This year the central events of the 20 August national holiday will last three days, Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács said.
The Street of Hungarian Flavours will open as early as on 18 August, Saturday, and will await visitors on all three days of the long weekend. There will be concerts on all three days as well. In addition to others, Tankcsapda will be among the performing artists; their concert will be held at the Gellért Statue.
Mr Kovács highlighted that the operational corps responsible for the safe implementation of the events already started its operation on Monday.
This year the organisation of events of the national holiday will be coordinated by the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister. Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács is the main responsible coordinator who also acts as head of the operational corps.
Mr Kovács pointed out that we are living in times when it is more important than at any time in the past few decades to stress our statehood, our national identity and the everyday experience and importance of our national affiliation.
He observed that in the past few years the country has been compelled to rise to new challenges, and we have found ourselves up against forces for which notions such as nation and national affiliation are less important than for the Hungarian people.
Mr Kovács stressed that every national holiday which directs attention to our Hungarianness and the importance of the values attached to it is of particular importance. 20 August is the most popular national holiday in Hungary. Every year central events are attended by hundreds of thousands of people, and some half a million people watch the celebratory fireworks on site, the government spokesperson added.
Senior pyrotechnician Éva Leskovics said that this year in the evening of 20 August more than 21,000 effects will be set off. They recommend that visitors view the fireworks – both for best spectacle and for safety – from the section of the Danube Banks between the Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge as well as on Margaret Bridge. The organisers and the agencies responsible for safety will be able to communicate with one another on an ongoing basis via a secure communication system, and should the need arise, the fireworks could be stopped with the pressing of a single button.
A composition of Tamás Szarka will supply the background music. The fireworks will feature the national colours and gold, Mrs Leskovics said.
Government Spokesperson Zoltán Kovács said they will also have a surprise as part of the fireworks. He indicated that this year people with disabilities will be able to view the evening fireworks from the Olympic Park.
Titusz Tiszttartó, Channel Director of Petőfi Radio said that their musicians will be on stage already at the time of the beginning of the celebrations on 18 August. They are preparing for 20 August with a request chain. The background music for the fireworks, too, will be started by Petőfi Radio.
Mr Kovács said cafes will play a prominent part in the Street of Hungarian Flavours this year; Kata Janza will act as hostess.
Antal Novotny, chief organiser of the Street of Hungarian Flavours also said that every year they seek to involve as many producers in their fair as possible. Spices will be at the centre of this year’s fair.
The programmes of 20 August can be viewed in detail on the government’s website.
According to long-standing traditions, on 20 August programmes will start in Kossuth Lajos tér in front of the Parliament Building where the national flag will be raised as part of a military parade. This will be followed by the swearing in of officer candidates where President of the Republic János Áder will deliver a speech.
Additionally, also this year there will be a traditional Holy Mass and a procession, while the celebration of crafts will be held in the Castle of Buda. As customary, the programmes of 20 August will be closed with the evening fireworks.
20 August is an official state holiday in memory of the foundation of the state and King St. Stephen, founder of the state.