National Day Saudi Arabia - Sep 23
Following the unification of the Kingdoms of Hejaz and Nejd, the new state was named al-Mamlakah al-ʻArabīyah as-Suʻūdīyah by royal decree on 23 September 1932 by its founder, King Abdul Aziz Al Saud. This is normally translated as "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" in English, although it literally means "the Saudi Arab Kingdom". The word "Saudi" is derived from the element as-Suʻūdīyah in the Arabic name of the country, which is a type of adjective known as a nisba, formed from the dynastic name of Al Saud. Its inclusion indicated that the country's ruler viewed it as the personal possession of the royal family. Al Saud is an Arabic name formed by adding the word Al, meaning "family of" or "House of", to the personal name of an ancestor. In the case of the Al Saud, this is the father of the dynasty's 18th century founder, Muhammad bin Saud (Muhammad, son of Saud).
It is indeed among the most significant events of the 20th century and symbolizes the genesis of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Celebrated on the 23rd of September each year, the National Day in Saudi Arabia represents the identity of the nation and is greatly associated with the unification of the country by the late King Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman alFaisal al-Saud in the year1932. In the words of the Minister of Culture and Information of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Dr Fouad Al Farsy "it (National Day in Saudi Arabia) marks the start of the greatest political and social changes the region has ever witnessed". The day imbibes all the Customs and Traditions in Saudi Arabia and signifies the true spirit of the Saudi Arabian nation. National Day of Saudi Arabia is truly one of the major events among all the Saudi Arabia Festivals and Events Saudi Arabia's National Day laid the foundation of the nation and its constitution. The Islamic Sharia, was formally accepted as the country's constitution. The Saudi Arabian nation came into existence and Saudi Arabia saw an immense growth in all fields. Based on the principals of Arabic solidarity, Islamic jurisprudence, economic progress, the nation witnessed phenomenal growth and security. The National Day of Saudi Arabia is a day for jubilation and merry making, and also symbolizes the rich Culture of Saudi Arabia.
Autumnal Equinox Day Japan - Sep 23
Autumnal Equinox Day (秋分の日 Shūbun no hi) is one of the public holidays in Japan that usually occurs on September 22 or 23, at the date of autumnal equinox in Japan Standard Time(autumnal equinox can occur on different dates for different timezones). Due to the necessity of recent astronomical measurements, the date of the holiday is not declared official until February of the previous year. Autumnal Equinox Day became a public holiday on 1948. In 1947 and before, it was the date of Shūki kōreisai ( 秋季皇霊祭), an event relating to Shintoism. Like other holidays, this holiday was repackaged as a non-religious holiday for the sake of separation of religion and state in Japan's postwar constitution.
Whalers operated off New Caledonia during the nineteenth century. Sandalwood traders were welcome but as supplies of sandalwood diminished, the traders became abusive. The Europeans brought new diseases such as smallpox, measles, dysentery, influenza, syphilis, and leprosy. Many people died as a result of these diseases. Tensions developed into hostilities, and in 1849 the crew of the American ship Cutter were killed and eaten by the Pouma clan. As trade in sandalwood declined, it was replaced by a new form of trade, “Blackbirding”. Blackbirding was a euphemism for enslaving people from New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, New Hebrides, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands to work in sugar cane plantations in Fiji and Queensland. The trade ceased at the start of the twentieth century. The victims of this trade were called Kanakas, a label later shortened to Kanak and adopted by the indigenous population after the French annexation. New Caledonia was made a French possession in late 1853, a part of an attempt by Napoleon III to rival the British colonies in Australia and New Zealand. Auguste Febvrier Despointes led the expedition that seized the island. Following the example set by the United Kingdom in parts of nearby Australia, France sent a total of 22,000 convicted felons to penal colonies along the south-west coast of New Caledonia between 1864 and 1922. This number included regular criminals as well as political prisoners such as Parisian socialists and Kabyle nationalists. Towards the end of the penal colony era, free European settlers (including former convicts) and Asian contract workers by far outnumbered the population of forced workers. The indigenous Kanak populations declined drastically in that same period due to introduced diseases and an apartheid-like system called Code de l’Indigénat which imposed severe restrictions on their livelihood, freedom of movement and land ownership.
Celebrations On the September 24 every year, a parade is held in New Caledonia to mark the day when it became as overseas
Territory of France and Admiral Despointes took possession of New Caledonia for France. Other than parade, various events are held mainly in the glamorous capital of New Caledonia.
Kamarampaka Day Rwanda - Sep 25
Kamarampaka Day commemorates the anniversary of the abolition of the monarchy in 1961 and is marked yearly with the National Assembly. Rwanda is know as the “Land of the Thousand Hills” because of the numerous hills, peaks and valleys.
History In 1918, Rwanda was mandated by Belgium which implemented
Grito de Lares Puerto Rico - Sep 23
El Grito de Lares (The Cry of Lares)—also referred as the Lares uprising, the Lares revolt, Lares rebellion or even Lares Revolution—was the first major revolt against Spanish rule and call for independence in Puerto Rico. The short-lived revolt, planned by Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis and carried out by various revolutionary cells established in Puerto Rico, occurred on September 23, 1868, and began in the town of Lares, Puerto Rico.
of direct rule of the country which caused friction among the tribes of Rwanda. Kamarampaka is a referendum in Rwandan politics that defined if Rwanda was going to develop a Republican political structure or a monarchy political structure. In 1962, under Prime Minister Gregoire Kayibanda became an independent Republic. In 1973, Major General Juvenal Habyarimana ousted the repressive Kayibanda regime and over the next couple decades Rwanda’s political situation became ever more complicated. The same year brought a society security program providing old-age benefits and workers’ compensation, but was proved to be ineffective. The attempt showed the determination of establishing a modern-day country. While 1962 remains a far distance memory for the Rwanda population, it was an important date in the country’s history none-the-less.
Celebrations Food and alcohol consumption is very common special occasions – full meals are never served. For example, a
for revolt Seeds In the 1860s, the government of Spain was involved in several
conflicts across Latin America. It became involved in a war with Peru and Chile, and had to address slave revolts in Cuba. Puerto Rico and Cuba also suffered at the time a severe economic crisis due to increasing tariffs and taxes imposed by a mercantilist Spain on most import and export goods—the Spanish crown badly needed these funds to subsidize its troops in an effort to regain control of the Dominican Republic. In the mid 19th century in Puerto Rico, many supporters of independence from Spain and others who simply called for liberal reforms were jailed or exiled. However, in 1865 Spain attempted to appease the growing discontent of the citizens of its remaining colonies in the continent by setting up a board of review that would receive complaints from representatives of the colonies and attempt to adjust legislation that affected them. This board, the "Junta Informativa de Reformas de Ultramar" (Overseas Informative Reform Board) would be formed by representatives of each colony, in proportion to their collective population, and would meet in Madrid. The Junta would report to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emilio Castelar. The Puerto Rican delegation was freely elected by those eligible to vote (male Caucasian property owners), in a rare exercise of political openness in the colony. Segundo Ruiz Belvis was elected to the Junta representing Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, something that horrified the then governor general of the island. To the frustration of the Puerto Rican delegates, including their leader, José Julián Acosta, the Junta had a majority of Spanish-born delegates, which would vote down almost every measure they suggested. However, Acosta could convince the Junta that abolition could be achieved in Puerto Rico without disrupting the local economy (including its Cuban members, who frowned upon implementing it in Cuba because of its much higher numbers of slave labor). Once he became prime minister in 1870, Castelar did approve an abolition bill, praising the efforts of the Puerto Rico members, sincerely moved by Acosta's arguments. However, beyond abolition, proposals for autonomy were voted down, as were other petitions to limit the unlimited power the governor general would have upon virtually all aspects of life in Puerto Rico. Once the Junta members returned to Puerto Rico, they met with local community leaders in a famed meeting at the Hacienda El Cacao in Carolina, Puerto Rico in early 1865. Ramón Emeterio Betances, who supported independence from Spain and had been exiled by the Spanish government twice by that time, was invited by Ruiz and did attend. After listening to the Junta members' list of voted-down measures, Betances stood up and retorted: "Nadie puede dar lo que no tiene" (You can't give away what you don't have.), a phrase that he would constantly use through the rest of his life when referring to Spain's unwillingness to grant Puerto Rico or Cuba any reforms. He would then suggest setting up a revolt and proclaim independence as soon as possible. Many of the meeting's attendants sided with Betances, to Acosta's horror. Frustrated by the lack of political and economic freedom, and enraged by the continuing repression on the island, an armed rebellion was staged by the pro-independence movement soon after.
