Nándorfehérvár Victory Commemorated at the Danube Day Celebration

July 30, 2011 4:50 PM

The triumphant battle of Nándorfehérvár, which was fought 555 years ago, was also commemorated on Friday, July 22 at the series of events entitled Danube Day Celebration. The keynote speaker of the event was Dr. István Simicskó, the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence

After greeting the celebrating audience, István Simicskó expressed his happiness that the National Assembly declared July 22 the Memorial Day of the Nándorfehérvár Victory, upon his and three other FIDESZ MPs’ joint proposal.

In his address István Simicskó also gave the reasons why this day is of cardinal significance. He recalled the conquering campaign of Turkish armies as a result of which they lined up at Nándorfehérvár, the gateway of Europe, ten times outnumbering Hunyadi’s troops.

The State Secretary said it had needed enormous faith to win that victory. “It is a part of our national self-esteem that such victories must be celebrated, because without the right amount of self-esteem, future cannot be built” underlined István Simicskó, adding: ”We should be proud of this victory of world-wide importance!”

István Simicskó also recalled the exceptional personality of John Hunyadi, ‘the bolt of armies’ with quoting historian Vilmos Fraknói, who was of the opinion that in Hunyadi’s great successes it must have played a decisive part that he was a faithful Christian believer, and rigorous consistency guided his actions as a Governor and a military leader, he had chosen with keen eyes always the right man for himself.

Even the message he sent out from his deathbed to his two sons, László (Ladislas) and Mátyás (Matthias) said that they must set two high life goals for themselves, which should also guide their steps: to love the Homeland and to follow God. This is true of our day as well. Finally the MoD Parliamentary State Secretary emphasized that we should keep alive the memory, lessons and message of this monumental victory.

The pageant on the Danube bank was made even more colorful with the appearance of re-enactors, tournament teams, knights, Székely people, and representatives of cultural organizations, and of the flags of allied countries that had fought in the Nándorfehérvár battle, and the flag of Turkey, the one-time enemy and today’s friend.

The commemoration was elevated by a festive program, where e.g. Attila József’s poem entitled ’A Dunánál’ (By the Danube) was also recited. Then flower wreaths were cast in the water to remember the fallen, the victims, the royal river farers, and the labourers of the waters.