Government official: ‘Europe must return to Judeo-Christian cultural roots’

Hungary must play a key role in that return by “protecting the flame, the hearth”, Zavogyan said, speaking at the three-day Sopron Picnic, named in homage of the 1989 Pan-European Picnic, as part of the opening ceremony of the “1,100 years in Europe, 20 years in the Union” programme.

“The fire must be fuelled by strong, sovereign nation-states, member states that protect the interests and safety of their citizens and their proud cultural traditions while respecting those of others,” the state secretary added.

Zavogyan said the 1,100 years in Europe programme series aims to raise awareness and promote in Hungary, and in Europe and the world “with how much value have Hungarians contributed to universal culture”.

The Petofi Cultural Agency (PKU) earlier said the Hungarian Heritage House, the National Institute of Culture, the National Centre for Circus Arts, the Hungarian National Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Dance Theatre and the National Film Institute would host events in Sopron as part of the programme series.