Rebellion
Planning stage:
The Lares uprising, commonly known as the "Grito de Lares" occurred on September 23, 1868, but was planned well before that date by a group led by Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, who on January 6, 1868 founded the "Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico" (Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico) from their exile in the Dominican Republic. Betances authored several "Proclamas" or statements attacking the exploitation of the Puerto Ricans by the Spanish colonial system and called for immediate insurrection. These statements soon circulated throughout the island as local dissident groups began to organize. That same year, poetess Lola Rodríguez de Tió, inspired by Ramón Emeterio Betances's quest for Puerto Rico's independence, wrote the patriotic lyrics to the existing tune of La Borinqueña. Secret cells of the Revolutionary Committee were established in Puerto Rico by Mathias Brugman, Mariana Bracetti and Manuel Rojasbringing together members from all sectors of society, to include landowners, merchants, professionals, peasants, and slaves. Most were "criollos" (born on the island). The critical state of the economy, along with the increasing repression imposed by the Spanish, served as José Julián Acosta catalysts for the rebellion. The stronghold of the movement were towns located on the mountains of the west of the island. On September 20, Francisco Ramírez Medina held a meeting at his house in which the insurrection was planned and set to begin in Camuyon September 29. The meeting was attended by Marcelino Vega, Carlos Martínez, Bonifacio Agüero, José Antonio Hernández, Ramón Estrella, Bartolomé González, Cesilio López, Antonio Santiago, Manuel Ramírez, Ulises Cancela. Cancela instructed Manuel María González to deliver all of the acts and important papers in regard to the meeting to Manuel Rojas.Template:Unreliabe source On the night of September 19 a Spanish captain stationed in Quebradillas, Juan Castañón, overheard two cell members commenting that on September 29 the troop at Camuy would be neutralized by poisoning the bread rations. Given the fact that September 29 would be a holiday for most laborers, simultaneous uprisings would occur, beginning with the cell in Camuy, and following with the ones in various other points; reinforcements would come in through a ship, "El Telégrafo", and the cells would be reinforced by more than 3,000 mercenaries. Castañón and his men then entered González's residence and confiscated the documents of Medina's meeting and alerted his commanding officer in Arecibo. The cell leaders at the Lanzador del Norte cell in Camuy were soon arrested. The rebels decided to move up the date of the revolution after the authorities on the island discovered the plan.
Proclamation of the Republic of Puerto Rico:
It was then agreed to first strike at the town of Lares on September 24. Some 400–600 rebels gathered on that day in the hacienda of Manuel Rojas, located in the vicinity of Pezuela, on the outskirts of Lares. Poorly trained and armed, the rebels reached the town by horse and foot around midnight. They looted local stores and offices owned by "peninsulares" (Spanish-born men) and took over the city hall. Spanish merchants and local government authorities, considered by the rebels to be enemies of the fatherland, were taken as prisoners. The revolutionaries then entered the town's church and placed the revolutionary flag knitted by Bracetti on the High Altar. The flag was divided in the middle by a white Latin cross, the two lower corners were red and the two upper corners were blue. A white star was placed in the upper left blue corner. According to Puerto Rican poet Luis Llorens Torres the white cross on it stand for the yearning for homeland redemption; the red squares, the blood poured by the heroes of the rebellion and the white star in the blue solitude square, stands for liberty and freedom. By placing the flag on the High Altar, the revolutionists were giving a sign that the revolution had begun. The Republic of Puerto Rico was proclaimed at (2:00 am local time) under the presidency of Francisco Ramírez Medina at the church and the revolutionaries offered free- Roman Catholic Church of dom to the slaves who joined them. Lares and Monument to the
Grito at the Plaza de la Rev-
Some 475 rebels, among them Manuel Rojas and Mariana Bracetti were olución imprisoned in Arecibo. On November 17, a military court imposed the death penalty, for treason and sedition, on all the prisoners. Meanwhile, in Madrid, Eugenio María de Hostos and other prominent Puerto Ricans were successful in interceding with President Francisco Serrano, who had himself just led a revolution against the monarchy in Spain. In an effort to appease the already tense atmosphere on the island, the incoming governor, José Laureano Sanz, dictated a general amnesty early in 1869 and all prisoners were released. Betances, Rojas, Lacroix, Aurelio Méndez, and many more were sent into exile. Juan Ríus Rivera, who as a young man, met and befriended Betances, had joined the pro-independence movement in the island. He became a member of the Mayagüez revolutionary cell "Capá Prieto" under the command of Brugman. Ríus, who had not participated directly in the revolt because at the time he was studying law in Spain, was an avid reader about information pertaining to theAntilles and learned about the failed revolt. He interrupted his studies and traveled to the United States where immediately went to the Cuba Revolutionary "Junta" and offered his services. Juan Ríus Rivera went to Cuba and became the Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Liberation Army of the west after General Antonio Maceo's death. Mariana Bracetti moved to the town of Añasco, where she died in 1903.
Aftermath
Even though the revolt in itself failed, its overall outcome was positive, since Spain granted more political autonomy to the island. Spanish journalist José Pérez Morís (sometimes credited incorrectly as Perez Morris) wrote an extensive book against the Grito and its participants that, while biased heavily against them, served as the most accurate account of the events from an historical perspective. From an ideological standpoint, Pérez's editorializations are still widely used by opponents of Puerto Rican independence to denounce what they perceive as the over-glorification of a minor revolt. However, studies published recently point out that the Grito had far more sympathizers—and its logistics were more widespread within Puerto Rico—than the event's duration suggested. During the years immediately following the Grito, there were minor pro-independence protests and skirmishes with the Spanish authorities in Las Marías, Adjuntas, Utuado, Vieques, Bayamón, Ciales and Toa Baja (Palo Seco). Historians also point to the length of Pérez's comments versus his actual reporting of events in his book as a clue: had the event really been the minor revolt he asserted it to be, it would not deserve such an extensive, negative treatment.
