“We firmly believe that dialogue is the most powerful tool to reach peace”
Edited by Anna Popper
Argentina celebrates its National Day on 25 May, commemorating the 1810 Revolution that marked the beginning of the country’s struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule and ultimately led to the formal declaration of independence on 9 July 1816. A pivotal moment in Argentine history, the May Revolution, initiated a cultural awakening and played a crucial role in shaping Argentina’s national identity and subsequent development as a nation characterized by a blend of indigenous, European and other international influences, creating a mixed culture that values diversity. Argentina’s multinational nature is the result of successive waves of immigration from Europe and other parts of the world that have profoundly influenced its cultural, social and economic landscape. This diversity is a cornerstone of Argentine identity and continues to shape its evolution as a nation.
On the occasion of the National Day and the 100th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Argentina and Hungary, H.E. Ms. María Lorena Capra, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, in cooperation with the National Dance Theatre in Budapest and with the support of the Sándor Demján Foundation, hosted a diplomatic reception with an Argentine tango dance performance.
The event was attended by representatives of the Hungarian political life, government authorities, representatives of the Hungarian Parliament, the business, cultural and academic sectors, members of the diplomatic corps and friends of Argentina, as well as nationals of the second largest Latin American country living in Hungary.
The celebration commenced with the national anthems of both countries and a welcoming speech by Mr. Péter Ertl, Managing Director of the National Dance Theatre, who extended heartfelt greetings to Her Excellency Mrs. María Lorena Capra, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Hungary, and the Guest of Honour of the event, Mr. Zsolt Semjén, Deputy Prime Minister, as well as to the distinguished members of the diplomatic corps and all esteemed guests present that evening.
Mr. Ertl expressed his great pleasure in commemorating the 100th anniversary of Argentine-Hungarian diplomatic relations with a tango performance entitled “Body-Soul-Tango” by the Argentine Tango Theatre – László Budai and his guest-dancers. He also noted that dance, as a universal language, resonates deeply with all people, making it an ideal medium for celebrating such a momentous occasion.
Ambassador María Lorena Capra was then kindly invited to the stage to deliver her celebratory address:
“Today we celebrate with great joy the 100th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Argentina and Hungary. Therefore, on this special occasion, I would like to begin by expressing a message of friendship to the Hungarian Government and People. Thank you for celebrating this important date with us.
Today, the Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr. Zsolt Semjén, honours us with his presence, highlighting our common history and the potential we both have as friendly countries. A recent and very clear example of the closeness of our relationship was the visit of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Argentina in December 2023, when President Javier Milei took office.
As with all important occasions, this anniversary invites us to reflect on the past and picture ourselves into the future. I am convinced that Argentina and Hungary are embarking on a new stage of deepening bilateral ties, both in terms of the trade and investment agenda, and in strategic areas such as energy, infrastructure, connectivity and scientific-academic cooperation, among other issues of relevance.
As Argentina’s Ambassador to Hungary, I feel that we are currently at the right time, with fertile and adequate ground, to bring our countries even closer together, moving forward and exploring emblematic projects that will allow us to consolidate our extensive bilateral history.
In addition, I would like to remark that today we celebrate our National Day. On 25 May 1810, 214 years ago, Argentina’s independence process began, culminating on 9 July 1816. From then on, the Argentine nation began building our institutions. Today, we can proudly exhibit a consolidated democracy with republican representation and federal institutions that form the necessary foundations for the development of our economic, social and productive potential.
The contribution of the Hungarian diaspora resident in Argentina to these institutions was crucial in our national development, which we celebrate and recognize today. As outstanding personalities between Hungary and Argentina, we can highlight Colonel János Czetz, a Hungarian high-ranking officer who lived most of his life in Argentina and was the founder of the National Military College (Collegio Militar de la Nación). László Bíró, born 125 years ago, was a prolific Hungarian inventor and journalist who later became an Argentine citizen under the name Ladislao José Biro. He is known worldwide for inventing the ballpoint pen. In Argentina, László Bíró’s birthday, 29 September, has been declared Inventors’ Day.
Let me add that Argentina is a country with immense cultural wealth, natural resources, industrial development and an economy of knowledge-based services that is growing day by day. We are proud to be a peaceful country and, therefore, we view with concern the armed conflicts that take place in this convulsed world. We firmly believe that dialogue is the most powerful tool to reach peace and the only possible alternative to establish agreements that can be sustained over time.
Argentina and Hungary have a traditional relationship of fruitful cooperation in various fields: economy, culture, agriculture, energy and nuclear technology, which we hope to consolidate with the signing of bilateral agreements in these fields. We are also negotiating a framework investment agreement that will decisively boost direct investment flows in both directions.
