Hungary National Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

National Day of Hungary is on August 20. We adore international public holidays, and this one is no exception. In August of each year, the streets of Hungary are deserted. No one is working; universities and offices are closed. Today is the country’s founding day, so it is quiet but still teeming with activity. This day commemorates numerous individuals and events that contributed to the development of Hungary as we know it today. There are many fireworks, ceremonies, and flags. However, what are the origins of this celebration? Depending on who you ask, there may be a variety of interpretations.

The background of Hungary National Day

The 20th of August has multiple meanings for Hungarians. The majority of people observe this day as State Foundation Day. St. Stephen, the first state founder and Hungarian monarch, is where the story begins. After his death in 1038, St. Stephen was the first saint to be canonised. Under his leadership, the Hungarian people converted to Christianity, ushering in a period of change that he believed would strengthen national identity and dignity. St. Stephen is regarded as the progenitor of Hungary for these and additional reasons.

In addition to national pride, the day has religious significance. Since St. Stephen was both a political leader and a saint, Catholics in Hungary celebrate Hungary’s first patron saint with numerous masses.

Obviously, a holiday cannot exist without sustenance! This date also signifies the beginning of the New Bread Festival. Typical celebrations include the blessing, preparation, and slicing of freshly baked bread. The ceremony is extremely well-known throughout Hungary and even in neighbouring Transylvania.

How do Hungarians commemorate the twentieth of August? The majority of individuals don a set of green, red, and white ribbons. These three hues have profound symbolic significance. In fact, they predate the nation itself. Throughout history, Hungary’s leaders have used these colours to unite the populace. According to the Constitution, the colour crimson represents power, the colour green represents hope, and the colour white represents national pride and allegiance.

The day is commemorated by the raising of the national flag, followed by the cutting of a confection. The state then presents awards to the nation’s most distinguished and devoted citizens. The 20th of August holds a special position in Hungarian history as the day that paved the way for a more unified and powerful state.

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NATIONAL DAY OF HUNGARY ACTIVITIES

Visit historical landmarks

Visit the Parliament Building on Kossuth Square when in Hungary. It is where the annual flag raising takes place.

Find out about Hungary

Are you familiar with Hungary’s equestrian customs? Or that the majority of Nobel Prize winners are Hungarian? Immerse yourself in all things Hungarian today.

Try the goulash

A goulash prepared in a kettle is as authentic as it gets. Find it in any Hungarian restaurant or attempt to prepare it at home.

5 facts about Budapest that will astound you

In 1973, three communities — Buda, Pest, and buda — merged to form Budapest.

Buildings in Budapest cannot exceed a height of 98 metres.

Budapest’s Millennium Underground is the second-oldest metro line in Europe.

A network of 200 caverns ascribed to geothermal activity lies beneath the city.

People believe that the statue of an anonymous chronicler in the city can endow aspiring authors with supernatural writing abilities.

HUNGARY NATIONAL DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	August 20	Sunday
2024	August 20	Tuesday
2025	August 20	Wednesday
2026	August 20	Thursday
2027	August 20	Friday