Europe Day in Budapest

Free concerts, the traditional Europe Day running race, quizzes and civic programs attracted thousands of visitors to Budapest's downtown Szabadság Square on Sunday, where the focus was on the 20th anniversary of Hungary's EU accession and the EP elections. The Europe Day events were organized by the European Commission Representation in Hungary and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Hungary.

Sunday's festival started with the ‘20 Years - 20 km - EU Run’, a barrier-free running race which saw 1,548 individual runners and 650 relay teams of two or three people complete the distance. Among the runners were two multiple Olympic champions – water polo player Gergely Dr. Kiss and kayaker Botond Storcz – and Olympic silver and bronze medal swimmer László Cseh.

Families and music lovers were also treated to a wide range of activities. The NGO tents were open throughout the day, where visitors could also find out about the European Union, the opportunities of EU membership and the European elections in June. Along the route of the race, participants were also able to learn about 20 EU priority developments, such as the Szeged laser research center, the implementation of complex health screening programs in Nógrád county and the renovation of the M3 metro line in Budapest.

This year's Europe Day event was opened by János Bóka, Hungarian Minister for European Union Affairs, Gábor Zupkó, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Hungary and Andrea Lővei, Head of the Liaison Office of the European Parliament.

"Hungary joined the European Union 20 years ago, a decision based on national consensus, for which there was no alternative then and there is no alternative now. But history is not over. Today, the European Union is facing perhaps the greatest challenges in its history. You have a say in how it responds to them. Hungary will take over the rotating Presidency of the EU Council on July 1, when we will seek common solutions to common European problems as honest brokers," the Minister said.

Gábor Zupkó, Head of the European Commission Representation in Hungary, stressed that "with EU accession, both the European Union and Hungary have become stronger. It has brought changes for us at individual and community level: we can travel, study and work more freely across Europe; EU membership has helped to raise our living standards. At the same time, since our accession, communities, local authorities and regions have been strengthened thanks to the many development projects supported by the EU; the country's international influence has increased, and its competitiveness and economic performance have improved."

Andrea Lővei, Head of the Liaison Office of the European Parliament, said that in exactly four weeks' time, some 370 million European voters, including nearly 8 million Hungarians, will be able to vote in the European elections. "Today, we are also celebrating the fact that the democracy that our parents and grandparents fought for allows us to shape the future of Europe and the European Union together. The European Parliament's institutional information campaign – 'You can vote too. Don't let someone else decide for you' –  underlines that the more we vote, the stronger democracy will be. So, I hope to see you at the ballot box in exactly one month's time, on June 9,” she added.

In addition to the running race, the morning was dedicated to family and children's activities. There were also quizzes on the European Union. Throughout the event, there were tents set up by invited NGOs. As well as presentations on the EU institutions, visitors were able to find out about a range of issues that affect our daily lives and our future, often in an exciting and playful way. These included the people-centered economy, promoting a European way of life, a Europe ready for the digital age and the European Green Deal tent. At the information tents, visitors had the chance to meet staff from the European Commission Representation in Hungary, the Liaison Office of the European Parliament, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), the Budapest Bike Mafia, the Igazgyöngy Foundation and the Center for Contemporary Architecture.