We celebrated our March 15th National Day with a fantastic Gergely Bogányi concert and an unique sand animation of Lajos Végh. In the fully packed Barock Hall of the Historical Museum Ambassador Adrien Müller and State Secretary Csaba Balogh from the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade greeted more than 300 guests.
Ambassador Adrien Müller emphasized that March 15th symbolizes our desire for freedom and independence. The Hungarian coloured cockade is the symbol of our country, our nation, our past and future. We know where we belong and where we want to belong. State Secretary Csaba Balogh remembered when 171 years ago a Swedish lieutenant, Cark Fredrik Westerberg, inspired by the revolutionary youth of March 1848 travelled to Hungary to voluntarily join our fight for freedom. Upon his return to his homeland he later wrote enthusiastic articles to Swedish newspapers about the Hungarians, saying „These people with the heroic defense of their freedom, won the sympathy of the whole of Europe”. Later he even named his son after Lajos Kossuth.
You can read the speech of Ambassador here, and the speech of State Secretary here.
After the speeches State Secretary Balogh and Ambassador Adrien Müller handed over the Order of Merit of Hungary Knight’s Cross to Kate Wacz, for her dedication to remember the victims of the Hungarian Holocaust as well as for her selfless and genuine engagement through many decades preserving and raising awareness about the heroic efforts of those – and especially the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg - who saved the life of thousands of Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust and to Gustav Kraitz for his internationally recognised artistic achievement through many decades which combines the thousand-year-old Chinese ceramic techniques with contemporary appearance and for his highly appreciated and valued sculptures at many public places all around, the World including those paying tribute to the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg who saved the life of thousands of Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust.
The Liszt-concert of Gergely Bogányi and the sand animation composed especially for the event by Lajos Végh had an enormous success. Their heart warming common performance remembered one of the most eminent composers of Hungarian musical history and significant events, symbols and landscapes of Hungary came to life on the screen. The festive event came to an end with a reception after the concert.
You can see the photos of the event in the Gallery.
