Now is not the time to be discouraged, but to hold on

emphasized the President of the Republic Katalin Novák in her New Year's address broadcast by the public media, after the National Anthem was played on Sunday.

"It's a miracle of God that our country is still standing!"

- the head of state quoted Sándor Petőfi, who was born 200 years ago today, and then added: how true this is even today, after the unexpected difficulties of the past years.
"We are still savoring the word: 2023, and we are cautiously asking: what does the next year have in store for us personally and for us Hungarians together," said Katalin Novák.
He said: we want next year to be easier than this year. If it's not easier, at least it shouldn't be harder! If it does get harder, at least we know how to deal with it. If we already know how, let's get strength and help! he added.

Embarking on a new, perhaps more difficult year, would be good if all Hungarians could put their worries aside at the same time. If only she could leave behind the fatigue of the struggle for a living, the anxiety caused by the uncertain future, the fear of the threat of war, the disappointment of having to start over again - Katalin Novák continued, adding: the difficulties do not end suddenly at the New Year .

How could they cease? he asked the question

However, we have something to build on. In the midst of difficult life and circumstances, many people multiply their efforts and do not choose to run away. They stay on their feet

- He told.

    "I saw this personally with the melon pickers in Dráivány, in the small shop in Karácsond, with the mayoress of Porva, with the pastors of Gyulafehérvár, with the school principals in Győr and Szomör, with the winemakers in Hegyalja, in the Suzuki factory in Esztergom, and with the border guards in Kelebia. I also experienced this with the families I met," said the head of state, who thanked them and all those who believe and trust in Hungary.

"We are a strong, struggling, crisis-resistant nation. We were carved from hard wood. We live in a drafty countryside, at the crossroads of peoples. Where talent is not enough, the clever Hungarian wit, the ingenuity known from folk tales. We have to work diligently and hard for the results"

he announced.

 "History has also taught us that our greatest weakness is separation, and our greatest strength is unity. Now is not the time to be discouraged, but to hold on. Now we can do something so that even the loneliest people feel that they are not alone"

he said.

The President of the Republic said that his grandmother taught him: "Son, give to others what you would wish for yourself".

If the strong stand by the weak, the young extend their hands to the elderly, the more affluent notice the more modest, then we will make good use of the results achieved together in the last decade

he pointed out.

    The head of state said: economic performance and a higher standard of living make sense when, on the threshold of difficult times, we do not retreat into our own strongholds, but extend our responsibility beyond our immediate family to other Hungarians as well.

Just as we united as one for the Transcarpathian Hungarians and the Ukrainian refugees, we can now stand by those among us who need help for tomorrow, he added.

Katalin Novák continued, meanwhile, we expect the decision-makers to make this struggle easier.

Whether it's about helping children, mitigating price increases, supporting young people and pensioners, deserving recognition of teachers or good economic decisions, he said.

The year 2023 is only a few minutes away. "We mothers know what it's like to hold a newborn baby for the first time. At the same time, we forget the pain and the difficulty, we are full of hope, anticipation, love, and smiles"

"So let's now take the year 2023 into our hands together and give our smile to the person next to us"

said the head of state.

He emphasized that it should be as he wishes for the people of Székely:

"May God grant all good things

This is in the new year

Take away all the bad

This is in the new year;

What are we afraid of, save us

Let what we wait for be,

This is in the new year!"

At the end of her speech, Katalin Novák wished a peaceful new year.

 

MTI

In our opening image: In the image published by the Sándor Palace, the televised recording of President Katalin Novák's New Year's greeting at the Sándor Palace on December 30, 2022. MTI/Sándor Palace