One of the biggest national holidays is celebrated today in Hungary. The 15 of March marks the beginning of the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence, which took place in 1848 and saw the Hungarians revolting against The Habsburg Empire.
Take a walk through the streets of Budapest and you will meet the heroes of those historic times. Names like Battyányi, Kossuth, Deák, Klauzál, Széchenyi, Eötvös, Eszterházy will pop up at every corner, street or square keeping the memories of these great statesman alive.
Budapest is famous for its wonderful coffee house culture: everybody knows about the magnificent Gerbeaud, Central or New York. But there is a minor place in a narrow street in the heart of Budapest that played an important part in the events of 1848. It is called Pilvax Coffee House and it was the meeting point of the revolutionary youth who are commemorated today.
On this notable day it is a tradition to wear a cockade, “kokárda” in Hungarian (pic), the symbol of the uprising on the left-hand side of your collar right above your heart.
Respect for the brave and happy holidays, Hungary !!
By Judit Covic (HU), leader of EUROPEA Editorial Group
