Hungarian State Foundation Celebration

‘It is mainly the Hungarian language and traditions we would like to keep alive and nurture. We have seen first hand how much it helps our children when we get together with the Hungarian diaspora living in Nelson and how it strengthens their sense of belonging and heritage.

St. Stephen was the first king of Hungary. He ruled from 975 until 1038 and led the country into Christian Church and established the institutions of the kingdom and the church. This day in Hungary is celebrated with a half-hour firework display on the bank of the Danube river in the evening, watched from both river banks, and the rooftops of the city by thousands of people each year.

It creates an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate our Hungarian heritage and our traditions. It often attracts other community members too, who wouldn’t usually attend smaller events. It is wonderful for the children to hear our native language being spoken, and to immerse themselves into some traditional Hungarian music and dance, and for the adults to socialize and reminiscing about the pat and plan the future.’

We don't often get the opportunity to get together with our wider community and speak our language and expose our children to their native language, and to our traditional music and dance, so this was very special. It is also a great opportunity to deepen old friendships and develop new ones.’ Julia Mak

Photos by Kat Beyle https://www.wiphala.co.nz/