The Hungarian community in Canada held one of its largest festivals, the Toronto Hungarofest, which was inaugurated by the State Secretary for Security Policy and Energy Security of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Saturday. Péter Sztáray thanked the Premier of Ontario for his personal presence, which the Hungarian politician described as a recognition of the friendship between the Canadian Hungarians and the two nations. He expressed hope that this Hungarian cultural event, held for the fourth time this year, would continue in the future, becoming a hallmark of the Hungarian community in Canada and attracting many Canadians without Hungarian roots who would come to appreciate the friendship of the Hungarian people.
In a statement following the opening, the State Secretary expressed his appreciation to the organizers and volunteers involved in Hungarofest. He noted that
Canadians also value the Hungarian community, with many of its members having achieved high positions and played important roles in the economy and politics.
He also expressed hope that some of the Hungarians living in Canada might consider moving back to Hungary. Based on his experiences during his visit to Ontario, Sztáray reported that the province’s conservative government has a serious interest in and recognizes the achievements of Hungary. He added that Canadian politicians view Hungary positively due to shared values and principles.
The State Secretary will also meet with representatives of the Hungarian community in Canada on the upcoming National Day of Unity, participating in a joint commemoration at the local Hungarian House and attending a church service. Sztáray stressed the importance of the Hungarian government’s presence at these commemorations, noting that the local Hungarian community has visibly preserved both the painful memories and the happy moments of Hungarian history.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford conveyed the greetings of his Hungarian-born Finance Minister, Peter Bethlenfalvy, who was unable to attend due to an official trip and who is the highest-ranking official of Hungarian extraction in Ontario’s history. The Premier highlighted that during the 20th century, Hungarians arrived in Ontario in several waves, contributing to its development. He noted that Hungarian Canadians have made a significant impact on the province, enriching its culture and greatly contributing to arts, sports, science, economy, and politics. Doug Ford also recalled that on Friday, following the signing of an agreement, it was announced that Ontario would recognize Hungarian driving licences, allowing Hungarian tourists and those settling down in the country to exchange them for local licences.
This year’s Hungarofest featured an all-day cultural programme showcasing a wide range of Hungarian culture, from folk music and dance to modern music. The event was founded by Sándor Balla, a Hungarian Canadian businessman and President of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce in Canada.
On Friday, Péter Sztáray also held talks with members of the Canadian government in Ottawa, the country’s capital, including discussions on the planned visit of the Canadian Foreign Minister to Budapest and the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, DC.
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