The Renovation of the Ludovika was a Historical Obligation

March 31, 2014 2:12 PM

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Speech at the Inauguration of the Main Building of the Ludovika Academy

Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen! It is with respect that I greet the heads of Hungarian state life, our oldest member, former Prime Minister Péter Boross, and the University's Rector and students.

I would like to pass on the thanks that were addressed to the Government just now. For my part, I would first like to thank the members of the cabinet. You, who I am sure are aware, at least from the news, of the internal life and difficult moments of a government, know how difficult a task it is to convince the members of the cabinet to squeeze 5 billion forints out of their own ministry's budget in a time of economic crisis for the establishment of a university like this one. But it is perhaps proper if they too pass on these thanks to the citizens of Hungary, who in the middle of the European economic crisis were capable of operating the Hungarian economy in such a way that they could produce and generate the sum required for the realisation of this historical obligation. The greatest trap that one must beware of at the inauguration of a wonderful building like this is to begin boasting, because there would be reason to in this case. What we can perhaps mention with suitable moderation in praise of governments that represent civil, national and Christian schools of thought is that during our two terms in government between 1998 and 2002, and then from 2010 to 2013, irrespective of whether there was a crisis or not, we founded three universities: the Andrássy, the Spientia and now the Public Service University.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

What this concerns is the fact that of course we must battle and we do battle with the difficulties of the present, but a national government must ultimately keep its eye on the horizon of the future. Péter Boross was right when he said that were we living in the old world what we should say now is that "all is well, all is good, I am satisfied" [a reference to Habsburg Emperor Franz Joseph's statement on Hungary], but since we do not live in the old world but in today's Hungary, all I would say as Prime Minister, in harmony with the country's public opinion, is that I would like to see a government with which I am fully satisfied.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are buildings that are clearly designated for a specific function. In other words, we could say that a building, just like a county, a community or an individual, cannot be torn away from its own fate. It is very difficult or impossible to detach it from the goal that was in focus when it was planned and constructed. During our history, buildings like this have become practically intertwined with the role that they have played in the life of the nation. The Ludovika is just such a building. We have heard several pieces of provocation from those who spoke before me with regard to the fact that the government should not forget that things must be continued here. It is with suitable modesty and humility that I can tell you that we will continue our work; the renovation of the Ludovika by all means, at least.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A long struggle preceded the moment when the Habsburg administration not only allowed the training of army officers to begin in Hungary, but also allowed the language of that training to be Hungarian. In defence of the Habsburgs, they sensed the brewing trouble correctly. These fears of theirs were not at all unsubstantiated, as was later testified to at the battles of Pákozd, Hatvan, Isaszeg or Nagysalló [during the War of Independence in 1848-49]. We had to wait until 1808 for permission, until 1830 for the placing of the foundation stone and until 1872 for the building to be finally inaugurated and begin functioning as it was originally intended. At the time, Ladies and Gentlemen, this was the victory of the Hungarian nation over the system that had stripped us of three areas of national life: a diplomacy that represented national interests, an army that represented national interests and banks that represented national interests. From that point on, the Ludovika became one with a patriotic upbringing and the Hungarian spirit, just as the National Theatre became one with Hungarian culture. And, Ladies and Gentlemen, this was the case right up to the arrival of communism. Then, a new era began, and the comrades began converting the campus with great imagination: the stables became a cinema, the fencing hall was turned into a theatre, and in the main building the teachers and students of the Eötvös Lóránd University sat hoping that the neglected building wouldn't collapse on top of them. The change in regime did not bring with it the resurrection of the building either, because at the time the city's leaders handled everything that could be mentioned in one sentence with the word national as a relic from a bygone age. This is how, similarly to the Castle Bazaar, the Ludovika was almost lost to oblivion, becoming a building that reminded one more of a backdrop to a war film that the role it was originally designed to fulfil.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Everyone here, I am sure, knows the remonstrance left to us by Ferenc Deák, and I quote: "What strength and power strip us of, time and good luck may return. But to regain what the nation, in fear of suffering, relinquishes of its own accord is always difficult and is always uncertain". In 2010, we Hungarians decided that we would take back what is ours. We decided that we want to live in a country whose main square is not a cordoned off car park and that doesn't allow its most beautiful buildings to crumble into dust in its arms. And accordingly, in 2010 we undertook two great tasks. We had to put the country in order following the catastrophic results of the previous eight years of socialist administration and we had to put Budapest in order after two troubled decades.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are buildings that only come back to life when they regain their original function. This is why we decided that, in accordance with its traditions, the Ludovika Campus should be the home of the National University of Public Service. We made the decision, began work two years ago and provided some 5 billion forints in funding to enable the immediate commencement of reconstruction. It has only been 700 days since we came to our decision and here we are already, and the campus of the Ludovika has been restored to its former glory.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the two decades that followed the change in regime [in 1990], eras of civil state construction and post-communist state deconstruction alternated one after the other. After 2010, we wanted to construct a strong state that was capable of acting rapidly and with unity. And a strong country is unimaginable without a modern and efficient public administration. Public service requires strength, speed, professional knowledge and commitment from those who choose this career. And this can only come about if the people who work in the various areas of public service act at the right moment, in harmony and in unity. The largest Danube flood in history was a good sign and an encouraging development, because it showed us that speed and unity can be measured in saved human lives and protected assets, and that the Hungarian state is now capable of this. Perhaps the most important step in this cooperation is the National University of Public Service, which now creates the points of intersection for the various public service careers and enables translocation between the various fields.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The restored Ludovika will serve as a worthy headquarters to the National University of Public Service we founded in 2010. A University that, as one of the flagships of the reorganised Hungarian higher education system, will provide personnel for a quality Hungarian public administration and law enforcement, and in which, according to the University's motto, every student, every lecturer and every professor stands unquestionably in the service of the nation. As the statues of the Ludovika tell us, "may the name Ludovika proclaim the memory of our love for the nation". It is in this spirit that I will present the Rector of the University with the keys to the new building. My wish is that you all be worthy of your predecessors, wear this honour with dignity and further the glory of the nation!

Thank you for your kind attention.