Catalin Novak, President of the Republic of Hungary, awarded the High State Awards to seven Transcarpathian public figures, the awards were presented on Saturday at Beregszász, at the Perényi Cultural Palace.
At a ceremony jointly organized by the Hungarian Consulate General in Ongvar and the Hungarian Consulate in Birjasz, on behalf of the Head of State, Consul General Josef Baskay presented the Hungarian Golden Cross of Merit Award to Teacher Ipulia Komiari, Transcarpathian Society for Hungarian Culture (KMKSZ) Kisbégányi Head of the Core Organization, Psychologist Eva Rati János Seres, Pastoral Director of the Tiszapéterfalvi Reformed Lyceum and Károly Takár, retired KMKSZ employee.
Maria Hurkay, founding member of KMKSZ, Maria Kochis, Bethlen Gábor Hungarian High School in Beregszász, and Magyar Vita, Principal of Sándor Sztojka Greek Catholic School in Karácsfalva, were awarded the Silver Hungarian Cross of Merit.
In his welcome speech, Josef Pascay confirmed that this year the event took place again in the former Pyrenees Castle, which has been renovated with the support of the Hungarian government, because – in his words – “this is the place that offers a place worthy of presenting the highest state awards”.
He particularly welcomed the representatives and leaders of Hungarian organizations for the protection of historical interests and churches who participated in this event. In his words, in the current difficult situation, it gives the community members “enormous power when they see the leaders who are out there, the award-winning ones who are here and with whom they fight on a daily basis.”
