Lengyel, magyar – két jó barát...

Today is a day called Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day. It is rather new holiday, because it was established in 2007. This day referes to relations between these countries.

For example, in Hungarian Revolution of 1848 participated Polish Legions with their general, Józef Bem. After revolution he became national hero in Hungary.

The Polish also helped during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. This time was very difficult to Poland because of PRL (Polska Republika Ludowa - Polish People's Republic) and being controlled by Soviets. Despite this, people from Poland helped as they could - e.g. by sending blood (there were about 11,000 blood donors) or medicaments (44 tons (!) were sended by planes and even more by trains). Because of this, all the support from Poland was bigger than from the USA.

Not only did Poland helped Hungary, but also they helped us. When the Polish-Soviet war started, no one wanted to help us. It is important to know that it was only two years after restored independence by Poland, so the country was very weak.
That time Hungary sended us a lot of ammunition and wanted to send us soldiers, but other countries didn't agree.

Unfortunately, it isn't a popular day. But still some people know references between these countries - for example a short poem, which is rhyming in two languages.

Polish version:
Polak, Węgier — dwa bratanki,
i do szabli, i do szklanki,
oba zuchy, oba żwawi,
niech im Pan Bóg błogosławi.

Hungary version:

Lengyel, magyar – két jó barát

Együtt harcol s issza borát

Vitéz s bátor mindkettője

Áldás szálljon mindkettőre.

It can be translated as:

Pole and Hungarian cousins be,

good for fight and good for party.

Both are valiant, both are lively,

Upon them may God's blessings be.

I was in Hungary once and in my opinion it is the nicest contry I've ever been (really!). People are always smiled and they are very positive. What suprised me is the fact that a lot of people know basic Polish - they understand what do you say and they answer in a simple sentence. I know it's a very difficult language, so it was a little shock for me :D It is an another argument why I love Hungary ;)

I really wanted to go there once again! :)
(later I'll place here some photos from Hungary - now I can't find them^^')