Speech of Prime Minister of the CR, Mirek Topolánek before Gala concert on the occasion of the Hungarian Republic on 23 October 2006

Ladies and gentlemen ...

This day is a great one for a proud nation. A nation which puts its freedom above everything else. It is a celebration of freedom, which our Central-European region has never got for free.

The world has changed since the Hungarian revolution. And believe me that I know what I am talking about – because I was born in 1956. It was you, our dear hosts, who were the first to light the torch of freedom in the communist camp. You lit the flame which, in twelve-year intervals, flashed over to other countries of the region. Budapest 1956, Prague 1968, Warsaw 1980 ... The circle closed symbolically when the nations of Central Europe, by then already enjoying freedom, met in Visegrad.

Mr. Deputy Chairman of the Senate has already evaluated at this place the importance of the revolution in 1956. I would like, if you permit me, to add a few observation and associations which occur to me on this great day.

It is impossible to fail associating the revolution of 1956 with the manifestations of the pride you take in your nation, which one sees, after crossing the Hungarian border, practically at every step. Respect for your history, your flag and state symbols. This is something that we, Czech, are still gradually learning form the Hungarians.

It is impossible to fail associating the Hungarian revolution with your perfectly functioning diplomacy making use of excellent relations, with Hungarian emigrants, who support your foreign policy goals in the respective countries of their residence. This is something that we silently envy envy you – and at the same time hope to use for our joint lobbying, leading to the abolition of visa duty in relation to the United States and other countries.

The third association crossed my mind on my sight-seeing tour of Budapest. The Parliament building, or the Millenium Memorial, with the pantheon of your monarchs and national leaders ... These are monuments of a nation which will never reconcile itself with subjugation without resistance – even at the cost of bloody sacrifice, at the cost that people will march against tanks practically with bare hands. Permit me to use this opportunity for expressing my profound and sincere admiration for the Hungarian nation.

As I said at the beginning, Europe has become transformed in the course of the half-century since the Hungarian revolution. But there are values which do not change. Desire for freedom, national pride, defence of the culture of one’s own country against imported barbarism are values for which we have to fight even today, when we no longer live in the shadow of totalitarianism. And only people who value their own selves, their freedom, have understanding for the freedom and national independence of others. This is what I personally regard as the bequest of the Hungarian revolution.

Thank you for attention, and for the opportunity you gave me to speak to you.