Tamás Iván Kovács, Hungarian Ambassador to Luxembourg and Belgium;
Credit: Chronicle.lu
On Thursday 4 July 2024, the Residence of the Austrian Ambassador in Luxembourg was the venue for an event to mark Hungary assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Belgium on 1 July, including a book launch.
The Hungarian Ambassador to Luxembourg and Belgium, Tamás Iván Kovács, addressed the circa 100 invited guests and thanked his fellow ambassadors from the diplomatic corps for attending, in particular the Austrian Ambassador for hosting the event - mentioning long-lasting Austro-Hungarian ties - as well as members of the Hungarian community in Luxembourg.
He also mentioned that it is 20 years since Hungarian pupils were admitted to the European School in Luxembourg.
On the launch of the book Turbulences Zesummen An Europa by Jean Ries (pictured below) and Jean-Marie Majerus, Ambassador Kovács talked about the shared heritage between the two nations, Hungary and Luxembourg, and that the event represents the first official event in Luxembourg of the Hungarian presidency.
He talked also about preparations for the centenary of diplomatic relations between Luxembourg and Hungary having commenced, as well as the launch of Luxembourg stamps marking this occasion.
A number of further events are also planned, including the unveiling of a memorial plaque in four languages, a literary commemoration with the Hungarian Circle, and also screenings at the CinEast film festival. A visit to the Guardian Glass factory will also be organised (the company has plants in both countries).
The co-authors of the book, Jean Ries, also Honorary Consul of Hungary to Luxembourg, and Jean-Marie Majerus, then addressed the event. Jean Ries spoke in English and recounted the challenges he faced when wanting to start working on the project, as well as the satisfaction when getting the go-ahead and, subsequently, finishing the book; Jean-Marie Majerus spoke in French, highlighting some of the sections in the 112-page book which is in three languages (English, French and Hungarian) and covers a range of topics including the economy, politics, culture and more.
The event continued with a couple of additional speeches and a crémant reception afterwards, during which the co-authors signed copies of the book.
