Budapest Marks 1956 Uprising Anniversary
Hungary commemorated the 70th anniversary of the 1956 popular uprising against Soviet-backed communist rule with official ceremonies in Budapest, as lsm.lv reported. The day’s events opened with a national flag-raising ceremony at Lajos Kossuth Square outside the parliament building, drawing crowds of citizens and international visitors.
European Union Leaders Address Parliament
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended a special parliamentary session in Budapest to mark the milestone. Von der Leyen stated in her address that the Hungarian people fought against the impossible to protect the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
History is not a straight path,
von der Leyen said during the parliamentary session. Each generation has to fight to renew our freedoms and renew our energy for democracy.
Von der Leyen praised the reform efforts undertaken by Hungary’s current government regarding corruption prevention and the restoration of the rule of law. The high-level attendance by European Union leadership signaled clear Brussels support for Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s administration, which took office following a voter mandate six months prior.
🇭🇺 #INTERVIEW Ambassador: Hungary and Azerbaijan know how precious independence and sovereignty are #Hungary marks the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution, a defining chapter in the nation’s struggle for freedom, independence and sovereignty. The historic uprising remains a…
Fidesz Party Holds Alternative Observance
Former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s opposition party, Fidesz, held a separate commemorative event across the Danube River and at a different time from the official state proceedings. Several hundred participants, mostly middle-aged and older citizens, joined a flag march carrying national symbols and a nearly two-kilometer-long national flag measuring 1,848 meters.
Orbán did not attend the Fidesz gathering. Local media reports and observers noted that the former prime minister was spotted in central Paris on the day of the anniversary. Lawmakers from Fidesz and the right-wing opposition party Our Homeland chose to boycott the official parliamentary session where European Union leaders spoke.
Who Organized and Attended the Budapest Commemoration?
Who organized the official 70th-anniversary commemoration in Budapest?
Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s government organized the official events, after appealing to local and international businesses for financial contributions to cover the commemoration costs.
Which foreign officials attended the parliamentary session?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa addressed the special parliamentary session in Budapest.
Why is the length of the opposition flag significant?
The Fidesz march unfurled a flag measuring 1,848 meters long, referencing another significant revolution anniversary in the country’s history.