President Milanović Attends Opening Ceremony of “Veszprém-Balaton – European Capital of Culture“ Event

On Saturday evening the President of the Republic President Zoran Milanović attended together with the President of Hungary Katalin Novák the opening ceremony of the “Veszprém-Balaton – European Capital of Culture” event in the city of Veszprém. His participation at the opening ceremony concluded his two-day Official visit to Hungary where he arrived at the invitation of the Hungarian President. During his visit to Budapest he also met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

President Milanović addressed the gathering at the opening ceremony of Veszprém-Balaton – European Capital of Culture. His address follows in its entirety:

“Dear Madam President, dear Katalin,

Dear friends, dear residents of Veszprém and Bakony-Balaton region,

I am deeply honoured to have been invited to this festive day when Veszprém is officially becoming the European Capital of Culture.

Veszprém is one of oldest cities of Hungary and has played an exceptionally important role in your country’s history. This area was the first seat of the diocese, and is a very prominent University city. As I was reading about Veszprém, I learned that the first Hungarian King St. Stephen gifted this city to his wife Gisela – imagine giving a city as a gift to someone! Today, many centuries later, we are celebrating, so to say, some sort of gift giving: this year Hungary is giving to us in the European Union the gift of the European Capital of Culture!

The Capital of Culture is awarded in order to “highlight the cultural richness of member states, deepen the sense of belonging to a common cultural area among European citizens and thus spread better mutual understanding”. Furthermore, the goal of this project is to “develop awareness that the European cultural area is the result of a joint contribution by various states and cities”. This especially applies to Central Europe, I can say our Central Europe, which is marked by a complex history.

Usually such a complex history also leaves deep traces in culture. For subsequent generations, such traces are far more worthy objects of adoration than any other human endeavours. They show us that “there is a lot more uniting peoples in Europe than dividing them“.

As an example of common features of Croatia and Hungary, I proudly highlight Croatian linguist, inventor, engineer, diplomat and priest – bishop Faust Vrančić, who spent a significant part of his life in Hungary, in Veszprém to be precise. In 1579, he was appointed commander of the city of Veszprém and administrator of ecclesiastical property where he spent two years.

I am pleased that his biography has been recognized as an illustrative example of European spirit in this year’s European Capital of Culture programme. This is what enhances anyone who transcends the borders of their country with the knowledge of various languages, the limits of their mind with the development of their intellect, and who pushes the limits of their prejudices through dialogue with others.

In 1595 Vrančić compiled and printed the “Dictionary of the Five Most Noble Languages of Europe“ (Dictionarium quinque nomilissimarum Europæ linguarum) in which Hungarian and Croatian are on par with Latin, Italian and German. Let us not forget: it was the first dictionary both of the Croatian and of the Hungarian language.

In this spirit, Croatia was honoured when in late November 2022 Zagreb, as one of the first destinations in a series of international visits, hosted a delegation of the 2023 European Capital of Culture from the city of Veszprém and Bakony-Balaton region. A month earlier, Dubrovnik welcomed the delegation of Veszprém whose visit served to strengthen cultural, economic and tourist ties. Croatia looks forward to future cooperation between these two magnificent and cultural cities!

Just before the breakout of the pandemic in 2020, the Croatian city of Rijeka was the European Capital of Culture. The themes that Rijeka featured during its term were similar to the regional approach adopted by the city of Veszprém.

I am pleased that in the scope of the planned events there will be an opportunity to underline the climate challenges that Lake Balaton and its vicinity face.

Croatia and Hungary are both aware of the fact that climate challenges pose a problem for our economies as well. The “health” and success of our economies depend largely on the health of our countries’ ecosystems.

Therefore, this is a great opportunity for such issues to be highlighted in a cultural context in order to additionally make our citizens aware of the natural riches that can easily be lost if we do not take prompt action. I hope we will successfully overcome climate challenges that have become a burning issue in the past several years.

I use this opportunity to underline that in my talks with Madam President Katalin Novák yesterday and today, I expressed a wish that as many Croatian tourists as possible visit Hungary, especially the city of Veszprém and Bakony-Balaton region. Indeed I hope Croatian tourists will take advantage of this occasion to visit this beautiful area. At the same time, I invite our Hungarian friends to keep coming to Croatia where we welcome you with pleasure.

I was delighted to visit your lovely country. I am exceptionally pleased with the official talks and, Madam President, thank you once again for your hospitality.

Our two countries and our two peoples share a long common history. I am satisfied with the bilateral relations between Croatia and Hungary and the fact that we are friendly and allied countries today. I am confident that this visit will additionally strengthen our relations.

It was a pleasure to have had an opportunity to meet and hold discussions with the Croatian minority during my visit. Our minorities are a strong bond between our two states.

Dear hosts and dear friends, dear residents of this city and this region, thank you for your hospitality and congratulations on the successful opening ceremony of the 2023 European Capital of Culture Veszprém-Balaton. I wish you much success in your future projects and programmes that will take place during the entire year.

Good luck and all the best!

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić