At its Ludovika campus, the University of Public Service (UPS) Ludovika is welcoming visitors with a military parade, university lectures, concerts, and family programmes at the Ludovika Festival in Orczy Park, Budapest from 11 to 13 May.
The university stressed in their press release that the institution places great importance on preserving the military traditions of the nation, of which the 100-day celebration is a significant milestone, marking the end of this year’s officer training and the final step towards the formal military graduation ceremony. The Ludovika Festival is held every year to commemorate this event.
The organisers added that Ludovika University will take centre stage at the festival on Thursday and Friday, 11 and 12 May. Internationally recognised experts, such as Edward N. Luttwak, a world-renowned American author and advisor to the US Department of Defence, Charles J. Vörösmarty, UPS honorary doctor and one of the world’s leading hydrological experts, will deliver lectures at the Ludovika Campus during the two-day event. Scott Donovan, director of the Budapest office of the International Law Enforcement Academy, will speak about US law enforcement trends, having worked for over 20 years as a special agent for the United States Secret Service, while Dave Walsh, a professor of criminal investigation at De Montfort University, will provide information on interrogation techniques.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet with UPS lecturers and researchers, as well as politicians such as Balázs Orbán, the prime minister’s political director, Tibor Navracsics, minister of regional development, and Imre Porkoláb, brigadier general responsible for defence innovation.
Free concerts will be held on Friday evening at the Lakeside Stage, featuring Áron András, Konyha, the Transylvanian 4S Street, and the Ullie band from Transcarpathia. After the BSW concert in the party tent, Koósz Milán, Cooky, and JumoDaddy will perform.
The organisers are also preparing static and dynamic military demonstrations at the campus. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the Leopard 2A4 tank, the Gidrán multi-purpose armoured vehicle, the KF41 Lynx infantry fighting vehicle, and the PZH-2000 self-propelled howitzer up close.
In addition to chemical defence demonstrations, visitors will also be able to see special weapons and gain insight into the Hungarian Defence Forces’ Cyber and Information Operations Centre and the secrets of cyber warfare.
On Saturday, as part of the family day, the wider audience can also get a glimpse into the world of various professions: in addition to military programmes, law enforcement demonstrations will be held as well and children’s concerts will be organised. On the same day, the Hungarian Defence Forces’ JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft and H145M and Mi-24 helicopters will also pass over the Ludovika campus.
The event is free of charge, but participation in the free university programs on Thursday and Friday, as well as entry to the party tent requires registration. Further information is available on the festival’s website.
