Although we are already over the programs for August 20, you may still not know everything about this holiday.
The Hungarian state founding holiday, or August 20, is one of Hungary's most important national holidays.
The holiday is originally associated with King St. István, who founded the Christian Hungarian state in 1000. He was canonized after István's death, and we celebrate his day every August 20.
The coronation of King István took place around the turn of the millennium, and subsequent Hungarian kings were always crowned with this crown, which is of great importance in Hungarian history.
King István was not always celebrated, as the content of the holiday changed several times in the 20th century. In 1949, the new constitution entered into force on this day, so it was also commemorated in addition to the founding of the state.
August is the snow of new bread. The first bread comes out of the harvested grain. In other words, August 20 also symbolizes the end of the harvest work. Freshly baked new bread symbolizes life and livelihood, so it is still a living tradition today.
The holiday is connected to the military ceremony held on Kossuth Square, during which the new officers take an oath in front of the nation.
One of the important moments of the celebrations on August 20 is the Holy Right Procession. It is the mummified right hand of King Saint Stephen, placed in the Saint Stephen's Basilica, which is carried around the city center during a ceremonial procession. This event has religious and national significance.
Festivals are organized on this day in many parts of the country, where, in addition to well-known performers, Hungarian traditions and folk culture are revived. In many cases, the final program of the evening is the fireworks display, and of these, the one in the capital is the most important, which attracts an extraordinary crowd to the city, which is why traffic becomes difficult days before the event.
The holiday of the founding of the state is mostly of historical and religious significance, but at the same time it is also an important expression of Hungarian identity.
(Source: marmalade.co.hu | Images: Pixabay)