Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers a speech during a commemoration marking the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight, in front of the Petofi Museum in Kiskoros, Hungary, on March 15, 2023. The Hungarian capital Budapest and Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi's birthplace Kiskoros on Wednesday witnessed many gatherings marking the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
KISKOROS, Hungary, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday called for peace and independence while hailing the country's well-known poet and national hero Sandor Petofi.
"We see Petofi, who would have written the word 'Peace' at the top of the twelve points," Orban said here on the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight, referring to the 12-point demand of Hungarian rebels given to the Austrians ruling over Hungary in 1848.
In front of the house where Petofi was born 200 years ago, Orban made a very swift allusion to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, in which Hungary shares China's call for an immediate cease-fire and the beginning of peace talks.
Orban underlined that the 1848 revolution against the Austrian Empire can also be interpreted as Hungarians rebelling when "foreigners wanted to tell the Hungarians how to live, and also when the world powers wanted to merge Hungary into a European superstate."
The prime minister's speech served as a rallying call for Hungarian independence and resilience, drawing upon the country's historical legacy to inspire a sense of national pride and solidarity. ■
A woman poses for photos in front of the statue of Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi in Kiskoros, Hungary, on March 15, 2023. The Hungarian capital Budapest and Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi's birthplace Kiskoros on Wednesday witnessed many gatherings marking the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Actors perform during a commemoration marking the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight, in front of the Petofi Museum in Kiskoros, Hungary, on March 15, 2023. The Hungarian capital Budapest and Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi's birthplace Kiskoros on Wednesday witnessed many gatherings marking the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Hungarian President Katalin Novak inspects the guard of honour during a ceremony marking the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight, at the Kossuth Square in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, on March 15, 2023. The Hungarian capital Budapest and Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi's birthplace Kiskoros on Wednesday witnessed many gatherings marking the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
A ceremonial hoisting of the flag of Hungary is held to mark the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight, at the Kossuth Square in front of the parliament building in Budapest, Hungary, on March 15, 2023. The Hungarian capital Budapest and Hungarian poet Sandor Petofi's birthplace Kiskoros on Wednesday witnessed many gatherings marking the 175th anniversary of Hungary's 1848 revolution and freedom fight. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)