We believe that Hungary’s upcoming Presidency to the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024 will provide an excellent framework to further deepen bilateral relations between our countries and the EU. We will continue to work to identify and promote potential areas of cooperation between our countries.
To conclude, I express my gratitude to the Demján Sándor Foundation and Mrs Lidia Demján, tango lover and valuable partner of our Embassy. They were key to the success of this event. I would like to thank the companies Haraszty – Winehub, its owner Carlos Coelho, and the National Dance Theatre and its Director Péter Ertl and his team for the invaluable support. This event is a perfect example of the strong cultural ties that unite Argentina and Hungary: Argentine tango performed by outstanding Hungarian dancers. Thank you so much.”
In his speech on behalf of the Hungarian Government, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén stated:
“It is a great honour for me to address you on the occasion of the National Day of the Argentine Republic. Tonight we celebrate a brave and heroic nation that believed that freedom and sovereignty are fundamental values worth fighting for. Similarly to Hungary, Argentina also had to endure various hardships and tackle numerous challenges to achieve its long-desired independence. Argentine people demanded political and economic freedom and a future that serves their interests. We Hungarians are quite familiar with this feeling. We know what it is like when foreign powers determine the destiny of our nation. In the 1000 years of its existence, our country has proven countless times that Hungarians are a nation of freedom that tolerates no restrictions. Even in today’s turbulent world, we still believe in these ideas.
Argentina has always been an important and reliable partner for Hungary in the Latin American region. However, the year 2024 has a symbolic meaning in the history of cooperation between Hungary and Argentina. It presents an important milestone, as this year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries under rather special circumstances. We are particularly pleased that Hungarian-Argentine relations have gained a new impetus in parallel with this jubilee, starting with the participation of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the inauguration ceremony of President Javier Milei last December. We are certain that through the values our governments share, such as the commitment to effective representation of national interests, national sovereignty, free trade, the fight against terrorism and the promotion of peace, we can significantly strengthen our alliance and expand it to new and promising areas.
The Hungarian community in Argentina is a prominent, enduring and vital pillar of our bilateral relations. Argentina is home to one of the largest Hungarian communities in Latin America, which proudly maintains its origins even after many years and decades. I had the opportunity to witness this first-hand during my visit to Argentina in October 2016 for our national holiday. As is known, Hungary places great emphasis on supporting Hungarian communities living abroad and helping them to preserve their Hungarian identity. These efforts are only feasible with the support of the host countries. We are grateful to Argentina for welcoming our compatriots, who were forced to leave their homeland for various reasons. In Argentina, they found a new home while also maintaining their Hungarian identity.
Some of our compatriots have achieved lasting fame in their adopted country, of which both Hungarians and Argentines can be rightfully proud. Among these notable figures, many know László Bíró, the world-famous inventor of the ballpoint pen. Additionally, personalities such as János Czetz, a general of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence of 1848-49, who founded the National Military College of Argentina, and Ferenc Sas (Francisco Sohn), a Hungarian football player who won the Argentine national championships with Boca Juniors and earned a world silver medal, are also noteworthy.
Dear Ambassador, thank you once again for your gracious invitation. Looking back on the past 100 years, we can take pride in our achievements. Through numerous high-level visits and meetings, we have cultivated a comprehensive and extensive bilateral relationship that truly reflects our dedication to strengthening ties between our nations. Building upon the foundations established through our joint efforts, I believe that the beginning of the second century of our diplomatic relations marks a significant milestone in further enhancing our promising cooperation rooted in mutual respect. I wish us continued success in this endeavour. Thank you for your kind attention.”
Following the official ceremony, the event continued with an enthralling one-hour tango show entitled “Body-Soul-Tango”. Tango, an iconic cultural symbol of Argentina, is much more than just a dance. Originating in the working-class neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century, tango combines influences from African, indigenous and European cultures, evolving from a mixture of various musical styles brought by immigrants, particularly from Italy and Spain.
The show was performed by the Argentine Tango Theatre, featuring László Budai and his guest dancers, and included impressive solo and group performances. Hungarian artists showed their mastery of this highly emotional dance, beloved and popular both globally and in Hungary. The audience demonstrated their appreciation with a standing ovation for the dancers’ outstanding performance.
During the reception, the invitees had the opportunity to taste Argentinian specialties, including empanadas and Alfajores, as well as excellent wines provided by one of the event sponsors, Haraszthy Winery and Winehub. While music played in the background, the enchanting atmosphere of Argentina was evoked by the guitar playing of Argentinian Juan Pablo Esmok Lew and the beautiful singing voice of Eszter Ádám.
By the end of the evening, the theatre lobby was filled with an even stronger Argentinian vibe, as Hungarians and Argentines alike were inspired to join in a spontaneously organised milonga.
Source: Embassy of Argentine in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of Argentina, the National Dance Theatre, Máté Podlussány and DPA
