Ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity represents one of the great values of Romanian society, Foreign Affairs Minister Oana Toiu said in a message on Sunday occasioned by the Hungarians Everywhere Day, celebrated on March 15.
In a post on Facebook, Toiu underlined that differences between people should not become reasons for division, but elements that can help strengthen relations between communities, agerpres reports.
'Today, March 15, I send my thoughts of respect and appreciation to the Hungarian community in Romania and to all Hungarians everywhere. Ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity represents one of the great values of Romanian society,' Oana Toiu said.
She also highlighted the importance of mutual respect and openness towards the cultural and linguistic heritage of those around us, considering these to be essential values for future generations.
'Our differences should never be grounds for sowing hatred where only good relations can make us stronger and help build a society based on mutual respect, one in which we wish to raise our children, open to the cultural and linguistic heritage of those around us,' the Foreign Affairs Minister wrote.
Oana Toiu also wished 'Happy anniversary to all Hungarians everywhere on the occasion of March 15!' and, in Hungarian, conveyed a message of respect and appreciation to the community.
Hungarians Everywhere Day was marked on Sunday in dozens of localities in the counties of Harghita, Covasna and Salaj through public ceremonies that included speeches about the importance of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and the struggle for independence of 1848-1849, artistic moments and wreath-laying ceremonies.
In Miercurea Ciuc, the seat of Harghita County, more than 2,500 people gathered in the Citadel Square in front of the Csik Szikely Museum, where the central event dedicated to the day took place.
As every year, the ceremony began with the singing of the Hungarian national anthem, after which the Szekely flag was raised by members of the Matyas Hussars Association from the Ciuc area to the sounds of the Szekely anthem.
Those present then listened to the festive speeches about the importance and significance of the day.
Deputy Prime Minister Tanczos Barna told AGERPRES that freedom and security are fundamental values for any nation and underlined the responsibility of politicians in decision-making.
'Every year, March 15 is the day when we remember the love of freedom of the young people of the 1948 Revolution. This love of freedom turned into a beautiful revolution and a war for independence. Both tried to create security for Hungarian citizens. Love of freedom and security are what every nation and every member of a nation dreams of,' said Tanczos Barna, who attended the events in Miercurea Ciuc.
The event was also attended by Nacsa Lorinc, Secretary of State for National Policy in the Prime Minister's Office of Hungary, who spoke about the importance of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 and stressed that the values underlying it remain alive today.
He emphasised that freedom is not guaranteed and is not easily obtained, and that every generation must fight for its values.
Also taking the stage in front of the Csik Szekely Museum was Gyombolai Peter, representative of the Consulate General of Hungary in Miercurea Ciuc, who read the message of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The event in Miercurea Ciuc included a cultural programme and wreath-laying ceremonies at the statues of revolutionaries Sandor Petofi and Nicolae Balcescu.
Several thousand people also attended events held on Sunday in the municipality of Targu Secuiesc, in Covasna County, to mark Hungarians Everywhere Day, with the guest of honour here being the President of Hungary, Tamas Sulyok.
Addressing the crowd gathered in the central park, President Tamas Sulyok delivered a speech focused on the unity of Hungarians, freedom and national dignity, as well as on the ties among Hungarian communities outside Hungary's borders.
Sulyok highlighted the importance of preserving cultural identity, the Hungarian language and traditions, stressing the role of the Szekely community in safeguarding historical and cultural values. He paid tribute to the heroes of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-1849 and recalled the symbolic significance of Hungarians Everywhere Day for the Hungarian community in the Carpathian Basin.
Hungary's Ambassador to Bucharest, Katalin Kissne Hlatki, read out a message from Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
According to tradition, the events included a parade of hussars and allegorical carts of tradition keepers, decorated with the Hungarian flag and the Szekely flag.
Hungarians Everywhere Day coincides with the commemoration of the outbreak of the Hungarian Revolution, which began on March 15, 1848, in Budapest, when enthusiastic young people led by poet Sandor Petofi, starting from the Pilvax Cafe, took the idea of freedom to the streets of the city.
In this historical context, Targu Secuiesc has a special significance because, under the command of Gabor Aron, 64 of the 70 cannons used by the Szekelys during the revolution were cast in the workshop of craftsman Mozes Turoczi in the town.
Events dedicated to Hungarians Everywhere Day took place in almost all localities in Covasna County inhabited by ethnic Hungarians, as well.
On the same occasion, the President of the Covasna County Council, Tamas Sandor, was decorated by Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok with the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary - Civil Division.
The distinction was awarded at the proposal of Prime Minister Viktor Orban 'in recognition of his dedicated work in strengthening the Hungarian community and promoting cultural values, as well as for his merits in supporting the use of the mother tongue and promoting and defending minority rights'.
Tamas Sandor said the event represents recognition and the culmination of more than 30 years of public activity and thanked his family, colleagues, the community and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania for their support over the years.
The Hungarian community in Salaj County also marked Hungarians Everywhere Day on Saturday and Sunday in several localities across the county, with the celebrations concluding on Sunday evening in Zalau with a torchlight procession and the laying of wreaths and floral tributes at the Wesselenyi Statue Group.
Members of the Romanian community also joined the Hungarian community at the Wesselenyi statue group, with wreaths and floral tributes laid by representatives of the Covasna County Council, the Prefect's Institution, the Zalau City Hall, as well as representatives of the main political parties.
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