The attendance of the 14th Cluj Hungarian Days (KMN) exceeded 200,000, and 220,000-230,000 people took part in the cultural parade that ended on Sunday evening, the organizer Kincses Cluj-Napoca Association announced on Monday.
This year's edition of KMN ended with the concert of Leslie Mandoki and the Mandoki Soulmates on Sunday evening, on the occasion of the founding of the Hungarian state.
Gergely Balázs, chief organizer and president of the Kincses Cluj-Napoca Association, emphasized in his closing speech that the treasured city is not primarily defined by the carved stones, but by the Hungarian people who live in it. "This is the most important value that we have to take care of, and which is also important for the Romanian majority living with us to take care of. Because without Cluj, Cluj would be much poorer," said the main organizer.
Mayor Emil Boc thanked the Hungarian population of the city for the fact that in the past decades, together with the city administration, they have created a city of European standards where all nationalities can feel at home. "This is the merit of all of us, and this means normality for us," the statement quoted the politician as saying.
Deputy Mayor Oláh Emese highlighted that the city's Hungarians could once again live in the renovated Farkas Street this year. "We are the first to say that we were welcomed back by the song of the square, because the square is ours," he said.
The space is ours, it belongs to those who live in it - said Csaba Grezsa, Consul General of Hungary in Cluj. He added that the series of programs organized by the Kincses Cluj-Napoca Association can fill the Hungarians with hope for the future in Cluj.
August 13-20 at the 14th Hungarian Days in Cluj. more than 500 programs were held in 50 locations. There were 31 light music and 27 classical music concerts, and 20 dance groups from 8 countries performed at the St. Stephen's Day Folk Dance Meeting, which is a companion event of the Hungarian Days.
87 performers from 9 bands entertained the audience on the main stage. Those interested could participate in 37 exhibitions, 21 guided walks, 40 round-table discussions and presentations, 21 film screenings, and more than 100 children's and family programs.
The renovated Farkas Street with its craft and book fair, the Museum Promenade, and the Borutca attracted five to six thousand visitors every day.
KMN's internet interfaces reached more than 1.8 million users during the series of events. The program was made possible thanks to 237 partner organizations and supporters, 164 volunteers and 122 organizers.
The 15th Cluj Hungarian Days will be held on August 18-25, 2024. organized by the Kincses Cluj-Napoca Association.
MTI
