“The motto of the 23 October national holiday is: ‘Where heroes are not forgotten, there will always be new ones’. In commemoration of our past heroes, everyone is invited to join the traditional commemorative torchlight procession on Tuesday, 22 October”, State Secretary for International Communication and Relations Zoltán Kovács highlighted in a statement to Hungarian news agency MTI on Monday evening.
The procession will begin at 16:30 p.m. following the commemoration at the University of Technology. The traditional torchlight procession will travel along the University of Technology, Saint Gellért Square, Saint Gellért Quay, Castle Garden Bazaar Quay, Casino, Miklós Ybl Square, Adam Clark Square, Fő (Main) Street, Bem Quay, Bem Square route, accompanied by people in contemporary clothing and Csepel trucks. At the commemoration on Bem Square, a speech will be given by Parliamentary State Secretary Bence Rétvári from the Ministry of Human Capacities, Mr. Kovács explained.
János Csík and the Esszencia will give a concert at 6 p.m., during and following which a light show in tribute of the Revolution will be projected onto the surrounding buildings, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“It is no accident that we refer to 23 October as the day of freedom. The battle for freedom and independence fought by the Hungarian people, by the lads and girls of Pest, was an example to the world”, the State Secretary declared. “Protecting national sovereignty and freedom is a task for everyday life, and is the responsibility of everyone, not just politicians”, he added.
Mr. Kovács, who is also the head of the operative board responsible for the organisation and security of the celebrations, highlighted: “23 October serves as an example that people can act to protect freedom even in the most hopeless situations”.