‘Today, a sovereign and independent Hungary, a proud and free people, celebrate’, emphasized President Tamás Sulyok on Wednesday at a gala event held at the Müpa concert hall, marking the 68th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and War of Independence.
The President added that today, in every Hungarian community, people bow their heads with respect and dignity in honour of the brave Hungarians who reclaimed the nation’s honour and fought to make the homeland free. He reminded that sixty-eight years ago, countless fearless Hungarian hearts stood together, and many different Hungarian fates were united as one, never to be divided again.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his wife, Anikó Lévai, as well as Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér.
President Sulyok highlighted that during the glorious two weeks of 1956, the nation was ennobled, becoming once again what it had always aspired to be. He described the Hungarian people as self-reliant, no longer serving foreign interests, walking their own path, and immune to inhumane ideologies. He added that the nation was clear-headed, resolute, united, heroic, steadfast, and ultimately victorious.
‘Hungarians are immune to inhuman ideologies’
The President noted that the freely given sacrifice of the Hungarian people played a crucial role in preventing the Soviet Union from ever regaining its former strength, and the world was forever changed after October 1956. ‘This required the great heart and strength of a small nation, the heroic resurgence of a dispossessed people,’ he underscored. He stressed that 23 October is a celebration of victory, not defeat, and it is not just about the freedom won for two weeks, but about the ongoing freedom of present-day Hungary.
He emphasized that the memory of 1956 belongs to all Hungarians and to society as a whole, and that no one can claim it for themselves. The revolution and war of independence of 1956 remain a guiding point to this day, and will continue to be so as long as there is a free-hearted Hungarian living on Earth. To be worthy of our heroes and martyrs, we must continually reaffirm our commitment to the spirit of 1956, the President pointed out, underscoring that our freedom today is rooted in the sacrifices of the heroes of 1956. He added that it is now our responsibility to carefully safeguard the freedom of Hungarians and to stand firmly united in defence of our sovereign homeland. According to historical experience, those who attempt to disregard Hungary’s sovereignty will ultimately fail, he said.
President Sulyok concluded by saying: ‘The homeland and freedom are always the rallying cries that inspire action and serve as the lifeblood and source of victory for the nation…We are still here, while the oppressors are nowhere to be found.’
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