The President of Hungary, László Sólyom, visited the village Apata to pay homage to the memory of the Hungarian poet Apaczai Csere Janos (1625-1659), to salute the local Hungarian community and to discover the Hungarian traditions and customs of the area. The Hungarian president chose Apata as the most interesting of the county's localities inhabited by Magyars.
Bread and Salt
Local people welcomed him with the traditional bread and salt, Magyar alcohol and an artistic program performed by local children, including the famous habit ?The Roadster Shooting?. The president of Hungary talked to Ioan Boloni, 82 years old, who told Mr. Sólyom about the times when the border with Austria-Hungary used to cross the village.
Unchanged Traditions
According to mayor Iuliu Boloni, the President was extremely pleased by the Hungarian customs and traditions which have been kept unchanged for years. The village elders say that in 1941 they had to cross the border to buy alcohol and gas lamp from their brothers in Hungary. Hungary's President admired the traditional clothes and was charmed by the Hungarian songs interpreted by the women of the church's choir?.
An historical Moment
The sub-prefect of Brasov, Andras Szakal, considers the visit an historical moment for the county, as it is for the first time when a Hungarian President arrives in Hungary in our county. ?The visit confirms the good relationships between Romania and Hungary and we hope that the president of Hungary will return to these places?.
