On 29 September Prime Minister Viktor Orbán unveiled the Memorial for National Unity in Ópusztaszer, Hungary. The event took place on Saint Michael’s Day, which is considered a turning point in the agricultural year, when shepherds have to account for the animals they were entrusted with and get paid for their work accordingly.

A nation-wide shepherd meeting took place alongside other events, including a ceremonial citizenship oath-taking and the unveiling of the Memorial for National Unity, depicting a bronze falcon on top of a limestone pillar.

The Prime Minister emphasised in his speech that every Hungarian is accountable to their fellow citizens and stated that since there are several million member of this nation living all over the world, a strong community is essential to ensure unity. He underlined that on Saint Michael’s Day we have to remember that politicians are also like shepherds, who have to account for the ones that were entrusted to them, adding that today there is reason for celebration, referring to the citizenship oath-taking. Prime Minister Orbán added that in this time of crisis in Europe there are two paths, weak nations fall apart while strong nations come together, indicating that Hungarians also have to choose their way.

The Hungarian Government recognises that there is a political and a cultural Hungarian nation, which do not coincide. The two types of nation – the citizens of a country and the cultural, linguistic and historical community that is independent of borders – can exist simultaneously in a partial overlap. The Hungarian Government fully respects borders and does not aspire to unite these communities under a single political nation, but rather aspires to create a cultural community.

(Prime Minister’s Office)