Hungarian President: The More People Hear Our Call for Peace, The Greater The Impact + Video

Hungarian communities beyond our borders are becoming more closely knit, especially in times of difficulty, like that faced by the Hungarians of Transcarpathia, the president of Hungary said in an interview on Christmas Eve. Katalin Novak added that she hopes some kind of reconciliation will develop between Hungarians and Ukrainians in the region, as she believes this is the key to their long-term peaceful coexistence. The head of state spoke about the importance of the family and how being the country's first female president is not only a great responsibility, but can also serve as an inspiration to other women.

The head of state also spoke about the importance of the example set by the five predecessors holding this post, and that from now on their portraits also decorate the Alexander Palace. When asked about her love of baking, she told the story of the so called "papal stangli", which she prepared as hostess on behalf of the Hungarian people for the visiting Pope Francis. She noted that traditionally the kitchen is the space where all family members come together and even teenage children find it easier to share their thoughts.

Christmas is one of the most meaningful family holidays

Regarding the publication of part two of the volume entitled Ami a miénk  [meaning what's ours], which she edited, she said that we should talk about the beauties and joys of the family, but also its difficulties. The people in the compilation are honest about what family means to them, and this can serve as a source of strength for others.

Our family is the place from where we start out every morning and to where we return every evening. The absence of family is the void we experience in our lives every day,

she continued, adding that spending Christmas Eve together with the people who are dearest to us fills us with happiness, but for those having to celebrate alone, the absence is even more intense than on ordinary days. For the president,

Christmas is the most important and most eagerly awaited family celebration and, as a devout Protestant Christian, it is foremost the celebration of Christ's birth.

"It brings a message of joy, the miracle of birth, the birth of Christ and that of babies in general; it has a sacred and everyday dimension, with children and love at its focal point," the head of state said, admitting that she is very fond of homemade gifts. 

That's something I insist on, I make them at night,

she noted, stressing that time is the greatest treasure and that the time spent making gifts for loved ones is time spent with them, which makes these gifts so much more valuable than store-bought ones. 

In general, when "we can take time out for someone and notice the other person's need for a kind word, a little attention, a smile, then our Christmas will be happier, too," said Katalin Novak, who wished everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Cover photo: a frame from the Christmas Eve interview (Source: Facebook)