The Grito de Lares as a holiday:
Commemorating the Grito de Lares as a holiday was outlawed by both Spanish and American. authorities in Puerto Rico, during different time periods. The Spanish prohibition lasted until its colonial rule over Puerto Rico formally ended in 1899. Consequently, besides minor yearly events by the people of Lares celebrated afterwards, General Juan Ríus the Grito was almost forgotten by most people. However, pro-independence support- Rivera ers such as José de Diego and Luis Lloréns Torres intended to popularize the idea of commemorating the event as a holiday. De Diego, for instance, requested the foundation of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (which he proposed to the Puerto Rican Legislative Assembly) to occur on 23 September 1911, to coincide with the Grito's anniversary. In the late 1920s members of the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico staged minor celebrations in the town of Lares as both historical and fund-raising efforts. When Pedro Albizu Campos gained control over the party, "frivolous" activities related to the Grito (such as the yearly fundraising dance) were terminated, and a series of rituals to commemorate the event in a dignified manner were instituted. One of Albizu's better known quotes is: "Lares es Tierra Santa, y como tal, debe entrarse a ella de rodillas" ("Lares is Sacred Ground, and as such, it must be entered on your knees"). Key to the rituals associated with the Grito is the gift, given by Chilean writer Gabriela Mistral to Albizu's family, of a tamarind tree obtained from Simón Bolivar's estate in Venezuela. The tree was planted at the Plaza de la Revolución with soil taken from the eighteen other Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. Albizu meant to give the Plaza a living symbol of solidarity with the struggle for freedom and independence initiated by Bolivar (who, while visiting Vieques, promised to assist the Puerto Rico independence movement, but whose promise never materialized due to the power struggles surrounding him), as well as a symbol of the bittersweet (as the trees' fruit) hardships needed to reach Puerto Rico's independence. As such, the Tamarindo de Don Pedro was meant to resemble the Gernikako Arbola in theBasque Country between Spain and France. In 1969, under the administration of Governor Luis A. Ferré, a statehood supporter, Lares was declared a Historic Site by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, and is known as the birthplace of Puerto Rican Nationalism. The Grito is not a national holiday in Puerto Rico , although it is considered as such by the University of Puerto Rico.
Heritage Day South Africa - Sep 24
Heritage Day, 24 September, is a Public Holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people.
Background In KwaZulu-Natal, the 24th of September was known as Shaka Day, in com-
memoration of the Zulu King, Shaka. Shaka was the legendary Zulu King who played an important role in uniting disparate Zulu clans into a cohesive nation. The Public Holidays Bill presented to the Parliament of South Africa at the time did not have the 24th of September included on the list of proposed public holidays. As a result of this exclusion, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a South African political party with a large Zulu membership, objected to the bill. Parliament and the IFP reached a compromise and the day was given its present title and seen as a public holiday.
Celebration of Heritage Day South Africans celebrate Heritage Day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the
population of South Africa. Various events are staged throughout the country to commemorate this day. Former Western Cape Provincial Premier Ebrahim Rasool addressed the public at a Heritage Day celebration at the Gugulethu Heritage trail in 2007 in Gugulethu. In Hout Bay, there is an army procession and a recreation of the battle fought there. In 2005, a media campaign sought to "re-brand" the holiday as National Braai Day, in recognition of the South African culinary tradition of holding informal backyard barbecues, or braais. On September 5, 2007, Archbishop Desmond Tutu celebrated his appointment as patron of South Africa's Barbecue (Braai) Day, affirming it to be a unifying force in a divided country (by donning an apron and tucking into a boerewors sausage). At the end of 2007 National Braai Day changed its name to Braai4Heritage and the initiative received the endorsement of South Africa's National Heritage Council (NHC). Organiser Jan Scannell announced that the aim is not to have a mass braai, but smaller ones with friends and family.
Armed Forces Day Mozambique - Sep 25
Several nations of the world hold an annual Armed Forces Day to recognize, venerate, and honor their military forces. September 25, 1964: Mozambique Celebrates the formation of the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) by anti-Portuguese groups who then began their armed campaign against colonial rule. This is also known as Revolution Day or the Liberation Forces Day. An Armed Force Day is a day when all people of a nation come together to appreciate and support the armed forces for a day to pay homage to the armed forces.
History It is a public holiday that commemorates the armed struggle for
national independence against the Portuguese. The struggle was initiated by the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique and continued during the 1960s and early 1970s. Independence came not as a result of the armed struggle but only after a socialist-inspired coup took place in Portugal in 1974. After World War II, while many European nations were granting independence to their colonies, Portugal maintained that Mozambique and other Portuguese possessions were overseas territories of the metropole (mother country), and emigration to the colonies soared. Calls for Mozambican independence developed apace, and in 1962 several anti-colonial political groups formed the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), which initiated an armed campaign against Portuguese colonial rule in September 1964. However, Portugal had ruled Mozambique for more than four hundred years; not all Mozambicans desired independence, and fewer still sought change through armed revolution. FRELIMO was founded in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 25 June 1962, when three regionally based nationalist organizations – the Mozambican African National Union (MANU), National Democratic Union of Mozambique (UDENAMO), and the National African Union of Independent Mozambique (UNAMI) merged into one broad based guerrilla movement. Under the leadership of Eduardo Mondlane, elected president of the newly formed Mozambican Liberation Front, FRELIMO settled its headquarters in 1963 in Dar-es-Salaam. The Rev.Uria Simango was its first vice-president. Headquartering the movement in Mozambique would not have been practicable because of the intolerance of the Portuguese for nationalist movements and the strength of the police. (The three founding groups had also operated as exiles.) Tanzania and its president, Julius Nyerere, were sympathetic to the Mozambican nationalist groups. Convinced by recent events, such as the Mueda massacre, which peaceful agitation would not bring about independence, FRELIMO contemplated the possibility of armed struggle from the outset, although it did not launch its first attack until September 1964.
Celebrations
Armed force day is one those days, which is celebrated in many countries in order to respect their military organizations together. On this day, all the divisions of the defense together are respected for their huge devotion and dedication towards the country. Though different military organization have their own day, such as Army Day, Air Force Day, Navy Day etc, but the Armed forces Day together celebrates the achievement of all these branches of defense.
French Community Holiday Belgium - Sep 27
The Belgian French Community Holiday (French: Fête de la Communauté française) is a holiday on September 27, held only in the French Community of Belgium. It is also variously translated as Day of the French Community, French Community Day, Feast Day of the French Community , Festival of the French Community or other variants. This date was chosen by the French Community of Belgium after an important episode in the Belgian Revolution.
Origin of the date
The Belgian Revolution from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands erupted on the night of August 25, 1830, following a performance of Daniel Auber's sentimental and patriotic opera La Muette de Portici, a tale suited to fire National Romanticism, for it was set against Masaniello's uprising against the Spanish masters of Naples in the 17th century. The play caused a riot, and the crowd poured into the streets after the performance, shouting patriotic slogans, and swiftly took possession of government buildings. The affable and moderate Crown Prince William, who represented the monarchy in Brussels, was convinced by the Estates-General on September 1 that the administrative separation of north and south was the only viable solution to the crisis. His father rejected the terms of accommodation that he proposed. King William I attempted to restore the establishment order by force, but the royal army under Prince Frederik was unable to retake Brusselsin bloody street fighting, September 23 to 26. A provisional government was declared in Brussels on September 26, and during the night of the 26-27, the Dutch troops retreated. Fernand Massart, a Walloon politician active in the 1960s and 1970s, proposed Walloons celebrate on September 27 in commemoration of the victory. On June 24, 1975, the date was chosen by the French Community as French Community Day, and it was first celebrated that same year.
Modern celebrations
All schools are closed for the holiday, though many business remain open. The festival is celebrated with many free concerts featuring francophone acts. These take place throughout the French Community, in cities such as Mons, Namur, Huy, Liège Charleroi and Brussels. Theatrical performances and sporting events also take place in some areas. The Flemish Community has a parallel holiday called the Flemish Community Holiday, held on July 11. It commemorates the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302. It is worth noting that the French Community Holiday celebrates the victory of French speaking Belgians over the Dutch army, while the Flemish Community Holiday celebrates the victory of Dutch speaking Belgians over the French army.
