Celebrating the Spirit of Freedom, Dignity, and Friendship
Edited by Anna Popper
Colombia’s National Day, observed annually on 20 July, commemorates the beginning of the War of Independence in 1810. The decisive Battle of Boyacá, led by Simón Bolívar on 7 August 1819, marked a turning point, securing Colombia’s liberation from Spanish colonial rule.
The name “Colombia”, derived from the Latinized form of Christopher Columbus’s name – although the Spanish explorer never set foot in the country – was adopted as a symbol of the spirit of independence and exploration in the New World.
Each year, Colombians around the world honour this day as a tribute to their hard-won freedom, rich cultural heritage, and the enduring legacy of those who fought for national sovereignty.
Known as the “Country of Beauty”, Colombia is admired for its breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary biodiversity, vibrant culture, and the resilience and warmth of its people. It is the second most biodiverse country in the world after Brazil.
On the occasion of Colombia’s Independence Day, H.E. Mr. Ignacio Enrique Ruiz Perea, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Hungary, and Mrs. María Adela Coral hosted a reception in the Ballroom of the City Park Ice Rink and Boating Lake. Set against the fairytale backdrop of Vajdahunyad Castle and just behind Budapest’s historic Heroes’ Square, the venue offered a picturesque setting for the event. Opened in 1870, this iconic site transforms with the seasons – an open-air ice skating paradise in winter and a peaceful boating haven in summer – and attracts people to City Park, a vibrant hub filled with cultural and recreational attractions.
This year’s celebration in Budapest brought together Hungarian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, academics, cultural figures, Colombian nationals, and friends of Colombia.
The programme began with the national anthems of Colombia and Hungary, followed by the remarks from Ambassador Ignacio Enrique Ruiz Perea:
“Thank you for accepting our invitation to celebrate together the 215th anniversary of Colombia’s Independence – La Tierra de la Belleza, the Country of Beauty.
Over the years, Colombia has continued on its democratic path, seeking through its foreign policy to promote national interests on the international stage. Our vision is to become a regional leader in addressing global challenges such as the climate crisis, biodiversity conservation, supporting human-centred migration, advancing a new strategy to tackle the global drug phenomenon, and building, promoting and preserving both national and global peace. We are also firmly committed to advancing women’s rights, gender equality, and diversity.
To achieve these goals, we have undertaken important actions on the international stage. These include organising COP 19 on Biological Diversity in 2024, and hosting an international conference against all forms of violence against children and the official adoption of a Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP).
Our new strategy to confront the global drug problem goes beyond the traditional rhetoric of the ‘principle of shared responsibility’ between producer and consumer countries. It is based on concrete action – such as Colombia’s recent success at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, where the creation of a High-Level Panel of independent experts was approved. This panel will evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the global fight against drugs. We are especially grateful to the European Union for its full support of this initiative.
While much work remains to be done to consolidate the goals of our foreign policy, important milestones – such as Colombia’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2026–2027, Colombia’s Presidency of CELAC and the hosting of the 4th CELAC–EU Presidential Summit in Santa Marta on 9–10 November 2025, – are significant steps on our path toward democracy and peace.
Colombia is much more than the image often portrayed in international headlines. It is a country of exceptional natural beauty, of resilient, kind and hard-working people, who are deeply committed to peace and firmly reject all forms of violence. This year, we also proudly celebrate 52 years of diplomatic relations with Hungary.
The historical bond that unites our nations is rich and strong – goes far beyond the 8,800 kilometres that separate Budapest from Bogotá. It lives in the stories of our people – in the Hungarians who founded a football club in northern Colombia, now part of the Colombian National League; in the life of Péter Aldor, who emigrated to Colombia with his wife, became Colombian citizen, and made invaluable contributions to journalism between 1949 and 1976; in Cardinal József Mindszenty, the Hungarian national hero, who celebrated his final Mass in South America in a small chapel in Bogotá. And more recently, our connection can be seen in the world of sports – in the remarkable duo of Dominik Szoboszlai and Lucho Díaz, who together helped Liverpool win the Premier League.
We continue working to strengthen our political, commercial, and cultural cooperation with Hungary. We are grateful for the excellent educational cooperation through the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, which has enabled 50 Colombian scholars to study in Hungary. We also welcome the recent entry into force of the Working Holiday Agreement, which will further enhance educational and employment opportunities in both countries. We remain committed to deepening collaboration in the areas of agriculture, defence, sports, diplomatic training, and the search for alternative energy sources.
In this endeavour, allow me to express my gratitude to those who support me each day – especially the love and understanding of my wife Maria and our children Nico and Cami. I also wish to thank the dedicated team at the Embassy of Colombia in Budapest: Anett, Nora, Iris, Yulimar, Julián, Julio, Juan Sebastián, Tamás, Antonio, and our ever-reliable Honorary Consul in Szeged, Mrs. Dr. Katalin Nagy.
I would like to take this opportunity to bid farewell to two valued colleagues who will be leaving at the end of this month: Minister Plenipotentiary Julián Pinto and translator Anett Tóth. I wish them both much success in the next chapter of their professional journey. I also wish to acknowledge with appreciation the work of my two predecessors, Ambassadors Ana Piedad Jaramillo Restrepo and Carmenza Jaramillo, whose diplomatic efforts we continue as we further strengthen and deepen our bilateral relationship.
Without further ado, I would like to propose a toast: To the friendship between Hungary and Colombia. Cheers!”
The evening unfolded in a warm and joyful atmosphere, enriched by the vibrant sounds of Colombian and Latin American music performed by a Colombian–Hungarian band. Guests enjoyed delicious traditional dishes of this magnificent country along with lively conversations, bringing the taste, rhythm, and spirit of Colombia to the heart of Budapest.
Source: Embassy of Colombia in Budapest
Photos by the Diplomatic Press Agency
