Czech Statehood Day Reception in the Hungarian Capital

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Hungary held a reception at the Stefánia Palace in Budapest this Thursday evening to celebrate their country’s national day. The event was preceded by a concert with young performers from the Visegrád countries.

As the Czech ambassador, Tibor Bial pointed out in his welcoming speech to the guests who included, among others, members of the diplomatic community and Czechs living in Hungary, the Czech Statehood Day of September 28 honors the 10th-century ruler St. Wenceslas (or Václav), the spiritual protector of the Czech lands who was murdered by his brother on this day in 935.

He also recalled the merits of another Václav, the first president of the Czech Republic (1993-2003), Václav Havel.