Military Music Has a Mission

The 4th Festival of Military Bands on the Southern Great Hungarian Plain was coupled with an “open barracks" day in Hódmezõvásárhely on September 26. The visitors gathered to watch the opening ceremony in downtown Kossuth Square and the nearby streets.û

“This day our troops are introducing themselves to the townspeople who can learn about their daily routine", Col. Imre Farkas, garrison commander said in his welcome speech to the visitors of the open barracks day on September 26.

After the opening several tradition upholding and cultural displays were held in the square. Walking down the nearby streets, the visitors could see the weapons in use with the infantry brigade. In the meantime a number of bands were playing at the festival, entertaining their audiences at four different locations in the town. The program featured the garrison bands of Szolnok, Debrecen and Hódmezõvásárhely as well as the brass ensemble of the town.

MoD Administrative State Secretary Lajos Fodor welcomed the performers at the military band festival and the visitors to the event. In his speech, he pointed out that the month of September was about the troops, the victorious battle of Pákozd and the Day of the HDF Land Forces too. Over the recent years the military has slipped into the background to some extent, so one could meet few soldiers on the streets. The new government is convinced that Hungary needs strong armed forces which provide our country with opportunity to join international missions in the future too. This is what enables Hungary to catch up with its allies in NATO.

Lajos Fodor went on to say that there has always been a need for military bandsmen throughout history. They first appeared in battles where they boosted the morale of the troops with their music and helped them to rest. Afterwards they were assigned an important task in peacetime as well, since they were popularizing soldiering and contributed to recruitment drives, whereby military music accomplished a mission.

The State Secretary added that the garrison band was formed in Hódmezõvásárhely in 2001 and has been playing a very significant role in the artistic life of the town through its appearances. In conclusion, Lajos Fodor expressed hope that the present performance will earn recognition and admiration from the audience for the Hungarian Defence Forces.

Dr. János Lázár, the mayor of Hódmezõvásárhely opened the 4th Festival of Military Bands on the Southern Great Hungarian Plain. In his speech he stressed that he expected the fourth festival to bring it about that the townspeople feel an even greater need for the soldiers and the military band of the garrison town than before. The government is going to review its defence policy in the near future, the mayor stated. “I hope the large-scale downsizing of 2003 will be succeeded by a period of recruitment and development", he added.

The mayor went on saying that Maj-Gen. József Kovács, the former garrison commander in 2003 is now the Commanding General of the HDF Joint Force Command. He expressed hope that the Major-General would assist the implementation of the HDF projects that are to be launched, since the presence of the Hungarian Defence Forces has always been important for the region. The local government of the town has always given a warm welcome to the troops, and the servicemembers of the garrison town have been considered important citizens at all times.

After the opening ceremony the military bands introduced themselves to the residents of the town, first making a stage appearance together and then performing one after the other.

Text: Ferenc Demeter
Photo: Gábor Galovtsik