Teacher's Day Taiwan - Sep 28
New Caledonia is a “sui generis collectivity” of France located in the region of Melanesia in the southwest Pacific. It comprises a main island (Grande Terre), the Loyalty Islands, and several smaller islands. Approximately half the size of Taiwan, it has a land area of 18,575.5 square kilometres (7,172 sq mi). The population was estimated in January 2009 to be 249,000. The capital and largest city of the territory is Nouméa. The currency is the CFP franc. New Caledonia became the overseas territory of France on September 24, 1853. The Day is celebrated as a national holidays in New caledonia since then.
History
Celebrations The National Day in Saudi Arabia is a celebrated event which holds an important place in the History of Saudi Arabia.
Trials and amnesty:
New Caledonia Day New Caledonia - Sep 24
The Republic of China uses this day to honor teachers' virtues, struggles, and contribution not only to their own students but also to society in general. People often make use of the day to express their gratitude to their teachers, such as paying them a visit or sending them a card. This date was chosen to commemorate the birth of Confucius, believed to be the model master educator in ancient China. In 1939, the Ministry of Education established the national holiday as August 27, the attributed birthday of Confucius. In 1952, the Executive Yuan changed it to September, stating that it was calculated to be the precise date in the Gregorian calendar. The festival celebration occurs in the temples of Confucius around the island, known as the "Grand Ceremony Dedicated to Confucius" (祭孔大典). The ceremony begins at 6 AM with drum beats. 54 musicians dress in robes with blue belts, 36 (or 64) dancers dress in yellow with green belts. They are led by Confucius's chief descendant (currently Kung Tsui-chang) and followed by ceremonial officers. Three animals—the cow, the goat, and the pig—are sacrificed. The hairs plucked from these sacrificed animals are called the Hairs of Wisdom. In addition, local education institutes and civil offices award certain teachers for their excellence and positive influence.
social gathering celebration a sorghum beer – a cereal native to warm regions, grown for grain and animal feed – is placed in the center of the room with multiple straws. Rwanda has numerous types of dance and music to celebrate special occasions – many dancers also show their bravery and courage through specific dances. Visitors who are fortunate to see “The Chosen Ones” by the Intore dance Troupe. Guests are often treated with respect and hospitality. The host will taste the food first to ensure you it is not poisoned. Since Rwandans only eat meat one or twice a month, Kamarampaka Day would call for such a meal.
The September Revolution Yemen - Sep 26
Yemen’s September 26, 1962, revolution is a national holiday. The revolution led to the overthrow of the xenophobic and oppressive Imamate that ruled North Yemen for much of the 20th century, ultimately setting the stage for the creation of the modern Republic of Yemen.This day is also known as September Revolution Day.
History During the rule of Imam Yahia on the northern part of Yemen,
many attempts to end the rule of Al-Hamiduddine family were staged but they failed until the revolution of 26 September 1962. The revolution aimed at ending backwardness and isolation, in addition to its six objectives characterized by clear perspective and deep awareness, and determining with precision and objectivity the features of the radical changes in Yemen’s reality in all aspects of life, socially, economically, developmentally, militarily and politically. The northern part of Yemen became known as “The Arab Republic of Yemen”. The 26th of September Revolution also aimed at mustering up the national forces to free the southern part of Yemen from British occupation. Through purposeful struggle and great sacrifices, the independence of the southern part was achieved on 30 November 1967 and the government of what is called “the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen” was then established there. As the Yemen people was one and the same in terms of territory, faith and people, national forces worked to attain the goals of the 26th of September Revolution. Dialogue started on Yemen unity as the inevitable fate of Yemenis. Dialogue continued between the leaders of the two parts of Yemen for more than two decades until the will of the people won and unity of land and man was achieved for the Yemeni people. The unified State was called “The Republic of Yemen”. This historic event was celebrated on 22 May 1990 by the Arab and Islamic worlds. Yemen thus became one, as in the past, and the time of partition was over. With this great achievement and momentous event, Yemen became a democratic State with a new Constitution which guarantees liberties, equality before the law and formation of parties. A new experience started in Yemen, based on multi-party system and free economy.
Celebrations
Celebrations of the Yemeni 26 September Revolution start with litting of a torch at Al-Tahrir Square in downtown of the capital Sana’a. Lighting the torch represents the beginning of the next year of the Yemeni Revolution. The ministers of defense and youth lit the torch in the middle of Al-Tahrir Square at the same spot where the first signal of the revolution of 26 September was launched in September 1962. The torch-lighting festival is attended by Yemeni youth who pour into the capital from various parts of Yemen.
President of the Indonesian Atomic Agency visited the PNPP (Online 18 Sep) On the invitation of Minister of State for Climate Change and Energy Pál Kovács and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotenand Permanent UN tiary Representative Balázs Csuday, President of the Indonesian Atomic Agency As Natio Lasman and his deputies visited the Paks Nuclear Power Plant on 15 September. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen
professional relations between the two countries and map cooperation opportunities in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. In welcoming the delegation, Minister of State Kovács was assisted by Security Director of the MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Gábor Volent and nuclear expert Gábor Németh. The members of the delegation visited the Information and Visitor Centre, the re-
actor hall in Block 4 and the Maintaining and Practice Centre of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. During the lectures an overview was given of the current status and tasks of nuclear industry in Hungary. The specialists found their visit highly successful and expressed that they were prepared to utilise their experiences obtained in the Hungarian nuclear industry in their regulatory practice.
More effective criminal cooperation between Hungary and other EU Member States (Online 18 Sep) Criminal legal aid between Hungary and other Member States of the European Union will become swifter, the detection of crimes will become more effective and in consequence, local criminal proceedings requiring international cooperation will be closed faster. Additionally, judicial cooperation in criminal cases will become more efficient in the wake of the bill on criminal cooperation with the Member States of the EU which Parliament will begin to debate today. The globalisation of crime and, in particular, the ever wider spread of organised crime that knows no state borders poses an increasing threat to every country and every society. The fight against crime, the prevention
and detection of crimes, the implementation of criminal proceedings and the enforcement of prison sentences imposed on a final and absolute basis have for many years been impossible without the close and effective cooperation of the individual states and their judicial authorThe phenomenon of ities. cross-border organised crime deserves particular attention in the European Union that guarantees the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital (and of crime in combination with these) but where each Member State has its own judicial and crime fighting regime. The purpose of the new legislation regulating criminal cooperation with Member States of the EU is to create
and to continuously develop a sophisticated mechanism covering the fundamental areas of criminal cooperation, with regard to the practical experiences that have emerged in the course of the application of the law and through the passage of rules for the implementation of the EU legislation covering this field, which effectively enforces the principle of the mutual recognition of decisions adopted by the authorities of the Member States. Mutual trust and understanding between the legal systems of the Member States on the foundations of this principle may contribute to improved efficiency in cooperation between the Member States.
Gross average wages in the private sector increased by 9.2 percent in July (Online 18 Sep) Gross average wages in the private sector increased by 9.2 percent in July 2012, whereas net wages excluding family tax allowances were up by 6.2 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year – the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) reported earlier today in a statistical release. In July 2012 gross average wage of full-time employees was 225 200HUF in the national economy which corresponds to an increase of 7.1 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. Net wage – at 145 200HUF – was 4.4 percent higher in
comparison to July 2011. This figure, however, does not take the positive impact of family tax allowances into consideration. Net wage increase, which is slightly less dynamic compared to the pace of growth last year, has been a consequence of the larger influence of public employment schemes. Gross average wage of private sector employees was 230 400HUF in July, while net wages amounted to 148 500HUF after they increased by 6.1 percent, beating inflation. Consequently, the private sector recorded real wage growth. Gross average monthly wage for full-time employees
at budgetary institutions – excluding public work employees – was up by 8.1 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and it currently is 232 400HUF. On the other hand, net wage amounts to 150 000HUF after rising by 6.4 percent, also a figure above inflation, and thus there was a real wage increase in this sector as well. Employees in the financial and insurance sectors have continued to be top earners followed by information and communication as well as energy industry sectors. Wages were the lowest in the hotel trade and catering sectors.
