10th anniversary celebration of the Camp Erzsébet Programme - Zánka, 15 August 2022

President Katalin Novák celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Camp Erzsébet Programme in Zánka together with the campers. Over the past decade, more than a million children have enjoyed a holiday at the church-founded camps. Young Hungarians have come to the camp at Lake Balaton not only from Hungary, but also from Erdély (Transylvania), Kárpátalja (Transcarpathia), Délvidék (in Croatia and Serbia), Felvidék (Slovakia) and Croatia.

In her welcome speech, the Head of State, who is also the main patron of the Erzsébet programme, stressed that Camp Erzsébet is a place where campers can learn about belonging to a thousand-year-old nation, what it means to be Hungarian in the Great Plain, Zala, Tolna, Transdanubia, Borsod, across the Carpathian Basin and in the diaspora. Katalin Novák pointed out that the Erzsébet camps also express the triad of God, homeland and family, as thanks to the organisers, campers can learn what it means to be a follower of God.
Camp Erzsébet is an oasis for children who otherwise could not make it to the shores of Lake Balaton on their own, said the Head of State.

President Novák pointed out that campers can return home with life-changing experiences, new friendships and a strengthened spirit. The President added that the camp also means safety in both a spiritual and physical sense – this is a place where parents do not have to worry about their children.

Katalin Novák thanked the teachers, the spiritual leaders and all those involved for their work, who not only keep the camps alive, but also bring them to a new and richer life each and every time.
At the birthday celebration, a time capsule was placed at the main building. The Erzsébet song was sung, a blessing was said by the brothers and sisters serving in the Erzsébet camps, and then the birthday cake was cut and distributed.