The President pays a private visit to Transylvania

President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok visited Marosvásárhely, Gyimesfelsőlok and Gyimesbükk on the first day of his private visit to Transylvania.

In Marosvásárhely, the Head of State visited the House of Transylvanian Traditions, in Gyimesfelsőlok he was received at the St. Elisabeth of the Árpád House Roman Catholic Theological Lyceum, and in Gyimesbükk he met with Father József Solomon at the Parish of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

After a visit to the House of Traditions in Marosvásárhely, Tamás Sulyok held informal talks with President László Kelemen, Ferenc Péter, President of the Maros County Council, Acting Mayor Levente Kovács Mihály and Attila Csibi, Executive Director of the local branch of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania RMDSZ.

Tamás Sulyok was welcomed by Father Lajos Berszán, the founder of the school, at the St. Elisabeth of the House of Árpád Roman Catholic Theological Lyceum in Gyimesfelsőlok. The Hungarian Head of State was then given the opportunity to learn about the history of the Lyceum, which was founded in 1993, through a play performed by the students in the school's chapel.

At the ceremony, the President of Hungary said that since his childhood he has felt that it is good to be Hungarian, it is good to love God, but it was in Gyimesfelsőlok, at the St. Elisabeth Lyceum of the House of Árpád, that he felt the power of the community and the Almighty perhaps most strongly. 

In answer to questions from the students, the Head of State said that the most important guidance in choosing a vocation is the Lord's intention. If the individual has the answer to this question, and if their diligence is combined with faith, everything is much easier from there.

In response to a question, he said that his favourite book is School on the Border by Géza Ottlik, because his years in the army were also formative for his life.

Tamás Sulyok emphasized that it is a good feeling and inspiring to be among students and young people, as it is easy and sincere to communicate with them. When asked what motivates him in his work, he highlighted that waking up to a new day is always motivating — every day holds a secret to be uncovered, and at the end of the day, it's worth reflecting on whether he succeeded. He added that for him, family, friends, and kindred spirits are the greatest sources of motivation.

On his Transylvanian attachment, he said he first visited Transylvania in 2000 and has been returning regularly since then, because he has always felt he belonged.

After the talk, he was presented with a Csángó bag made by the students, looked at the graduation class photo boards and met the school's teachers.

At the end of the visit, the Head of State took to the court against the school's basketball team. The friendly match between Budapest and Gyimesfelsőlok was won by the Hungarians. 

The President of Hungary also attended the Pentecost celebrations and Holy Mass in Csíksomlyó.

On the morning of his departure, the president visited the Pilgrimage Church of Csíksomlyó, where he was received by Sándor Tímár P. Aztrik, Ordo Fratrum Minorum, and director of the Pilgrimage Church. The Head of State and the First Lady led the pilgrimage on foot to the Hármashalom Altar on the mountain ridge, where they attended the Pentecost Holy Mass - one of the most important religious events of the entire Hungarian nation. 

President Tamás Sulyok paid a visit to Parajd, which was hit by a mining disaster.

"I would like to express the solidarity of the entire Hungarian nation here in Parajd, the people living here can count on us in everything," President Tamás Sulyok said at a press conference at the entrance to the mine in Parajd on Sunday.

The Head of State stressed that when a community loses hope in the future overnight, it is in deep trouble. And what has happened here directly affects the people, who are afraid of not having drinking water, losing their homes, their jobs and all the hope they had for life here," he added.

Tamás Sulyok thanked Hungarian Interchurch Aid for being in Parajd from the very beginning. He said that he himself had allocated immediate emergency aid to the most needy through the charity.

In Nyergestető, the President inaugurated a headstone in memory of Sándor Gál and his soldiers, who died heroically in 1849. The monument was made by the woodcarver Antal Balázs. At the ceremony, the Head of State recalled: Nyergestető is an iconic place for Hungarians, and added that he wished to express the feeling and the belief on behalf of all Hungarians that the example of the heroes speaks for all of us. 

"May their glory endure forever, as long as Hungarians live", Tamás Sulyok stressed.

Following the Catholic mass in Kézdiszentlélek, Tamás Sulyok said in his speech that the renewal of a community requires, above all, that we live in unity — with one another, with ourselves, and with the nation as a whole, across all borders.

The Head of State stressed that for him, the Feast of Pentecost has always been a convincing expression of unity. We can experience this unity year after year on the Saturday of Pentecost, when the Hungarians of the world traditionally meet at the Somlyó Mountain Pass.

Unity and rebirth are the grace of Pentecost," the Head of State pointed out, adding that he believes that all of this it is also up to us. "The Holy Spirit helps us to overcome difficult times and helps us to find joy, peace and love of life. And we can always count on each other for that," he stressed.

The President conveyed the good wishes and greetings of millions of Hungarians, adding that at a time when this region is experiencing devastating floods, the local people can count on Hungary.

The President of Hungary then visited Illyefalva, where he visited the headquarters of the Christian Youth and Deaconry Foundation and laid flowers of remembrance at the statue of Mór Jókai, born 200 years ago.