Budapest Goes Green – 50 Years of Diplomatic Ties, a Millenium of MagyÍr Friendship

Hungary’s Minister for Culture and Social Relations Zoltan Tarr joined Ambassador Almqvist in addressing over 250 guests, including Deputy Speaker Krisztián Kőszegi, EU Affairs Committee Chair Dr Ildiko Eva Sopov, many of their fellow Parliamentarians and other esteemed friends. The legendary Liam O’Maonlai and Peter O’Toole, of the Hothouse Flowers, brought the house down with a stunning set, blending sean-nós, soul, and rock and roll.

Before then, guests enjoyed Guinness and Bewley’s famous ‘Mary Cake’, brought to Ireland in 1956 by Hungarian refugee Henry Spelter, whilst the Erin and the Bihari Janos Folk dance groups performed Dance of the Danu, along the great river’s banks. The evening ended memorably, with the ‘greening’ of Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge, with thanks to Mayor Karácsony, as a tribute to our states’ diplomatic ties and a millennium of MagyÍr Friendship. Sláinte! Egésegedre!