Hungary | Revolution Day

Embassy Network | 22nd March 2017

Ambassador Szalay-Bobrovniczky makes his opening remarks

Ambassador Szalay-Bobrovniczky welcomes the Ambassador of Kuwait and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Mr Khaled Al Duwaisan

Lord Boswell in discussion with the new Ambassador of Romania Mr Dan Mihalache

 

Danish Ambassador Mr Claus Grube, Lord Boswell and Mrs Susanne Grube

The Ambassador of Croatia Dr Ivan Grdešić and the Ambassador or Montenegro Mr Borislav Banović

A reading of Sándor Márai’s poem Mennyből az angyal (Angel from Heaven), recited in Hungarian by Milán Horváth and in English by the actress Jane Liza Sadovy

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó

British Foreign Secretary the Rt Hon Boris Jonhson MP

Nigel Douglas, who as a student joined the revolutionaries in 1956, sings the National Anthems

Presentation of the Hungarian flag

Ambassador Szalay-Bobrovniczky welcomes the Slovak Ambassador Dr L’ubomír Rehák

Hungarian Revolution Day

Hungarian flags festooned the ancient walls of Guildhall at a reception to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the 1956 Revolution. In his welcome address, Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky paid tribute to the bravery of the 2500 youngsters who laid down their lives for the freedoms Hungary enjoys today.

Guest of Honour Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson stressed the importance of remembering “the lessons of history” and spoke of the “immense contribution” of the Hungarian community – both the 56ers and more recent arrivals – whose rights he pledged to safeguard.

In his address, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó spoke of Hungary as “a nation of freedom fighters” ready to stand up against overweening powers. “We will never allow anyone to change our country against our will.”

He thanked Britain for being a second home to so many Hungarians and its role in helping Hungary regain its “rightful place” in the European family of nations.

PHOTOS: PIERRE DE VILLIERS