jó
estét!
It
is an honour to be her to extend warmest
wishes on behalf of the Prime Minister
and Canadians generally to everyone
celebrating the 1000th
anniversary of the establishment of
the Hungarian state.
As
we enter a new millennium, it is humbling
to reflect that Hungary was a state
throughout the past thousand years.
With its numerous cultural
traditions, deeply rooted history,
and location at the center of Europe,
Hungary is poised to continue its
significant impact on history.
The
request by King Stephen for a crown
from the Roman Catholic Pope Sylvester
I in 1001 moved Hungary toward the
path of a Western nation. Since that
time, Hungary has worked towards building
a modern identity based on the western
ideals of respect for human dignity,
the value of cultural and linguistic
diversity, and the promotion of individual
rights.
Hungarians
were one of the first nations to develop
the ability to unite communities from
a number of backgrounds into one people,
thus forming one of the first successful
multicultural societies.
In a letter to his son St.
Emeric in 1036, King Stephen wrote:
“Make strangers welcome in this land,
let them keep their languages and
their customs, for weak and fragile
is the realm which is based on a single
language or on a single set of customs.”
King Stephen felt multiculturalism
was the key to strength in the Balkans;
and there can be no finer statement
of Canada’s commitment to diversity.
After
the schism, which divided Christianity
into two churches, neither the Roman
Catholic nor the Byzantine Church
would canonize the other’s saints.
As part of this year's millennium
celebrations, King Stephen will be
the first Roman Catholic saint in
over 1000 years to be canonized by
the Byzantine Church. This initiative
is clearly a testament to the spirit
of St. Stephen’s rule.
He continues to inspire and
be acknowledged, although it has been
many centuries since his death. Not surprisingly, celebrations will be taking place in the
very churches King Stephen ordered
built.
Those ruins are a reminder
of the historical path of Hungary's
growth and development.
Over
those centuries, Hungarians have overcome
numerous forms of oppression and emerged
as a people with great strength and
character.
Their ancient homeland has
thrived and evolved into a nation
which inspires the spirit of many
around the world.
Hungarian history is a remarkable
survivorship of standing up against
the odds: Gingi-kan, Sulejman the
magnificent, the Russian Tsar and
the Red army.
Many
periods of unrest have resulted in
Hungarians leaving their homeland,
taking with them their culture, traditions
and heritage, thus contributing to
the cultural mosaic in other societies.
The strength and perseverance of the
Hungarian people have helped forge
new territories, including the pioneering
of Western Canada during the late
19th and early 20th
centuries.
Hungarians
were among the first people to settle
Alberta and have established roots
in every corner of our province. In
1886, Hungarian coal miners established
Esterhazy, one of the first settlements
in Western Canada. Some Hungarian
settlements established in Alberta
predate the building of the CPR.
The Sopron School of Forestry
supplied a large number of foresters
for Alberta and British Columbia.
The geology students and engineers
found their opportunities in the oil
fields of Alberta and I am sure there
must be number of them here tonight.
Other professionals, doctors,
teachers, lawyers, business people
all contributed to the flourishing
economy of Alberta and helped to make
Canada “the best country” to live
on the planet.
Here
in Alberta, Hungarian culture continues
to thrive; which is a tribute to the
sacrifices and the sense of importance
your ancestors placed on its value
in our society. From their hard work
and sacrifice settling this province,
Hungarians have won the respect of
their fellow Canadians.
Approximately 20% of Eastern
and Central European immigrants to
Alberta are Hungarian.
All
of us here tonight appreciate the
importance of the 1000th anniversary
of Hungarian statehood. Throughout
its history, Hungary has flourished
despite hardship and adversity. Over
the centuries, it has integrated numerous
cultures and influences to become
the modern state that exists today.
King Stephen’s rule defined a new
and integrated nation that we celebrate.
Since the end of the Cold War,
Hungary again shares the Western European
vision of a shared economic and political
destiny.
In
closing, I am honoured to be here
today to celebrate with you on behalf
of the Prime Minister this very special
anniversary.
Your community continues to
enrich Canada and communities around
the world. We value the Hungarian
presence in Canada and its contribution
to the enrichment of the Canadian
mosaic.
nagyon
szépen köszönöm
