National commemoration of 15th March - Closer to the spirit of the world

15th March is a day of pure, unspoilt national unity, said Dr. András Gelencsér at the ceremony commemorating the 1848 Revolution. Quoting Friedrich Schiller, the rector of the University of Pannonia added that there are moments in a person's life when he is closer to the spirit of the world than at other times. In the life of the Hungarians, 15 March 1848 was such a moment.

According to the Rector, the idea of revolution is also exalted by the desire for collaboration and unity. He believes that this is a natural human need, which, in today's alienated society, we only have the opportunity to experience in tragedies and emergencies. And the fervour and glory of the revolution may have been helped by the failure of the subsequent struggle for freedom. "It was simply not possible to discredit the noble ideals of the revolution on the great mill wheel of life," he said. And although the revolution did not directly achieve its goal, two decades later it laid the foundations for a strong Hungary at the forefront of Europe, and 1848 remains an ideal that still holds sway today.

1989, the beginning of the regime change, began as a great event that shaped history, and as a similarly great thing. However, according to the Rector,
"The fabric of unity soon split, the momentum faded, enthusiasm waned and a quarter century of strife began. We can all feel the truth of the saying from an unknown source that today Hungary is held together by disunity."

Yet, in his view, 15 March is a message to us to look to the glorious past as an example, to believe and dare to believe that by working together we can achieve great things. To work together, first and foremost we need trust, without which neither a country nor an institution can function. And a community can only stand out from the rest if its members help each other.

András Gelencsér said that the example of the March youth is an obligation for us too: "we must use all our talents, will and best knowledge to create and improve for the benefit of the community".

At the 15th March commemoration, Csaba Páli, a traditional Hussar lieutenant colonel, gave a lecture on the Hussar tradition.