The Hungarian community in Washington, D.C., commemorated Hungary’s founding holiday on Wednesday by baking the “Bread of Hungarians in America” using flour made from both American and Hungarian wheat—a symbolic gesture of unity and heritage.
The ceremony, held at the Kossuth House, the Hungarian cultural center in the U.S. capital, featured the traditional wheat-blending ritual, a hallmark of the Hungarian Bread of the Nation program. Rev. Judit Mayer, head pastor of the Hungarian Reformed Church in Washington, D.C., blessed the bread made from flour sourced from across the Carpathian Basin and the United States.
Today we commemorate the anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848-1849. During the revolution, Lajos Kossuth, Governor-President of the Kingdom of Hungary was honored in his lifetime not just in Hungary, but in the US, as a freedom fighter and advocate of democracy. pic.twitter.com/ugdFrTh0XN
— Hungarian Embassy DC (@HungaryinUSA) March 15, 2025
This year’s celebration also included the unveiling of a portrait of Lajos Kossuth, donated by former Hungarian Ambassador Péter Kraft. The painting was brought from Budapest to mark the national holiday.
In his opening remarks, Sándor Végh, President of the Kossuth Foundation, which maintains the Kossuth House, emphasized that the bread, made from a blend of American and Hungarian wheat, symbolizes the deep ties between the two nations—an especially meaningful gesture for the diaspora community.
On St. Stephen’s Day, we celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state more than 1000 years ago. Did you know that after an eventful rescue mission following WWII, the highly symbolic Holy Crown of St. Stephen returned to Hungary frm Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1978? pic.twitter.com/WgYT28MTYl
— Hungarian Embassy DC (@HungaryinUSA) August 20, 2025
Végh also highlighted the importance of communal celebration, noting that Hungarian Americans coming together to honor their heritage demonstrates a continued pride in Hungarian history and culture—even far from home.
Today, we celebrate the founding of Hungary and our state sovereignty.
St. Stephen’s Crown is a fixture at Europe’s largest annual fireworks display.
We must remember that Hungary will only be free as long as we uphold the principles that St. Stephen instilled in his nation: God,… pic.twitter.com/uD9pmO916p
— The Center (@alapjogokert) August 20, 2025
Dr. Márton Sulyok, a visiting constitutional law scholar at Georgetown University’s Institute of Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, drew parallels between the Hungarian Fundamental Law and the U.S. Constitution in his keynote address. He reminded attendees that,
As Hungarians, we must recognize that our individual freedoms can only fully flourish through cooperation—especially with our fellow citizens.”
Sulyok also noted that the United States is approaching a major milestone: the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, to be celebrated in 2026.
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Via MTI; Featured image: MTI/Purger Tamás
