By Elizabeth Naumczyk.
The National Day of Hungary was celebrated at the Kasteel de Wittenburg, Bloemcamplaan 55, Wassenaar, Netherlands, Thursday the 22 October, 2015 between 18:00-21:00.
Ambassador HE Orsolya Szijjártó and Mark Vullings hosted a concert with violinist Sándor Jávorkai.
Ambassador HE Orsolya Szijjártó after a short introduction gave the floor to the guest of honour HE Levente Magyar, Minister of State for Economic Diplomacy, who spoke about the significance of the National Day of Hungary. His arrival to the Netherlands is a new approach by the government, and a first in the history of the Ministry, to further business relations between the two countries.
HE Levente Magyar informed guests that the National Day represents the historical highlights of Hungary’s 1,000 year history and how the country has renewed itself and derives strength from failure, particularly after the events of 1956 when 1,000 young Hungarians rose against the dictatorship, and even though they were crushed by the Soviet troops a month after their uprising, their resistance was not in vain. It sent shock waves around the world and would result in the events of 1989-1990 freeing eastern Europe and Russia.
During the 1956 revolution Hungary lost 200,000 of its citizens abroad, a significant number given a population of 10 million. 4,000 educated Hungarians were accepted by the Netherlands.
This National Day is to celebrate the self-identification of the Hungarians, the ultimate positive outcome between the two nations and their continuing friendship on which they can build together a prosperous future.
A delightful concert was then given by Sándor Jávorkai who showed his exceptional talent. His deep musicality and effortless virtuosic violin playing has been distinguished with first prizes in numerous international competitions, and he was awarded a scholarship by the Herbert von Karajan Center in Vienna. He played for an hour on a rare Pietro Giovanni Guarneri (Pietro da Mantova) 1696 violin, pieces from Ernst the Last Rose of Summer, Ernst-Schubert Der Erlkönig, Bartók-Javorkai Ungarische Volksliede, Paganini 24, Capriccio, Kodály-Javorkai Ungarischeweisen and Paganini La Molinara.
This was followed by a reception providing guests with a taste of the country’s specialities with Sándor Jávorkai returning to mingle and offer further renditions surrounded by an appreciative audience.