Croatian-Hungarian concord on CAP reform (Online 18 Sep) Croatia support Hungary's ideas with relation to the reform of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). State Secretary for Rural Development Zsolt V. Németh met with Croatian Deputy Minister for Rural Development, EU and International Cooperation Luka Čuljak at the informal meeting of the Standing Working Group of European Ministers of Agriculture from South Eastern Europe. Croatia is scheduled to become a member of the European Union on July 1, 2013. During their meeting, Zsolt V. Németh and Luka Čuljak reviewed actual issues relating to the reform of the CAP. They agreed that support for young farmers, the simplification of
the terms and conditions for receiving funding and its expansion to include all farmers under the age of 40 is of special importance. They also agreed that a balance must be found between agricultural and environmental criteria while "greening" the CAP. For instance, the minimum size of land above which three types of crop must be cultivated must be increased (crop diversification), and Natura 2000 areas should be included within ecological target areas. Luka Čuljak asked Zsolt V. Németh to share Hungarian experiences with regard to rural development with Croatia before its EU accession. The State Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development reported on the funding payment structure, the decision-mak-
ing mechanism, the institutional system, the experiences gained during the operation of the system and on ideas for future development. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia and the Standing Working Group of European Ministers of Agriculture from South Eastern Europe (SWG) held the informal meeting of the region's ministers in Biograd na Moru between September 12-14, 2012. The aim of the workgroup is to further the European integration of the Western Balkan states, and the development of cooperation in agriculture and rural development. Hungary has had the status of observer in the organisation since May 2012.
H unga r ia n a lt e r na tiv e pr opos a l t o be s e nt t o IM F/EU e a r ly t his we e k (Online 17 Sep) "On Tuesday or Wednesday, the Government will send the IMF and the EU an alternative proposal in connection with loan negotiations in line with the economic policies pursued over the past two years", chief negotiator Mihály Varga said on Monday. In order to have the opportunity to make changes to the budget if necessary, the Government has requested the postponement of the vote on the 2013 budget in Parliament, which was supported by ruling party Fidesz. After attending a meeting with Fidesz
officials, Minister Varga told journalists that elaboration of the alternative proposal is in its final phase and will be sent in written form early this week. "We want this letter to indicate that the Hungarian Government is ready to continue talks", Minister Varga added. He stated that this could speed up the process, as resuming the talks will be up to the IMF and the EU. Regarding the alternative proposal, Minister Varga revealed only that it does not include any cuts in pensions and wages or a new property tax. Ha
said that the Government is determined to keep the budget deficit below 3% of GDP, even after the implementation of the job protection action plan. The Hungarian proposal takes into consideration the IMF’s recommendations on ways to sustain macro-economic and financial stability as well as ways to boost growth. Furthermore, the Government and the international organisations share a similar assessment of projections on risks posed by the deterioration of European economic growth.
Deputy State Secretary met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (Online 17 Sep) Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs Szabolcs Takács travelled to Geneva on 13 September to participate in a panel discussion of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council regarding intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights. Deputy State Secretary Takács talked about the measures governments should take as well as the European Union’s efforts in the field, and the inter-governmental steps that can be made within the framework of the UN to hinder and prevent cases related to reprisal. The panel discussion, opened by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay, was also welcomed in a video mes-
sage by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During the debate, chaired by Hungary, several member states saluted Hungary’s commitment to the issue and acknowledged its efforts in this field. Prior to the panel discussion, Deputy State Secretary Takács met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay and conveyed Minister Martonyi’s invitation to Budapest. During their meeting, High Commissioner Pillay thanked Hungary for initiating the panel discussion and welcomed the fact that Budapest will host the fifth annual Human Rights Forum, which he plans to greet in a video message. He also expressed appreciation for continuous briefings on the major changes in
Hungarian law, which are thoroughly reviewed by the Commission’s experts. Deputy State Secretary Takács also briefed High Commissioner Pillay on Hungary’s role in the EU’s Roma Strategy and the country’s internal efforts towards Roma integration, a subject in which the High Commissioner expressed strong interest. The Deputy State Secretary also met with major international humanitarian and human rights organisations regarding the situation in Syria, in addition to holding a bilateral meeting with Deputy Director of the UN for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Rudolf Müller about the organisation's activities.
Oliver Stone in Budapest (Online 21 Sep) Academy awardwinning American film director Oliver Stone arrived in Budapest on Friday to hold a master class. Mr. Stone, invited by the Hungarian National Film Fund and website film.hu, was greeted at the airport by fellow Hollywood legend and Government Commissioner for the Hungarian film industry Andrew G. Vajna. Oliver Stone will hold presentations about his filmmaking methods at the Puskin Cinema on 21 and 22 Sep-
tember, mainly for students of the Hungarian University of Theatre and Film Arts. His latest film, Savages, will be shown during the visit and he will discuss it in detail with the participants of the master class. Future guests of a planned series of master courses will include internationally renowned directors Alan Parker and Luc Besson, as well as writer Joe Eszterhas. In 2007, Korda Film Studios, a mammoth complex of sound stages near
Budapest, was inaugurated with the help of Government Commissioner Vajna and international productions such as Hellboy II: The Golden Army, directed by Guillermo del Toro and TV series The Borgias, starring Jeremy Irons were shot there. The latest major Hollywood production filmed in Hungary was Die Hard 5 (A Good Day to Die Hard), which took place between April and August 2012 featuring Bruce Willis in the leading role.
International conference and exhibition on Cardinal József Mindszenty (Online 21 Sep) An international conference and exhibition was dedicated today to the life of Cardinal József Mindszenty, Prince Primate of Hungary, marking the 120th anniversary of his birth. A number of prominent international speakers spoke at the event, including Apostolic Nuncio Alberto Bottari de Castello, as well as British columnist John O’Sullivan, who also served as speechwriter to Margaret Thatcher. In his opening speech, President of Hungary János Áder stressed that late Cardinal József Mindszenty had always spoken out for the freedom and truth; he had made every effort to help the outcast and underprivileged, and never faltered when it came to defending the honour of Hungary. His personal example and intellectual and moral legacy deserve to be held among the most serious moral landmarks of the nation, he
added. Deputy Prime Minister and Christian Democratic Party leader Zsolt Semjén also paid homage to the cardinal and, on behalf of the government, urged his beatification. Mindszenty was appointed Bishop of Veszprém by Pope Pius XII in 1944. Protesting against the Nazi genocide, he was arrested in late 1944 and kept in prison in Sopronkőhida. Following World War II, he was appointed Archbishop of Esztergom, then Cardinal. In late 1948, he was arrested illegally by the communist authorities and sentenced to life imprisonment under false charges of conspiracy, espionage and financial abuse. The sentence brought protests from the Pope and leaders of western powers. In April 1949 it was also criticised by the UN General Assembly. The physical and mental trials and tribulations of his prison years came
to an end after the 1956 revolution broke out. Giving a radio speech on November 3, Mindszenty stressed the idea of national independence and democracy. On November 4, 1956, the first day of Soviet intervention, the cardinal took refuge in the US Embassy in Budapest. Threatened with arrest, he was unable to leave the building until 1971. Mindszenty was then allowed to leave Hungary under an agreement between Hungarian authorities and the Vatican. The cardinal first went to Rome and then settled in Vienna. He died in 1975 and was buried in Mariazell, Austria. After Hungary's Supreme Court declared him innocent in May 1990, his mortal remains were returned to Hungary and reburied in the crypt of the Esztergom Basilica.
