On 26 October, a reception was held at the beautiful, stylish Verte Hotel in Warsaw to celebrate Hungary’s National Day, which is celebrated every year on 23 October, the anniversary of the outbreak of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Struggle.
In her opening speech, H.E. Ambassador Orsolya Zsuzsanna Kovács welcomed representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Deputy Speaker of the Sejm, ministers, representatives of the clergy, the media and other guests, thanking them for coming in large numbers. The Ambassador then referred to the words of the great nineteenth-century Polish poet Cypran Kamil Norwid, who believed that uprisings can shape nations, but that the foundation for building a society is organic work. The poet’s words were a reference to the history of the formation of the Hungarian nation, which the Ambassador described in her speech:
In the struggles of the Hungarian uprising of 1848/49, fought against two world powers: Austria and Russia, the modern Hungarian nation was formed.
The Hungarian people’s opposition to the Stalinist regime in 1956 was an opportunity for the rebirth of Hungarian society, shattered by the communist dictatorship after 1945. The invading Soviet Army brutally suppressed the uprising after only 20 days of fighting. The chance for the rebirth of the nation – in the Norwid spirit – and the formation of a modern society were buried and postponed for many decades, said the Ambassador.
She concluded her speech by adding:
‘The historical importance of the Polish-Hungarian friendship, its mobilising political and emotional energy, its mythical signs, is shown in the chronicle of one day. That day was 23 October 1956. Adam Ważyk, the Polish poet, wrote about it:
I was with you on that day, when, at Bem’s monument
you raised Hungarian and Polish banners.
I do not know who among you was wounded, and who is no longer there,
when the voices have fallen silent and the fires are lit.
Today, for the seventh time, I have the honour and pleasure of remembering together with you these special events that unite our peoples.
The floor was then taken by MEP Ryszard Terlecki, who in his speech highlighted the long-standing links between the Hungarian freedom movement and the Polish efforts to regain independence from Communist rule. He stressed that the two nations had always supported each other morally, and that their citizens had been actively involved in helping each other build independent governments and fight for full independence during the uprisings and national-independence movements waged in both countries. He also expressed the hope that Poland and Hungary will continue the historically friendly contacts between the two nations in the future.
The traditional Polish-Hungarian friendship, as well as the remembrance of Poznan’s June ’56, were additional factors that brought the participants of the event together, while also influencing the warm, friendly atmosphere of the event.
The cultural programme of the reception was supported by the National Cultural Fund and the Liszt Institute in Warsaw. The event at the Verte Hotel was highlighted by a folklore performance by the Laposa Julcsi Band from Hungary. Guests also were pleasantly surprised by the culinary part of the event. In addition to excellent Hungarian dishes, meat products and Hungarian wines were served.
At the end of the official part, a tombola was held. Five lucky tickets were drawn. The winners received baskets of Hungarian products and a jewellery set.
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