‘Summerfest’ With Soldiers

The soldiers of Tata integrated their performance tour called Saint Ladislaus March into the programs of this year’s festival, which is the fifteenth in a row. Besides soldiers, they were expecting civilian hikers to the 65 km long walking tour, organized for the third time in honor of King Saint Ladislaus, the patron saint of riflemen.

The route of this year’s performance tour was: Tata, Baj, Tatabánya, Vértestolna, Tardos, Dunaszentmiklós, Szomód, Tata, mostly along the trail-marking, across the beautiful countryside. During the march participants had to cross several checkpoints. Organizers set the time for completion in 16 hours for soldiers, and 24 hours for civilians; furthermore the former had to take a backpack of at least 15 kg with them for the ‘walk’.

More than two hundred people lined up for the opening of Saint Ladislaus March on 28th June, on the main square of the city, in front of the Roman Catholic parish church. Brigadier General András Huszti greeted the participants at the opening ceremony, which was also attended by the mayor of Tata, Mr József Michl. He stated that Saint Ladislaus March is a performance tour, rather than a competition, despite the fact that the organizers had set a time for completion. Therefore he asked the participants to mind their health first and foremost, for it is important that everyone reaches the destination point – the military dormitory – without injuries. General Huszti emphasized also that he believes the performance tour would give a good chance for every military team to strengthen their comradeship and solidarity. Afterwards the competitor set off at the general’s sign, a long whistle.

At next day’s announcement of results, held at the foot of the castle of Tata, it turned out that this year’s Saint LadislausMarch, flavored with serious differences in level, was completed by a lot more people than last year. The individual competition in the military category among men was won by Balázs Gugolák (student of Zrínyi Miklós University of National Defence – ZMNE) and among women by Private Renáta Hegyi (HDF Central Training Base). In the team competition a ZMNE team came in first. The trio consisted of third-year students Mátyás Ferencz, Máté Pál Eff and Ede Énekes, who finished best for the second time, repeating their victory of last year. In the absolute category an ex-officer, Major (Ret.) András J. Walter won the cup, who completed the 65 km distance in 7 hours and 32 minutes. The prizes were handed over by Brig. Gen. András Huszti.

Naturally, military programs made up only a minor part of the Festival of Water, Music and Flowers, held on 28-29th June. Nevertheless, it is beyond doubt that the concerts of the military band of Tata (on Saturday they presented a so-called ‘lawn-show’, on Sunday they gave a promenade concert) were attended by several hundred people. Furthermore, the tent of the Western Hungarian Augmentation / Recruitment Command’s Tatabánya office for recruiting and safeguarding of interest was visited by many during the weekend. A lot of people were inquiring about the contractual and professional military service, but there were also many who only wanted to try the aircraft simulator.

A special parade unit of HDF Support Brigade 32nd Budapest Parade Battalion performed a formal armed demonstration in front of the recruitment tent Sunday afternoon. After the eight- minute demonstration of eight soldiers, the audience applauded for several minutes. The choreography of the demonstration, interspersed with acrobatic elements, namely with whirling and throwing of weapons, were made up in its entirety by the team’s members. This appearance at Tata was their main rehearsal before the international parade festival held in Prague between 29th June and 1st July.

At this year’s summer festival of Tata artisans had the greatest success. Many got to know the basics of pottery, china-painting or smithcraft. The spectacular show of the ice-sculptor, the breath-taking production of aerobatic world champion Zoltán Veres, as well as popular music concerts attracted a crowd of several thousand.