Proposal to waive social contributions after every worker under the age of 25 for the first two years of employment (Online 19 Sep) The Ministry of National Economy proposed to waive social contributions after every worker under the age of 25, Deputy State Secretary Sándor Czomba in charge of employment policy said on Wednesday. Deputy State Secretary Czomba said the measure would apply for the first two years of employment. There are no plans to change minimum wages for career starters because the Government's job protection action plan represents a much better solution
and is expected to apply to more than one million people, he said. Deputy State Secretary Czomba said that the Government also approved a proposal to create a database, with the participation of institutions that compile labour market statistics, in order to get a monthly figure for the number of employed,. Currently German and Austrian examples are being studied since these countries already operate similar databases, he added. The Government expects 12% increase in the number of private
sector employees this year, which represents around 30,000 more employed than last year, the Deputy State Secretary stated. He said that out of the 120,000 newly employed between 2010 and 2012, only 6,000 were established within public sector work schemes. The cabinet aims to create 1 million new jobs by 2020, mainly within the private sector, Deputy State Secretary Czomba added, stating that currently there are approximately 459,000 registered job seekers in the country.
Hungarian olympians honoured in the parliament building (Online 18 Sep) A ceremony was held in the Parliament Building honouring the Hungarian medal winners of the London 2012 Summer Olympics and the 14th Summer Paralympic Games. The 31 medal winners and the sports professionals who helped their preparation were acknowledged by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, President of
Hungary János Áder and Speaker of Parliament László Kövér. The Prime Minister praised the Hungarian Olympians, who serve as an example for the whole nation on the road to success. The Prime Minister called them London’s heroes, who stood their ground even in the toughest moments. He said that having a 152-member team, who brought joy
to 15 million Hungarians with their behaviour and achievements, is something to be congratulated. The Prime Minister thanked the Olympians for showing that Hungary has talent for success and highlighted that the country achieved the prominent 9th place out of 204 nations on the medal table.
N AT O ’ s t o p - l e v e l m i l i t a r y f o r u m to meet in Hungary next year (Online 18 Sep) Hungary will host NATO’s top-level military forum, the Chiefs of Defence Meeting next year, the Ministry of Defence informed Hungarian News Agency MTI in a press release on Monday, 17 September. The top-level military representatives of NATO member countries will meet in Budapest in autumn 2013. The NATO Military Committee (MC) meets at the level of Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) of the member states’ armed forces three times a year – twice at NATO Headquarters in
Brussels and once in a member state of the Alliance. In accordance with the rotational system, Budapest will host the meeting in 2013 – Hungarian Chief of Defence Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő announced to the participants of the Military Committee. The Hungarian Defence Forces have recently been requested by NATO to provide Force Protection again for the next six months at the Kabul International Airport (KAIA) in Afghanistan, which attests to the Hungarian soldiers’ excellent per-
formance and recognition within NATO. This opinion was voiced by United States Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta during a meeting with Defence Minister Csaba Hende in the United States, where the Secretary of Defence expressed the United States’ gratitude for the role of the Hungarian Defence Forces in Afghanistan and called the Hungarian troops’ contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) very effective.
HUNGARY H unga r y is a ble to ha ndle t he e c onom ic c r is is : PM Or bá n 21 (Online Prime Sep) Minister Viktor Orbán stated in Rome that Hungary is on the threshold of economic and social success because it is reducing debt public while boosting competitiveness and getmore ting into people employment. The Hungarian Prime Minister participated in a two-day international of meeting Christian Democratic parties in Rome. ‘Hungary is able to handle the eco-
nomic crisis and the resulting social challenges’, the Prime Minister
He stated. highlighted that thanks to extremely broad public support and national consultations, a modern, 21st century constitution rooted in the country's Christian traditions has been adopted, which will serve as a secure foundation for Hungary in the future. During his visit, Prime Minister Orbán will also participate at a working lunch with other European Prime Ministers, discussing the eurozone crisis.
U S is s ue d a s ta te m e nt pr a is ing bila te r a l c oope r a t ion wit h H unga r y 19 (Online On Sep) Tuesday, 18 September the United States Department of isDefense sued a news release regarding Hungarian Defense MinisCsaba ter Hende’s visit to Wa s h i n g t o n DC. The news release praises Hungary’s role in Afghanistan and the bilateral defense cooperation, with special regard to the upcoming 20th anniversary of the State Partnership Program between the Hungarian Defense Forces and the Ohio National Guard. The press release states that at the discussion conducted in the Pentagon, United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta “expressed his deep appreciation for Hungary’s long-standing commitment and support to the International Security As-
sistance Force in Afghanistan, including Hungarian troops currently deployed to Regional Command North, and Hungarian plans to lead the force protection mission at Kabul International Airport this fall”. The Department of Defense also notes that Csaba Hende offered condolences to Leon Panetta for the recent attack against the US Consulate
in Benghazi in four which Americans – including Ambassador Chris Stevens – lost their lives. In connection with the State Partnership Program between the Ohio National Guard and the Hungarian Defense Forces, Secretary of Defense P a n e t t a the “praised partnership’s successes, including multiple deployjoint ments”. Minister Hende expressed in his statement earlier this week, that his American counterpart agreed with the Hungarian standpoint that the strengthening of transatlantic relations in transition continues to be an important task, and the conduct of joint trainings and exercises can be a good means of achieving this goal.
Proposal on electoral procedures before Parliament (Online 18 Sep) Fidesz-KDNP’s proposal for new electoral procedures was submitted to Parliament on Tuesday, 18 September. If Parliament votes in favour of the proposal, the law will be sent to the Constitutional Court for preliminary norm control, to make sure it is in line with the country’s Fundamental Law, before the President of Hungary signs it. The proposal includes the introduction of voter pre-registration for elections, following international examples, such as the United Kingdom. Hungarians of voting age will be able to register until 15 days prior to election day and it will be valid for the next three elections (general, local and European Parliament elec-
tions). After the parliamentary elections registration will be reopened. If someone reaches the age of 18 between two registration periods, they will have the opportunity to pre-register after reaching the age of 17. Registration is possible electronically, by post and in person at public notaries. Those failing to register for the first election will have the opportunity to do so after the first vote. According to the proposal, the system of nomination slips would be replaced by supporting signatures. In future, candidates would need 200 signatures to run in the general elections and 5000 signatures for the European Parliament elections. The signatures will be checked by the Na-
tional Election Centre, also established by this proposal. One voter can support several candidates as opposed to the current system, in which support is restricted to only one candidate. Braille aids would be made available for the visually impaired, helping them to vote in elections without assistance, and at least one polling station in every electoral district would be fully accessible to the disabled. With these changes, Fidesz hopes to encourage more voters to exercise their democratic right to vote and enable Hungarians living or working abroad (est. 500-800 000 people) to participate in the elections.
