On 22 May 2012 in Budapest we celebrated the day of Africa, which will be celebrated by the world on 25 May. The aim of the Africa Day is to salute to the heritage; linguistic, cultural and ethnic variety of the black continent. This event attracts the attention to such values as dignity, equality and justice.
The main aim of the organisers of the Africa Day in Budapest was to raise Africa to the place it deserves, as well as to tighten the relations between Hungary and the black continent and to provide ground for the participants for networking.
The participants of the event were again the representatives of the African countries, business circles and NGOs.
The day started at 4pm with lectures and speeches by Professor Matteo Fumagalli, Head of Department of International Relations and European Studies at CEU, Justice Richard Goldstone, former member of the South African Constitutional Court, Iskander Ghattas, Vice-president of the Human Rights’ Council of Egypt and Takalani Netshienzhe, Ambassador of South Africa.
The event, the cost of which was covered by the Embassies, Consulates and the African-Hungarian Union, was a little smaller in size this year than in the previous years but the programmes were as rich and colourful as they usually are: all-you-can-eat dinner with specialties of the African countries accompanied by wines and other drinks. Some of the countries displayed their country’s pictures, jewellery, sculptures and other characteristic objects.
The reception was opened by Her Excellency Ms Takalani Netshienzhe, Ambassador of South Africa.