A ceremony was held honoring late President of the Republic Ferenc Mádl and a commemorative plaque was dedicated to his memory. The tablet was set up at the Ferenc Rákóczi II Hungarian College in Beregszász (Berehove) on September 15, 2012. Ambassador Klára Breuer, Chief of Cabinet to Minister of Foreign Affairs János Martonyi and former Foreign Policy Advisor to President Mádl, gave a speech at the event.

Ambassador Klára Breuer pointed out that the educational affairs of the Hungarian minorities abroad had always been an issue close to President Mádl’s heart. She mentioned that President Mádl sent a letter to then Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma concerning the Hungarian College in Beregszász (Berehove) and that President Mádl raised this issue at their international discussions as well.

President of Ferenc Rákóczi II Hungarian College Ms. Ildikó Orosz emphasized in her introductory remarks that this college is the only private higher education institution for the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. This could not have been acheived without the active support of late President Mádl.

Ambassador Breuer recalled that President Mádl had always been very optimistic and hopeful about the future of the Hungarian College in Beregszász (Berehove). He would be glad to see the palpable progress the institution has made over the last decade.

Mrs. Dalma Mádl, widow of the late President, unveiled the plaque depicting the President, sculpted by Ukrainian artist Roman Vasil. Ms. Ildikó Orosz also expressed her gratitude to Mrs. Dalma Mádl for her continuous support in the development of the College.

During her two-day visit in Carpathian Ukraine Ms. Dalma Mádl visited an orphanage, a children’s care institution, and a home for the elderly, handing over gifts to the inmates. The plaque was consecrated by Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of the Esztergom-Budapest, and the representatives of the historical denominations of the Subcarpathian region.

(Prime Minister’s Office)