me patriotic and proud to be able to pass on something that is important to us here, in Africa. Even though we are far away, we celebrate together with all Hungarians with dignity and commemorate our heroes who sacrificed their lives for independence.
Budapest, March 15 (MTI) – Life in today’s Hungary was shaped by the intellectual heirs of the revolutions of 1848 and 1956, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in front of Budapest’s National Museum on Tuesday. Today, 168 years after European peoples fought for their freedom, “Europe, our shared home,” is not free, he said. The need to face the past and the future alike and act for the nation was the message of the 1848/49 anti-Habsburg revolution for succeeding generations, Budapest Mayor Istvan Tarlós said in the offical celebration.
Speaking at a state commemoration of Hungary’s anti-Habsburg revolution of 1848/49, the prime minister said that the first step towards stopping mass migration into Europe is “stopping Brussels”. Hungary will not allow Brussels to “place itself above the law”, Orbán insisted.
“We will not allow [Brussels] to force onto us the fruits of its cosmopolitan migration policy. We are not going to import crime, terrorism, homophobia or anti-Semitism that sets synagogues on fire … There will not be any gangs hunting our wives and daughters.”
Orbán described the EU’s refugee policy as one that would first decide who Hungary has to admit, then force the state to “serve foreigners in our own homeland” after which “we find ourselves locked out of our own country.”
He reiterated that Hungary rejects the European Union’s refugee resettlement scheme, adding that Hungary would not give in to “blackmail or threats” from Brussels.
“It is time to sound the alarm bells and gather allies” against the migrant quota scheme, the prime minister said.
“We call on Hungarian citizens, regardless of party preference, and European nations to unite” against refugee relocation, he said.
Orbán said mass migration is presented as a humanitarian issue, but its real nature is “invasive”. He said that the discussions on migrant relocation would begin with talks on resettling “a couple of hundred or a thousand” people, adding at the same time that no European leader “would be willing to swear” today that there would not be a need to later resettle tens or hundreds of thousands of migrants.
“Herds of incurable human rights warriors” feel an “insurmountable urge” to lecture Hungary on the refugee crisis, he said.
Orbán said Hungary has a history of taking in people from different cultures. Anyone who had arrived in Hungary “as a new family member, ally or refugee” was taken in and found a new home in Hungary, he said. People who attempted to force their way into the country or came with the intention to change it, however, were met with resistance.
He said that 168 years after European peoples fought for their freedom, “Europe, our shared home,” is not free. “Freedom begins with speaking the truth, but today we are not allowed to speak the truth in Europe,” the prime minister said. “Even if it is made of silk, a muzzle is still a muzzle.”
“We are not allowed to say” that Europe is threatened by mass migration or that migration “brings with it crime and terrorism” to the continent, Orban said. Further, Europeans are not allowed to say that the migrant inflow “is no accident but a pre-planned, controlled operation.”
Europeans are not allowed to say that “Brussels is slowly eating away at our sovereignty and planning a United States of Europe” which it does not have a mandate to do, Orbán said.
The prime minister said life in today’s Hungary was shaped by the intellectual heirs of the revolutions of 1848 and 1956.
“The nation’s political, economic and intellectual life is still governed by the heartbeat of revolution.”
Orbán said the revolution of 1848/49 was “Hungarian to the core” by being inspiring, sober, glorious but moderate at the same time. The prime minister praised the citizens, soldiers, lawyers, writers, doctors, farmers and patriotic workers who participated in the revolution.
Orbán also greeted Polish citizens who had travelled to Budapest to take part in the commemorations. “Just as we have over the course of our shared history, we [Hungarians] stand by you once again in the fight for your country’s freedom and independence,” the prime minister told the Poles in attendance. “‘More respect to Poland!’ is our joint message for Brussels,” he said.
“The book of fate says that the concealed and faceless powers of the world will do away with everything that is unique, exceptional, ancient and national,” Orban said in his closing remarks. “If we accept this … we will be swallowed up by the United States of Europe.” The prime minister said Hungary’s task is now to “defeat, rewrite and change the fate that has been written for us.”
Hungary must face past and future alike to act for nation, says Tarlós
Speaking at the state commemoration at the National Museum, the mayor said the real test of courage in our time lies in the ability to adapt to the present. Those with real courage can sense impending threats and take on the necessary task of guarding the border and watching over the “boundless shared homeland”, he added.
Tarlós said those with real courage do not selfishly crave the love of the people but will do what they have to do based on their trust.
Budapest, March 15 (MTI) – The national flag was hoisted in front of Parliament on Tuesday morning, marking the start of state celebrations of the anniversary of Hungary’s anti-Habsburg revolution that started on March 15, 1848.
The ceremony was attended by President János Áder, Chief of Staff Tibor Benkő, representatives of state organisations, diplomats, and several hundred others.
Following the ceremony, participants marched to the National Museum where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to deliver a speech.
Commemorations of the revolution are also being held by ethnic Hungarian communities around the world.
The revolution and freedom fight was part of a series of uprisings in Europe in 1848. On March 15, citizens of Pest gathered in front of the National Museum and demanded independence from Habsburg rule.
Hungary’s first independent government with Count Lajos Batthyány as prime minister approved a reform package called the April laws. Later, the uprising grew into a war of independence, stifled by Austria in late 1849.
Budapest, March 14 (MTI) – Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addressed a letter to Hungarians in advance of the March 15 commemoration of the 1848-49 revolution in which he declared that freedom and independence are “not clothes tailored for us from the outside but are something that emerge from within and make their way to the exterior, like the skin of an apple and the house of a snail”.
The press chief of the prime minister’s office said in a statement on Monday that Orban had said that on March 15 “a new nation was born that, cornered and isolated, without a powerful army, a proper industrial background or an alliance with great powers, turned the country’s fate around.”
