Gabor Posfai noted that national events organiser NRU contracted Lounge Event Ltd under the previous government to organise this year's St Stephen's Day celebrations including the traditional fireworks show at a cost of 17.5 billion forints (EUR 48.6m), and paid 50 percent of that some to the company, associated with Fidesz-tied businessman Gyula Balasy, in advance.

With regard to criminal proceedings, asset freeze and liquidation proceedings around the Lounge Group, NRU terminated its contracts with them late in June, and put out a new tender for the celebrations "with a modified technical content".

The budget, reduced to one third of the original amount, "will not affect the dignity of the holiday, the security of participants, or the high level of key family, cultural and musical programmes or the spectacle in the evening," Posfai said.

The celebrations in Budapest attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, including many locals from around the country as well as expats and tourists, making August 20 one of the busiest days on Budapest's cultural calendar.

August 20 marks the founding of the Hungarian state by King St. Stephen, Hungary's first king, and is the country's most important national holiday. 

According to the official St. Stephen's Day programme, festivities will once again be spread across numerous locations in Budapest, featuring:

- Free concerts and live entertainment
- Local gastro specialities
- Folk arts and craft displays
- Family-friendly activities
- Military and ceremonial events
- The evening fireworks spectacular over the Danube - which has attracted much discussion this year, as the related article shows.

More about 20 August Celebrations to follow. 

MTI Stock Photo

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

*********************************************************************************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters