Address of thanks by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen to mayor Gábor Demszky of Budapest on 27.8.2002

(check against delivery)


The Finnish sculptor Yrjö Liipola, who settled in Hungary a century ago, included the following description of Budapest in his memoirs:

"Budapest is wonderfully located, its climate is dry and healthy. The summers are long, the days sunny and the evenings captivatingly cool. Nor are the winters too long and severe; it is just cold enough that in some years one can even ski on the Buda Hills for a few weeks. Spring comes early and the autumn is long and sweet. What more could anyone want from a big city, with the buildings and palaces so splendid and the streets well maintained, the food in the restaurants good and the countryside sending its wonderful fruits to the shops."

It is no wonder therefore that many Finnish cultural personalities soon followed in Liipola's footsteps: Axel Gallen-Kallela, Aino Ackté, Elli Tompuri, Iida Aalberg, Eliel Saarinen as well as the choirs Suomen Laulu and Laulumiehet - to mention but a few examples. Today, around 80,000 Finns each year visit Hungary, and all of them enjoy exactly the things that Liipola praises in his book.

I am pleased and proud that my husband and I can join the list of visitors to Hungary and Budapest today and tomorrow. I notice that I am making the acquaintance of a city which is now in a dynamic phase of development.

I believe that Hungary's accession to the EU will add further momentum to Budapest's dynamic development and raise the city's international profile, even though Brussels will be the new venue for more and more EU summits.

In Helsinki's case, membership of the Union did not bring an inflow of money nor any particular material advantage. It will probably be the same with Budapest. On the other hand, Helsinki gained visibility and new partners. Membership of the EU stimulated activity of a completely new type in Helsinki, and the city learned a lot through the new city networks. All this has reflected itself in the street scene as well - not least in 2000, when Helsinki was one of the European Cities of Culture. My husband and I have naturally been delighted to see that.

As in Helsinki, the Mayor of Budapest's personal contribution can secure big gains for the city. I know that you are above all the Mayor of the city of Budapest and at the same time the Mayor of the Hungarian capital. Sometimes these two tasks can be a little more awkward to reconcile with each other. I believe that you, Mayor Demszky, are excellently equipped for exactly this kind of networking and wielding influence through it. In the next wave of international comparisons I believe we shall see Budapest high up the table.

We in Finland have in recent weeks been constantly following the tragic flooding in Central Europe. We are relieved that Hungary and Budapest have fortunately escaped with less damage than was expected and I want to congratulate you, Mayor Demszky, on your good preparations and the solidarity that the residents of the city demonstrated through their voluntary efforts. I would like through you to express our sincere sympathy to those city residents who have suffered material losses, in some cases major, as a result of the flooding.

I greatly appreciate it that a moment ago I was able to join the group of highly distinguished guests who have been given the keys of the city. I wish the city of Budapest as well as you personally continued success in the years ahead. I thank you warmly for being able to spend these couple of days in your magnificent city.