"A castle has not only a place on the map, but also a soul and spirit, and we can experience that here," declared President János Áder on Saturday morning in Borsi, in the highlands, at the handover ceremony of the renovated Rákóczi Castle.
The head of state emphasized: - The people who live here have preserved the spirit of the Rákóczians, they have nurtured the family's legacy. His family, which gave us Hungarians military leaders, princes, heroic men, strong women, martyrs who wrote the history of the peoples of the Carpathian Basin.
The head of state reminded: 345 years ago, here, between these walls, World War II was born. Ferenc Rákóczi. The later prince came to a family whose members set an example of responsibility for the community. János Áder underlined that the prince did not take up arms and go to war out of a feverish desire for power: he lacked the legal rights of the peoples of the Carpathian Basin for a reason. As a prince, he made no distinction between peoples and religions. He was a statesman who, with his fight for the independence of his nation, can still stand as an example to the peoples of Europe, so it was a matter of honor for us to restore his castle.
President János Áder and his wife, Anita Herczegh.
The head of state pointed out that Borsi Castle was finally reborn as a result of many negotiations, mutual agreements, cross-border work and the common will of the two countries over the past years. He also emphasized that Slovaks and Hungarians have created something anew together, which should have deserved more attention a long time ago. Therefore, as he said, it is our joint responsibility to ensure that the beautified castle fulfills its mission and is a place where the past and the present meet.
We also on the renovation of the castle .
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová highlighted at the event: eight years ago, during a meeting in Budapest, then Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and President János Áder decided to support the reconstruction of Bors Castle.
The President of the Republic János Áder shakes hands with the Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová.
Zuzana Čaputová emphasized: it is our common pleasure that this project was realized, because after a long period of decline, the castle finally took on the shape it had when King II was born here. Ferenc Rákóczi. With this, a symbol was born that indicates: the common past should not divide us, but unite us.
Zuzana Čaputová reminded us: it is an indisputable historical fact that today's Slovakia was part of historical Hungary, and during the many centuries we experienced all common Central European events together: the devastating Tatar invasion, we faced the Ottoman Empire together, and the Hungarian Parliament. The head of state put it this way: respect for the greats of the common past is a value that is not closed by borders.
As he said: we must strengthen our national identity and protect the values of the European Union. Zuzana Čaputová thanked János Áder for his personal and Hungarian contribution to the renovation of the castle. He added: he hopes that this building will be a symbol of the fact that they can deepen the good, friendly relations between the two countries.
more about the celebration here .
Photos: Árpád Kurucz
