Budapest ‘to turn green’ on St Patrick’s Day

Several spots in Budapest will “turn green” on Saint Patrick’s Day, the national day celebrating Ireland’s patron saint, on March 17, to be followed by a traditional parade on the weekend, the Irish Embassy said on Thursday.

Events will begin on Friday with a reception at which Irish government State Secretary Marcella Corcoran Kennedy will celebrate St Patrick’s Day together with representatives of the Hungarian government. The state secretary will present the embassy’s annual scholarship to two Hungarian students supporting their scientific research in Dublin, it said in a statement.

On Friday evening the Chain Bridge, the Palace of Arts, the all-new Tüske Sports Hall and the Bank Centre housing the embassy will be lit up in green to celebrate Ireland. The initiative will join a world-wide programme under which some 240 landmark buildings around the world including the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera will turn green.