On the 551^st anniversary of the Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) Battle of 1456

DANUBE DAY CEREMONIAL CONCERT

on the 22^nd of July 2007,
 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, not far from the international port. 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.

Fought by the allied European Christian forces on 12^th - 22^nd July in 1456, the victorious Battle of Nándorfehérvár (today Belgrade, Serbia) is a special historical event equally dear to the hearts of people living in the countries alongside the Danube River, as well as in the neighbouring countries. A memorable event in global history, this battle has been commemorated also by non-Hungarians living in other continents, sometimes quite unconsciously, for the past six centuries, through the midday tolling of bells. In memory of the victory, Pope Calistus III adopted the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ for the universal church on the 6th August in 1457. Saint John Capistrano, one of the heroes of the Nándorfehérvár Battle, is worshipped in Catholic shrines even outside Europe. The name "Danube Day Celebration" is symbolic in many respects, as programs on this day aim to commemorate a significant event in history, as well as display the legacy of peoples, religious and cultural communities today, and the important memories of protecting nature and the environment.

Program on Saturday, 22^nd July

In the Main Paris Church on Március 15 Square

7:30 pm

Valentin Cseh

The Fortress of Nándorfehérvár in 1456

(slide-show presentation)

8:00 pm

Ceremonial concert

Zoltán Kodály

"ORGANOEIDA" and "QUIET MASS FOR ORGAN"

Georg Friedrich Händel

"FIREWORKS" - suite

Performed by the Franz Liszt Prize winning Budapest Brass Quintet
and András Virágh, Liszt Prize winning organ player

Master of the Ceremony: TAMÁS ZELINKA

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Tickets are available:
at Ticket Express (06-30-30-30-99), Cultur-Comfort Central Ticket Office (322-00-00), Rózsavölgyi Ticket Office (266-8337),  MATÁV (302-3841), Music Academy (342-0179), ÓMT (331-6947), at the venue, and in other known ticket offices.

 THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED