“History has taught us Poles and Hungarians how important solidarity is” – President Andrzej Duda
Edited by Anna Popper
On 23 March, Poland and Hungary celebrate the Day of Hungarian-Polish Friendship, an observance held annually in both countries since 2007. The historic friendship between Hungarians and Poles dates back to the Middle Ages. Noble families of the two nations frequently intermarried, and for centuries, Hungary and Poland even shared a border. The celebrations alternate between Poland and Hungary; this year, the event took place in the Hungarian city of Kaposvár, in the southwest of the country.
President Andrzej Duda and First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda arrived in Hungary and were warmly welcomed by Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok and First Lady Zsuzsanna Nagy, then – later on – by the Mayor of Kaposvár, Károly Szita.
During their meeting, President Sulyok and President Duda reviewed the achievements of Hungary’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2024, as well as the progress of Poland’s current Presidency.
At a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart, President Sulyok affirmed: “We will be counting on our Polish friends in the future, too, and they can always count on us.”
President Duda stated that he and President Sulyok shared the hope that the war in Ukraine would soon end with a just peace. He emphasized the need for a lasting peace that would ensure both “a sovereign, independent, and truly democratic Ukrainian state” and the security of the Central European region. As a result of the peace process, it is essential to “curb and, in the future, halt Russian imperial ambitions”, he added.
Gala Evening
The highlight of the event was the gala evening at the Csiky Gergely Theatre, which began with the national anthems of Hungary and the Republic of Poland.
In his welcoming speech, Károly Szita, Mayor of Kaposvár said that the meeting of the Hungarian and Polish Presidents in Kaposvár proved that important events do not only take place in capital cities. He also emphasized that the friendship between the Hungarian and Polish nations is not merely a chapter in history, but a living bond that must always be preserved.
In his festive remarks, President Tamás Sulyok stated: “For us, Polish-Hungarian friendship is not a myth but a lived reality. It is not just about certain episodes in history – it weaves through our lives. It does not depend on shared political interests; it is a constant and undeniable fact. It does not rely on contemporary political cooperation or disagreement. It runs much deeper than that. And for this reason, it cannot be undone by political intrigue or attempts to sow discord. Through his personal example and dedicated work, President Duda has ushered in a flourishing era of Polish-Hungarian relations, further strengthening an already close bond. Thank you, Mr. President, for once again being among us. It is a joy to celebrate the unparalleled friendship between our nations together. Let me assure you that we Hungarians regard the Polish people as true friends. And on this festive occasion, I reaffirm this commitment. God bless Poland! God bless Hungary! God preserve our friendship!”
In his address, President Andrzej Duda highlighted the significance of regional and transatlantic relations for maintaining stability in Poland, Hungary, and Central Europe. He noted that this was his fifth meeting with President Sulyok, and emphasized the deep historical ties between Poles and Hungarians, their shared adversities, and their genuine friendship. “Our nations are close to each other due to shared experiences. We currently face many significant challenges. The security architecture and world order are being reshaped. That is why I would like to stress the importance of regional relations and transatlantic ties for the stability and peace of Poland, Hungary, and other Central European countries”. He added, “History has taught us Poles and Hungarians how important solidarity is. Today, as friends and allies, we must stand in solidarity and pay respect to one another in our actions. The mutual sympathy between our nations is also deeply rooted in strong cultural ties.”
A Spectacular Cultural Tribute to Centuries of Friendship
The theatre was filled with an eager audience fully immersed in the evening’s performances. Guests were treated to an exceptional cultural program that fused the traditions of both nations. The evening featured a remarkable rendition of Wisława Szymborska’s The Fair of Wonders, vibrant Hungarian folk dances, and a heartfelt presentation by students of the Polish School affiliated with the Polish Embassy in Budapest (Szkoła Polska przy Ambasadzie RP w Budapeszcie). This seamless blend of Polish and Hungarian artistic expressions captivated the audience, creating a truly unforgettable atmosphere.
One of the most poignant moments of the evening was the emotional performance of the Polish and Hungarian choirs, which showcased songs and music by young artists. This was followed by a mesmerizing display of traditional folk dances and other captivating performances. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, reflecting their deep appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of both nations and offering a heartfelt tribute to the centuries-old friendship between Poland and Hungary.
As part of the official program, the heads of state awarded prizes to the outstanding winners of the Poland and Hungary – A History of Friendship competition, which aims to promote and foster historical awareness of Polish-Hungarian relations.
Additionally, the Polish Institute in Budapest presented a special poster exhibition titled The ABC of Friendship, as part of the Friendship Day program. The staff of the Polish Embassy and the Polish Institute were present throughout the entire event in Kaposvár.
Expressions of gratitude were extended to the city of Kaposvár for its outstanding organization and to the Csiky Gergely Theatre for hosting this spectacular cultural event.
In 2026, Poland will host the annual Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day celebrations.
A Special Program for the First Ladies
First Ladies Agata Kornhauser-Duda and Zsuzsanna Nagy were invited to visit the Szivárvány (Rainbow) Cultural Palace in Kaposvár for a special program held in the iconic Art Nouveau and Art Deco building. They had the opportunity to experience a unique multisensory fashion show led by Katrics Krisztina, Vice President of the Handicraft Industry at the Heves County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who was specially invited for the occasion.
The event featured embroidered garments crafted by the Heritage Creative Workshop, seamlessly combining dance, scents, and immersive background projections into an extraordinary artistic experience that left a lasting impression on the guests.
1000 Years of Brotherhood: A Brief History of Polish-Hungarian Legacy and Friendship Day
The history of Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day (in Polish: Dzień Przyjaźni Polsko-Węgierskiej) dates back to 24 March 2006, when Polish President Lech Kaczyński and Hungarian President László Sólyom signed the Győr Declaration in the city of Győr (Hungary) and inaugurated the first public monument dedicated to Polish-Hungarian friendship.
The statue depicts the words of Polish revolutionary Stanisław Gabriel Worcell from 1849: “Hungary and Poland are two ever-living oaks, which have grown as separate trunks, but whose roots run deep underground, interconnected and invisibly intertwined.”
On 12 March 2007, the Hungarian National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring 23 March as Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day. Similarly, on 16 March 2007, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland adopted an identical resolution. A symbol of the strong cultural relations between the two nations is the large number of Hungarian and Polish twin towns, of which there are currently around 150.
Every year on this day, we celebrate the friendship, brotherhood, and camaraderie that have flourished between these two Central European nations for over 1,000 years. We sincerely hope that these traditionally close bonds and multifaceted cooperation will stand the test of time, as it has throughout history, even in the most challenging periods.
“Polak, Węgier, dwa bratanki, i do szabli, i do szklanki”. “A Pole and a Hungarian, two brothers, both in the sword and in the glass”. This traditional saying reflects the long-standing friendship, solidarity and shared values of the two nations, which is widely known and accepted.
Source: MTI, Sándor Palace, kaposvarmost.hu, Polish Institute Budapest
Photos from Sándor Palace, President Sulyok Facebook, kaposvarmost.hu. Polish Institute Budapest, MTI
