World Refugee Day 2002: Hungary

UNHCR organised an open-air celebration on Margaret Island in the heart of Budapest on 22 June, under the patronage of Mr. Gabor Demszky, the Mayor of Budapest. The event was attended by some 400 refugee adults and children coming from Budapest itself and from the three refugee reception centres of the Government Office of Immigration and Nationality, as well as an estimated total number of 2,000 Hungarians.

The programmes included a puppet show, rock (the Lucky Boys Shuffle Band, Kata and the Soul Train) and pop music, and folk music from the Balkans, Greece, South America, Ireland, and Africa. A traditional Hungarian knights tournament from the 14th century was performed by the Debrecen Knights of the Golden Cross. Ms. Zsuzsa Csisztu, a popular TV figure, presented the programmes and key World Refugee Day messages. Children's playhouses were run by the Hungarian Red Cross and Cordelia Foundation, and Menedék Association.

The Director and social workers of the Bicske Refugee Reception Centre organised a World Refugee Day celebration on 20 June at the cultural centre of Bicske, where refugee children and adults performed their traditional music and dance. The guests tasted food prepared by refugee women. There was also an exhibition of the paintings and sculptures by refugees living in Bicske. The event was attended by some 100 refugees and locals.