According to Hungarian wire service MTI, on Saturday State Secretary for Hungarian Communities Abroad Árpád János Potápi attended an event in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, held to commemorate the 169th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and War for Independence of 1848-49.
Hungarian Scouts and students from the local Hungarian school take part in Edmonton’s commemoration of the 1848-49 Revolution and War for Independence (Image: Laszlo Szabo Facebook Page)
Hungary’s Ambassador to Canada, Bálint Ódor, was also in attendance at the event celebrating the Hungarian national holiday of March 15th, the day on which the 1848 Revolution began on the streets of Budapest.
The event, which was organized jointly by a number of Edmonton’s Hungarian clubs and cultural groups, included poetry recitals, folk dance performances, and readings performed by students of the Sunday Hungarian school.
In his speech, Potápi emphasized the importance of Hungarian ‘diaspora communities.’ He said that the current Fidesz-KDNP coalition government would continue to “devote close attention to diaspora communities.” Potápi claimed that one of the most important ways that the government aids Hungarian communities abroad is by supporting their local language schools. He also discussed the importance of churches and schools in the lives of Hungarian communities abroad.
Potápi also expressed his view that “It is extremely important to attract the interest of young people of Hungarian origin, to deepen their knowledge of Hungarian culture and history.”
Before coming to Edmonton, Potápi was in Vancouver, where he spent the March 15 national holiday with the west coast city’s local Hungarian community.
Speaking to MTI about his time in Canada, the state secretary said that in both Canadian cities he met with people, young and old alike, who felt a strong connection to Hungary, who strongly identified with Hungarian history and culture. He added that
The noble celebration of the Revolution and War for Independence brought these Hungarian communities together, and the many émigré generations embraced each other. What we witnessed was truly a celebration.
Via MTI and Hungary Matters
Image via Facebook