“The heroism displayed at the victory at the Battle of Nándorfehérvár in 1456 is still needed today”, the Ministry of Defence’s Parliamentary State Secretary, Szilárd Németh said on Sunday in Budapest on the anniversary of the famous Siege of Belgrade.
In his speech at the statue of János Hunyadi at Buda Castle following the midday ringing of the bells, which was originally introduced to commemorate the victory against the Ottoman Empire at the battle, Mr. Németh recalled: “At the time, Europe didn’t take the threat too seriously either, as a result of which the conquerors were able to advance without major resistance”. “The Hungarians recognised the danger, however”, he added.
According to the State Secretary it is a warning to the whole of Europe that the continent must not forget its history. “Europe will be lost if it does not protect its own borders and its Christian culture”, he said, adding: “The Hungarians believe in their culture and in their thousand-year traditions, and are ready to defend them again and again”.
In the 15th century the army of the Ottoman Empire was one of the strongest of the age with relation to its organisation and combat level. This army occupied Byzantium and the Kingdom of Serbia, after which it planned to occupy Nándorfehérvár, he emphasised.
“Since then the midday bells remind us of the fact that we succeeded in stopping the advancing Ottoman army and protecting Europe”, Mr. Németh added.
“The victory of Nándorfehérvár on 22 July 1456 was one of the greatest victories in Hungarian military history”, the State Secretary emphasised, stressing that: “the Battle of Nándorfehérvár is a triumph of Hungarian warfare and cooperation, one of the determining elements of our national identity, and also an example of the heroic defence of Hungarian and Christian values”.
“The patriotism, heroism and solidarity of the victorious participants of the Battle of Nándorfehérvár serve as an example not only for the Europe of the time, but also for today”, Mr. Németh said in his speech.
On 22 July 1456, the Christian Hungarian armies defending Nándorfehérvár (now Belgrade) were victorious against the forces of Turkish Sultan Mehmed II following a battle that lasted over two weeks, and as a result delayed the Ottoman Empire’s attempts to conquer Europe for a period of seventy years. Never before had a Christian army achieved a victory of this scale against the Sultan’s forces.
Parliament issued a degree on the Day of Remembrance for the Battle of Nándorfehérvár in 2011.
(MTI)
