The Second Republic, whose 100-year anniversary we are now celebrating, was a time of dramatic and difficult moments, but also a time of the triumph of human thought, strength, and energy. Their significance far exceeds the borders of Poland,' said the Speaker of the Sejm, opening a ceremonial conference in the Hungarian Parliament, prepared on the initiative of the Speaker of the National Assembly, László Kövér, and devoted to the 100th anniversary of Poland's regaining independence.
The Speaker of the Sejm in his speech pointed out that Hungary played a significant role in the birth of the Second Republic and recalled that several hundred Hungarians served in Jozef Pilsudski's legions and during the war with Bolshevik Russia in 1920 the victory would not have been possible without Hungarian supplies of ammunition and military equipment.
Speaking of the Polish-Hungarian friendship that lasted throughout the interwar period, Marshal Kuchciński recalled Prime Minister Pál Teleki's deposition to German Chancellor Adolf Hitler in July 1939: "I would sooner blow up our railroad lines than take part in the invasion of Poland. It is a matter of national honor on the part of Hungary not to take part in any action against Poland." - This telegram was something exceptional. To this day we keep those words of Prime Minister Teleki in our grateful memory. Just like the great help given during World War II by the Hungarian state, but also by ordinary Hungarian citizens, to tens of thousands of refugees from Poland, including many children of Jewish origin,' he said.
Marek Kuchciński, referring to the common Polish-Hungarian striving for freedom, recalled the symbolic moments for both nations in recent history, which took place during the Warsaw Uprising, the Hungarian Uprising, the events of the Prague Spring, the period of 'Solidarity' and the beginning of the fall of communism. - Our Hungarian brothers were with us then in difficult moments in the 21st century, such as the Smolensk catastrophe and the death of President Lech Kaczynski in April 2010, whose monument was recently unveiled in Budapest. Just like the bust of Marshal Józef Piłsudski," said Marshal Kuchciński.
Concluding his speech, the Marshal of the Sejm referred to the symbolic figure of Wacław Felczak, a courier of the Polish Underground State during World War II and later a distinguished historian and a great expert on Hungary, whose name is borne by the Institute of Polish-Hungarian Cooperation established this year: Institute for Polish-Hungarian Cooperation in Poland, and its Hungarian counterpart, the Wacław Felczak Foundation. Marek Kuchciński recalled Professor Felczak's words, which, in his opinion, characterize the policy of Poland and Hungary after regaining independence: "Above all, it is up to us to make sure that never again the countries of Central Europe are condemned to the status of passengers on a train that goes in a direction we have not chosen, nor stops at stops where we want. "
In his closing address President László Kövér expressed his satisfaction that today he can celebrate together with the Poles the 100th anniversary of our independence. He recalled that Poland and Hungary had a difficult history, from which they should now draw conclusions and not allow foreign troops to sweep through their countries in the future. He noted that both countries should now, in cooperation with the Visegrad Group countries, care for the development of Central Europe and defend its interests and its Christian identity.
Polish and Hungarian historians also spoke at the ceremony. Poland was represented by the representatives of the Council of the Wacław Felczak Institute for Polish-Hungarian Cooperation, Prof. Arkadiusz Adamczyk and Dr. Adam Szabelski. The speakers presented to the numerous guests the foundations and elements of Polish-Hungarian friendship in various periods of our history from 1918 to the present.
After the celebrations in the Parliament, the Speaker of the Sejm went to the Polish Embassy in Budapest, where he met with the Hungarian Polish community. Offering Christmas wishes, he reminded that the passing year 2018 is special for Poland due to the 100th anniversary of Poland's regaining independence, as well as the 550th anniversary of the Parliamentarism of the Republic of Poland - the longest functioning state institution in our homeland. Marek Kuchciński also spoke with appreciation about Polish-Hungarian relations. - In our case both free countries and free nations cooperate with each other, and you as Polish Hungarians are the best proof of that', he said.
LINK: The whole speech of the Speaker of the Sejm in Budapest
Photo: Rafał Zambrzycki/ Sejm
