Palace of the Arts, October 21st 2006
Canada commemorated 1956 with a gala evening – “Canada Salutes Hungary” – at the Palace of the Arts in Budapest on October 21st 2006.
“Canada Salutes Hungary” was a glittering evening of Canadian culture and reminiscences. Special guests of honour included the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Kinga Goncz, and her Canadian counterpart The Honourable Peter MacKay. Several Canadian MP’s were also present, as were a number of Hungarian Canadians, Hungarian and international diplomats, and the general public.
The audience of some 1700 people enjoyed a great concert by Canadian jazz singer Holly Cole, Hungarian/Canadian organist Xaver Varnus and Hungarian violinists Barnabas Kelemen and Katalin Kokas.
A documentary about prominent Canadian Hungarians was also screened and the Hungarian Exodus Exhibit depicting the ’56 revolution as seen from Canada was on display in the foyer.
During the gala, Peter Munk announced the Sarlos Scholarships to be established through a major donation from TriGranit Corporation for Hungarian business students.
