Hungary marks national day with revamped celebrations, reduced spending-Xinhua

Hungarian President Andras Baka reviews the guard of honour during a flag-raising and military oath-taking ceremony at Kossuth Square in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 20, 2026. Hungary marks its national day on Thursday with traditional ceremonies, music concerts, and a redesigned evening spectacle in Budapest. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hungary marks its national day on Thursday with traditional ceremonies, music concerts, and a redesigned evening spectacle in Budapest, as the country's new government hosted its first Aug. 20 celebrations with significantly reduced spending.

The holiday, commemorating the foundation of the Hungarian state over 1,000 years ago and its first king, Saint Stephen, began with the raising of the national flag and the swearing-in of new military officers in front of parliament. The event was also the first official appearance for newly inaugurated President Andras Baka.

While a military air parade over the Danube highlighted the morning events, festivities will continue throughout the day with family activities across Budapest. Evening events will feature the traditional Holy Right procession at Saint Stephen's Basilica and a 30-minute multimedia show along the Danube combining laser projections, a 2,000-drone performance, and a 10-minute fireworks display.

The celebrations will cost approximately 4 billion forints (about 12.8 million U.S. dollars), down sharply from the original 18 billion forints budget. Government spokesperson Eva Magyar noted the figure reflects realistic costs.

Severe nationwide drought conditions have affected cooling-water levels for the Paks nuclear power plant along the Danube, where emergency engineering works are currently underway. The national holiday also closely follows the first 100 days of Prime Minister Peter Magyar's administration following the April elections.

In a video address, Magyar said that over 100 commitments, including state spending cuts and anti-corruption measures, have been fulfilled to set the nation on a new course. Enditem (1 Hungarian forint = 0.0032 U.S. dollars)

This photo taken on Aug. 20, 2026 shows a flag-raising and military oath-taking ceremony at Kossuth Square in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary. Hungary marks its national day on Thursday with traditional ceremonies, music concerts, and a redesigned evening spectacle in Budapest. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

A Hungarian Air Force helicopter participates in a military air parade over the Danube in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 20, 2026. Hungary marks its national day on Thursday with traditional ceremonies, music concerts, and a redesigned evening spectacle in Budapest. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

A formation of Hungarian Air Force fighter jets is pictured in a military air parade over the Danube in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 20, 2026. Hungary marks its national day on Thursday with traditional ceremonies, music concerts, and a redesigned evening spectacle in Budapest. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

A Hungarian Air Force military aircraft participates in a military air parade over the Danube in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 20, 2026. Hungary marks its national day on Thursday with traditional ceremonies, music concerts, and a redesigned evening spectacle in Budapest. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar speaks during a flag-raising and military oath-taking ceremony at Kossuth Square in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, on Aug. 20, 2026. Hungary marks its national day on Thursday with traditional ceremonies, music concerts, and a redesigned evening spectacle in Budapest. (Photo by David Balogh/Xinhua)