Next sitting of the Hungarian-Slovakian intergovernmental joint committee will be in Oct (Online 21 Sep) The next sitting of the Hungarian-Slovakian Intergovernmental Joint Committee will be in Visegrád on 18 October. Among the important topics to be discussed will be development of cross-border infrastructure, public transport, possible cooperation in healthcare, and European regional associations. The members of the Hungarian delega-
tion met on Thursday in the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, at the invitation of the co-chairperson, Minister of State Erika Szabó. Those present reviewed the most important questions related to Hungarian-Slovakian bilateral links and the areas near the border, and decided on agenda points for the sitting. The aim of the joint committee is pro-
motion of cooperation along the border between local and regional governments and public administration bodies, as well as the exchange of information and the strengthening of neighbourly relations. In particular it seeks to identify and promote initiatives coming from below, and incorporate these into its work.
Pole s a nd H unga r ia ns c ount on e a c h ot he r : Tibor N a v r a c s ic s (Online 21 Sep) Tibor Navracsics, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Justice, has met with Roman Kowalski, Polish ambassador to Budapest. They visited a Polish-Hungarian children’s history quiz, which was organised with the support of the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice. The three-day quiz event was held at the Zánka Youth Centre on the shore of Lake Balaton, involving forty teams with a total of 120 young people from Transylvania, Poland and Hungary. Participants could also enjoy boating, traditional dancing
and handicrafts. Results of the history quiz were announced at the closing event on Thursday. Deputy Prime Minister Navracsics said that ‘Poles and Hungarians have always been able to count on each other throughout history. Now also they must be ready to help each other at any time.’ He said that ‘Although the two countries enjoy relative prosperity as members of the European Union – albeit in the midst of an economic crisis – the history of the two countries teaches us that at any time a situation could arise when one of our nations be-
comes the closest supporter of the other. We have always been able to count on Poles, and they have always been able to count on us. We were able to count on them between the wars and during the Second World War, and also during the 1956 Revolution. Similarly, we must be ready at any time to help each other in times of need in the name of friendship.’ Mr. Kowalski expressed his deep respect for the traditionally good relationship between the two countries and thanked those who sustain this relationship nowadays.
Pe r f or m a nc e of H unga r ia n t our is m indus tr y a t its be s t in y e a r s (Online 21 Sep) Minister of State for Economic Regulation at the Ministry for National Economy Kristóf Szatmáry, at a joint press conference with the Hungarian Tourism Ltd. and the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association said that government measures introduced in the past twoand-a-half years have yielded results as data for the initial seven months of the year indicate tourist traffic has reached an all-time high. The almost 12 million tourist nights recorded at Hungarian commercial accommodations between January and July surpass both pre-crisis and post-crisis levels. In the past two years, the Government introduced measures to boost tourism, such as the SZÉP electronic voucher card, as part of the reformed domestic fringe benefit services system as well as the Hotelstars.hu trademark as the national trademark for domestic accommodations. Talking about the SZÉP card Minister of State Kristóf Szatmáry said that data so far indicate success which greatly surpasses prior expectations. During
the three summer months more than 20 billion forints was spent via these cards on domestic tourism services. Total spending for the year so far, on the other hand, was almost 26 billion forints. Consequently, this new service has fulfilled expectations and those who had prophesized a domestic tourism crisis due to the abolition of Recreation Vouchers have been proven mistaken. Parallel to acknowledging the economic achievements of tourism, the Minister of State pointed out the significance of the sector in the creation of jobs. 318 thousand people -- 8.4 percent of the total number of employees -- work in the sub sectors associated with the tourism industry, according to 2008 data of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. Tourism generates jobs, therefore not only tourists but locals can also enjoy the advantages provided by a well functioning touristic sector. High quality services have been a key factor behind the favourable tourist traffic trend. It was in this spirit that Minister of State Kristóf Szat-
máry and Ms. Andrea Kopócsy, President of the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association, handed over together the 250th Hotelstars national trademark. Thanks to the national trademark jointly managed by the Ministry for National Economy and the professional organization, Hungarian hotels can belong to a quality standard system operating in 12 countries of Europe which can contribute to increasing tourist night numbers, higher revenues and better quality. At the conference Ms. Andrea Kopócsy presented the results of a survey on SZÉP card turnover at 47 member hotels belonging to the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association. According to this study, in July the joint turnover of Recreation Vouchers and SZÉP cards was 34.5 percent more than that of Recreation Vouchers in July 2011. In the observed month SZÉP card utilization was almost three-fold higher than that of Recreation Vouchers.
Chocolate and confectionery fair in Buda Castle 21 (Online Every Sep) major Hungarian chocolate confecand tionery maker and manufacturer, the most successful distributors and well-known domestic and international brands will all be present at Édes the Napok ("Sweet Days") fair in the Buda Castle district on September 2023, where visitors will also have the opto Photo: Caba Pelsőczy portunity participate in a place to the importance of high qualhost of programs related to sweets ity. and confectionery. "The Ministry of Rural Development No festival of similar size and quality hopes the event will help the continhas ever been organised in any other ued survival of domestic confecEuropean capital. The over 120 ex- tionery enterprises and the further hibitors include only manufacturers increase in the popularity of quality that represent excellent quality. As- products", said State Secretary for sociation of Hungarian Confectionery Food Chain Control Supervision and Manufacturers (HUNBISCO), was Agricultural Administration Endre also among the first to support the Kardeván at the opening ceremony event last year, because it is their marking the 20th anniversary of the common goal for the quantitative founding of the Association of Hunconsumption of confectionery to give
garian Confectionery Manufacturers. The first ever "For Confectionery" Award was also presented at the opening cereThe mony. acaward, knowledging his work to further the confect i o n e r y industry, was presented to Zöld, Antal honorary president of the Confectionery Department of the Hungarian Association of Food Science and Technol-
ogy (MÉTE). "The Ministry of Rural Development supports the production of quality products", said Endre Kardeván. As he explained, the production of quality confectionery is supported by several measures, such as the elaboration of standards for the confectionery product category in the Hungarian Food Book (Codus Alimentarius), and the supervisory efforts of the National Food Chain Safety Office (NÉBIH).
Opel’s 500 million euro factory expansion in Szentgotthárd creates 800 new jobs 20 (Online Prime Sep) Minister Viktor and Orbán Deputy Chairman of Opel’s Management Board Thomas Sedran, inaugurated a new million 500 euro flexible engine factory at Opel’s plant in Szentgotthárd. Prime The Minister stated that with this expansion, Szentgotthárd has become one of the region’s engine manufacturing Photo: Gergely centres, while Hungary has taken another step towards becoming one of Central and Eastern Europe’s automotive industry hubs. We believe that not only Germany, but Hungary too can be successful, he added, but to achieve this, the country has to expand its room for manoeuvre by creating several thousand new workplaces. He said that this investment also
Botár shows hope for troubled and struggling Europe, since in his opinion Europe will be saved through deepening cooperation between Germany and Central Europe. The Prime Minister also pointed out that this factory expansion will create 800 new jobs in addition to several thousand new workplaces at Opel’s suppliers. He thanked Opel for deciding to expand despite the European cri-
sis instead of closing down or streamlining, emphaand sised that Hungary welcomes investors who plan long-term cooperation with the country with reThe spect. Prime Minister also recalled the moment in 1992 when late Prime Minister József Antall sat in the first HungarianOpel made which Astra, also symbolized the country's freedom. The plant was built using "flexible" technology, which allows production to shift to different engine models within a short time, according on market demand. All of the engines the plant will make meet Euro 6 environmental standards. According to plans, serial production of an entirely new family of engines will begin in Szentgotthárd by December 2012.
