What could have been a better closing of the first Hungarian Week in Montréal than a grand gala? The Budapest Gala in Montréal took place at the Omni Mont-Royal Hotel downtown Montréal in September 2016, with more than 130 people from the executive members of the Hungarian community in the city.
His Excellency dr. Bálint Ódor, Hungary’s ambassador to Canada opened the gala and he summarized the achievements of the Hungarian Week in Montréal. This event was held to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight, and to promote the efforts so that Budapest and Montréal may become sister cities in the future. In his speech, he expressed his appreciation for the hard work and devotion of the local Hungarian community to keep the spirit of the 1956 Revolution alive during those times when in Hungary, even talking about the event could get someone in trouble. He acknowledged the various activities and efforts the community has made to pass the language, traditions and culture to the next generation, and expressed the Hungarian government’s gratitude to Canada for receiving thousands of refugees who had to leave their home in that period. To commemorate the significance of the 1956 Revolution, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szíjjártó remained in Montréal on the 23rd of October, the day of the revolution.
Following his speech, the ambassador presented awards to leading members of the Hungarian community of Montréal for their valuable work. Members of the community who received awards are as follows. Andrea Blanar, Elizabeth Corte, Ava Couch, Kálmán Dreisziger, Imre Keresztes, Klára Joó, László Korsós, István Maráz, Alice Palkó, Anikó Pelikán, Elizabeth Répási, Gábor Szilási, and posthumous Júlia Ciamarra, John Ferkó, and Miklós Takács.
The ceremony was followed by a multi-course dinner and an amazing performance by the Bokréta Ensemble.
Dorka Kornélia Takácsy, KCSP program, Montreál