Danube Day 2009

Danube Day Celebration

Wednesday, 22^nd July 2009

Marking the 553^rd anniversary of the Battle of Belgrade-Nándorfehérvár in 1456

9.⁰⁰ a.m.	Gathering at Eötvös tér (at Chain Bridge) and Március 15 tér (at Elisabeth Bridge) under the banners of John Hunyadi and St. John of Capistran
10.⁰⁰ a.m.	March to the Vigadó rakpart (embankment) evoking the one-time march of the forces of John Hunyadi and St. John of Capistran to liberate Belgrade - Nándorfehérvár
10.³⁰ a.m.	Commemoration ceremony and wreath-laying in honour of those fallen in the battle, the shipmen and the casualties of the river. - Welcoming remarks - Official remarks by H. E. the Ambassador of Serbia (planned) - Kecskes Ensemble recites medieval music - Poems - Psalm and folk songs - Prayer of the shihpmen's
11.³⁰ a.m.	Blessing and prayer. Representatives of the historic religious communities in Hungary confer blessing and convey prayer for those who died in the battle, the shipmen, the victims of the river and those with river related work
12.⁰⁰ a.m.	Guests invited to attend the commemoration and the wreath-laying ceremony include the representatives of main churches in Hungary, as well as ambassadors and delegates of countries along the Danube - Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro and Ukraine - along with allies, who fought in the battle together – Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Slovenia and the Holy See, and the one-time adversary now friend: Turkey. We pay tribute to all those fighting in the battle by presenting the national flag of each country represented. Crew members on board the historical ship on the river lay the national wreaths and flowers on the river while bells toll at midday and cannons fire 12 rounds of salute.
4.⁰⁰ p.m.	Chess on multiple boards at Március 15 tér (square).
6.⁰⁰ p.m.	Commemoration mass in the Belvárosi Főplébánia Templom (Budapest Downtown Main Parish Church) The Downtown Main Parish Church is the oldest church in Budapest. It is located at the Március 15 tér (square) on the Pest side of the Danube near 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 has been restored to provide 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 inside.
8.⁰⁰ p.m.	"To celebrate the victory big fires of joy were set and gratitude masses were held all over Europe" Bonfire and folk dance evening inviting the public to dance on Március 15 tér (square).

Accompanying events scheduled for the Danube Day Celebration

EXHIBITION
on July 22 - The History of Belgrade-Nándorfehérvár,
Remembering John Hunyadi and St. John of Capistran.

CONCERT
on July 26 - at 7.³⁰ pm - Danube Celebration Concert "Woce Solenne" with Zsuzsanna Mezzo Soprano and Andras Virag, on Organ,
in the Március 15 tér (square) in the Belvárosi Főplébánia Templom (Budapest Downtown Main Parish Church)

TOURS ON THE RIVER
July 2 – 22. Tokaj - Belgrade/Nándorfehérvár Rowing Tour of the river Tisza, departing on July 3 at 9:00 a.m. from the rail bridge in Tokaj .
(For registration contact Janos Varga at 06-30-327-0990
if dialling from abroad: 00-36-30-327-0990)

International Danube Rowing Tour, departing on June 27 from Ingolstadt. In Hungary on July 19-21-25. Arrives in Silistra on August 29.

THEME CRUISE SERVICE ON THE DANUBE
on July 22 on a model Rome-age ship between Elisabeth Bridge and Árpád Bridge

TOWNS AND VILLAGES FROM HUNGARY AND ABROAD CELEBRATE TOGETHER