Edited by Anna Popper
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, home to the birthplace of Islam and its holiest cities, celebrates its 94th National Day on 23 September, marking the unification of the Kingdom under King Abdulaziz Al Saud. This milestone commemorates the foundation of modern Saudi Arabia, highlighting its evolution into a regional leader and its growing influence on the world stage. Over the past 94 years, the country has undergone a transformative journey, and the National Day festivities honour the people who made it possible. The celebrations reflect the Kingdom’s cultural heritage, its rapid modernization, and ambitious social, cultural transformations and economic reforms that are reshaping its economy into a progressive and diversified powerhouse. These efforts underscore the nation’s commitment to development while preserving its rich traditions.
On the occasion of the historic anniversary, His Excellency Mr. Majed Abdulaziz M. Al Abdan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, hosted a grand celebration at InterContinental Budapest, which was decorated with green lights reflecting the national colour of Saudi Arabia. The event was attended by high-ranking official of the Hungarian government, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from cultural, academic and business circles, Saudi nationals, and many other esteemed invitees.
The celebration started with the national anthems of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Hungary,
and was followed by the remarks of Ambassador Majed Abdulaziz M. Al Abdan:
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests,
Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you!
It is my pleasure and honour to warmly welcome our Guest of Honour, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Zsolt Semjén, along with the distinguished officials and ambassadors from friendly countries who are with us today for this special occasion.
Today, we commemorate the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud – may God have mercy on him. This celebration embodies the unity and cohesion of the Kingdom under one banner. It is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey that began more than nine decades ago, when the founding King successfully established a country rooted in the principles of peace and prosperity.
My country is currently undergoing an extraordinary transformation, blending its rich heritage with modernity and paving new pathways for the future, thanks to Vision 2030 launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister – may God protect him.
This ambitious vision sets a course for diversifying the economy, empowering society and enhancing the Kingdom’s role on the global stage. Through it, my country is heading towards a future filled with economic and developmental opportunities, with a strong emphasis on innovation, technology and sustainability. Today, the Kingdom has emerged as a hub for culture and arts, hosting international festivals and events that promote cultural understanding and openness to the world.
The Kingdom will host Expo 2030 under the slogan ‘The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow’. Riyadh Expo 2030 will be a remarkable opportunity for Saudi Arabia to share its journey toward unprecedented national transformation with the international community. This exhibition will provide a unique platform to display cutting-edge innovations and modern technologies, highlighting their role in addressing our planet’s global challenges across various sectors.
‘I invite the world to discover my country, a land of opportunities and potential, where dreams can become reality.’ – said His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is deeply committed to promoting peace in our world today, playing a pivotal role in fostering regional and international stability through its foreign policy, which is centred on supporting peace and resolving conflicts through peaceful means, in alignment with the principles of international law that emphasize mutual respect between countries.
From this standpoint, Saudi-Hungarian relations enjoy mutual respect and joint collaboration to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and expand their scope in various fields, enhancing growth and development opportunities for our two friendly peoples. I would like to extend my gratitude to all officials for the warm welcome and cooperation I have received, which has helped overcome all challenges.
One of the most prominent positive aspects of diplomatic work is the ability to strengthen relations between two countries, contribute to peace-building and promote international cooperation. Additionally, it offers the opportunity to explore new cultures, expand cultural understanding and enrich one’s knowledge. This is particularly true for Hungary, a country with a long history and rich cultural heritage.
To conclude, I would like to renew my sincere thanks and gratitude to His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister for gracing us with his presence today, and to all the distinguished guests for joining us on this special national occasion.”
“May God grant continued security, progress and prosperity to both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Hungary, and may we continue to build together strong bridges of cooperation and friendship between our two countries. Thank you and may God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.”
In his speech, the Guest of Honour, Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary Dr. Zsolt Semjén, said on behalf of the Hungarian government:
“Your Excellency, Ambassador Majed Abdulaziz Al Abdan, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour to welcome you all here today in celebration of Saudi Arabia’s National Day. We are delighted to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the unification and proclamation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Over the decades, the Kingdom has emerged not only as a modern state, but also as a key player in its region, becoming an influential member of the international community. We have long admired Saudi Arabia’s remarkable progress, especially its ambitious reform programs of recent years. These reforms have addressed contemporary challenges and transformed the country both socially and economically. Like Hungary, Saudi Arabia is committed to implementing reforms in a way that respects and preserves the traditional values that define its people and their identity.
