Due to the expected unfavorable weather conditions, according to the decision of the experts of the Hungarian Defense Forces, the air parade planned for 9 a.m. on Saturday will be cancelled, the head of the operative group responsible for the safe conduct of the national holiday on August 20 announced on Friday.

According to the announcement of Zoltán Kovács, the state secretary responsible for international communications and relations, any necessary steps regarding the Friday afternoon and evening programs will be made in the light of the meteorological data available at 4 p.m.

The operative group will make a decision about the fireworks starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday after the 12 p.m. meeting on Saturday, he added.

The operative group meets continuously from 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, monitors the development of the weather situation and, if necessary, decides on the steps necessary to hold outdoor events safely. The state ceremony and the clean-up, which starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, will be held according to the original plans.

Based on the expected weather during the day on Saturday, the operational team also decided to allow the daytime events and events taking place at more than 20 locations on Saturday - by asking both the organizers and the participants to pay close attention to weather-related developments.

"We will immediately inform the public about any changes in the programs," Zoltán Kovács emphasized in his announcement, adding: everyone is asked to find out in detail about the current information on the St. Stephen's Day program series application, website, and media reports before setting off.

The National Meteorological Service announced on Friday morning that thunderstorms can also affect the festive programs on August 20, and asked those who would visit the events to follow the weather and the danger signals.

This year, a four-day series of programs is connected to the celebration of the founding of the state. The detailed program offer and other information can be found on the constantly updated www.szentistvannap.hu website.

Source: MTI

Opening image: Facebook video/Government of Hungary