Kelemen Hunor explains the singing of the Szekler anthem at the UDMR congress: “It is not against the Romanian state”
At the UDMR Congress in Cluj-Napoca, the singing of the Szekler anthem caused controversy in the public space. Kelemen Hunor, the leader of the UDMR, explained that the anthem does not have political but cultural connotations, being part of the heritage of the Hungarian community in Romania.
Kelemen Hunor explains the singing of the Szekler anthem at the UDMR congress PHOTO: Inquam photos/George Călin
“It's not the anthem of the Szeklerland, it's the Szekler anthem, that's what it's called. It is part of our cultural heritageour common heritage. Romania, for 107 years, also has this community on its territory: the Hungarian community, which pays taxes, respects the laws, is loyal to the Romanian state and creates economic and cultural values. And it has a heritage too. If you have this community, you also have this heritage. You cannot say that you are rich, that you have ethnic minorities, but not accept their heritage. It is not against the Romanian state, it is not against Romanians, it is not against anyone. It is part of this baggage“, explained Kelemen Hunor at Antena 3 CNN.
As for the allegations regarding the secessionist message, Kelemen Hunor countered: “But why be a secessionist? It is a song that is part of the cultural heritage. This hymn was also sung two years agoCiucă and Ciolacu were there. Nothing happened to him. Fritz was also in Timișoara, because he was the mayor and invited. It was also played 4 years ago. It has been sung for 35 years. It was also sung before 1989, despite all the repressions of Ceaușescu, it did not disappear even during the communist dictatorship. It will not disappear even in this period of freedom. This is how you must see this anthem, as part of our cultural heritage“.
He emphasized that the moment was known and approved by protocol: “Everyone knew that it would be given, Grindeanu also knew, everyone knew that he was the given organizer, the protocol was discussed long before. And the prime minister, out of respect for the community, does not necessarily have to agree with every identity element, but out of respect he stayed, he said. So, from this point of view, it is again a storm in a teacup. It is not the first time, it is not the last time, it is 35 years. And still something: it is also your people, Sorin Grindeanu. It is also your people, Nicușor Dan, it is also your people, Ilie Bolojan and every political leader, whether you like it or not, with their contribution, with our contribution, this cultural heritage remains here“.
A tense moment at the congress
The event started with the singing of Romania's national anthem, followed by Hungary's national anthem and then the Szekler national anthem. The interim president of the PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, left the hall when the Szekler anthem was sung, while the other guests remained standing until the end. Afterwards, Grindeanu returned to the hall and gave a speech in which he thanked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for the support given to Romania in the Schengen Area accession process.