Our country continues to deepen its cooperation with the Arab world, including Saudi Arabia. Bilateral relations have flourished in various sectors and our trade turnover has reached record levels in recent years. I am particularly pleased that, beyond traditional areas of economic cooperation, new partnerships are emerging in cutting-edge fields such as information technology and 21st century innovations. We consider the meeting of the Hungarian-Saudi Joint Economic Committee in Riyadh in May, along with the business forum organised on its margins, a great success. I am confident that a Saudi business delegation will visit Hungary soon to further develop this strong relationship.
It is particularly gratifying that our cooperation is expanding to our peoples through stronger educational, cultural, and tourism exchanges. Deepening people-to-people contacts and fostering a better understanding of each other’s history, culture, and perspectives not only brings our societies closer, but also provides a solid foundation for further economic collaboration. With the active engagement of our ambassadors in each other’s countries, I am confident that we will soon see even more tangible results.
I am convinced that good political relations and frequent high-level dialogue lay the groundwork for successful cooperation in all areas. Political dialogue will continue at the level of foreign ministers in Riyadh in the coming months, and we hope to host the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia in Budapest soon.
During Hungary’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are placing increased attention on strengthening the EU’s relations with the countries of this region. In this spirit, the first EU-GCC Summit is scheduled to take place in October 2024. I can assure you that Hungary is firmly committed to enhancing EU-Gulf trade relations, eliminating trade barriers and advancing visa liberalisation efforts.
We highly appreciate Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting regional security, peace, and economic prosperity. The Kingdom continues to demonstrate its moderate policies and its indispensable role in maintaining and restoring international peace and security. Recent global events have reminded us that conflicts are no longer confined to specific regions; instability can disrupt global supply chains and trigger illegal migration. We share Saudi Arabia’s belief that stability, development and security can only be achieved through expanded regional cooperation. There is no political alternative to efforts to deepen such relations. In this spirit, I would like to convey my congratulations once again on this solemn occasion and thank you for your kind attention.”
The next speaker of the evening was acclaimed Hungarian pianist Gergely Bogányi, who shared with the audience his deep connection with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the way the country has inspired his artistic work. Over the years, he has performed multiple piano concerts during his visits and also held a masterclass in Riyadh. These performances were made possible by the “Vision 2030” economic, social and cultural reform program, championed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. As part of this vision, the Saudi Music Commission was established to foster musical culture in the Kingdom, with a focus on advancing music education and classical music training. These unique events in the Kingdom’s gradually opening cultural scene were co-organized by the Hungarian Embassy in Riyadh with the support of the National Cultural Fund of Hungary and the Saudi Music Commission.
Bogányi’s connection to Saudi Arabia goes beyond his performances. In early 2019, while visiting Saudi Arabia as a tourist, he was inspired by the country’s rich history and natural beauty, particularly in Al-Ula, one of the Arabian Peninsula’s oldest cities, a cultural gem and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra. This trip led him to compose the Al Ula Symphonic Poem, a work that reflects the profound impact of his experiences in the Arab world. The symphonic poem had its world premiere in January 2024 at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest during a concert celebrating Bogányi’s 50th birthday. The piece was performed by the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra from the Hungarian city of Pécs.
Guests at the National Day celebration had the opportunity to experience the Al Ula Symphonic Poem via a video recording. The composition narrates the pianist’s extraordinary journey through Saudi Arabia. The 33-minute work consists of four classical movements. The first movement is a majestic portrayal of the vast desert landscape and its endless dunes. The second captures the vibrancy of life in the region, evoking the scent of Arabic coffee, the movement of people and the rich diversity of daily life. The third embodies the music of the night, where silence vibrates and the earth dreams, and at its heart an exotic folk song intertwines Hungarian and Arab musical elements. The fourth movement begins with the awakening of dawn and introduces a sun hymn, culminating in a triumphant gallop that elevates the entire symphony to a higher realm.
To conclude the evening, guests were invited to a lavish reception featuring fine dishes and specialties that celebrated Saudi and Arabic gastronomic traditions. The warm, welcoming atmosphere was complemented by an array of exquisite dates and date-based desserts, which have always been an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s culinary heritage.
Source: Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Budapest and DPA