Or de r in H unga r y is s ignif ic a nt ly be t t e r t ha n two y e a r s a go (Online 19 Sep) Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér gave an interview to national television MTV’s ‘Az Este’ show on Tuesday, 18 September stating that order in the country is significantly better than it was in 2010. Now the public is aware of the severity of punishment following certain crimes – he added. The Minister reminded that two years ago they established order in Hungary by introducing legal changes, such as for instance punishing offences by confinement. In connection with the restructuring of police forces Minister Pintér stated that objective figures and index-numbers, based on which police leaders and units could be measured, were agreed upon when he was appointed to office as Minister of Interior. He added: after a period of grace, the heads of offices had to ‘produce these figures’. During the evaluation
process, decisions were based on 23 types of crimes and certain principles, such as the number of crimes committed, data compared to the previous year and the number of robbery and burglary crimes solved. The Minister remarked: those who left did not make the statistics any better; on the contrary they made it worse. That is why other people were asked to take up their positions. He also drew the attention to the fact that the police leaders in question were not made redundant but reassigned to other positions. Regarding the assumption that underworld people took down police leaders with themselves Minister Pintér said: the employees of National Defense Service collected data and as soon as they gathered enough information on corruption, they handed the case over to the Head Prosecution Service.
Concerning the abolition of early retirement the Minister said: the number of those who asked to be reinstated in service is between 70 and 100 people. This number, as Minister Pintér remarked, is neither high nor low. He also mentioned that there are 7 people who expressed the wish to leave the police forces following their reassignment to other positions. The Minister of Interior said: since his introduction to office 4200 policemen have started their training and following the training the number of the police has increased by 3500. Talking about the success of public employment he said: currently there are approximately 210 thousand public employees but the number of applicants is higher than of those who can be employed.
Hungarian govt position on the introduction of the new Ukrainian language bill (Online 19 Sep) The Government welcomes the new language bill adopted by the Parliament of Ukraine on the "Fundaments of public language policy" and will monitor those measures that help the Hungarian language acquire regional status in the Sub-Carpathian region. Decisions made by local governments mark a progress in the practi-
cal implementation of the law, but unfortunately not all such measures are enacted. The Government trusts that Ukraine and its executive bodies, including local governments in the Sub-Carpathian region, will take further steps to ensure that the Hungarian language is given full regional status in administrative units where the population is at least 10 percent
ethnic Hungarian. The Hungarian Government has however expressed concerns over statements made by several Ukrainian politicians that the law only applies to ethnic Russian minorities and its introduction is not justified in the case of other minorities.
First Civil Code created under democratic circumstances may enter into force (Online 19 Sep) Parliament will start debating the bill on the new Civil Code next week. The new Code is on the agenda of the parliamentary committees this week. Academician Lajos Vékás believes that the particular significance of the new Civil Code lies in the fact that this will be Hungary’s first civil code, created under democratic circumstances, to enter into force. The head of the Civil Law Codification Committee spoke about this at the Tuesday meeting of the Constitutional Committee of Parliament where MPs unanimously found the bill on the new Civil Code suitable for a general parliamentary debate. At the meeting, Minister of State for Justice Róbert Répássy reiterated that, as part of its first decisions after the 2010 general elections, the Government authorised the editorial committee for codification under civil law on 10 June 2010 to prepare the bill for a new Civil Code on the foundations of consensus within the legal profession. The Government Decision set out to create a piece of legislation that is sophisticated and up-to-date, conforms to our obliga-
tions arising from our EU membership, relies upon the foreign and local achievements of legal theory and practice and fulfils the function of a fundamental law in the field of civil affairs, he said. The draft of the committee was based on the expert proposal published in March 2008 and also took account of the useful solutions devised in the code which was passed in 2009 but did not enter into force. The editorial committee handed over the norm text consisting of more than 1,600 sections to the codification committee in December 2011. The Government first dealt with the contemplated code in February 2012 and decided that this document should serve as the basis for the ensuing public administration and social consultations, the Minister of State said and reiterated that the ministry responsible for justice held a three-month consultation on the draft in the spring. Hundreds of proposals were received in response to the draft and wide-ranging thematic consultations were organised with professional and civil organisations on family law and inheritance, the rules
relating to legal entities and substantive law. The Government decided in June that it would present the draft to Parliament without any change, based on the proposal of the committee. The particular significance of the code lies in the fact that this will be Hungary’s first civil code, conceived under democratic circumstances, to enter into force. The members of the Constitutional Committee spoke highly of the proposal. The Code will be of great symbolic significance also from a legislative point of view as it has finally reviewed the unclear and unsettled legal relationships under civil law that have been left unchanged since the change of regime and will replace the Civil Code that has been in force for more than 60 years. The political debate on the new Code may begin in the autumn session of Parliament, in the wake of which the draft now presented to Parliament may undergo several changes. The new Civil Code will enter into force one year after its promulgation.
H unga r ia n ov e r he a d e x pe ns e s in r e giona l c om pa r is on (Online 20 Sep) In the period of 2003-2010 increasing overhead expenses resulted in huge extra costs for house-
holds. Analyzing statistics, it can be concluded that costs associated with the two largest expenditure cate-
gories for families – that of food and housing -- have shifted gradually toward higher overhead costs.
On this auspicious occasion of 82nd National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on behalf of Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan, its allied departments and its staff, I present my heartiest felicitations to the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz AlSaud, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Interior Minister Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud and to the whole Saudi nation. I would also like to pay my best compliments and thanks to the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and its people for joining their Saudi brethren on the occasion of 82nd National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The National Day of Saudi Arabia is celebrated to mark the eventful day of 23rd September 1932, when the founder of Kingdom King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman Al-Saud laid the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today, the Kingdom has emerged as a prosperous welfare state with enormous achievements in political, economic, social, cultural, industrial and agricultural domains. Saudi Arabia’s winning of 8th position among the world’s 10 high growth economies of 2012 listed by the International Monetary Fund reflects its economic strength and stability. Since the day of its formation, the Kingdom is engaged in serving the Muslim Ummah and working for its unity. To address the recent challenges faced by Ummah, Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, invited Muslim leaders and intellectuals to the 'Extraordinary Islamic Solidarity Summit' at Makkah Al-Mukarramah this year on 26-27 Ramadan. Service to Muslim Ummah by facilitating the Hajj and Umrah rituals is a unique honour of Saudi Arabia, for which it has committed its all resources and capabilities. Kahdim Al-Harmain Al-Shareefain King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud has launched huge projects for the expansion of The Two Holy Mosques at Makkah and Madinah. After the completion of latest expansions the Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid-e-Nabwi will be able to accommodate more than 2.5 million and 1.6 million worshippers respectively. Among the comity of nations Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leading donor by instantly responding to the humanitarian disasters and natural calamities worldwide, in addition to providing the economic and financial aid to the developing countries. I am pleased to state that Saudi-Pak relations have been extremely strong, intimate and exemplary through all the regimes. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are tied together in time tested fraternal bonds of faith and culture that have further extended to strong politics and commercial relations. During the current year the important visit of His Royal Highness Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and visit of Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Mohayuddin Khoja, Minister of Information and Culture have significantly contributed to our bilateral relation. The Saudi Embassy at Islamabad and Consulate General of Saudi Arabia at Karachi are proud to serve their Pakistani brethren by facilitating their travel to the Kingdom for Hajj, Umrah, employment and visit purposes. The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad renews the commitment of the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to stand by their Pakistani brethren through thick and thin. At the end, I extend my most sincere wishes to the brotherly people of Islamic Republic of Pakistan; and pray to Allah Almighty for the safety of Pakistan and for its continuous progress and prosperity. May Allah Almighty shower His bounties and blessings on all of us.