2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 01
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 02
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 03
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 04
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 05
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 06
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 07
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 08
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 10
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 11
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 12
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 13
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 14
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 15
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 16
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 17
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 18
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 19
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 20
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 21
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 22
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 23
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 24
2022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 25
022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 26
022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 27
022. augusztus 20. Budapest – Székesfehérvár 28

Feast of King St Stephen, founder of the Hungarian state - Budapest - Székesfehérvár

2022 August 20. 14:08 | News

In the presence of the President of Hungary Katalin Novák, the national flag of Hungary was raised in front of the Parliament of Hungary in Budapest on King St Stephen’s Day, the founder of our state. The flag was hoisted by the Parade Unit of the Hungarian Defence Forces to the sound of the Hungarian National Anthem on Kossuth Lajos Square. The ceremony was attended by the Head of State, other public dignitaries, Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Commander of the Defence Forces Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, members of the government, representatives of other state and military organisations, members of the diplomatic corps and hundreds of interested visitors. After the raising of the flag, the military oath was taken by the military officer candidates. President Katalin Novák thanked them on behalf of the whole country for their future service.

The President of Hungary delivered her ceremonial speech in Székesfehérvár, the historical capital of Christian Hungary, in keeping with the first point of the Golden Bull issued by King Andrew II in 1222, according to which „"every year, on the feast of King Saint Stephen, we should celebrate in Fehérvár". In her speech, Katalin Novák, referring back to the military oath, once again thanked the soldiers for their patriotism, determination, courage and for defending Hungary's independence even at the cost of their lives.

The President wished that „may our Lord save us from war and keep our soldiers and families living in peace”. The Head of State added that Hungary’s leaders „will do their utmost to prevent bloodshed on Hungarian soil”. The President highlighted that we need celebrations even more in difficult times, as „now is the time to draw strength from the wisdom, the faith, the foresight, the tact, the courage, the modesty of St. Stephen”. Katalin Novák concluded that we are facing testing times, when we need not just good leaders, but also level-headed, discerning and wise Hungarians capable of showing solidarity.

According to Katalin Novák „our fate is intertwined with that of Europe, we are bound together. We cry together, we laugh together”. The President of Hungary highlighted that „even today, the question is not where we belong, but whether in twenty years, let alone a thousand years, the home of the Hungarians, i.e. Christian Europe, will still exist?” The President went on to say: „Hungary wants to increase Europe's strength, aims to strengthen Europe's voice”. According to Katalin Novák, this is the only way for us to have a chance to protect the people of Europe and to preserve everything in our history and culture that has made Europe great.

As said by the President of Hungary, the foundation of a state is similar to the foundation of a family. „It requires courage, faith, determination and hope for the future.” Without St Stephen’s brave decision, there would be no self-reliant, independent Hungary today –Katalin Novák added. She highlighted: „Without the courageous decision of our great-grandparents, grandparents and parents, we would not be here today. We needed them to dare to say yes. To say yes to life, to say yes to us”. In her closing remarks, the President of Hungary wished that there would always be bread on everyone's table and that there would always be people who would be happy to sit around it.

In the afternoon, on the occasion of the national holiday, Katalin Novák presented the Order of St. Stephen and the Hungarian Order of Merit in the Sándor Palace. This year, the Order of St. Stephen of Hungary, founded by Maria Theresa in 1764, was awarded to opera singer Erika Miklósa and cartoon director Ferenc Rofusz. Bertalan Andrásfalvy, ethnographer and anthropologist, received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary (civilian category), while Colonel-General Tibor Benkő received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary (military category). Katalin Novák said she was proud of the professional achievements, dedication and outstanding human spirit of the award winners. On behalf of the nation, the President thanked them for all they had done for the Hungarian people and Hungary.

Late in the afternoon, Katalin Novák walked to the Buda Castle fairgrounds, where she met with the people of Budapest and the visitors celebrating in the capital. In the evening she attended Holy Mass in St. Stephen's Basilica.