Hungarian government: ‘we stand by Szekler freedom’

Hungarian government 'we stand by Szekler freedom' Year of Culture
Traditional folk costume of the Szeklers from Bukovina. Photo: MTI

The Szeklers, like other Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin, can count on the support of the Hungarian government, the state secretary for Hungarian communities abroad said on Sunday.

Marking the Day of Szekler Freedom, Árpád János Potápi said Hungarians today commemorated the Szekler martyrs who were executed in Targu Mures on March 10, 1854.

“This day is a tribute to our Szekler compatriots fighting for national self-determination,” Potápi said.

He said the Szeklers’ demand for self-determination “is not an unprecedented desire” in the European Union, citing the examples of the Austrians in South Tyrol and the Swedish-speaking residents of the Åland Islands in Finland.

If an ethnic community can freely practice its identity, culture and traditions, as well as operate its own institutions, not only does the given community benefit but so does the successor state too, Potápi said.

He said territorial autonomy entailed protection, self-organisation and local legislation, which was “good for everyone” and “not directed against anyone”.

Potápi urged as many people as possible to participate in the events commemorating the Day of Szekler Freedom, emphasising that this was a common cause of all Hungarians.

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