‘With anticipation and hope, we stand at the threshold of 2024, trusting that with renewed energy, vitality, and momentum, we can face our tasks to be done,’ President Katalin Novákin said in her New Year’s address broadcast by the public media on Monday after the national anthem played at New Year’s Eve midnight.
‘We believe in talent, diligence, and grace,’
the President emphasized, who, in 2024, invites every Hungarian, regardless of age, to run, hike, swim, cycle, play football, and exercise. ‘Let’s move together; let 2024 be the year of movement!’ Novák declared, urging everyone to take inspiration from professional athletes and not just cheer but also actively engage.
In her speech, President Novák recalled the most memorable events of 2023, a year ‘when there was reason to rejoice, to be proud,’ including Pope Francis’s visit to Budapest, the Nobel Prize awarded to Katalin Karikó and Ferenc Krausz, the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, and the Hungarian national football team’s qualification as group winners for the European Championship.
Novák shared how gratifying it was to experience the respect shown to the Hungarian President in all 30 countries officially visited this year. ‘They know that we are a talented, self-aware, unique-minded, and resourceful nation,’ she pointed out, adding that even if they don’t always understand us, they are still paying attention. ‘Personally, I work to turn this attention into understanding and cooperation,’ she went on to state.
The President also reminded all of the unfortunate current state of global affairs. There is war in Ukraine and Israel, also drawing mass protests, and economic and political uncertainties worldwide. At home, there is concern and struggle in the everyday life of Hungarians, but we can live in peace, she stressed.
Katalin Novák described the year 2023 as ‘the year of encounters’
and expressed gratitude to the people for helping to walk with open eyes, ears, and hearts. She thanked doctors and nurses for giving hope to Panni, born weighing only 520 grams (1 pound 2 ounces), and her twin. She expressed additional gratitude to the helpers who rescued little Ahmet and his companions from the ruins of the earthquake in Turkey.
The President recalled December 2003 when the New Year was awaited with the knowledge that Hungary would soon become a member of the European Union. ‘Today, we see the benefits, the challenges, and we have not forgotten for a moment: full-right membership was promised,’ she pointed out, while standing in front of an EU flag next to the Hungarian flag, adding that this week ‘the Brussels postman’ brought some of our money along with the demanding letters.
Katalin Novák also reminded all that newborns, children, and grandchildren represent hope and joy, giving meaning to earning money, and building the country. She expressed her wish to create a more predictable, peaceful, and happier future for them.
At the end of her speech, President Novák wished every Hungarian a hopeful and promising New Year.
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Source: Hungarian Conservative/Sándor Palace/MTI
