Beautiful Egypt 120 – «King Stephen» – August 16, 2015

   Egypt and Hungary have always been on good terms. In fact, Corvinus University, a renowned academic institution, awarded President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi an honorary doctorate in tribute of his political and military efforts. The Rector, Prof. Dr. András Lánczi, pointed out that the university awarded this degree to President al-Sisi as a mark of acknowledgement for his person, as well as his efforts to develop Egypt culturally, scientifically, and economically, emphasizing that this was the first time the university awards an honorary doctorate to a foreign president. This took place during the president’s first visit to the Republic of Hungary on June, 2015.

   Within this context, President Sisi made it a point that the certificate is expressive of the cooperation between the two countries, especially in the scientific field. In fact, the Hungarian government offered Egypt 100 academic grants. Both President Sisi and the Hungarian Premier signed a joint statement and a memorandum of understanding in several fields, such as, railways, security, health, water resources management, cities management techniques, and technical education.

Geography

   Hungary is located in the Central Europe; it is surrounded by Slovakia northwards, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania eastwards, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia southwards, and Austria westwards.

   Hungary does not overlook any sea. It has a versatile geographic nature: with its plateaus and low mountains on the Slovakian border, flat plains as well as steep ones sloping from the Carpathian Basin. The Danube runs through Hungary, splitting it into an Eastern and a Western part. Likewise, the Tisza and Drava rivers flow through the country.

History

   Hungary was inhabited by several states and kingdoms. An example of these is the Roman province, aka. Pannonia which was part of the Roman Empire from the ninth century B.C. to the end of the fourth century A.D. Then, the Huns migrated to that region to establish a powerful empire after which perishing Germanic tribes, such as, the Goths, Lombards, and the Avars settled in the Carpathian Basin.

   The name Hungary dates back to the early medieval era when the Huns settled in Pannonia in 895 A.D. They were led by Prince Árpád. Ever since, the rulers of Hungary were called after the Árpádian ancestry. The kingdom of Hungary developed immensely during the medieval era. It converted to Christianity in the tenth century A.D.  It was one of the cultural centers of the West.

Saint Stephen

   After a long conflict with his uncle Koppány, Saint Stephen, aka, Stephen I became the first king of Hungary. Stephen was born in Esztergom round 967-975. At his birth, he was given the pagan name Vajk. Stephen was the Grand Prince of the Hungarians who is considered the founder of the Hungarian Empire. During his tenure, he secured the country. Also, Hungary became Catholic. King Stephen died on August 15, 1038. Stephen and his son, Emeric, were declared saints by Pope Gregory VII on August 20, 1083. This became a national holiday in which Hungary celebrates the founding of the state.

Hungary’s Holy Crown

   Hungary considered King Stephen’s crown that of his successors. It was called the Holy Crown of Hungary. Kings continued to wear it during their coronation ceremonies until the twelfth century A.D. for the king of Hungary to be considered legitimate.

The Ottoman Colonialism

   As the power of Ottoman Empire increased in the sixteenth century, the Ottomans invaded several lands in the Balkans. On August 29, 1526, the Battle of Mohács broke out between the Ottomans led by Solomon the Magnificent and Hungary led by Louis II. The Ottomans emerged victorious, only to overwhelm Hungary and seize its capital Budapest. Thus, Hungary became an Ottoman province for a century and a half. After the Ottoman rule over Hungary came to an end, a state comprising Hungary and Austria was established. It was a major power known by the name Austro-Hungarian Empire.

World War I

   World War I broke out in Europe in 1914. The contending powers were split in two factions: the Allied Nations, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Russia and the Axis: the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman State, and the Tsardom of Bulgaria. This war broke out as a result of a diplomatic crisis that led the Austro-Hungarian Empire to declare war on the kingdom of Serbia after the assassination of Austria’s heir apparent, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his spouse, by a Serbian student, Gavrilo Princip. This took place during their visit to Sarajevo on June, 1914. This led to the appearance of international alliances amongst the world’s nations. By the end of the war, the German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian Empires vanished from existence. Also, Hungary lost about 70% of her lands, as the Treaty of Trianon penalized Hungary for its role in World War I.

World War II

   Hungary was one of the Axis nations during World War II. It participated in invading Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union. Yet, it entered peace negotiations with the United States of America and the United Kingdom, which Hitler considered treason. Thus, the German troops attacked Hungary in 1944 and occupied it. However, it regained its freedom later.

Communism in Hungary

   When the Russians liberated Hungary from the Nazis, they overwhelmed the country, which is why Communism was transferred there. In effect, Hungary became a Soviet province from 1947 to 1989.

   The Hungarian revolution was led by students and workers. The Soviets sent their troops who were fiercely resisted and defeated by the protesters. No sooner had Communism fell than Hungary was transformed to a non-stop revolution: for Hungarians carried weapons for self-defense. Workers went on strike. The Hungarians emerged victorious and the country became the “Republic of Hungary”. It is one of the economic powers, and is a member of the NATO and the European Union.

Touristic Sites in Hungary

   Whoever visits Hungary can never miss the artistic and architectural monuments that fill its cities. The capital Budapest is one of the main touristic sites. The Danube flows through it, dividing the city into two part, namely, Buda and Pest. They are linked by nine bridges which the most important is the Chain.

The Relations between Egypt and Hungary

   Egypt and Hungary are on quite good terms: on the people’s as well as the government’s levels. Pázmány Péter Catholic University awarded reposed Pope Shenouda III an honorary doctorate on August 19, 2011.

Dr. Margaret Toth

   Dr. Margaret Toth, head of Folk Music Department at the Anthropology Museum in Budapest University, played a crucial role in documenting the tunes of St. Basil’s Liturgy with late Dr. Raghib Muftah. She laid the music score of this liturgy. Her experience started in Budapest in 1968. She came to Cairo in 1970 to work with Dr. Muftah. Due to her experience with the Hungarian musical system, she utilized the institute’s recordings in making a meticulous music score for the rituals of St. Basil’s Liturgy. This was published by the AUX within the context of perpetual cooperation between Pope Shenouda III, Mark Linz director of the AUC Press, Dr. Martha Roy and Dr. Margaret Toth.

   The Hungarian government presented a painting to the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center as a token of appreciation and continuous cooperation between Egypt and Hungary which is a great story. Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center