St, Stephen King day
This day, the holiday once again celebrates the nation’s patron saint and the foundation of the Hungarian State over 1,000 years ago. 20 August arguably becomes the symbol of Hungarian independence: the official celebration begins with the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag on Kossuth square (where the Parliament building is located); followed by the carving of the Cake of Hungary and giving many of the state awards to our most distinguished citizens. There is also an organised procession held in honour of the Holy Right hand (the mummified right hand of St. Stephen) but the best-known event of the day is the spectacular fireworks after sunset when huge masses assemble on the banks of the River. Fireworks on 20 August have been part of the celebrations since 1927. There are celebrations in almost every part of the country, capped off by fireworks in the evening. The biggest in the country is the one in Budapest, shot from the Danube. This day is also associated with religious and folk customs. The Catholics celebrate the day of the first patron of Hungary, St. Stephen – which is the reason masses are hosted countrywide that day. The 20th of August also marks the Hungarian Festival of the New Bread: the blessing and slicing of a freshly baked loaf of bread is a widespread ceremony in the country that day and even across the border, in Transylvania. At the end of the summer, after the grain harvest, the first bread from the new wheat was baked on this day. The round bread is adorned with a ribbon in the national colors and the blessing is also part of the ceremony. Each year the Cake of Hungary competition is organized by Hungarian Confectionery Industry Association on August 20th. It is a popular tradition to celebrate the most talented Hungarian confectioners and promote culinary innovation. This year the cake “Mákvirág” (Poppy seeds flower) has been the winner of the contest. The fireworks at this year: https://youtu.be/0qCNzUi9Kts?si=caZRe_042vVpnGT6
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