VIDEO, PHOTOS: August 20 festivities started, national flag hoisted
The national flag was hoisted with military honours in front of Parliament on Saturday morning, marking the August 20 national holiday celebrating Hungary’s statehood.
The ceremony was attended by President Katalin Novák and other public dignitaries, Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Commander of the Hungarian Armed Forces Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, members of government, representatives of state and military organisations, diplomats, and several hundred others.
The hoisting of the flag will be followed by the swearing-in ceremony of new officers.
Festivities are set to take place across the country, but the National Meteorological Service has warned that they could be disrupted by showers. Those attending the various events have been advised to keep an eye on weather conditions and forecasts.
An air show the Hungarian Air Force was set to stage over the River Danube today has been cancelled due to forecasts of poor weather conditions.
The operative group overseeing the safety aspects of the celebrations is holding meetings all day, keeping up with weather conditions, and, if necessary, will decide on the steps to be taken to ensure that the outdoor events can be held safely. The body is expected to make a decision on the traditional evening fireworks display at its noon meeting.
Here is a video:
Source: MTI