Orban emphasised that the Hungarians of 1848 “firmly and courageously” stood up for the demands of the nation: in place of imperial despotism, they wished for equality before the law; in place of financial dependence they demanded a national bank and instead of oppression they demanded freedom.”
“In the intervening 168 years this idea has only deepened,” Orban wrote. “We wish to adjust our laws and our everyday lives to what freedom here means to us within the wreath laid by the Carpathian Basin.”
The prime minister said, “Today, too, we insist on every opportunity to ensure that no one disputes our national symbols, no one questions our constitutional rights, no one takes away from us our schools and no one recruits our sons and sends them to foreign wars.”
“Long live Hungarian freedom, long live the homeland,” Orban added.
The 15th of March is one of the greatest national holidays in Hungary. It represents democracy and freedom, and commemorates the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-49, which turned into a war of independence from the Habsburg rule. The day is celebrated throughout Hungary and we collected the main events that will take place in the capital city.
Marcius15.kormany.hu writes that the day will start with the hoist of the national flag at Kossuth Square at 9 am, which will be followed by a festive procession to the National Museum with the lead of the Equestrian Unit, the Central Band and the Tradition Preserve Society of Cavalrymen. The route of the procession will be: Kossuth Square – Alkotmány Street – Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road – Károly Boulevard – Astoria – Museum Boulevard.
A celebration starts at 10:30 am at the National Museum, which is naturally the central venue of the commemorations. This is where President Viktor Orbán will tell his festive speech. There’s going to be Hungarian actors, actresses, musicians performing at the gala. In accordance with traditions, the Kossuth and Széchenyi Prizes will be handed over by Viktor Orbán and János Áder in the cupola hall of the Parliament at 3 pm.
The Buda Castle will be waiting for visitors with colourful programmes during the whole day (10am – 6pm). There’s going to be a revolutionary whirl at the Military History Museum, kids’ programmes at the Fisherman’ Bastion, “time travel” in the cartulary and historical walks in the Castle Museum, and last but not least, fair whirl in the Street of Hungarian Flavours.
According to nlcafe.hu, the Museum of Literature will also offer special programmes to their visitors. Between 10am and 3pm anybody can try Landerer’s and Heckenast’s printing-machine, with which the revolution’s famous 12 points were printed. There’s also going to be hair braiding workshops with national ribbons, special exhibitions and a concert of Petőfi poems by Bob and Bobék Orchestra from 5pm and 8 pm.
Public holidays and long weekends are always much awaited by everyone. It is a chance to go on a small vacation or just simply rest. Unfortunately, we won’t have too many long weekends this year (it is far from the record of 9 long weekends in 2012) because almost all of the Hungarian national holidays fall on weekends, but still, it is good to know the dates for when you can plan relaxation.
1st of January, Friday – rest-day (long weekend)
5th of March, Saturday – workday (instead of the 14th of March)
14th of March, Monday – rest-day
15th of March, Tuesday – national holiday (long weekend)
27th of March, Sunday – Easter Sunday (long weekend)
28th of March, Monday – Easter Monday (long weekend)
1st of May, Sunday – Labour Day
16th of May, Monday – Pentecost Monday (long weekend)
20th of August, Saturday – national holiday (Saint Stephen’s Day)
15th of October, Saturday – workday (instead of the 31st of October)
23rd of October, Sunday – national holiday (Revolution of 1956)
31st of October, Monday – rest-day
1st of November, Tuesday – All Saints’ Day (long weekend)
24th of December, Saturday – Christmas Eve, rest-day
25th of December, Sunday – Christmas
26th of December, Monday – Second Day of Christmas (long weekend)
1st of May falls on a weekend this year, so you have a plenty of exciting programs to choose from during the weekend in Budapest. Here are four programs that have been expected to be the most exciting ones.
The program starts at 8.00 with a race car exhibition at the Hungarian National Academy building.
The air show with the performance of Ferenc Besenyei aerobatics pilot begins at 13.45 at the Danube embankment in front of the Parliament.
After the air show the third Big Drift Race takes place at Várkert Bazár. Several Formula One drivers accepted the invitation such as Kimi Raikkönen, Jenson Button, Daniel Ricciardo, or even Daniil Kvyat.
The 4 kilometres route: Várkert Bazár – Lánchíd Street – Clark Adam Square – Chain Bridge – back to Buda embankment – Erzsébet Bridge, and then back to Várkert Bazár.
Besides international car racers, Hungarian drivers, such as Norbert Michelisz, Hungary’s No. 1 touring car racer, and Zsolt Baumgartner, former Formula One driver, are contributing to the fame of the show.
Admission: free
2. Tabán Festival
A celebration takes place with live concerts from early afternoon till late night in the Tabán area in Buda.
The Tabán Festival looks back to decades of tradition as it used to be a demonstration against the communist regime, but today it has a more relaxed atmosphere with the most popular Hungarian pop-rock bands giving concerts all afternoon.
Admission: free
3. Székely Festival in Millenáris Park
During the four days Székely festival, visitors can gain insight to Székely gastronomy and culture. Besides tasting traditional Székely dishes and delicacies, the festival also provides you with the opportunity to sing or even dance on Székely rhythms.
Admission: free
4. May Day on Margaret Island
Margaret Island is a spacious green patch at the heart of the city; a perfect place to celebrate May Day in Budapest.
based on the article nlcafe.hu translated by Gábor Hajnal
The green opposition LMP party demanded a considerably higher wage increase than planned in the public sector. Deputy group leader Erzsébet Schmuck said in the City Park that the government is planning to spend 600 billion forints unnecessarily next year and a much lower amount is allocated for wage increases. LMP will propose amendments to the 2017 budget to ensure that the pay for full-time work should not be less than the subsistence level.
