Danube Day 2006

On the 550^th anniversary of the Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) Battle of 1456

Tentative programs of

the Danube Day Celebration

between the Chainbridge and Elisabeth Bridge

on 22^nd July 2006

In the morning	Handicraft Show and Fair at the Chainbridge on the Pest Promenade
	The programs of the fair include old music and traditional Hungarian folk music and dance shows, theatre performances, jousts and sideshows. (The participants include: Kecskés Ensemble, Budavári Old Music Ensemble, Garabonciás Ensemble, Sültü Ensemble, Mathias Rex Society, SAGA, Durandal - from the Czech Republic, Kincső - from Slovakia, Örögborda - from Romania, Koderki - from Poland, stiltwalkers and flag corps)
9.⁰⁰ a.m	Gathering on Squares 'Március 15.' and 'Eötvös' under the banners flag of Hunyadi and Saint Capistrano.
10.⁰⁰ a.m.	Procession to 'Vigadó' Embankment
	Evoking the one-time march of Hunyadi's and Capistran's forces to liberate Nándorfehérvár
10.³⁰ a.m.	Commemoration ceremony and wreath-laying in honour of those fallen in the battle, the shipmen, the watermen and the casualties of the river.
	Invited to the commemoration ceremony, the wreath-laying and the ecumenical service are the representatives of the mainstream churches in Hungary as well as the ambassadors and delegations of the Danube Basin countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Serbia-Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and the allied states fighting the battle together: the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Vatican, Italy and the former enemy: Turkey. Tribute will be paid to the participants of the battle with their national flags.
at noon	The crew of a medieval sloop reconstructed in Tata, Corvinus, will place wreaths and flowers on the water by the chime of the midday bells and the salute of cannons
Following the salute	Ceremonial flag march along the 'Promenade' up to the Downtown Main Parish Church.
0.³⁰ p.m.	Ecumenical service and consecration of a memorial monument in the Budapest Downtown Main Parish Church (Belvárosi Főplébániatemplom)
	The Downtown Main Parish Church is the oldest church in Budapest. It is located on the Március 15 Square on the Pest side of the River Danube near the Elizabeth Bridge, next to the ruins of a Roman riverside fortress. It was in this church in 1541 that the Sultan Suleyman declared the city of Pest a part of the Turkish Empire. The church was later used as a Turkish Mosque. The church, which was eventually restored to its original function, displays today architectural features of the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque times. A unique treasure of the church today is an original Muslim mihrab preserved with a Turkish inscription.
4.⁰⁰ p.m.	A commedia dell’arte performance by the Durandal Ensemble from Ostrava - Cz
5.⁰⁰ p.m	Performance by the Kincső Ensemble, then FOLK DANCING
	Gala concert in the Budapest Downtown Main Parish Church, Március 15 Square, District 5, Budapest
7.³⁰ p.m	István Tringli: Nándorfehérvár 1456
8.⁰⁰ p.m	"LET ME NEVER BE CONFOUNDED!"
	Alajos Tamás: the Nándorfehérvár 1456 oratorio, and Rezső Sugár: Heroic Song - selections Featuring: The Budapest Choir, the Capistran Choir and the Monarchy Symphonic Orchestra Anna Herczenik - soprano, Kornélia Bakos - alto, László Jekl - baritone, Ferenc Korpás - bass, János Prevoz - tenor, István Szennai - tenor, Conductor: András Virágh, Liszt Prize winner artist

Tentative accompanying programs

for 20^th-23^rd July

EXHIBITION
The History of Hungarian Shipping on 21^st - 23^rd July

OPEN MARKET
Handicraft Show and Fair on 20^th - 23^rd July

OLD MUSIC
performances and other spectacular shows - Kecskés Ensemble, Old Music of Buda Castle, Garabonciás Orchestra, wooden-leg-walkers, flag-holders

GASTRONOMY
Danube Day Fish Cooking Contest on Sunday, 23^rd July,
Danube Day Flavoured with Tastes: the cooking art of different regions of Hungary on 17^th - 23^rd July

CONCERT ON THE DANUBE-BANK
Danube Bank Ceremonial Concerts on Sunday, the 23^rd of July,
the 150^th anniversary of its first performance,
Ferenc Liszt's ESZTERGOM MASS
Featuring: Etelka Csavlek, Kornélia Bakos, András Molnár, Máté Szécsi, András Gábor Virágh,
the Budapest Choir, the Downtown Main Parish Church Choir, Conductor: András Virágh, Liszt Prize winner artist

CONTESTS
Fishing Competition, on Sunday, 23^rd July,
Dragonship Competition, on Sunday, 23^rd July

DANUBE RIVER SHOWS
and water pageants from 22^rd to 23^rd July

THEME CRUISE SERVICE
between Elisabeth Bridge and Árpád Bridge and to the Danube bend on 21^rd - 23^rd

TOWNS AND VILLAGES FROM HUNGARY AND ABROAD CELEBRATE TOGETHER

water police celebrations (the River Tisza at Szolnok, Lake Balaton at Siófok, the River Danube at Budapest)
the Budapest districts and towns and villages situated along the Danube celebrate together