18 December, Nationalities’ Day in Hungary: a short history

18 December is Nationalities’ Day (formerly Minorities’ Day) in Hungary. In 1995, the Hungarian government declared the day of the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, 18 December, as Minorities Day. The aim was to create and maintain a minority-friendly social climate in the country.

“Prize for Minorities”

1995 is the year from which the “Prize for Minorities” is awarded, turul.info writes. The prize was founded by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Hungary. The prize is awarded to individuals and organisation (both in Hungary and abroad) who have made an outstanding contribution to education, public life, culture, church life, science, the economy or the mass media, and who have done something for the benefit of the minority concerned.

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In addition to the ministries, the award winners are nominated by community organisations of Hungarians living beyond the borders and national minority self-governments. The recipients receive a commemorative plaque, which will be accompanied by HUF 500,000 (EUR 1231) for the individual and HUF 1,500,000 (EUR 3694) for the community.

Protecting minorities, preserving and respecting their traditions, culture and language is an important task for all nations, as each ethnic group has irreplaceable characteristics and values, turul.info writes. This explains why the UN took them under its wing when it drafted and adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to Ethnic, National, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. Hungary has also recognised this, as is shown by the fact that Minorities Day is celebrated every year on 18 December, the day of its acceptance.