During the day of the 20th, puppet shows, folk dance presentations and more concerts will entertain the public. Water and air parades will take place above and on the Danube from 10 a.m.

After an ecumenical blessing of bread on Clark Ádám tér at 3 p.m., a procession of harvesters will proceed to the Szent István Basilica, where a mass will begin at 5 p.m., to be followed by a procession of the right hand of King Saint Stephen.

Hungarian and foreign Olympic champions will take part in the Gyulai István Athletics Hungarian Grand Prix at the Puskás Ferenc Stadium from 4 p.m.

Rockets will be launched from three barges between Margit híd and Szabadság híd and from the Chain Bridge instead of the Citadella (during the fireworks in Budapest).

Security and cost effectiveness will determine this year’s August 20 events to ensure the best possible entertainment from as little money as possible, state secretary for public relations Zoltán Kovács also told reporters on Tuesday.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

This news item is one of many published daily by HATC, a premier subscription news service which distributes English-language info about Hungary via email or fax. For a free trial of HATC follow this link and click on 'Free Trial Subscription'.

Programmes of the National Holiday

Sunday 19 August

12.00 p.m. –12.00 a.m. Promenade of Hungarian Flavours on the Danube Bank

Visitors may taste quality Hungarian products and traditional national dishes and beverages during this two-day fair.

6.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m. Ecumenical Service at the Szilágyi Dezső tér Reformed Church

The service will be preached by Reformed Bishop József Steinbach, President of the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Hungary

8.00 p.m. –12.00 a.m. Open-air concerts and ball on the eve of the National Holiday

We await everyone with grandiose concerts on the eve of the National Holiday at Bem tér and Clark Ádám tér. Performing artists: Keresztes Ildikó Band, Mókus és Fabula Rasa, Ferenczi György és a Rackajam, The Silver Shine, Odett, Mystery Gang.

Monday 20 August

8.30 a.m. Raising of the flag and ceremonial officer inauguration at Kossuth tér

Speeches will be delivered at the event by János Áder, President of the Republic, and Defence Minister Csaba Hende.

Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Hungarian Radio Children’s Choir.

10.00 a.m. –11.00 a.m. Aerial and water parade on the Danube

A spectacular display of military and civilian aircraft, parachute jumpers, stunt planes and hang gliders and watercraft parade on the section of the Danube between Erzsébet Bridge and Margit Bridge.

10.00 a.m. –10.00 p.m. Promenade of Hungarian Flavours on the Danube Bank

Visitors may taste quality Hungarian products and traditional national dishes and beverages during this two-day fair.

11.00 a.m. –6.00 p.m. Family programmes on the Danube Banks

Visitors will be entertained with dance shows, concerts and puppet theatre performances at Clark Ádám tér and Bem tér.

1.00 p.m. –8.00 p.m. Open Day in Parliament

The Parliament Building, the House of the Nation, will be open to visitors once again on our National Holiday. The building of Hungary’s legislature may be visited during the course of the afternoon without prior registration.

3.00 p.m. Bread blessing and Harvest March starting from Clark Ádám tér

A speech will be delivered by Gábor Tamás Nagy, Mayor of the 1st District.

Entertainment will be provided by the Association of Folk Arts Clubs.

4.00 p.m. –7.00 p.m. István Gyulai Memorial Athletics Grand Prix

The world’s top athletes, including Hungary’s best, will fight for ultimate victory at this athletics event organised in memory of István Gyulai.

5.00 p.m. Ceremonial Holy Mass

Péter Erdő, Primate of Hungary, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, President of the Council of Episcopal Conference in Europe, will deliver the liturgy outside St. Stephen’s Basilica.

6.00 p.m. Procession of the Holy Right Hand

The procession will proceed on the Szent István tér, Október 6. utca, József Attila utca, Széchenyi István tér, Zrínyi utca, Szent István tér route.

6.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. Request chain on the Danube Banks

Live, charitable request programme on the Danube Banks with Petőfi Rádió.

9.00 p.m. Ceremonial Fireworks on the Danube Banks

(We reserve the right to change the above programmes.)

Related article:

Hungary's Birthday Cake 2012 Will Be Introduced On 20 August

'Hungarian Flavours' By The Danube In Budapest, 19 - 20 August

Invitation: Aerial And Water Parade On The Danube In Budapest, 20 August

Ceremonial Fireworks In Budapest On 20 August Will Begin At 9.00 p.m

Open Day In Parliament In Budapest, 20 August

Bread Blessing & Harvest March In Downtown Budapest, 20 August

Family Programmes On The Danube Banks In Budapest, 20 August