20th of August - The St. Stephen's Day

The Hungarians have some national holidays, but the greatest one is the St. Stephen's

Day, when we celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state and our first king.

Simplifying the history, in the year 1000, Lord Stephen became the first king of Hungary

and he had founded the Hungarian Kingdom and the Hungarian state. He was crowned by pope

Sylvester the Second. Stephen, the King, was a very active and productive leader, as a result, he

built the church organization and the country system. Moreover, he got money printed, and he

got the book of laws written.

Almost 50 years after his dead, in 20th of August, 1083 he was canonized, what made

him immortal in the Hungarian history. Since then, the Hungarians have been celebrating St.

Stephen's Day.

Nowadays the tradition has the same process as it had for decades. At first, in the

morning, soldiers raise the national flag in front of the parliament building in the company of

the Hungarian President.

During the day, the mayors of the country and lots of civilians share a crispy white bread

with each others. The bread is tied by a national colored bands, and symbolizes prosperity.

Traditionally, the first bread from the new harvest is baked on the day.

The second main event of the day is when the soldiers and the priests take a tour with

the "Holy Right Hand", which is St. Stephen's mumificated right hand in a very ornated glass

chest. It starts from the St. Stephen's Basilic in Budapest, where the "Holy Right Hand" is stored.

Otherwise, there are lots of open-air concerts and outdoor activities everywhere in the country.

Also, you can buy traditional foods on the streets. For example, you can eat a large, salty

pretzels and chimney-pot cake, that is a rolled and baked dough with caramelized sugar on it

and sprinkled with cinamon or with other toppings.

Finally, the highlights of the day are the fireworks everywhere in the country, specifically

the main fireworks in the capital city. It is installed along the River Danube and on the bridges.

During its time, there are about half-million people on the streets, viewing the very spectacular

half-hour long event.

Sum up, the Saint Stephan's Day is the most important holiday in Hungary, that is

celebrated wealthy and tradicionally. In addition, maybe the only one holiday which is not

poisoned by the actual politics, so everybody can celebrate it in peace and harmony.