The 2 days Festival of Freedom was organised jointly by the Embassy of Hungary, the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU and the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the NATO. After the opening ceremony by the three ambassadors, the special event started with concerts and many other performances.
Ambassador Zoltán NAGY (Embassy of Hungary), Ambassador Péter SZTÁRAY (Permanent Representative of Hungary to the NATO), Ambassador Olivér VÁRHELYI, (Permanent Representative of Hungary to the EU) at the official opening ceremony
The Headquarters (animation tent) offered many colourful activities for the audience on both days of the festival with a variety of programmes organised through the cooperation of different Hungarian cultural associations and entrepreneurs. Some of the activities: workshops, musical instrument display, games from the ‘50s, dance courses in the spirit of freedom, revolutionary adventure game with different locations, and roundtable discussion with Hungarians who immigrated to Belgium in 1956.
At the Hungarian market visitors could taste Hungarian artisanal cheese, charcuterie, honey and chocolate, while design products were also offered. Hungarian gastronomy was represented by the traditional kitchen of Katlan Toni and visitors could also taste the Hungarian “langos” and chimney cake.
Stand of Katlan Toni
One of the biggest attraction was an IS-3 battle tank which The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History of Belgium has offered for both days. This IS-3 type battle tank played a major role during the revolution of Hungary in 1956. During the Festival of Freedom Hungary has also expressed gratitude to Belgium and to the Belgian people for having helped in 1956.
The program was sponsored by the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight 60th Anniversary Memorial Board.
