2013-10-26

Gábor Bethlen was elected Prince of Transylvania four hundred years ago. To commemorate the occasion, two-day festivities were held on the 25th and 26th of October in Aiud and Baia Mare. The ecumenical church service held at the cathedral in Alba-Iulia, followed by the official opening of the event was attended by members of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ), president Hunor Kelemen, MEP Csaba Sógor, Deputy Secretary General Csilla Hegedüs, senator Attila László and president of the RMDSZ’s territorial organization, Krisztián Kováts.

The festivities included cultural programmes, a fair for traditional products and a meeting of the educational institutions bearing the name of Gábor Bethlen. On Saturday a new belfry was inaugurated at the Ferenc Rákóczi II. Community House. Catholic archbishop György Jakubinyi and Reformed bishop Béla Kató held an ecumenical church service. Wraths were laid at the Gábor Bethlen memorial plaque from the Cathedral, after which the open air festivities started at the central square in Gyulafehérvár.

In his speech RMDSZ MEP Csaba Sógor praised Gábor Bethlen as a great European politician of his time, a successful military commander, but also as a man who valued educated minds. “Today, thanks to the European Union we have the Erasmus programme for students. Back then students had the scholarships offered by the Prince, which granted young people the opportunity to travel and study abroad. Investing in human resources is the best way to economic growth. This is why we must endeavour to send our students abroad to travel, study and gain new experiences, so that they can use these experiences in their work upon their return” – said the MEP.

“Bethlen Gábor showed an example through his sacrifice; he served the good of the community. We need to follow his example today. He read the New Testament 32 times and considered serving his country a mission given by God. He served the people, not ruled over them”, pointed out the MEP.