Several commemoration events were marking the 1956 anniversary in Canada

Washington, DC, October 24 (MTI) – Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Economy Minister Mihály Varga took part in several commemoration events marking the 60th anniversary of Hungary’s anti-Soviet uprising of 1956 in Canada over the weekend.

Speaking in Montreal, Szijjártó said that rather than opting to build a parallel society in their new home, Hungarians living in Canada had contributed to the achievements of that country.

“If someone were to look back on our history, they would have no doubt that the Hungarian nation is not only a nation of freedom-loving people but also one of freedom fighters,” the foreign minister said.

Szijjártó said the revolution of 1956 had proved that dictatorship “cannot take root” in Hungary. It also became clear then that if the freedom or sovereignty of the Hungarian people “appears to be violated in the slightest degree” then they are prepared to rise up even against “a superior force”, he added.

However, when Soviet forces entered the country to crush the revolution, Hungarians “like so many times throughout their history, were left to fend for themselves,” Szijjártó said. “Although it was clear to the world what was happening in Hungary, the international community remained silent… Even the UN Security Council failed to provide help to Hungary,” he said.

Szijjártó said Hungary was proud of the Hungarians who had contributed to making Canada the “great country” it is today, expressing gratitude to the country for taking in Hungarian refugees in 1956.

Meanwhile, Economy Minister Mihály Varga attended commemoration events in Toronto. Speaking to MTI over the phone after the celebrations, Varga said he had attended a wreath laying ceremony in the city’s Budapest Park. The event was also attended by Canadian politicians, including the speaker of Ontario’s legislative assembly. Forty Hungarians living in Canada took their oaths of citizenship at the event. Varga said that the skills and qualifications of Canadian-Hungarians had helped them become instrumental in Canada’s progress over the years.