Africa Day was celebrated at the InterContinental Budapest, as it is each May after a decision by the Organisation of African Unity at a summit In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1963.
The InterContinental event was organised by the embassies and the African-Hungarian Union, with guests welcomed by Ambassador of Angola Lizeth Satumbo Pena and other diplomats.
President of the African-Hungarian Union Sándor Balogh emphasised the importance of the cultural, economic and business partnership between the two. He said the Union and Hungary are closely working together to change how people view Africa as a continent.
Balogh said Africa is receiving more and more tourists and businessmen, and “Africa is the future”. He referred to an African phrase: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Parliamentary State Secretary, László Szabó, said that although many people still think of Africa as the poorest continent, it has great potential. The Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency had a stand at the event.
Guests enjoyed music and dance from Angola, Senegal and Nigeria, plus African fashion and products.
Good for Africa.