Speaking about the newly-inaugurated institution, Minister of State for Hungarian communities abroad Árpád János Potápi said that the new Hungarian House in Toronto meets the needs of the 21st century and those of the Hungarian community.
Mr. Potápi recalled that for years local Hungarian communities have wanted to once more have a Hungarian House in Canada’s most populous city. The purchasing and refurbishment costs of the building serving this aim totalled 1.8 Canadian dollars. Two thirds of the costs were covered by the Hungarian community and, through its decision at the end of the summer, the Government of Hungary contributed 600,000 dollars (HUF 128 million at the current exchange rate).
The Minister of State said that the new centre is capable of hosting events of every scale; it is modern and well-located, with a large parking capacity. He expressed the hope that the building will serve as a location for diverse activities and that young people will also be involved in its work.
Ministerial Commissioner of the State Secretariat for Hungarian communities abroad at the Prime Minister’s Office István Grezsa and the delegation led by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for National Cohesion Károly Pánczél also attended the institution’s inauguration, and they also participated in several events held in Canadian cities to commemorate the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
In Árpád Hall, Niagara Falls on Friday, Mr. Potápi delivered a welcome speech at the ceremonial dinner of the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Programme’s scholarship holders and in Toronto on Sunday he attended the Hungarian community’s commemoration event. He talked about those Hungarians who – because of their role in the revolution – had to leave their homes and settle elsewhere, including Canada.
“They have become respected and loyal citizens of Canada, still managing to retain their Hungarian roots and their belonging to the Hungarian nation”, he said.
He also recalled that for a long time these people had been stigmatised in Hungary, which then reversed quite significantly upon the fall of communism, and in 2010 that the Government of Hungary declared that they should not be forgotten but honoured, “as it is through their efforts, persistence and honour the we Hungarians can be known”.
“That is why, regardless of where they live, they are honorary ambassadors of Hungary, and Hungarians of today have also much to be grateful to them for.”
Mr. Potápi expressed his appreciation to them for standing by Hungary over the past few years and rejecting the unfavourable image of the country depicted by other political forces.