Picture of the day

Source: DreTAX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Hungarian soldiers greet their Polish counterparts in March 1939 when a common Polish/Hungarian border was re-established.

Video: Polish-Hungarian Friendship

This is an excellent YouTube video featuring the special friendship between Poland and Hungary. The two countries have been good friends for over ten centuries. At one time, Poland and Hungary shared a common border when Hungary was the Kingdom of Hungary. There have never been hostilities between the two countries, which is a little uncommon in Central European history. Throughout the Middle Ages and in recent times, the region was embroiled in bloody wars and conflicts between neighbouring countries.

Polish-Hungarian Friendship

March 23 was the Day of Hungarian-Polish Friendship. On March 12, 2007, Hungary's parliament declared March 23 the "Day of Hungarian-Polish Friendship". For the record it was 324 votes in favour, none opposed, and no abstentions. The Polish parliament four days later declared March 23 the "Day of Polish-Hungarian Friendship" by acclamation. Relations between the two states date back to the Middle Ages, with the two peoples enjoying a traditional close friendship. From the Middle Ages well into the 18th century, Poland and Hungary had shared a historic common border until the Treaty of Trianon dismembered the Kingdom of Hungary in 1921. God bless our Polish brothers!

István 

Picture of the day

Sándor Petőfi reading the Nemzeti dal (National Poem) in front of the crowd. (March 15, 1848)

The National Song

This is an English translation of the Hungarian National Song or National Poem. It was written by Sándor Petőfi for the Hungarian revolution in 1848. He is Hungary's national poet and he was one of the key figures of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. Petőfi was one of the young leaders of the revolution. Petőfi read the poem aloud on March 15, 1848 in Vörösmarty Square in Budapest to a gathering crowd. The crowd by the end was chanting the refrain as they began to march around the city, seizing the presses, liberating political prisoners, and declaring the end of Austrian rule. The poem has come to rank third after the Himnusz and Szózat as a statement of Hungarian national identity.  

István 

Petőfi Sándor

 Petőfi Sándor 1823-1849

Petőfi Sándor was a Hungarian poet and national revolutionary. He was a significant figure of the 1848-1849 Revolution. He is the author of the Nemzeti dal (National Poem), which is said to have inspired the revolution in the Kingdom of Hungary. The revolution would eventually grow into a war for independence from the Austrian Empire. It is most likely that he died in the Battle of Segesvár, which was one of the last battles of the war. Some believe to this day that he was captured at the battle and marched to Siberia where he died in captivity.

In 1990, an expedition was organized to Barguzin, Siberia, where archaeologists claimed to have unearthed Petőfi's skeleton. We will never know what really happened to Petőfi Sándor, but what we do know is that his legacy still lives on to this very day. He will continue to inspire freedom-loving Hungarians as they face new struggles and challenges in this century.

István

Happy March 15th Revolution Day!

Happy March the 15th! We would like to wish Hungarians around the world a happy March the 15th Revolution Day (nemzeti ünnep). On this day Hungarians commemorate the Revolution and following War of Independence against the the Austrian Hapsburg rule in 1848-1949. This holiday is one of the most prominent in Hungary. On this holiday, Budapest is dressed up in red, white and green to celebrate. There are many events, speeches and performances that celebrate this day in Hungary. Unfortunately this year, many of the official events commemorating the 1848-1849 revolution have been cancelled. Terrible weather, which included snow and the extreme cold, have forced the government and authorities to cancel the events.

Many people in Hungary wear a cockade with the national colours (red, white and green) on March 15. Petőfi Sándor was a Hungarian poet and national revolutionary. He is considered to be Hungary's national poet and a key figure in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. Many Hungarians remember him and his famous poem on this day. This year's national holiday is considered to be especially important as Hungary once again faces a foreign political power (European Union) dictating to her. It seems that Hungary is facing yet another new political adversary. Hungary's quest for true freedom still continues in the 21st century. The current generation of young Hungarians must never forget our forefathers' struggle for freedom. It is just as relevant today as it was in the 19th century.

István