In the presence of Minister of Defence Tibor Benkő, Hungary’s national flag was hoisted and then lowered to half-mast with full military honours on Kossuth Square in front of the Parliament Building in Budapest to mark the quashing of the 1956 Revolution and fight for freedom. As an expression of commemoration, the national flag will remain at half-mast through the national day of mourning.

The national flag was hoisted by the 32nd National Defence Force Ceremonial Unit of the Hungarian Defence Force’s (HDF) Sándor Szurmay Garrison Brigade to the sound of the national anthem, following which it was lowered to half-mast to the accompaniment of the Appeal (Szózat). Commander in Chief of the Hungarian Defence Force Lt-Gen Ferenc Korom participated in the event, as did the HDF central orchestra and the national equestrian ceremonial unit.

A Hungarian flag with the centre cut out and a black flag of mourning were hung from each of the two balconies above the main steps of the Parliament Building.

Candles may be lit throughout the day at the Wall of Heroes of the House of Terror Museum, in addition to which a protocol-free commemoration will be held at plot 301 of the New Public Cemetery in Rákoskeresztúr.

A commemorative concert will begin at 6 p.m. in the Saint Stephen’s Basilica with the participation of the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

4 November, the day on which the victims of the events of 1956 are commemorated, was officially declared a national day of mourning by the government in 2013.

(MTI)